Bonnie Woods
Bonnie Woods is an American former
libel against the organization – in response Scientology filed three libel suits against her. Her case eventually reached the High Court of Justice
. Scientology paid her for costs and damages, and admitted that the claims it had made about her were false.
Scientology
Leaving the organization
An American who moved to Britain, Bonnie Woods had been a member of the
Sea Organization but left Scientology in 1982.[1] Since 1992, she and her husband Richard have run a telephone helpline for families affected by Scientology.[2] Scientologists declared her a "suppressive person", picketing her house and around East Grinstead and putting her family under surveillance.[2] She and her family were followed by a private investigator,[3] and a creditor of theirs was located and provided free legal assistance to sue them.[4] Woods told a local paper, "The biggest concern I have is for my children. Obviously I worry about their safety. I can never let them answer the phone or the door."[3] Private investigator Eugene Ingram persuaded a creditor of Richard Woods' failed building firm to accept free help from Scientologists to pursue her money.[4] As a result, the family was bankrupted.[2][4][5]
Libel litigation
The Church spread leaflets calling her a "hate campaigner" around her East Grinstead neighbourhood and on the High Street.[2][6] Woods sued for libel, and in response the Church took out three libel suits against her.[2] In 1999, after six years of litigation and 25 appearances in court, eventually reaching the High Court, the Church of Scientology admitted that the claims were untrue and paid damages and costs.[7][8] She told journalists that during the case she had been subjected to a "level of harassment that most people would find intolerable".[1][9]
See also
- Fair game (Scientology)
- Office of Special Affairs
- Scientology controversies
- Scientology and the legal system
- Scientology in the United Kingdom
References
- ^ a b Davison, John (June 9, 1999). "Woman accused of hate campaign wins damages from Scientologists". The Independent. Independent News and Media. p. 14.
- ^ a b c d e Nicolova, Rossitsa (6 March 1998). "Scientology's Campaign Of Hate, By "Cult Busters"". The American. p. 5.
- ^ East Grinstead Courier. April 15, 1994.
- ^ Times Newspapers. p. 10.
- ^ Edwards, David (May 12, 2000). "Inside The Scientologists". The Argus. Brighton.
- ^ Steiner, Susie (June 9, 1999). "Scientologists pay £155,000 for 'hate' claim". The Times. p. 6.
- ^ Steiner, Susie (June 9, 1999). "Sect pays £55,000 to 'hate ' victim". The Times. p. 4. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ Dyer, Clare (June 9, 1999). "Scientologists pay for libel". The Guardian. p. 11. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
- ^ Palmer, Richard (June 9, 1999). "My victory joy after six year battle with cult". Daily Express. Northern and Shell Media Publications. p. 19.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bonnie Woods.
- Interview with Bonnie Woods, April 13, 2008.
- How Scientology handles truth, Lermanet
- Richard and Bonnie Woods, FACTnet