A Los Angeles Judge has ruled that accusations of harassment made against Danny Masterson and the Church of Scientology will be mediated by (you guessed it) the Church of Scientology.
On Wednesday, Los Angeles Judge Steven Kleifield ruled that four of the five allegations of stalking and intimidation against That 70’s Show actor Danny Masterson must be settled by the Church of Scientology. As four of the charges were filed by former members of Scientology, the ruling was made on the basis of a lifelong arbitration agreement signed between the complainants and the Church.
Filed in 2019, the civil lawsuit alleged that the actor, the Church of Scientology, and Church leader David Miscavige conspired “to cover up that Daniel Masterson sexually assaulted four young women” by “systemically stalking, harassing, invading their family’s privacy, and intentionally causing them emotional distress to silence and intimidate them.”
According to Variety, Superior Court Judge Kleifield ruled that the complaints from Chrissie Carnell Bixler, her husband Cedric Bixler-Zavaka, and two Jane Does must be settled by the Church due to existing arbitration agreements between the two parties.
During the ruling, Kleifield argued that the plaintiffs had “signed lifelong agreements to be bound to arbitrate any and all claims against Scientology” and, therefore, their claims must be mediated by the Church. Conflict of interest much?
Whoa, so Danny Masterson’s sexual assault cases now have to be settled in the church of Scientology!? How is that legal?! How is it okay for a religion to have this kind of power!? @LeahRemini What the actual fuck?
— Hannah Rose Lowe (@HannahRoseLowe) January 2, 2021
The claims include intimidation through harassing phone calls, threats of violence, and property damage. Bixler accused Masterson of sexual assault during their relationship (2001 – 2002) and alleged that “agents of [the] defendants” poisoned her dog, slashed her tyres, and sent her and her husband harassing phone calls.
After reporting her sexual assault to police, Jane Doe #1 claimed to experience property damage, violent threats, assault, and sexual harassment. Jane Doe #2 accused the defendants of inflicting emotional distress, stalking, and invasion of privacy.
4. When you become a member of Scientology, or as they put it, if you want to receive “religious services” you are required to sign a document waiving many of your rights.
Here’s the part which requires any disputes to be resolved in religious arbitration. pic.twitter.com/XLQ7GQSMMf
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) December 31, 2020
A lot of these clauses are illegal… obviously.
I know for a fact that you can’t sign away your right to contact law enforcement.
— It’s a big club, and you ain’t in it! (@BasedCorp) December 31, 2020
A conference on the status of the arbitration has been set by the court for June 30. Masterson’s attorney Andrew Brettler told reporters that “this was absolutely the correct result. We look forward to arbitrating the claims, as the Court directed.”
Masterson is still scheduled for an arraignment on January 6 concerning three charges of rape in the early 2000s. The victims have alleged that the harassment began after they came forward in early 2017.
A church with a binding arbitration agreement, should have raised some flags no?
— wmassih (@lbca81) December 31, 2020
7. Also, as I have revealed repeatedly in my reporting on the Danny Masterson case, in Scientology you are strictly forbidden from ever suing another Scientologist…but here’s what you’re also not allowed to do: you may NEVER contact law enforcement about another Scientologist.
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) December 31, 2020
Masterson has continued to deny all rape allegations.
We can only hope that justice will be served for these victims.
How does religious arbitration supersede federal or state law if they are separate?
— Julia (@juliacforbes) January 1, 2021
If you or anyone you know needs help or support from abuse or assault, you can contact 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline (131 114), or Beyond Blue (1300 224 636).
