In 1991, the mother of an 18-year-old from Bellevue, Wash., hired a “cult deprogrammer” and two assistants in an effort to rescue her son from Life Tabernacle Church, a Pentecostal group. The incident led to a “high-stakes” lawsuit which eventually resulted in the Cult Awareness Network (CAN) being forced into bankruptcy. The youth, Jason Scott, contended that the person responsible for referring his mother to the deprogrammer did so acting as a CAN volunteer.
Criminal charges brought against the deprogrammer by a county prosecutor in late 1993 did not meet with success. The deprogrammer was acquitted of the charges. The case took on a new life in civil court when attorney Kendrick L. Moxon agreed to litigate on Scott’s behalf. Moxon has repeatedly represented members of the Church of Scientology. His efforts were successful and Scott was awarded more than $4 million in damages. CAN was responsible for $1.8 million of the judgment. In 1996, the group filed for bankruptcy.
Last December, CAN’s assets began being liquidated and were sold to the highest bidder. Lawyer Steven L. Hayes, a Scientologist, bought the defunct network’s name, logo, post office box and telephone number. Hayes said he is working with a group whose efforts will be to re-establish the network so it “disseminates the truth about all religions.”
The attorney representing CAN, David Bardin, commented: “It kind of boggles the mind. People will still pick up the CAN name in a library book and call saying ‘My daughter has joined the Church of Scientology.’ And your friendly CAN receptionist is someone who works for Scientology.”
Then in late December, Scott reportedly changed his mind about allowing Scientologists to dismantle CAN. He fired Moxon and hired a new attorney, Graham Berry. Berry, in the past, had assisted CAN. Berry told The Washington Post that, “Jason Scott has no interest in being part of Scientology’s campaign against the Cult Awareness Network.”
According to a Religious News Service report, Berry said,
“he will seek a cash settlement with Scientology that would
allow CAN to keep its files and re-establish itself as a
clearinghouse for information about controversial religious
movements that many regard as destructive cults.”
—MKG
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