The Church of Scientology asks for permission from a judge to handle the sexual assault allegations against the 'That '70s Show' actor under their own religious laws.
- Jan 10, 2020
AceShowbiz - Leaders from the Church of Scientology are demanding they be allowed to handle sexual assault lawsuits filed against the actor Danny Masterson under "religious arbitration" laws.
Four women, including two ex-girlfriends, filed a lawsuit against Masterson in California last year, alleging the "That '70s Show" star sexually assaulted them in the early 2000s, also naming the Church as a defendant as they claim they were stalked and harassed after making complaints.
In court papers filed on Tuesday and obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, lawyers for the organisation argue that the women, who like Masterson were members of the Church at the time of the alleged offences, consented to "ecclesiastical rule" when they joined the church and so have relinquished their rights to sue.
"Under the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses of the United States and California Constitutions the Church may establish its own rules governing its relationship with its members exempt from civil law," the court papers state.
The agreements they allegedly signed stated that they were "forever abandoning, surrendering, waiving, and relinquishing my right to sue, or otherwise seek legal recourse with respect to any dispute, claim or controversy against the Church," as well as related organisations and employees.
Two of the women named in the lawsuit are ex-girlfriends of Masterson, Chrissie Bixler and Bobette Riales, while the other two women remain anonymous.
They claim that after they came forward to report sexual assault allegations against the actor, Scientology officials allegedly conspired to stalk, harass, invade their privacy and cause emotional distress in a bid to intimidate them into silence.
Church leaders and Masterson have denied the allegations, with the actor telling The Hollywood Reporter the lawsuit is "beyond ridiculous."
