Above $cientologists search my basement....Helena Kobrin in on far right, if you can ID the two fellows above, please email alerma@bellatlantic.net thank you.
Dear Friend,
My name is Arnaldo Lerma, I am a struggling self employed small businessman in Arlington
Virginia, a founding member of Volunteers for an Independent Arlington, an anti corruption
public interest reform group in Virginia, and a member of the board of FACTNet, an
anti-cult data archive & electronic lending library....... and I now happen to be in
big trouble..
The situation is very grave for the growing number of ex-members and critics who have the
courage to speak out publicly about the cult called $cientology. Please do what you can to
help call attention to this criminal organization, perhaps refer this letter to anyone
interested who may be in a position to assist. Advice on how to proceed in raising public
& governmental awareness is welcome.
On August
12th at 9:30 AM my home was searched from top to bottom by members of the Cult of
Scientology. The President of their 'Religious' Technology Corporation (RTC) even searched
the drawers in my bedroom...all the while, under the 'color of law', using a search and
seizure order procured by the filing of false and misleading affidavits, as two United
States Marshalls stood idly by ...after 'gaining entrance' and 'securing' the premises, to
my home, a modest 2 bedroom rambler in suburban Washington, in North Arlington.. I have
two videotapes of this raid. Look at images.
This unholy alliance of what claims to be a "church" with the power and
authority of the Federal government, was the result, of my posting to an Internet newsgroup, alt.religion.scientology,
an open public record court document.(note1) That contained less that 10% of certain
alleged copyright works in question, as attachments to that affidavit. Included in this
posting was a document where L. Ron Hubbard, Founder of Scientology, claimed to be 'The
Anti-Christ' and goes on to claim that Jesus was a pedophile.. Its own lawyer, Kendrick
Moxon, an unindicted-co-conspirator in US vs Mary Sue Hubbard marked this document as an
infringement, then the cult claimed it was a forgery.. Note well, the style is the same as
Hubbard, and when the OTIII writings were first published by the LA Times, the cult
claimed they were a forgery also. Also included was rich documentation on the criminal practices of obstruction of justice, the harassment
of critics, and intimidation of the media and judges by the cult.
The Washington Post was added to their lawsuit against me, and has won their case,
including attorney fees. My case continues and it appears that I may have a judgment
rendered against me for an act, that I consider was motivated by, the public interest,
and under common law, a citizen may assert the right of privilege in order to
protect the safety of the public. This 'Public Interest' defense was upheld in England in
the Cyril Vosper case to squelch publication in 1971 of "The Mind Benders" (Now
available on the internet) in that case, the English Court stated the following about the
cult of $cientology "...capable of such danger that the public interest demands
that people should know what is going on" LORD DENNING
In Scientology, you have an organization, which has a known and recognized
criminal history (US vs Mary
Sue Hubbard et al) 1982. Is currently under criminal indictment for 23 charges,
including fraud, and inducement to suicide in Spain (note2). Has
been characterized as the Evil Cult of Money and Greed, by
Time Magazine, who was sued, (to silence them) for 416 million dollars, - a few months
ago, that lawsuit was dismissed, except for one single short paragraph...and a 7 million
dollar legal bill...... This cult has a history of harassment and bending of the legal
machinery in order to silence critics (Note3). The Church was
granted non-profit status in 1993 under an unprecedented "SECRET" closing
agreement, that in itself is the subject of multiple lawsuits, by Dow Jones Wire Service,
and Tax Analysts' in Arlington Virginia, in order that the public may be informed. I have
been trying for some time to call public attention to the true nature of this organization
that seeks world domination as its ultimate goal, and holds themselves above any mere laws
of man (note4) The 1978 US Copyright law would benefit greatly
with an actual written exception or wording that would reinforce 'fair use' definitions,
in cases similar to mine, where the postings are a matter of public interest. This
situation is chilling free speech on the internet, and the internet should remain free for
public use, in the public interest, especially when there is no 'profit' involved. (note5)
This raid on my home and this case are becoming an embarrassing international incident.
The cult copied and retained 119 diskettes with personal ernails, many between myself and
ex-members whom they now know and can harass (note6) (Even
though the writ of seizure was vacated by Judge Brinkema) The 'Church' has initiated legal
action against a large number of internet providers and individuals in Holland, and has
been the subject of an investigatory TV special in France (shown in 43 countries), which
has resulted in much outrage that America in fact is the land of the free in name
only(note7)
Having exhausted a $1,000,000 legal insurance policy, I understand why the framers of the
Constitution, placed the first amendment, FIRST.
I have enclosed a diskette with various samples of documents for your aides' perusal. I am
faced with the possibility of losing my home, which after 8 months of brutal litigation I
am barely holding onto anyway.
I attempted to alert the public to a threat to the public, and I did it for the children.
I was 17 when I decided not to pursue college, and joined this cult to try to save the
world. If my actions result in just one kid, continuing to be a valuable contributor to
society, instead of becoming a brainwashed cult follower, and wasting 10 years of his
life, how much is that worth?
I don't know what you can do to help.. but I beg you, do something. The efforts of
Citizenry upon the internet might save one of your children or grandchildren from becoming
ensnared by the cult called Scientology.
Arnaldo Pagliarini Lerma
"I'd prefer to die speaking my mind than live fearing to speak" (see note3)
"the internet is the Liberty tree of the 90's" (note
5)
Note 1: "Aug 19, 1995 "Church in Cyberspace" Wash
Post, front page style, 90 column inches (to be available through Digital Ink, sometime in
June 96 call 202-334-7772 for info)
Note 2:Translation of Dec 1994 Commencement of Spanish Criminal Trial
Charges of original Spanish case document
Note 3 - Front page story in American University's, Washington College of Law, Magazine "The Jurist" November 1995,
Note 4: Front Page Style section, Wash Post, Christmas Day, 1994 Scientology
Fiction, The Church's War Against its Critics - and - Truth,
Note 5: 'Liberty Tree' (please read this for my historical
overview of the what the internet truly is)
Note 6: See RTC vs Lerrna 5 Jan 95 motion for summary judgement
(moot) on basis of 'abuse of copyright',
Note 7: Partial list of articles about this and related incidents:
WIRED Magazine December 1995 Alt.scientology.war,
Washington Post December 1994, (note 4)
Washington Post August 19 1995 (note 1)
DeGroene, Holland, Oct 6th, 85 column inches
Java Article 6/95
Le'Express, France - Translation of french 35 column inches
Austrailia The Austrailian, Nov 7th 1995 140 column inches
NY Newsday, Tuesday Oct 10th, 80 column inches
American Lawyer, March 96, and October 95,
CNN - carried video of the raid, Aug
26th 1995
Internet World, November & December 1995
Arlington Journal, front page, August 16th
NY Times September 14th 1995
Skeptical Inquirer Sept/Oct and NovlDec 1995---
International Herald Tribune August 15th 1995
Freedom Speaks, PBS, Show # 318
ENVOYE SPECIAL, on the 2nd national French channel "France 2"Thursday 20th
March, P.M. 1996 Internet World April 96
Reason, Magazine April 1996
TATLER, April 1996
You get the general idea
Note: this letter only concerns my story, there are many others on the web. The cult has
just (1 April) instigated legal action against two more posters to the internet, Grady
Ward, & Keith Henson in Judge Whyte's Federal Court in California, actions continue
against Gerry Armstrong, Dennis Erlich, Netcom Corporation, FACTNet (an anti cult
library), Lawrence Wollershiem, Bob Penny,David Mayo,Steven
Fishman, John
Atack, Karin Spaink, and
many other Dutch, English, German, Austrialian and even a South African citizen.
Any assistance of any kind, advice or referrals, including monetary gifts gratefully
accepted...., but frankly I'd prefer you called me directly at (703) 241 1498 (USA)
"Secrets are the mortar, binding bricks of lies together, into prisons for the
mind"
Thank you for your time
