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Leah Remini (photo from 2019) left Scientology ten years ago – and became a prominent critic

Photo: Richard Shotwell / dpa

"King of Queens" actress Leah Remini accuses Scientology of running a targeted intimidation campaign against her for years – and is therefore taking legal action against the organization. The American filed her lawsuit on Wednesday (local time) at a court in Los Angeles.

"After 17 years of harassment, intimidation, surveillance and defamation," she would now sue the organization and its chairman David Miscavige, the 53-year-old wrote on Instagram. Scientology failed to silence her, the actress continued.

Since 2006, the organization is said to have led the campaign against Remini and her family and friends, according to a press release. After decades of membership, Remini publicly announced her resignation from the controversial organization in 2013.

With the lawsuit, she hopes to protect the right for her and other people to report facts about Scientology "without fear of vicious and vengeful retaliation," Remini wrote on Instagram. The actress is also insisting on damages in an undisclosed amount for the alleged damage to her career.

Scientology has not yet commented on the lawsuit at the request of several U.S. media outlets, including The Hollywood Reporter and the Los Angeles Times. In the past, the organization had always denied the allegations made by Remini, as it did in 2019 to SPIEGEL. Among other things, she accused the actress of spreading lies. In addition, she did not leave the organization voluntarily, but was expelled for "ethical misconduct."

Scientology is recognized as a religious community in the U.S., which means that the organization's income is exempt from taxes. Critics, on the other hand, see it as a profit-oriented company. In Germany, the organization is monitored in several federal states by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution.

In the documentary series "Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath" (2016 to 2019), Remini spoke with former members about their experiences with Scientology.


bbr/dpa