33:
342:, the attorney representing McPherson's family. In a 26-page affidavit, Minton stated that Tampa attorney Ken Dandar asked him to lie, drew up false court records for him to sign and urged him to generate bad publicity for the Church of Scientology to prejudice potential jurors in the McPherson wrongful death case as Scientology tried to get the wrongful death case dismissed on grounds of serious misconduct by Ken Dandar and his client. Minton's affidavit gave new details about how involved Minton was in the wrongful death case from the start, stating that he gave Dandar more than $ 2
94:
111:
293:
The main private investigator employed by the church was Dave Lubow, who flew all over the country contacting Minton's family, friends and associates, picketing Minton's other businesses, and even got his Swiss bank account frozen. They also arranged to goad Minton into swatting at a
Scientologist by
172:
wrongful death case; Minton also offered a reward of $ 360,000 to anyone who would leave
Scientology with enough information to cause the organization to lose its federal tax exemption. The amount of money was based on the amount of money critics say Scientology charges for courses. In November 1997,
350:
Despite the allegations the presiding judge declined to remove attorney Dandar from the case, stating that she did not believe Minton's testimony, and that he had lied in an attempt to escape paying income taxes. Six months before she had already remarked that it was irrelevant how much money Minton
315:
Minton changed his testimony in the McPherson case after a
Scientology probe into his financial affairs. Minton was repeatedly ordered to attend depositions and questioned by Scientology lawyers about his alleged financial dealings. In addition, years later, former church officials detailed how they
95:
115:
184:
Minton also gave money to a number of other church critics, including three people whom
Scientology accuses of infringement of its copyrights. Minton also distributed $ 25,000 or $ 30,000 to a Swiss ex-Scientologist called Jean-Luc Barbier, who was suing the cult, and gave $ 250,000 to a French
146:
after reading about its attacks on critics and internet free speech. He appeared on several news programs discussing his criticism of
Scientology and the harassment from the Church of Scientology. This included a featured appearance on the June 16, 1998, broadcast of the television news program
346:
million to finance the case and paying witnesses to testify against the church. Dandar took the witness stand to explain the origin of Swiss bank checks totaling $ 750,000 that Minton allegedly gave him. Minton also testified about two financial arrangements in which $ 800,000 of his money was
289:
to do anything and everything to "Stop Minton". Miscavige even blamed them for failure to stop Minton from moving to
Clearwater in the first place. They brought in a number of private investigators and began a massive international campaign to silence Minton, to which funding was no barrier.
97:
113:
307:: "There were things that, really, he was worried about and had caused problems for him in the investigation that we had done" and that Minton and the church had reached a private settlement. Rinder, after leaving the church in 2007, described Minton as a friend in a 2009 interview.
98:
294:
getting right up into his face and yelling at him; the swat of Minton's picket sign and the overdramatic 'fall' of the victim got him arrested. Although he was acquitted, Scientology thereafter called Minton a criminal who had been arrested for a violent assault.
114:
631:
about Bob, which
Scientology was spreading in Germany, including calling him a criminal, is false and defamatory and Scientology may not repeat any of it. This is a total victory because Scientology additionally must pay all costs. Further appeals are not
188:
After reports by
Scientology alleging fraud in his Nigerian businesses, Minton successfully sued two German Scientology entities and a spokeswoman for a permanent injunction preventing them from repeating the libel. The decision was confirmed on appeal.
362:
of stealing money from
Nigeria, apologized, saying, "I can say it again and again, that there was nothing like debt buy-back or any billions stacked away in any account anywhere." In 2000, Minton said that Fashanu was given false information by the
222:, Scientology's spiritual headquarters. Supporters of the Lisa McPherson Trust engaged in picketing outside Church of Scientology buildings in Clearwater, and there were frequent confrontations between the LMT and Scientologists.
323:
and on April 6 of that year they met. At that meeting Minton told Rinder that there were lies told in the case and he feared
Scientology would uncover those lies in court and he would be sent to jail for
264:
million. The film was a presented as a work of fiction, meant to educate the public about cults and con men, but was widely seen as a parody of the Church of Scientology and its founder, L. Ron Hubbard.
96:
112:
303:
that Scientology eventually silenced Minton by digging into his financial details and secretly recording conversations. This included allegations about his Nigeria dealings in 2000. Rinder told the
347:
transferred from Europe to the Lisa McPherson Trust and that he had kept a portion of that money because he wanted to hide the source of the Trust's funding from the Church of Scientology.
886:
406:"A crusader sees evil in Fla. city; Scientology: A millionaire opens a center in Clearwater, Fla., a hub of the religion, to battle what he calls a dangerous cult"
316:
had investigated Minton, recording their conversations with him, obtaining his phone records and bank records, and finding information he was "worried about".
645:
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of a heart ailment on January 20, 2010, at the age of 63. His funeral was held on the following Monday, at St. Mary of the Rosary Church, Cong,
978:
872:"Inside Scientology: High-ranking defectors provide an unprecedented inside look at the Church of Scientology and its leader, David Miscavige"
185:
attorney. He also participated in demonstrations in front of the Boston Headquarters of the Church of Scientology near his Beacon Hill home.
339:
840:
338:
During an April 20, 2002, hearing in the Lisa McPherson wrongful death lawsuit against the Church of Scientology, Minton spoke against
1192:
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1134:
1055:
1023:
240:"in recognition of his extraordinary courage, tenacity and perseverance in the battle against tyranny over the mind of man."
537:
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Critics of Scientology believe that Minton was blackmailed by the Church of Scientology. On March 16, 2002, Minton called
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and provided legal assistance to former Scientologists who alleged maltreatment or abuse by the Church.
1118:
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103:
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1267:
577:"Die aktuelle Entwicklung der Rechtsprechung zu neueren Glaubens und Weltanschauungsgemeinschaften"
130:(October 1946 – January 20, 2010) was a millionaire who helped finance lawsuits against the
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848:
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207:(LMT) which brought a civil suit against the Church of Scientology for the wrongful death of
131:
579:[The current development of Jurisprudence on newer faith and worldview communities]
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157:"Investigative Reports" installment called "Inside Scientology" which aired in December.
229:" from the European-American Citizens Committee for Human Rights and Religious Freedom.
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he spent $ 260,000 to buy a house for a cat sanctuary for former Scientologists
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I don't want my life defined by Scientology anymore. I just want some peace.
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A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology
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A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology
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799:
384:
320:
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143:
683:
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1200:
676:"Alternative Charlemagne Award for Robert Minton (English translation)"
1168:"Robert S. Minton, a former Scientology critic, dies of heart ailment"
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1135:"Nigeria: Senate backs debt buy-back to reduce external debts"
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In 2001, for his work with LMT, Bob Minton received the
515:"Millionaire's bizarre feud with Scientology escalates"
1227:
Inside Scientology : Digital Newsbook (215 pages)
1137:. Vanguard Daily (Lagos). July 2, 2000. Archived from
558:"Decision of Landgericht Berlin (Hearing:27.O.764/00)"
164:
million fighting Scientology. This included about $ 2
508:
506:
1138:
1063:
1031:
600:Kammergericht Berlin, Gz: 9 U 115/01, May 24, 2002
574:
434:from the original on January 28, 2008 – via
387:, Ireland. He is buried in Lisloughrey Cemetery.
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225:In 2000, Minton was the first recipient of the "
979:"Ruling lets Scientology death lawsuit proceed"
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538:"Scientology sponsored suit against opponent"
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297:In October 2009, Rinder and Rathbun told the
627:Now it is clear that by this judgement, the
424:"Meet Bob Minton: The Crusader (transcript)"
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479:"How Scientology turned its biggest critic"
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773:"Man spent millions fighting Scientology"
748:"Man's film a veiled look at Scientology"
452:: "Inside Scientology", December 14, 1998
611:"Total victory for Bob Minton in Berlin"
403:
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109:
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1024:"Nigeria: Tracking The Fashanu Report"
976:
905:"Church's leading foes split bitterly"
798:
789:
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714:
512:
243:
1218:Childs, Joe; Tobin, Thomas C (2009).
1185:
1165:
1002:"Allegations won't alter church suit"
870:Childs, Joe; Tobin, Thomas C (2009).
644:Tobin, Thomas C. (December 4, 1999).
643:
536:Tobin, Thomas C (December 23, 1997).
535:
153:. Later that year, he appeared in an
956:"Scientology turncoat taken to task"
254:Minton produced and funded the film
1193:"Robert Schenk MINTON Jr. obituary"
977:Farley, Robert (January 14, 2003).
892:from the original on March 6, 2023.
841:"How Scientology got to Bob Minton"
717:"Anti-Scientology site spurs award"
404:Marbella, Jean (January 19, 2000).
13:
1220:"Why did Bob Minton Switch Sides?"
1211:
1166:Tobin, Thomas (January 29, 2010).
1056:"Nigeria: Fashanu in Public Court"
933:"Scientology foes continue rancor"
903:O'Neil, Deborah (April 20, 2002).
847:. November 2, 2009. Archived from
621:on September 29, 2007 – via
14:
1279:
1238:
1062:. August 18, 2009. Archived from
954:O'Neil, Deborah (June 13, 2002).
771:O'Neill, Deborah (May 18, 2002).
746:Farley, Robert (August 2, 2001).
358:, who in 2000 accused Minton and
1030:. April 10, 2000. Archived from
560:. March 27, 2001. Archived from
477:O'Neil, Deborah (July 7, 2002).
238:Leo J. Ryan Education Foundation
31:
1199:. January 24, 2010 – via
1106:
1080:
1048:
1016:
1000:O'Neil, Deborah (May 3, 2002).
993:
970:
931:O'Neil, Deborah (May 1, 2002).
896:
764:
715:Bowman, Lisa M. (May 1, 2003).
708:
690:
668:
646:"Church draws line for critics"
637:
603:
513:Morgan, Lucy (August 3, 1998).
682:. June 3, 2000. Archived from
594:
568:
550:
529:
442:
416:
397:
1:
390:
227:Alternative Charlemagne Award
879:Digital Newsbook (215 pages)
203:In 1999, Minton founded the
7:
583:(in German). Archived from
269:Opposition from Scientology
10:
1284:
702:Leipzig Human Rights Award
247:
214:The trust operated out of
196:
142:Minton became a critic of
104:Leipzig Human Rights Award
57:January 20, 2010 (aged 63)
260:, costing him about $ 2.5
71:
53:
39:
30:
23:
575:Prof. Dr. Ralf B. Abel.
370:
285:were pressured daily by
168:million he spent on the
138:Criticism of Scientology
351:had put into the case.
1263:Critics of Scientology
680:Leipziger Volkszeitung
590:on September 30, 2007.
336:
160:Minton spent over $ 10
124:
107:
1088:"Season Of Apologies"
450:Investigative Reports
365:Church of Scientology
326:
311:Minton switches sides
132:Church of Scientology
118:
101:
16:Critic of Scientology
1231:St. Petersburg Times
1172:St. Petersburg Times
1036:on December 12, 2000
1006:St. Petersburg Times
983:St. Petersburg Times
960:St. Petersburg Times
937:St. Petersburg Times
909:St. Petersburg Times
885:. pp. 156–160.
883:St. Petersburg Times
845:St. Petersburg Times
810:. pp. 170–175.
808:Simon & Schuster
778:St. Petersburg Times
760:on December 2, 2016.
753:St. Petersburg Times
698:"Leipzig Award 2000"
650:St. Petersburg Times
564:on October 27, 2007.
543:St. Petersburg Times
525:on December 1, 1998.
519:St. Petersburg Times
484:St. Petersburg Times
300:St. Petersburg Times
205:Lisa McPherson Trust
199:Lisa McPherson Trust
193:Lisa McPherson Trust
128:Robert Schenk Minton
83:Lisa McPherson trust
1233:. pp. 156–160.
989:on October 1, 2003.
851:on November 6, 2009
686:on August 19, 2007.
244:Hubbard parody film
216:Clearwater, Florida
1197:The New York Times
1143:on August 24, 2000
1114:The Nigeria Debate
1068:on August 22, 2009
1012:on March 19, 2018.
915:on March 19, 2018.
281:writes how he and
125:
108:
1094:. August 17, 2009
1060:Daily Independent
1028:Daily Independent
966:on March 3, 2016.
943:on March 2, 2018.
785:on March 2, 2018.
430:. June 16, 1998.
410:The Baltimore Sun
360:Ibrahim Babangida
273:In his 2022 book
250:The Profit (film)
234:Leo J. Ryan Award
121:Leo J. Ryan Award
116:
99:
91:
90:
1275:
1268:American bankers
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1008:. Archived from
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985:. Archived from
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354:In August 2009,
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119:Minton receives
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375:Minton died in
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367:to attack him.
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209:Lisa McPherson
197:Main article:
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170:Lisa McPherson
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47:United States
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25:Robert Minton
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1226:
1187:
1175:. Retrieved
1161:
1151:– via
1145:. Retrieved
1140:the original
1129:
1108:
1096:. Retrieved
1082:
1070:. Retrieved
1065:the original
1050:
1038:. Retrieved
1033:the original
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1010:the original
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987:the original
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964:the original
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941:the original
913:the original
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853:. Retrieved
849:the original
803:
800:Rinder, Mike
783:the original
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758:the original
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729:. Retrieved
725:the original
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684:the original
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619:the original
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585:the original
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493:. Retrieved
489:the original
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428:Dateline NBC
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356:John Fashanu
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150:Dateline NBC
148:
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127:
126:
43:October 1946
18:
1258:2010 deaths
1253:1946 births
1177:January 29,
855:November 4,
385:County Mayo
321:Mike Rinder
279:Mike Rinder
179:Stacy Young
144:Scientology
72:Occupations
1247:Categories
1201:Legacy.com
660:August 13,
632:permitted.
448:A & E
391:References
340:Ken Dandar
333:Bob Minton
257:The Profit
218:, home to
1153:AllAfrica
495:August 5,
236:from the
81:Founder,
887:Archived
802:(2022).
629:Black PR
623:Lermanet
436:Lermanet
432:Archived
331:—
324:perjury.
1119:YouTube
381:Ireland
377:Clonbur
155:A&E
65:Ireland
61:Clonbur
1122:Xenutv
814:
344:
262:
175:Vaughn
166:
162:
123:, 2001
106:, 2000
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