Bob Minton: One Man's Battle Against Scientology

The Man Who Fell Over

Berliner Zeitung/May 30, 2002
By Frank Nordhausen

Berlin -- For years the millionaire Robert Minton had fought against the Scientology sect. He gave his fortune for the cause and received awards - now he has changed sides.

Horror would be too weak a work, said Graham Berry. "It's a shock. A disaster." The Los Angeles lawyer loses a little of his composure as he talks about an "unbelievable coup by the Scientologists". Berry, who has represented a few clients in court cases against the controversial Scientology Organization, has just returned from Leipzig, Germany, where an award ceremony had been held, with a prize going to opponents of the sect. The speech on that special occasion was made by Günter Beckstein, Minister of the Interior for Bavaria. But Berry did not feel much like celebrating that day. After all, Robert Minton, the multimillionaire who was the first person to receive the award in 2000, had just switched sides.

Minton was the sect opponents' major bank roller in the US, and he talked with politicians and secret services. Now he is supplying the sect, which is being monitored by the intelligence service in Germany, with material against those people who used to be his allies. "The consequences of his breach of trust are not at all foreseeable as yet," said Graham Berry.

This is the story of a man who had got ready to do battle. An investment banker from Boston - with assets of over 50 million dollars - taking a stand against the sect. Robert Minton, now 55 years old, first came across Scientology when he was surfing the net in 1995. At the time the sect was trying to silence its critics who accused it of manipulating its disciples by brainwashing them. Minton found out more and began to fund the opponents of Scientology, true to the old American motto: "If you want to do something, don't wait for the state, do it yourself."

The battle against the sect soon became Minton's real purpose in life. Former Scientologists looked to him as their protector. "Anyone leaving the sect is ruined and has lawsuits piled on them," he said. "I want to use my money to help them defend themselves." He funded their litigation and paid them a monthly salary. Graham Berry said that Minton had acted "like a father". "He was a loyal friend."

Minton spent 2.5 million dollars on a critical film about L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, who died in 1986. He took part in protests in front of Scientology branches and traveled to Europe to meet politicians and critics of the sect. When he gave a speech last year in Leipzig in praise of that year's award-winner Norbert Blüm, he compared Scientology with the Nazis and described it as a "new form of totalitarianism, that disguises itself in the sheep's clothing of religion and psychotherapy." He described himself as "Scientology's public enemy number one". The banker repeatedly spoke about being on a "crusade".

Minton said that he had invested ten million dollars in this crusade. And a spokesman for the sect in Florida stated that "no one before has ever fought such a campaign against us. Minton wanted to destroy Scientology." The opportunity to strike a serious blow against the sect came with the case of Lisa McPherson. In 1995 the 36-year-old Scientologist suffered an accident in Clearwater, Florida, a Scientology stronghold, and was taken to hospital where she was diagnosed as having a "psychiatric problem". Since Scientology fights against anything to do with psychiatry, Scientologists took Lisa to "Fort Harrison", a former first-class hotel, where the sect now runs courses. Seventeen days later Lisa McPherson was again taken to a hospital. She died on the way there. She was completely emaciated. The forensic doctor found "severe dehydration", but retracted her findings when it came to the criminal case against Scientology. The District Attorney's Office had accused the Scientologists of negligent homicide because Lisa McPherson had not been treated by qualified medical staff. The case was dismissed. It has still not been settled.

In the US, Lisa McPherson and her fate became a symbol for the anti-Scientology movement. In a parallel action to the criminal case, Lisa's family instituted proceedings for damages against the sect. The case was to come to court in July. "The Scientologists are scared of the case," said Berry. "If they lose, their image will suffer greatly and they run the risk of their customers staying away. So it's also about a large amount of money."

So far Robert Minton has provided a total of two million dollars to support the family's lawsuit. In addition he set up a company called the Lisa McPherson Trust in 1999, with the aim of looking after the victims of Scientology and of gathering information about the sect. In the Trust, Minton brought together the major opponents of Scientology in the US. But the Lisa McPherson Trust also became the turning point for Minton's crusade. "He had the crazy notion of locating the Trust in Clearwater, with five thousand Scientologists living there," said Graham Berry. Minton bought a house that was sited between an office building belonging to the sect and its secret service, the "Office of Special Affairs". A provocation. The Trust immediately found itself in something like a state of siege. Berry remembered that "Minton and his people were always under observation. Video cameras filmed everyone entering or leaving the building."

For the eight employees and their visitors, life in Clearwater meant running the gauntlet. There were demonstrations and counter-demonstrations almost on a daily basis, with charges and countercharges being brought. "Private detectives appeared at the offices and homes of Minton's business partners and relatives, Scientologists distributed flyers against him, details from his medical files were posted on the Internet," said Graham Berry. Scientologists also accused Minton of having laundered money for the Nigerian government on a grand scale. Minton defended himself against such accusations in the court - and won his case as well. But not all the proceedings in this matter have been completed yet.

Minton is not an easy person to deal with. His employees say of him that he is like a little king. Apparently he likes to pull strings. Intimate friends have seen him out of control. And there were repeated violent disputes with Scientologists. In 1999 the court issued an injunction against Minton and Scientology, compelling them to keep a minimum distance of three meters from each other during demonstrations.

In an interview Minton's response to the question of whether he saw the danger of losing the fight against the sect, was as follows: "I am quite happy to accept this risk, but I do not really see that danger." He was to be proved wrong. The situation in Clearwater got out of hand and the employees could not take the pressure any more. In November 2001 Minton was forced to close the Lisa McPherson Trust. "But that does not mean that we are giving up", he said, "I don't feel defeated." But things were to turn out quite differently. The McPherson family's suit for damages was delayed for five years. Scientology in turn brought an action against the family and against Minton. They alleged that the banker, rather than the family of deceased, was directing the lawsuit - and that was illegal. It is a lawsuit against the lawsuit.

In these proceedings, which Scientology had instituted with the new suit, a dramatic turnaround took place on April 9 of this year. On that day Minton appeared before the court and suddenly accused the attorney acting on behalf of the McPherson family, Kenneth Dandar, his brother-in-arms, that he had induced him to say "the worst possible things" about Scientology and to lie to the court. Minton said he himself had been lying when he testified that he was not directing the McPherson lawsuit. "Mister Dandar is a lying thief", Minton shouted, thumping his fist on the table. "I am now convinced that he is only sitting here for the money." Dandar's key consultant on Scientology issues, former Scientologist and Minton's friend, Stacy Brooks, suddenly also accused her attorneys of being liars. Scientology opponents in the court could not believe their ears. Some of them were crying. One of them said: "Bob, you've become a Scientologist." Even the judge checked that he had heard correctly. "What has prompted you to make this statement, Mister Minton?" he asked. Minton replied: "I could not bear the lies any longer." He had been afraid of having to go to prison for perjury. Newspapers in the United States were writing about a "collapse of the Scientology opposition".

The court case is continuing. Minton and Brooks are currently being cross-examined and are turning ever more vehemently against their former allies. Witnesses say that Minton is a regular visitor to "Fort Harrison", the sect's headquarters. Attorney Dandar suspects that Minton's mysterious behavior is due to a typical maneuver used by Scientology to eliminate an opponent. "Minton's statements are absurd," said Dandar. "It's very hard for me, because I admired Bob." Dandar believes that Minton is being blackmailed by Scientology with the aim of throttling the action for damages due to be heard in July. "He sacrificed six years of his life and ten million dollars for the battle against Scientology and then he suddenly changes sides? You just need to use your common sense to understand what's going on here."

In the meantime Minton and Brooks have admitted, in their cross-examinations, to having had secret meetings with the head of the Scientology secret service and with the sect's attorneys. Meetings that took place before the surprising change of sides. Attorney Dandar had known about these meetings since the end of March. "Bob said that the Scientologists had found out something about him and that he had to reach a settlement with them," said Dandar. It is probably related to tax liabilities. "I advised him to turn himself in and to pay the tax owing. Then he wouldn't have to fear any dire consequences. But Bob refused. He didn't say why."

In the US, and in Europe as well, opponents of the sect are now afraid of serious repercussions. "Minton knows a lot", said Graham Berry. He knows the strategies, structures and private details relating to opponents and politicians committed to fight against the sect.

The irony of this story is that Minton started a lot of things that are now bearing fruit. Two weeks ago the Scientology Organization in San Francisco paid the highest settlement ever to a former member. After 22 years of litigation, the sect paid Lawrence Wollersheim 8.7 million dollars in damages for "mental damage" as a result of its course program. Minton had supported Wollersheim with half a million dollars. It is the biggest success so far that his money has achieved against Scientology. "I'm sorry that Bob Minton is heading for disaster", said Graham Berry. "We have lost a friend."

How Scientology Turned Its Biggest Critic

St. Petersburg Times/July 7, 2002
By Deborah O'Neil

For years, Bob Minton was the principal opponent in one of the church's nastiest public battles. Now, in a stunning reversal, Minton's testimony is helping the church fight the Lisa McPherson wrongful death lawsuit.

The handwritten list ran three pages long, an account of the trouble and expense Robert Minton had caused the Church of Scientology.

Fighting the Lisa McPherson wrongful death case: $14.4-million.

Dealing with lawsuits around the globe: more than $6-million.

Paying security to protect Clearwater Scientologists from church critics: $2.9-million.

Near the end was a $40,000 item: RICO. A Scientology attorney explained to Minton that the church had spent $40,000 to "research" a racketeering claim against him.

This accounting was presented to Minton at a meeting March 28 in a law office in New York City. It was the first of at least 20 negotiating sessions in March, April and May between Scientology leaders and lawyers and the church's archenemy, millionaire Robert Minton.

Minton and Scientology had engaged in an acrimonious public battle for years, spending millions on mutual destruction.

Now they were talking truce. It wasn't long before Minton had become Scientology's star witness.

Minton's turnaround became public during court testimony in April. His former allies, the church's critics, have been left to wonder: Why is he doing this?

Answers have emerged during recent weeks of testimony in the courtroom of Pinellas Circuit Judge Susan Schaeffer. Along with court records and interviews, the testimony revealed the extent of the Church of Scientology's effort to neutralize its most hated critic. Details of the church's thorough, relentless offensive also shed light on how Minton's surprising cooperation with Scientology came about.

It's clear Minton was being crushed by Scientology's legal onslaught. For a year, the church has used discovery motions and depositions to pry into his personal and business affairs.

Scientology got his bank records, as well as information about guns he owns.

The church obtained the phone records of his now-defunct anti-Scientology organization, the Lisa McPherson Trust, which was based in Clearwater until late last year.

And Minton was concerned the church was gearing up to drag his wife into the fray by seeking to depose her. She had always steered clear of his anti-Scientology activities.

Over and over Minton was ordered into depositions and grilled by Scientology lawyers about his financial dealings. When Minton invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, a judge ordered him to answer.

When Minton didn't show up for a deposition, he faced contempt of court.

Scientology attorney Monique Yingling testified that the church believed it was on the verge of uncovering serious abuses of the legal process, false affidavits and false allegations in the McPherson case.

"I think Mr. Minton was really feeling the heat," she said. "He was in a position where he was being forced to testify to things he didn't want to testify to."

Yingling was right. Minton was overwhelmed.

"It was like the Terminator was after you," he said.

And at that first negotiating session March 28, the church made it clear that it held him accountable for millions of dollars of litigation he had supported.

"It never escaped me for a moment there was only one deep pocket for them to come after," Minton said.

Now, after six years on the Scientology battlefront, Minton wants out.

"You know, this has been really hard," Minton said in court recently. "It's been -- I just can't do it anymore. I don't want to do it."
The wealthy crusader

Just eight months ago, Minton stood before a crowd in Cleveland and proudly accepted a human rights award recognizing him for "extraordinary courage" in the "battle against tyranny over the mind of man."

A nationally known Scientology critic, Minton talked in his acceptance speech of "terrorist cults" led not by Osama bin Laden but by "like-minded terrorists" such as Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology leader David Miscavige.

Minton was Scientology's "Public Enemy No. 1."

In all, the retired investment banker spent $10-million supporting critics, lawyers fighting Scientology and anti-Scientology efforts around the world. He gave $2-million to Tampa lawyer Ken Dandar to help fund the wrongful-death lawsuit blaming the church for the death of Lisa McPherson, the Scientologist who died in 1995 after being cared for by fellow church members for 17 days.

Scientologists did not turn the other cheek, according to Minton and other church critics.

They circulated leaflets about Minton to his neighbors in New Hampshire and Boston calling him a "hate monger" leading a "KKK style" attack on a religion, according to a "harassment" timeline maintained by the critics and entered into court records.

Scientologists picketed him at his home and at airports. Minton said a Scientology official sent photos and a letter to his wife accusing him of adultery.

Scientology dug into Minton's finances. Minton said Scientology operatives stirred up an allegation that he helped a Nigerian dictator launder $12-billion as part of a business deal 12 years ago. Minton has not been charged and says the allegation is bogus.

"I've never seen such a concerted effort to destroy an individual," said Jesse Prince, once a high-ranking Scientologist who left the church and befriended Minton.

In the middle of 2001, Scientology changed its strategy, Minton said, and came after him through the legal system.

This spring, Minton decided it was time to settle his differences with Scientology.

At noon on Saturday, March 16, Minton picked up the phone and called Mike Rinder at the Church of Scientology International in Los Angeles. "There was a gun aimed at me," Minton said. "Mr. Rinder is the man who had his finger on the trigger."
Behind closed doors

High on Scientology's list: dismissal of the Lisa McPherson wrongful-death lawsuit. The case was set for trial in June

Minton had funded the case, and the church believed he controlled it, said Yingling, who took part in the meeting. "If he was controlling it, he could dismiss it."

Another lawyer ticked off the damages the church believed Minton had caused. Total: $28-million.

A racketeering claim against Minton and others was mentioned. Minton said the church never presented him with a RICO lawsuit. But Prince said in court records that after the meeting Minton showed him a draft of a RICO suit prepared by Scientology, seeking $110-million in damages.

To Dandar, the lawyer in the McPherson case, there is only one way to interpret the mention of RICO. "It's an absolute, factual threat," he said.

Dandar said he believes Minton was threatened with something Scientology discovered related to his overseas financial affairs. Minton has invoked the Fifth Amendment when pressed for details about his finances and when asked if he has underreported his income to the IRS.

On Good Friday, March 29, Dandar said, he got a frantic phone call from Minton.

"Ken, you have to help me," Dandar recalled Minton saying. "They've got me this time. If you don't drop the case Monday morning, the blood and death of my daughters, my wife and myself will be on your hands."

Prince said in a court document that Minton told him: "Scientology had gathered enough information . . . to get him prosecuted, convicted and jailed. Specifically, (Minton) said that Scientology had information to also convict his wife."

Church spokesman Ben Shaw repeatedly has said the church never threatened or manipulated Minton. Yingling said the same thing when testifying. Minton, too, says the church did not threaten him in any way. He said critics like Prince are making up stories.

"The thing that amazes me the most about all of this testimony is that pretty much people are willing to do anything to paint Scientology as completely evil," Minton said, acknowledging he once behaved that way. "What it showed to me is how deeply seated people's hatred toward Scientology is."

Many of those critics say Minton's reversal is so radical it only can be the result of a grave threat, extortion or blackmail.

"They totally burned him out," said Steve Hassan, a Boston mental health counselor and mind control expert who has known Minton for years. "They were going to destroy him if he didn't cooperate."
Confessions in Clearwater

Their meeting April 6 at Pope's office was a turning point. It was so important, Rinder -- a top Scientology official who handles the church's legal and public affairs -- summoned his lawyer, Yingling, from Paris, where she was on other business .

The church long had suspected wrongdoing in the McPherson case. During the meeting, Rinder told Minton, "I really want you to think seriously about telling the truth in what has happened in this case," Minton said.

Minton excused himself. Outside, he decided it was time to come clean. There were lies told in the case, according to Minton. He said he feared Scientology would uncover those lies in court and he would be sent to jail for perjury.

He became so distressed, he gagged in the bushes.

Recalling the negotiation, Minton said: "It wasn't something I wanted to do. I wasn't looking to start trusting the Church of Scientology and I especially wasn't looking to trust Mike Rinder."

Back inside, he began to reveal to Rinder a series of lies he said he had told under oath at Dandar's direction.

Yingling said she was shocked to hear Minton's account of what had been happening in the case. The Times sought comment from Rinder for this story, but he did not return repeated calls. Shaw, speaking for the church, has said Scientologists are pleased the truth finally is coming to light.

Now the church is using Minton's testimony to support an effort to get the lawsuit dismissed. It has left Dandar fighting not only for the McPherson case but for his own reputation. Dandar has denied all of Minton's accusations, saying Minton's lies started after he met with Scientology. Testimony before Schaeffer is to resume this week. "They are committing a charade on the court," Dandar said. "They have Minton coming in as if he were this pitiful lying witness who wanted to come clean. He was coming in claiming to be a perjurer because he was told to do that."
Walking away

The lives of many critics have been defined by Scientology just as his was, Minton said. "I don't want my life defined by Scientology anymore.

After he settles his litigation with the church, he said, he just wants to walk away.

The church will never let that happen, said former Scientologist Lawrence Wollersheim, one of the few who have successfully sued Scientology. He accused the church of mental abuse that pushed him to the brink of suicide, and after years of litigation, recently was paid a judgment of $8.6-million.

Wollersheim said Minton is an essential target for the church. "They will never walk away from this guy until he's decimated, until he's in an institution, until he's penniless." Minton has heard that, but he doesn't seem worried.

For now, he has one concern, and one concern only, settling with Scientology. He told a judge recently:

"I just want some peace."

	August 27, 2008, 09:04:53 PM

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