Francis G. "Frank" Diamond, a 45-year-old successful antique dealer in Clearwater, suffered a severe mental health crisis in 1981 and was committed to a state psychiatric hospital. Diagnosed with schizophrenia and delusions, he claimed that “Operating Thetans” (Scientology spirits) had invaded his body during auditing sessions. “I have three OTs (Operating Thetans) in me… It’s 100% Scientology’s fault that I’m here.” Diamond became involved with Scientology in early 1980 and received auditing from Lydia Wheeler, a student counselor. He said the E-meter auditing sessions “pulled” him under and delivered a shock “like being hit with lightning.”After quitting the church, he reported being mentally unstable and afraid of retaliation. “The auditor was pulling me under… Then she reversed the charge. It was like being hit with a bolt of lightning.” A psychiatrist testified that Diamond had no history of mental illness prior to Scientology involvement and said his condition centered on church-related delusions. Over time, Diamond’s appearance and behavior changed dramatically. He gained weight, smoked heavily (despite once being anti-smoking), and referred to himself in the third person. He believed Scientology thetans were making him overeat and chain-smoke in an effort to kill him.

Gary Weber was a member of Scientology’s Guardian’s Office (now known as the Office of Special Affairs, or OSA) in Clearwater, Florida. Recruited into Scientology at a young age, he became deeply involved in public relations and intelligence operations aimed at protecting the Church’s interests—often through manipulation, surveillance, and harassment.He likened his early experience in Scientology to working for the CIA, feeling empowered and righteous.

Organizing a “Nazi demonstration” in front of the Clearwater Sun to discredit the paper and reporter Richard Leiby, Monitoring and disrupting Mayor Gabe Cazares’s meeting at a VFW hall, Stealing newspapers from stands to prevent the public from reading negative coverage, Participating in campaigns to dig up or fabricate dirt on critics, Helping compile “dead agent” files to silence public dissenters, including actor John Travolta, using their private auditing confessions. After leaving Scientology, Weber was declared a “Suppressive Person”, lost contact with his wife and children, and was cut off from his entire support system. Describes Scientology leadership as running like a “mafia strong-arm operation”. “I want to apologize to all that I harmed in the name of ‘saving the planet from evil doers’ in believing that I was doing good… Writing this letter, and telling my story is my way to finally: Do the right thing.”

It is reported that the deaths of Dorreen Gaul, 19, and James Sharp, 15, may have been caused by the Church of Scientology. It is the only link to their deaths and it is said that both have gone on Friday to an audit, or the process of achieving a clear state of mind. 

Scientology experience: Mr. Hobel, who runs a Scientology mission in the Furnace Woods Road area of Peekskill, is a calm, self-assured man in his mid-50s. But 20 years ago he was an unhappy jazz pianist, living in Texas, separated from his wife, and "spiraling downward," he says. One day he had a conversation with a friend, and "within two hours I handled a large area of my life that had been uncomfortable." “After a series of courses, the Scientologist passes through five levels to become himself a qualified Auditor. He may then take a Study Ability Program and become a Super-Literate. Beyond that, the Scientologist takes advanced courses, reaches even higher levels, and finally becomes an Operating Thetan, defined by a brochure as "able to handle things as a being without necessarily using your body or physical means."

Tory Christman, a 30-year member of the Church of Scientology, recounts her experience volunteering for the church’s intelligence and PR wing OSA. Tory describes how she helped derail political campaigns, spread false narratives, and disrupt critical events. The Guardian's Office (GO), led by L. Ron Hubbard’s wife Mary Sue, was involved in illegal operations until a major FBI raid led to its downfall and multiple convictions. OSA replaced GO, continuing similar operations with more secrecy. They are trained to believe that critics , labeled "Suppressive Persons" or SPs are evil. People are misled to believe they are defending religious freedom, despite Scientology’s manipulative practices. OSA uses private investigators, smear campaigns (Black PR), and even manipulates legal systems to silence critics. OSA launched covert efforts to spam, censor, and disrupt online criticism of Scientology, like altering or flooding newsgroup posts like alt.religion.scientology). She personally opened fake ISP accounts across the U.S. to facilitate anonymous spamming operations. Tory compares the tactics to “spiritual rape”, feeling betrayed after trusting fellow Scientologists and discovering their deception.

Scientology ran a secret project to spam critics’ posts, opened under fake names/accounts. Even high-ranking Scientologists like auditors and OT-level members were complicit in the manipulation.

Robert Vaughn Young spent over 20 years in Scientology, serving in high-level positions including senior PR executive and biographer for L. Ron Hubbard. He had access to top-secret internal materials, confidential documents, and sensitive operations. Hubbard’s directive from 1955:  “The purpose of the suit is to harass and discourage rather than to win... ruin him utterly.” Scientology views psychologists and psychiatrists as universal enemies. Dr. Uwe Geertz was targeted solely for being a psychologist, per Hubbard’s belief that “psychs” caused all mental, social, and even galactic ills. Declared enemies (“Suppressive Persons”) can be harassed, lied to, tricked, or destroyed without repercussions. “They may be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist… may be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed.” Young and his wife were tailed, surveilled, trash searched, and accused falsely.
Private investigators were often paid through attorneys to label it “attorney work product” and shield it from scrutiny. Scientology regularly altered or destroyed records to obstruct authorities (especially after the 1977 FBI raid). Internal practices aimed to remove any trace of involvement of key members or damning activities.

Fishman was duped into buying nonexistent “leather-bound tapes” for $80,000.
These schemes were run to replace funds lost in failed investments by Miscavige. Hubbard’s death was shrouded in secrecy; records of his medical treatment and the role of unqualified aides were buried.