Scientology church looms over actor Danny Masterson rape case
The church that represents the Church of Scientology has accused the actor Danny Masterson of “bullying” a woman who accused him of raping her.
The church made the allegation on his behalf, which was backed up on Thursday by several former Scientologists.
Masterson, who is a former star of the TV soap opera Brothers & Sisters, was asked to step aside for the police investigation after he was accused by the woman at an out-of-court settlement hearing.
The judge also appointed Masterson’s lawyers to represent him in any police investigation of the allegations against him.
The settlement hearing was held at a Scientology centre in Woking which had previously been used by the church as a filming base.
A reporter from BBC News was present at the event, where several former Scientologists spoke out in support of Masterson.
Among them was former Scientology member Ken Hubbard, who claimed that the church had “bullied” Masterson into dropping the rape claim.
Hubbard, who was a friend of the church founder L Ron Hubbard (pictured), said he believed it was “no secret” that the church had “bullied” Masterson into dropping the claim.
In an interview with the BBC, he added: “I don’t think there’s any secret about it. I think there’s no secret about it. I think the church was well aware of it and they just had a little bit of a bad-boy thing about the whole thing.”
He also said that it was his opinion that Masterson was “pursuing his own agenda” when he refused to back down.
Masterson has not commented on the allegations.
Former Scientology member Ron Davenport said: “There is a reason why the church has created a big PR effort on this case. They have made sure that people know that this is one of their own who is trying to get back at Scientology for a false accusation.”
Davenport, who is not part of the church anymore, said the church was keen to publicise the “drama”
