Attorneys for plaintiffs who sued the Church of Scientology and actor Danny Masterson in 2019 over alleged stalking and coverup allegations want to file an amended complaint alleging the church leadership is part of a criminal enterprise that has conspired to obstruct justice and hide the criminal actions of Masterson and other members.
“Our clients are determined to hold Scientology’s leadership accountable for enabling and attempting to cover up Danny Masterson’s monstrous behavior,” the plaintiffs’ attorneys said in a prepared statement.
The proposed amended complaint, which needs approval from a judge, would allege that the defendants waged an intimidation campaign designed to silence sexual assault survivors and deter them from seeking law enforcement’s help. The plaintiffs allege multiple violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act and maintain church leaders are part of a criminal enterprise.
Masterson was convicted May 31 of two counts of rape by force or fear, and sentenced in September to 30 years in prison. His first mug shot was released Wednesday.
“Thankfully, Danny Masterson is now behind bars, but complete justice demands that the defendants answer for the torment they caused and the abuse they hoped to conceal,” the plaintiffs’ statement further reads.
A Scientology Church attorney could not be immediately reached for comment.
Plaintiffs Chrissie Carnell Bixler; her husband, Cedrick Bixler-Zavala; Marie Bobette Riales and two “Jane Does” allege in their suit filed in August 2019 that they were stalked by Masterson, a Scientology member, after they reported to police that the “That ’70s Show” actor had raped the women and that the church covered up his actions.
The revised complaint would add an additional plaintiff, Tricia Vessey, who alleges she was raped by Masterson and subsequently harassed when she came forward and testified in Masterson’s criminal trial.
The plaintiffs additionally want to add allegations related to the defendants’ alleged extreme harassment leading up to and during Masterson’s two criminal trials. The plaintiffs maintain the conduct was related to an attempt to keep them from testifying and prevent Masterson from being held accountable.