Authentic CAN press release
September 18, 1997

PRESS RELEASE from: Board of Directors -- Authentic Cult Awareness Network

Edward A. Lottick, M. D., Treasurer, authentic CAN
Telephone 717 287-1377
FAX 717 287-3635
E-mail ELOTTICK@aol.com

September 18, 1997

The board of directors of the authentic Cult Awareness Network received favorable news today from the Illinois Supreme Court.

The Ilinois Supreme Court reversed the appellate and circuit courts' dismissal of authentic CAN^Òs malicious prosecution lawsuit against the Church of Scientology International, the Church of Scientology of Illinois, and the California law firm of Bowles and Moxon.

The court indicated that the lower courts' interpretations of Illinois malicious prosecution law was too narrow in the CAN case and out-of-keeping with trends in the law in other states.

The Illinois Supreme Court noted that CAN claimed that the defendants conspired with each other to carry on a campaign of malicious prosecution for the express purpose of causing CAN^Òs bankruptcy and eventual disbandment.

Specifically CAN alleged that between January 24, 1992, and July 1, 1993, various members of the Church of Scientology filed 21 lawsuits around the United States which named authentic CAN as the defendant. Each complaint (denial of membership) was the same in 20 of the 21 cases and resulted in the courts finding in CAN's favor in each case.

The Illinois Supreme Court noted that CAN alleged that the Church of Scientology instituted the simultaneous suits, not to resolve any legal dispute between the parties, but to keep plaintiff from engaging in its business of disseminating information regarding religious freedom.

The court stated that "The invidiousness of the alleged conspiracy is best reflected in the fact that plaintiff was sued 21 times over the course of a 17-month period in jurisdictions ranging from New York to California. Such sustained onslaught of litigation can hardly be deemed ^Óordinary^Ô if plaintiff can prove that the actions were brought without probable cause and with malice."

The court further commented: "The Constitution affords protection to the honest litigator in search of resolutions to true legal disputes; however, it does not provide the right to any individual to assist another, with money or otherwise, in the prosecution of a suit which has been filed with malice and without probable cause."

Scientology is noted for its tendency to harrass by way of litigation. It pursued over 100 lawsuits against the Internal Revenue Service in the period before it was granted total non-profit status in 1993.

PS: Factnet applauds this ruling and through its Cult Referal Information Service CRIS at www.factnet.org will do what it can until CAN returns!