alt_religion_scientology/FACTNetARS19981110

From: "FACTNet International" < XXX-Obsolete.email.Deleted-XXX >
Subject: 50 days left to request Scientology refunds?
Date: 1998/11/10
Message-ID: <01be0cf8$d829e6c0$a4525da6@deb>
NNTP-Posting-Date: 10 Nov 1998 22:25:00 GMT
Newsgroups: alt.mindcontrol,alt.religion.broadcast,alt.religion.christianity,alt.religion.scientology

50 days left to request Scientology refunds?

As of this Wednesday, November 11, 1998, former members of Scientology
may only have 50 days left to retrieve their money from Scientology.
After December 31, 1998, ScientologyÂ’s tax-exempt status will have no
more scheduled reviews by the IRS. Thus, any inappropriate actions
Scientology has taken must be presented to the IRS before then. This
includes ScientologyÂ’s not complying with its IRS agreement to refund
its membersÂ’ donations if the members are dissatisfied. Now is the time
to request your donations back from Scientology, along with any unpaid
back wages for your labor as a staff member.

FACTNet encourages you not to delay in filing your refund request. See
for
instructions and information. Please also send FACTNet a copy of your
refund request and any response you receive from Scientology. Before the
end of the year, FACTNet is going to take all refund requests and bring
an administrative action to the commissioner of the IRS, revealing all
information regarding Scientology's refusal to comply with its agreement
with the IRS. This action will be in addition to the class action suit
being brought by another entity (see
for
information). Even if you are not able to get your money back, you may
be able to help get Scientology's tax-exempt status reviewed. Please
compose and mail your letter as soon as possible, and send a copy to
FACTNet.

Below is an alert on requesting refunds and back pay from Scientology,
which FACTNet sent out in August 1998.

Last chance for your Scientology refunds?
Ex-contributors and ex-staff members may only have until December 31,
1998

FACTNet Alert
August 26, 1998

Ex-Scientologists who may be eligible for refunds and/or back-pay from
Scientolo1ogy may never have a better opportunity or more leverage to
retrieve their money than between now and December 31.

In December, 1998, ScientologyÂ’s tax-exempt status will be reviewed by
the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the final time, and then – if
the IRS is convinced Scientology has abided by its 1993 IRS agreement –
ScientologyÂ’s nonprofit status will become permanent. Thus for the next
few months, it is crucial for Scientology to see that its operations
appear to be above legal reproach.

According to ScientologyÂ’s application for tax-exempt status, it must
refund donations it has received if donors so request. If you feel you
were deceived by Scientology or did not receive what you were promised,
demand your donations back!

And legally, Scientology could be liable to provide back-pay for the
many who have labored long hours for the “church” far below minimum
wage, often only receiving $10 or $24 per week. Receiving $24 for a
40-hour workweek equals sixty cents an hour; for a not-unheard-of
100-hour week, twenty-four cents an hour. An individual would be owed
almost $10,000 for each year worked at $24 per week rather than a
minimum wage of $5.15 an hour, assuming only a 40-hour workweek; at an
80-hour week it would be over $20,000. It is illegal to pay workers less
than minimum wage. DonÂ’t let Scientology get away with profiting from
your slave labor! Demand the back pay you are owed.

To request refunds and/or back pay, FACTNet would recommend sending a
very brief letter to each of the organization(s) money was donated to or
worked for, stating the amount of money requested, and providing a date
by which it is expected (e.g., by October 31, 1998). Make sure you tell
them who to make out the check to and where to send it. FACTNet will set
up a section on the web site with sample letters (see www.factnet.org
for details).

If Scientology does not immediately recompense you be sure to report it
to the IRS and/or to federal and state departments of labor. As a
result, the IRS may not finalize the ScientologyÂ’s nonprofit IRS status,
and departments of labor may investigate illegal employment practices.

FACTNet believes that people who are owed remuneration from Scientology
deserve to know that the next few months are crucial. Please contact
anybody and everybody you know who may stand to be justly compensated,
and let them know this may be their last real chance to get their money
back.

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