A Los Angeles jury convicted actor reported.
Reports suggest the powerful church may have been more than just a spectator, however. Vicki Podberesky, who is serving as Scientology’s outside counsel, reportedly possessed a “large quantity” of restricted discovery materials and used it to bring a complaint to the district attorney’s office, the Times reported.
Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller called Podberesky’s involvement “extremely troubling,” and said it’s a mystery how evidence made it outside the courtroom. Podberesky told the Times she obtained all documents legally.
Leah Remini, an actress and former Scientology member, was enraged that the church inserted itself into the trial so shamelessly.
“Scientology has no reason to have criminal discovery materials in its possession,” she tweeted last week. “No reason at all. Scientology, which SHOULD be a co-defendant in this trial, has repeatedly lied, saying it has no covert involvement in this trial.”
After Wednesday’s verdict, Remini tweeted that the outcome had been “a relief.”
“The women who survived Danny Masterson’s predation are heroes,” she wrote. “For years, they and their families have faced vicious attacks and harassment from Scientology and Danny’s well-funded legal team. Nevertheless, they soldiered on, determined to seek justice.”
“While it is up to them to decide whether they are satisfied with this verdict, I am relieved that Danny Masterson is facing some justice after over two decades of brutal sexual violence with no criminal consequences.”
Remini added that the case was “just the beginning of our plan” to hold Scientology leadership accountable.
While not part of Masterson’s criminal trial, the church was sued by the actor’s accusers in 2022. The accusers claim Scientology conspired with Masterson to intimidate them into staying quiet. That civil case is still pending.
