Detroit
Free Press
August 16, 1979
Claim of Scientology fraud nets Oregonian $2 million
PORTLAND,
Ore. - (AP) A jury awarded more than $2 million in damages
Wednesday to a 22-year-old woman who claimed the Church of Scientology
defrauded her by failing to fulfill promises of improving her life.
The
jury deliberated 18 hours over two days before reaching its unanimous
decision.
In
her suit, Julie C. Tichbourne, 21, of Portland, alleged she suffered
emotional distress as a result of her experiences with the church in
1975-76.
She
had sought $2 million in punitive damages, $500,000 for alleged anguish
and suffering, and $3,000 reimbursement for course fees.
After
the jury award, Mrs. Tichbourne said she planned to use part of the
money to study engineering in college.
Named
as defendants were the Church of Scientology of Portland: the
Scientology Mission of Lavis in Portland; and the Delphian Foundation,
an organization the church says is seperate although staffed by
Scientologists.
The
jury ruled the defendants committed fraud, awarding Mrs. Tichbourne
punitive damages of $1.9 million and compensatory damages of $153,000.
Lawyers for the church said they would contact their clients to discuss
a possible appeal.
In a
statement, the church criticized the decision, saying: "this
decision is a blow to all of those who cherish the right to practice
their religion free from the harassment of psychiatrists and
deprogrammers who have appointed themselves self-styled
inquisitors."
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