Mr. Bernie McCabe

-6-

January 22, 1999

significant concern to both the Church and the City of Clearwater.

I asked that you give serious consideration to this proposal. I further told you that I had flexibility to incorporate or delete particulars as the State believed appropriate to bring about a full, meaningful and responsible resolution of the matter. You indicated I would receive a response.

I believe you recognized the serious nature of my proposal. Following the Thanksgiving weekend, having heard no response, our counsel contacted your office. Mr. Crow informed counsel that you were contemplating a counteroffer and went on to say that there had better be no statements to the press regarding our discussions or “all bets are off.” We agreed.

After that phone call came the annual summit of out-of-town anti-Scientologists exploiting the death of During that week of protest we were subjected to a non-stop assault on our religion, not only in Clearwater, but around the world. However, taking heed of Mr. Crow’s warning, I felt it important to stay true to our word. As a result, the Church did not make any response to the media concerning the charges or our perceptions of this prosecution.

More time passed without a response. Once again, our counsel contacted your office. After a few hours delay, Mr. Crow relayed to counsel that he had just spoken to you and that you had stated the offer submitted was unacceptable. He refused either to expand on the reasons for rejection or to make any counteroffer.

What am I to think when faced with these circumstances? On the one hand I am told in no uncertain terms to make no mention to the press concerning the Church’s sincere efforts to resolve the case, and I am given the unmistakable impression that a response would be coming from your office. We then endure a week of anti-Scientology bashing, only then to be told, “all bets were off in the first place.”

Nevertheless, I remained of the opinion that we should continue to meet and resolve the case and once again asked counsel to contact your office. This contact was made through Mr. McGarry which was apparently offensive to Mr. Crow. When he next contacted counsel, he began by warning him, “Don’t you ever go around me again”, and then proceeded to say you would not meet with anybody. I assure you, the indictment of the Church is of far greater concern to me than a turf war. Since Mr. McGarry apparently had no problem in taking the call from counsel, this dialogue makes it seem as if Mr. Crow has a personal stake in this matter.