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Subject: COPS PROBE SCIENTOLOGY OFFICIAL (Tampa Tribune Oct. 19, 1995) Young woman says church guard followed her, said he would kill her. by Cheryl Waldrip Tribune Staff Writer
Date: 19 Oct 1995 17:10:25 +0100
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COPS PROBE SCIENTOLOGY OFFICIAL (Tampa Tribune Oct. 19, 1995)
Young woman says church guard followed her, said he would kill her
by Cheryl Waldrip
Tribune Staff Writer
CLEARWATER - A young Mexican woman came to town thinking she would
receive free classes if she joined Church of Scientology staff.
But last month she told police a tale of deception, overwork and
verbal abuse after fleeing a Scientology security guard who threatened to
kill her for breaking her "billion year contract."
Police interviewed the guard, Bill Johnson, whom they identified as
the head of security for the church's service organization.
"He said that at one point he did say something to her about killing
her if she did not leave the country," Detective Tom Miller said in his
report.
The State Attorney's Office is reviewing whether to file charges in
the Sept. 28 incident. The Immigration and Naturalization Service, which
issues visas, also is investigating.
Johnson's lawyer, Paul Johnson of Tampa, who also represents the
church, said his client never chased 22-year-old Naxielly Sofia
Perez-Morales.
When he told her he would kill her, "it was an expression; it was not
a threat," Paul Johnson said.
Police said the guard told them he followed Perez to tell her she owed
the church money for breaking her contract and that she was violating her
visa.
"He said he was upset and began calling her obscenities," Miller write.
Perez could not be located for comment.]
According to police, Perez got into Scientology through a Dianetics
course in Mexico. Police said Perez gave the following account of her
encounters with the church:
She was promised free classes for joining the church's staff. Instead
she was put to work remodeling the former Clearwater Bank building into
Scientology offices, where she injured herself. The report does not
specify how.
She told police she was repeatedly ridiculed for not working fast
enough, and, though she worked form 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. as a maid at the
Fort Harrison Hotel -- the church's headquarters -- she was often asked
to work more.
After an unrelated medical "attack," Perez left the church and lived
with a Scientology friend. On Sept. 28, the friend wanted to show Fort
Harrison to another friend and brought Perez to watch their children.
Perez said she was spotted by her former supervisor, who called
security. The guard, bill Johnson, began yelling about her owing money
for courses and escorted her outside. He followed her down the
street, calling her vulgar names.
"You're a suppressive," he said, "you denigrated the church, we're
going to kill you! You will be dead!"
Frightened and crying, she ducked into the Clearwater Martial Arts
Academy. The guard attempted to follow her inside, but the business owner
stopped him.
Brian Anderson of the church's legal affairs office issued a written
statement Wednesday night in response to questions from the Tampa
Tribune. His answers did not address Perez' allegations.
The statement said Perez left the church in June after three months.
Her "religious worker" visa expired in August and she was advised to
return to Mexico.
--30--
ÿ