Scientology Accused of Unprofessional ‘Arbitration’ in Clearwater
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Valeska Paris and Gawain and Laura Baxter have filed a court petition alleging that a 15-day ‘religious arbitration’ proceeding conducted by the Church of Scientology in Clearwater, Florida was an unprofessional sham. The Baxters say they were forced to participate in the arbitration and are now asking the court to intervene, claiming the process was rigged against them.
Why it matters
This case highlights ongoing concerns about Scientology’s controversial ‘religious arbitration’ system, which critics say is used to silence former members and hide abuses within the organization from public scrutiny. The Clearwater facility is one of Scientology’s most important international bases, making this a high-profile dispute.
The details
According to the Baxters’ declaration, the 15-day arbitration proceeding was marked by a lack of impartiality, with Scientology-affiliated arbitrators making rulings that favored the church. The Baxters say they were not allowed to present key evidence and that the process was designed to intimidate them. They ultimately walked out, arguing the arbitration was a sham.
The 15-day arbitration proceeding took place in Clearwater, Florida in early 2026.
The Baxters have now filed a court petition asking a judge to intervene and declare the arbitration invalid.
Content retrieved from: https://nationaltoday.com/us/fl/clearwater/news/2026/04/12/scientology-accused-of-unprofessional-arbitration-in-clearwater/.
