Lawrence A. Wollersheim

Lawrence Wollersheim is an ex-Scientologist. He brought a case against the Church of Scientology in 1980. In the course of this case, the story of Xenu came to public light.

Wollersheim joined Scientology in 1969, signing the Sea Org's "billion-year" contract to serve the church. Wollersheim claimed to have been held captive in the hold of a ship docked off California for 18 hours a day, what he called a "thought reform gulag". He was also denied necessary medical treatment, as per the Church's policies. ^[1]

Wollersheim was compelled to abandon his wife and his family through the policy of disconnection. Finally, when Wollersheim was able to leave the Church, it subjected him to financial ruin through its policy of "Fair Game". In their appeal, The Church of Scientology asserted that "Fair Game" was a "core practice of Scientology", and therefore protected as "religious expression". This was also stated by Scientology attorneys in the case against Gerald Armstrong, in 1984, by religious expert Dr. Frank Flinn. ^[2]

In 1986, a jury awarded Wollersheim $5 million in compensatory damages and $25 million to punish the church for what jurors called intentional and negligent "infliction of emotional distress." On appeal, however, this was reduced to $2.5 million. Scientology officials vowed never to pay, and the phrase "not one thin dime for Wollersheim," was chanted by Scientologists at court hearings. ^[1]

After over 20 years of legal battling, the Church finally agreed to settle the case and pay out an $8.7 million settlement on May 9, 2002. ^[1]

The money that the Church of Scientology deposited with the court clerk was divided among the of various attorneys of Wollersheim who made claims against the funds. According to Larry Wollersheim, as of May, 2005, there was less than $2.3 million left in the account and there was still an ongoing claim by attorney Leta Schlosser for $2.7 million against the fund. Wollersheim claims he had not received any of the funds from the case.^[3] On October 28, 2005 it was reported in the Los Angeles daily legal publication, the Metropolitan News-Enterprise, that the Wollersheim case was still ongoing and a trial was forthcoming regarding the Leta Schlosser matter. It reported that Schlosser had already received $100,000, but she was suing for much more.^[4] On December 8, 2006, it reported that Wollersheim had won the case on appeal, because Schlosser lacks an enforceable lien because she did not comply with the Rules of Professional Conduct. ^[5]