Leah Remini’s defamation and harassment suit against the Church of Scientology is far from dead, but it’s constitutionally wounded.
In a March 12 split final ruling from Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Randolph Hammock (read it here), the David Miscavige-led organization has prevailed on getting significant portions of the ex-Scientologist’s action stricken on First Amendment grounds. However, parts of Remini’s harassment claims, “allegations of surveillance” and the tortious inference claim remain in the case going forward.
Having issued a tentative ruling on these matters weeks ago, and overseen hearings in Dta on January 16 and February 6, Judge Hammock’s final ruling doesn’t really contain anything anyone in the case didn’t know what coming. Still, even with an October 27, 2025, trial start date on the books right now, it would be foolish to say that Remini hasn’t suffered a setback from Scientology’s successful use of...
In a March 12 split final ruling from Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Randolph Hammock (read it here), the David Miscavige-led organization has prevailed on getting significant portions of the ex-Scientologist’s action stricken on First Amendment grounds. However, parts of Remini’s harassment claims, “allegations of surveillance” and the tortious inference claim remain in the case going forward.
Having issued a tentative ruling on these matters weeks ago, and overseen hearings in Dta on January 16 and February 6, Judge Hammock’s final ruling doesn’t really contain anything anyone in the case didn’t know what coming. Still, even with an October 27, 2025, trial start date on the books right now, it would be foolish to say that Remini hasn’t suffered a setback from Scientology’s successful use of...
- 3/14/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
A Los Angeles judge has thrown out portions of Leah Remini’s lawsuit against Scientology, finding that some of the church’s attacks on her are protected under the First Amendment.
But in a mixed ruling, the judge also found that the church cannot claim free-speech protection for allegedly stalking, harassing and surveilling Remini, or for harassing producers and staff who worked on her anti-Scientology podcast.
Since leaving Scientology in 2013, the “King of Queens” actor has become its most prominent critic, writing a memoir and hosting two seasons of the A&e docuseries, “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath.”
Last August, she filed a 68-page lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging she had been subject to a decade of online attacks, stalking and intimidation designed to punish her for her criticism of the church.
The suit alleged that Remini was the latest in a long line of Scientology critics to...
But in a mixed ruling, the judge also found that the church cannot claim free-speech protection for allegedly stalking, harassing and surveilling Remini, or for harassing producers and staff who worked on her anti-Scientology podcast.
Since leaving Scientology in 2013, the “King of Queens” actor has become its most prominent critic, writing a memoir and hosting two seasons of the A&e docuseries, “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath.”
Last August, she filed a 68-page lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging she had been subject to a decade of online attacks, stalking and intimidation designed to punish her for her criticism of the church.
The suit alleged that Remini was the latest in a long line of Scientology critics to...
- 3/14/2024
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
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