For years, Scientology and its operatives have attacked former spokesman
Mike Rinder with one particular accusation.
In
2007 Rinder left Scientology, literally running away from the
Sea Org while he was in
London. His wife at the time, Cathy Bernardini, and their children, Taryn Teutsch and
Benjamin Rinder, stayed behind in the church. Three years later in
Florida, Rinder was waiting while his then-girlfriend
Christie Collbran was at a doctor's appointment when he was ambushed by members of his former family as well as other Scientology operatives.
Rinder happened to be on the phone with
BBC journalist
John Sweeney, who had the foresight to record the call. In the audio, you can hear the chaotic scene as Rinder is surrounded by angry, screaming Scientologists. As Rinder and Collbran struggled to get away, according to a police report of the incident, there was "incidental contact" which resulted in an abrasion of Bernardini's arm.