Scientology Uses Its Movie Stars to Woo Politicians, Says Former Top Exec (OR: Tom Cruise Loves Coconut Cake!) - 2011-08-03

Scientology Uses Its Movie Stars to Woo Politicians, Says Former Top Exec (OR: Tom Cruise Loves Coconut Cake!) August 3, 2011, Tony Ortega, Runnin' Scared, Village Voice

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Want to have Tom over to your place for dinner? Apparently all it takes is some yummy coconut cake. Another revelation this afternoon from Marty Rathbun, formerly one of the highest executives in Scientology who defected in 2004 and since 2009 has been criticizing church leader David Miscavige at his blog, "Moving On Up a Little Higher."

Rathbun once worked very closely with Miscavige, who today he describes as a man who sees everything as a game, and one that he wants to win at any cost. (Miscavige himself has not given a press interview in many years.)

In particular, Rathbun mentioned a concerted campaign by Scientology, as it was suffering one of its worst public relations disasters after the death of parishioner Lisa McPherson, to go on a charm campaign to woo and influence Florida public officials.

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{{cite news | author = Tony Ortega | title = Scientology Uses Its Movie Stars to Woo Politicians, Says Former Top Exec (OR: Tom Cruise Loves Coconut Cake!) | url = http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/08/scientology_use.php | work = Runnin' Scared | publisher = Village Voice | date = August 3, 2011 | accessdate = January 14, 2017 }}