Scientology's smear campaign against Mike Rinder takes a more disturbing turn than usual - 2018-05-16

Scientology's smear campaign against Mike Rinder takes a more disturbing turn than usual May 16, 2018, Tony Ortega, Underground Bunker

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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.

Wikipedia cite:

{{cite news | author = Tony Ortega | title = Scientology's smear campaign against Mike Rinder takes a more disturbing turn than usual | url = https://tonyortega.org/2018/05/16/scientologys-smear-campaign-against-mike-rinder-takes-a-more-disturbing-turn-than-usual/ | work = Underground Bunker | date = May 16, 2018 | accessdate = May 16, 2018 }}