By GEORGE-WAYNE SHELOR
Sun staff writer
LOS ANGELES - Bigamy and black
magic were a part of the life of Scientology
founder L. Ron Hubbard, according
to documents introduced Tuesday as exhibits
in Superior Court.
And according to a former high-rank-ing
Scientologist, Hubbard wrote a series
of "Admissions" in which he acknowledged
to himself his systematic manipulation of
the US Navy and the Veterans
Administration to increase his disability
pension.
Basing his testimony on 11 years of
firsthand knowledge and thousands of
documents under court seal, Gerald
Armstrong said the handwritten papers
prove the 73-year-old founder of the
worldwide Church of Scientology "has
lied from his earliest youth."
If the court documents are true and
authentic records of Hubbard's past,
they apparently indicate a dark and
decadent side of a man revered by
six million devotees worldwide as an author,
scientist and religious leader.
Armstrong is the subject of a sect suit
charging him with taking 10,000 papers,
recordings and pictures when he fled his
position as Hubbard's personal archivist
in December 1981. The Scientologists,
and Hubbard's wife, Mary Sue, claim
ownership of the contested material and
are demanding the return of the
documents - unsealed - and unspecified damages.
Armstrong's attorney, Michael Flynn,
was discussing the papers under seal
when he made mention of the documents
called "Admissions," bringing sect attorney
Barrett Litt to his feet. Litt was
adamant in his argument that those
particular documents not be discussed in
open court. He said the papers,
reportedly in Hubbard's own hand, have not been
authenticated and are protected from
introduction by the California evidence
code.
Nonetheless, Superior Court Judge
Paul G. Breckenridge allowed Flynn to
proceed, stipulating that he restrict his
inquiry to certain areas of the "Admissions"
described an a list of sealed documents as:
* Hubbard handwriting RE: Feigning
injuries and illness.
* Hubbard handwriting admissions
RE: Control over all mankind and naval
records.
* Hubbard handwriting RE: Psychoses.
* Hubbard handwriting admissions
RE: Hubbard's control over others.
The information in those candid,
introspective papers, Armstrong testified,
"shocked me. And I knew at that point -
(Hubbard) was opportunistic and had
lied with impunity."
Armstrong also said the documents indicate
an "imbalanced state of mind"
from Hubbard's use of opium and, added
Flynn, sulfathiazole:
Although not allowed to go into any
great detail, Flynn and Armstrong discussed
a number of documents allegedly
indicating that in the 1940s Hubbard was
married to two women at the same time,
denied paternity of his daughter,
experimented with drugs and dabbled in black
magic.
Armstrong said Hubbard had claimed
he once worked for U.S. Naval Intelligence
and, in the line, of duty, infiltrated
a black magic group to rescue a young woman.
Holding papers called "The Blood Ritual,"
Armstrong said it is "a magical rite which Mr. Hubbard
has written and invokes the powers of various
Egyptian gods."
"I found that Mr. Hubbard was not connected
with Naval Intelligence (and) was part of the black
magic group," Armstrong said. That revelation
shocked him, said Armstrong, formerly one of
Hubbard's most trusted lieutenants.
But attorney Litt, again arguing the documents
not be discussed in open court, said: "These particular
documents do not lend themselves ... for one
to conclude ... that the statements are statements of
fact.
"They are (being interpreted by Armstrong)
completely out of context."
Breckenridge agreed in part, saying Hubbard's
writings "may be totally allegorical" or even evidence
of "deficiencies" Hubbard saw, saw within himself.
Breckenridge would not allow Flynn to talk in any
context about alleged references to Hubbard's use
of opium. But the judge himself acknowledged "the
reference is here" as he read from a document
often referred to as "the most sensitive" of those
under seal.
After the 37-year-old Armstrong's testimony Tuesday, Scientology spokesman Sandy Block compared
him with presidential assassin John W. Hinckley Jr.
"(Armstrong) is the John Hinckley of character,
assassination," Block said. "He's trying to make a"
big name for himself by attacking a famous man."
The trial, now entering its third week, continues
today with the completion of Armstrong's testimony.
Scientology lawyers said they expect the
crossexamination of Armstrong will take 10 days.
Related Materials
Scientology and the Occult
The Admissions ( PDF )
NY Post - Scientology Satanic Links
Gerry Armstrong's Web Site
Richard Leiby's articles
