Who is Valerie Haney? Ex-Scientologist slammed for picking Tom Cruise, Elisabeth Moss and Shelly Miscavige as arbitrators in lawsuit
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Scientology’s attorney William Forman filed a declaration, slamming accuser Valerie Haney, an ex-member of the organization, for her alleged ‘obstructionist tactics’ and having a ‘bad faith selection of unavailable arbitrators,’ prior to Thursday, February 2, 2023, hearing. In June 2019, Haney filed a lawsuit against Scientology and the church's leader, David Miscavige, for false imprisonment, kidnapping, stalking, libel, slander, emotional distress, human trafficking, failure to provide minimum wage and rest periods and negligence at Los Angeles Superior Court. She opted for three famous Scientologists to be her arbitrators Elisabeth Moss, Tom Cruise and Shelly Miscavige.
However, according to Radar Online, Moss refused the request. Scientology’s 'International Justice Chief,' a Sea Org official named Mike Ellis said, “the arbitrator [Moss] you designated to hear and resolve your claims in Scientology religious arbitration declined the nomination to serve as an arbitrator, reported Radar Online in December 2022. Haney then opted for church's poster boy Tom Cruise and if he is not available, then Shelly Miscavige, who was last publically seen in 2007 and who is the wife of Scientology leader. Following which, Ellis said, "Through the attorney letter, you provided the names of two prominent Scientologists to serve as your arbitrators. You (or your agents) provided that letter to the media, causing lurid coverage by tabloids and an anti-Scientology blogger."
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Now Forman has accused her of using obstructionist tactics as he shared why the three could not be arbitrators in the case, claiming Haney's nominations "were patently ludicrous." He said, "Ms Moss is a famous film and television actress and producer, known for her starring roles in 'The Handmaid’s Tale,' and 'Mad Men.' She has won two Emmy awards, two Golden Globes, and appeared in over 50 films. A quick internet search would reveal that she resides in New York and is often filming and producing throughout the world." He went ahead by saying Miscavige's wife "is not only the ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion but also a named defendant in this lawsuit and in Plaintiff’s arbitration demand." And laughed that Haney "could not have thought for a moment that Tom Cruise would be available to serve as an arbitrator of her claims."
Who is Valerie Haney?
According to The Underground Bunker, in her lawsuit, Haney, a former Sea Org worker, mentioned that both of her parents were members of the organization and she was born into Scientology in 1979. However, she alleged that she had been held against her will as an employee at Scientology’s secretive 'Int Base', and was only able to escape in 2016 after hiding in the trunk of her car. After her escape, she worked for actress and former Scientologist Leah Remini as her assistant, and was also featured in the final season of Remini’s A&E series, 'Scientology and the Aftermath.'
Who is William Forman?
Forman, who is the first-chair trial attorney in both federal and state courts, has over three decades of experience litigating federal and state cases in Los Angeles and throughout the United States, as per Winston & Strawn LLP. He was also Deputy in the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Central District of California, Capital Habeas Unit, from 1997 –2003.
How did Scientology respond?
Objecting to the lawsuit, Scientology’s attorney Forman told Judge Gail Killefer, "In between July 2022 and now, Plaintiff has acted only to obstruct the arbitration, as shown by her bad faith selections of arbitrators. On July 1, Plaintiff named as her arbitrator Elisabeth Moss." He then added, as stated by The Underground Bunker, "On August 11, 2022, the International Justice Chief (“IJC”) of the Church of Scientology wrote to Plaintiff informing her that Ms. Moss had declined to serve as her arbitrator. The IJC instructed Plaintiff to select another arbitrator within 15 days. Plaintiff immediately shared this letter with an anti-Scientology blogger, announcing Ms. Moss’ decision to decline to serve as an arbitrator. On August 23, 2022, Plaintiff, through her attorney, sent a letter nominating two arbitrators: Tom Cruise and Shelly Miscavige. As with her other correspondence with the IJC, she circulated this letter to an anti-Scientology blogger, resulting in world-wide press." "On November 23, 2022, the IJC responded to Plaintiff, informing her that Mr. Cruise and Mrs. Miscavige were not available to sit as arbitrators of her claims….It has been over two months, and Plaintiff has never responded to this letter, or otherwise indicated a selection of other arbitrators. But there is one thing she had done promptly: she immediately shared the IJC’s November 23, 2022 letter with the press," Forman described.