Declaration of Lynn R. Farny (January 28, 1992)

DECLARATION OF LYNN R. FARNY¹

I, Lynn R. Farny, do declare:

1. I am over 18 years of age and make this declaration of my own personal knowledge and for those matters stated upon information and belief, I believe them to be true and accurate. If called as a witness to testify as to the matters herein, I could and would do so competently.

2. I am corporate Secretary of the Church of Scientology International (“CSI”), a California religious corporation.

3. I am well familiar with Gerald Armstrong, as I have worked in the legal department of CSI since 1984, and prior to that in the legal department of Church of Scientology of California (“CSC”). I have actively followed the events occurring during that time in a lawsuit against Gerald Armstrong by CSC regarding his theft of private documents belonging to the Founder of the Scientology religion. ²

4. On four separate occasions in November, 1984, Armstrong met with two individuals that he considered to be defectors, whom he knew as “Joey” and “Mike.” In reality, both “Joey” and “Mike” were loyal Church members who, with permission from the Los Angeles police, agreed to have their conversations with Armstrong surreptitiously videotaped.³ I have seen a transcript of the videotaped meeting of November 7, 1984, and during the course of these conversations, Armstrong:

a. Demanded that “Joey” provide him with copies of documents published by the Churches so that he could forge documents in the same style. Armstrong wanted “Joey” to then plant these Armstrong creations in the  Church’s files so that, should Armstrong tip off the IRS, the incriminating documents would be found in a resulting raid;

b. Sought to “set up” the defection of a senior Scientologist by finding a girl to seduce him;

c. Told “Joey” all about his conversations with Al Lipkin, an investigator for the CID, and attempted to get “Joey” to call Lipkin and give him false information that would implicate the Church’s leaders in the misuse of donations.⁴

5. In November, 1984, Armstrong was plotting against the Scientology Churches and seeking out staff members in the Church who would be willing to assist him in overthrowing Church leadership. The Church obtained information about Armstrong’s plans and, through a police-sanctioned investigation, provided Armstrong with the “defectors” he sought. On November 30, 1984, Armstrong met with one Michael Rinder, an individual whom Armstrong thought to be one of his “agents” (but who in reality was loyal to the Church). In the conversation, recorded with written permission from law enforcement, Armstrong stated the following in response to questions by Mr. Rinder as to whether they had to have actual evidence of wrongdoing to make allegations against the Church leadership:

ARMSTRONG: They can allege it. They can allege it. They don’t even have — they can allege it.

RINDER: So they don’t even have to have the document sitting in front of them and then —

ARMSTRONG: F ing say the organization destroys the documents.

* * *

Where are the — we don’t have to prove a goddamn thing. We don’t have to prove s t; we just have to allege it.

6. In another discussion, this one with “Joey,” videotaped on November 7, 1984, Armstrong discussed his plans to destroy his former religion as follows:

JOEY: Well, you’re not hiding!

ARMSTRONG: Huh?

JOEY: You’re not hiding.

ARMSTRONG: F— no! And. • •

JOEY: You’re not afraid, are you?

ARMSTRONG: No! And that’s why I’m in a f–king stronger position than they are!

JOEY: How’s that?

ARMSTRONG: Why, I’ll bring them to their knees!

7. In another discussion with Michael Rinder, videotaped on November 17, 1984, Armstrong revealed his true intentions toward the Church as:

G I am only a relay point in this thing. However, I do make it my purpose to create as much shit as possible. You know, hence I have. . .

M Shit for the organization?

G Yeah, I . . . whatever I do . . . cause I have no . . . I’m not hooked into anything.

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed in Los Angeles, California the 28th day of January, 1992.

[signed] Lynn R. Farny

Notes