Source “PR Newswire”
Author Sanford Block
Date September 20th, 19841
BOSTON, Sept. 19/PRN – A 12-member jury has struck down an exorbitant demand for $3.25 million in damages in a case filed by a Boston psychologist for an alleged knee
injury, a spokesman for the Church of Scientology announced today.
John Peterson, attorney and spokesman for the church, said the excessive damages claim – originally filed in 1980 – “was clearly made in a spirit of utter vindictiveness. People who express hatred against a religion and then sue based on that hatred can expect this kind of verdict.”
Peterson said that “it is also perfectly apparent that this case was actually part of a scheme by Boxford, Mass., lawyer Michael Flynn – based on his own documents – to get $100,000 or more in ‘easy money.’”
Peterson said a 17-page 1981 document, entitled “Class Action Case Development
Program,” prepared by Flynn and obtained by the church, mentioned that Flynn expected to receive in the case “a value far in excess of the specific damages relating to the knee, which generally carry verdicts across the country in the range of $75,000-$150,000.”
Instead, Peterson said, the defendant in the case, Roger Sylvester, was found liable for
minimum damages im medical costs totaling $1,000.
Lawrence Stifler, the psychologist, sought the multimillion dollar damages award
following a scuffle between himself and Sylvester in which Stifler alleged that his knee
was seriously and permanently injured, Peterson said.
Documents released in court during the trial revealed that Stifler withheld information
regarding his knee problems from the court and even from his own expert medical witness, according to Peterson.
“The jury saw through Stifler’s claims,” Peterson said. Stifler refused to take a
conclusive, objective test that would have demonstrated whether he was injured, casting grave doubts on the credibility of his case, Peterson added.
“A jury has rejected the only case Flynn has brought to trial against the church,” Peterson commented. Underscoring Flynn’s involvement, Peterson then referred to charges made recently involving Flynn’s role in an alleged $2 million forged check conspiracy.
In that connection, Peterson said, “Flynn has failed to produce a shred of evidence showing he did not forge the $2 million check.
Contact – Sandy Block of the Church of Scientology at 213-662-0213; or PR Newswire –
LA at 213-626-5501 or NYC 212-832-9400.
Notes
- Retrieved on September 22, 2014 from www.xenufrance.net/osa-so-called-press-releases-year-1984.pdf ↩︎