Scientology and the Danny Masterson Rape Trial
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In March 2017, Tony Ortega broke the news that Danny Masterson, Scientology celebrity and 'That '70s Show' actor, was being investigated by the LAPD for multiple sexual assaults. For six years, Ortega covered the story and broke many of its biggest stories, and then he was in the courtroom providing near-live reports at every day of both trials in 2022 and earlier this year. While Danny was declared guilty (and was later sentenced to 30 years to life in prison), for Ortega the story had been as much about how testimony about Scientology was devastating. And now, what shape is Scientology in? How much damage did the Masterson trials do? And why can't anyone find church leader David Miscavige and serve him a subpoena?
Tony Ortega is a former editor in chief of the Village Voice (2007-2012) and is known for his coverage of Scientology's controversies, which dates back to 1995. He appeared in Alex Gibney's 2015 HBO documentary "Going Clear," as well as Leah Remini's A&E series, "Scientology and the Aftermath." He writes about Scientology for Rolling Stone, the Daily Beast, and for his own Substack, where he covers the subject as a daily beat (tonyortega.substack.com).
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