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In Hubbard's absence, the cult has changed dramatically. In January 1982, his young followers created the Religious Technology Center "for the primary purpose of ensuring and maintaining the purity and integrity of Scientology." One of the Sea Orgs, David Miscavige, 22, who claimed to be in regular touch with Hubbard, contended that the founder had "donated" all rights to his courses and techniques to the new corporation. Some defectors, however, insist that the church planned to purchase these so-called trademarks from Hubbard for $85 million. Others believe the new corporation, in which Hubbard is not officially involved, was formed to shield him and his assets from the many lawsuits.
The new leaders also announced at a meeting of mission holders in San Francisco last October that the technology center would audit the financial records of each mission, charging $15,000 a day for the procedure, and that all franchise holders would be put on the cans for a security check. As discipline tightened, even Hubbard's daughter Diana, 25, was ordered to pull weeds in 120° heat at a rehabilitation project in the California desert.
A purge of veteran Scientologists quickly followed the takeover. Bill Franks, 26, was thrown out of his office in Clearwater in December 1981 and fired as Scientology's executive director. "It's just a power grab," he says of the new leaders' acts. Their motive, he charges, is "totally money, absolute greed." Bent Corydon, chief of the mission in Riverside, Calif., which was one of the church's largest (1,000 members), claims that dark-shirted "finance policemen" demanded that he turn over $40,000 in the mission's treasury. He complied, and has since set up a new church unaffiliated with Scientology. "I got fed up with the young guys," he says. "The church has been attacking its own loyal people."
Alan Walter, a Scientologist for 20 years and a mission holder in the Middle West, contends that "Hubbard was a genius in many ways. He was set up by these kids. They were doing insane things. It was a reign of terror." Larry Wollersheim, who considered himself "a cult salesman," says that he was trained to locate the assets of church members and then help them devise explanations to relatives for why they needed so much money. "I was constantly hammered to coerce people to get loans," he claims.
Michael Flynn, 38, a Boston lawyer, is representing 28 people who claim they have been victimized by Scientology. As a result, he appears at the top of an enemies list drawn up by Scientology leaders. Flynn claims that he has continually been threatened and harassed by Scientologists. He keeps a gun in his office desk and often uses bodyguards. A private pilot, he contends, "I nearly died a couple of years ago when the engine of my plane quit. Someone had put gallons of water in the gas tank, but I can't prove who did it." A current officer of the church maintains that Flynn "is a man desperate for money" who hopes to reap riches from his cut of any successful suits against the church.