Danny Masterson Sexual Assault Conviction: A ‘Relieved’ Leah Remini Warns Scientology ‘This Case Is Just the Beginning’

Kimberly Roots
·3 min read
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Leah Remini, one of Scientology’s most vocal critics, said she felt “relieved” on Wednesday after Danny Masterson was found guilty on two counts of forcible rape.

“The women who survived Danny Masterson’s predation are heroes,” Remini, a former follower of the Church of Scientology, which Masterson also follows, tweeted. “For years, they and their families have faced vicious attacks and harassment from Scientology and Danny’s well-funded legal team. Nevertheless, they soldiered on, determined to seek justice. While it is up to them to decide whether they are satisfied with this verdict, I am relieved that Danny Masterson is facing some justice after over two decades of brutal sexual violence with no criminal consequences.”

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In a statement, the Church of Scientology responded:

The prosecution’s introduction of religion into this trial was an unprecedented violation of the First Amendment and affects the due process rights of every American. The Church was not a party to this case and religion did not belong in this proceeding as Supreme Court precedent has maintained for centuries. The District Attorney unconscionably centered his prosecution on the defendant’s religion and fabrications about the Church to introduce prejudice and inflame bigotry. The DA elicited testimony and descriptions of Scientology beliefs and practices which were uniformly FALSE. The Court’s statement of Church doctrine was her own invention, DEAD WRONG, and blatantly unconstitutional. The Church has no policy prohibiting or discouraging members from reporting criminal conduct of anyone—Scientologists or not—to law enforcement. Quite the opposite, Church policy explicitly demands Scientologists abide by all laws of the land. All allegations to the contrary are totally FALSE. There is not a scintilla of evidence supporting the scandalous allegations that the Church harassed the accusers. Every single instance of supposed harassment by the Church is FALSE, and has been debunked.

Masterson, an actor known for That ’70s Show and The Ranch, was charged with three counts of rape by force or fear in June 2020, in regard to separate incidents of sexual assault against three woman that allegedly occurred at his home between 2001 and 2003. He pleaded not guilty to all three charges in 2021. The trial that ended Wednesday was the second attempt after a previous attempt to prosecute him ended in a mistrial in November 2022.

Masterson ultimately was found guilty of two counts of forcible rape; the jury was deadlocked on a third rape charge and did not reach a verdict. He faces 30 years to life in prison.

Remini went on to warn “senior Scientology officials, civilian Scientologists, and their proxies” that “this case is just the beginning of our plan to hold them accountable.”

Remini, whose TV credits include The King of Queens and Saved by the Bell, also hosted Leah Remini: Scientology and Its Aftermath for three seasons on A&E. The docuseries’ finale, which aired in 2019, explored “stories of how Church of Scientology policies have hindered members from reporting instances of abuse and sexual assault to the authorities,” per the official description.

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