The FBI has reportedly launched a sweeping probe into the controversial Church of Scientology for allegedly being involved in human trafficking.
The investigation includes the cult’s mysterious leader David Miscavige, a close friend of actor Tom Cruise who was also best man at his wedding.
The allegations are that Miscavige allegedly doled out regular beatings to members, The New Yorker reported in its current issue, which hit newsstands this morning.
A former member of the embattled Church of Scientology told the magazine that “the [FBI] investigation had been going on for quite a while.”
Another added, “They wanted a full download about the abuse.”
The feds are also looking into accusations of “enslavement” in regards to members of Scientology’s religious order, known as “Sea Org.”
A former member alleged that punishments included being sent to something called the “Hole” — two trailers located on its California compound where anywhere between 80 and 100 people are sent to “do group confessions all day and all night.”
The allegations are made in the 28-page article, which also includes an interview with Hollywood screenwriter and former member Paul Haggis, who directed the movie “Crash.”
“I was in a cult for 34 years,” said Haggis, who left the church in 2009. “Everyone else could see it. I don’t know why I couldn’t.”
Haggis also said he had other issues with the church. For example, he said his wife was ordered to disconnect from her parents after they left the church.
Haggis said the news accounts he read of kids drafted into the Sea Org reminded him of child slaves he had seen in Haiti.
“They were ten years old, twelve years old … scrubbing pots, manual labor — that so deeply touched me,” Haggis said. “My God, it horrified me!”
The Church of Scientology has denied the existence of “any place of confinement” at Gold Base, its international headquarters located outside San Jacinto.
With AP