On Thursday, March 28, 2024, KNX News reported that attorneys for Scientology leader David Miscavige filed papers in Los Angeles Superior Court seeking the removal of Judge Randolph Hammock from overseeing a civil suit brought by actress Leah Remini against the Church of Scientology and Miscavige.
The court documents claim that Judge Hammock is prejudiced against their client Miscavige, citing a section of the California Code of Civil Procedure. However, the filing does not provide details about how Hammock allegedly demonstrates bias.
Remini originally filed suit in August 2023, alleging civil harassment, stalking, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and defamation against Scientology and Miscavige. She is a high-profile critic of the church after publicly leaving the organization in 2013. Remini published a tell-all memoir about her experiences in 2015 and later hosted the A&E docuseries “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath” for three seasons.
On March 12, 2024, Judge Hammock issued a mixed ruling on an anti-SLAPP motion filed by the church, allowing some parts of Remini’s allegations to proceed to trial while dismissing others. Scientology hailed the decision as a “resounding victory” and said their lawyers would seek reimbursement of attorneys fees.
Now, just months later, Miscavige’s legal team is seeking the judge’s recusal, contending bias against their client. If approved, a new jurist would preside over the lingering aspects of Remini’s suit charging the church and its leader with harassment and other wrongdoings after she criticized the organization publicly.
Source: KNX News
