# The Masterson Rape Case: How Scientology Prohibits Members from Reporting Other Members to the Police **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 29, 2021, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155 "2021-05-29T05:01:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2021, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155/1 "2021-05-29T05:01:46Z")
> **[Scientology's secrets spill into open in Danny Masterson rape case](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-05-27/danny-masterson-rape-trial-secretive-scientology-polices)** > > Women who have accused Danny Masterson of rape testified that Scientology officials tried to stop them from reporting the alleged attacks to police. > [@](#): > > In ruling that there was sufficient evidence against Masterson to allow the case to proceed toward trial, Olmedo concluded that Scientology has “an expressly written doctrine” that “not only discourages, but prohibits” its members from reporting one another to law enforcement. The policy explained why several of the women did not report Masterson’s alleged crimes to the police for more than a decade, the judge found. Grab the popcorn and watch the Church of Scientology implode. I would imagine now that the floodgates have been breached that a wave of lawsuits against the ‘church’ will follow. Unless Masterson changes his plea or meets an untimely end. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2021, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155/2 "2021-05-30T19:19:16Z")
I’ll give this a little bump. I don’t think the “church” gives a damn about what happens to Masterson. It’s not like he’s Tom Cruise. I think they would literally throw him under a bus if they thought for a minute it would stop the cover up allegations. I think a lot of this will come down to how well the DA/police can keep the witnesses safe from the intimidation that seems to be SOP for scientology. I wouldn’t be surprised if the victims asked for witness protection. Cults have long memories. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2021, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155/3 "2021-05-30T19:24:25Z")
> [@mordecaiB](#): > > I think a lot of this will come down to how well the DA/police can keep the witnesses safe from the intimidation that seems to be SOP for scientology. For that to happen we would need to know which members of the DA/Police are Scientologists, and that just isn’t possible. Safety in this case just isn’t possible. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2021, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155/4 "2021-05-30T19:38:57Z")
How true. Witness Protection is federal though, I think. Hopefully they have a little better screening process than the locals. Coming out with charges against scientology is a big deal and you have to admire the resolve of these women. Scientology seems to have a outsize influence, especially in California. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2021, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155/5 "2021-05-30T19:48:25Z")
If Scientology is a religion, even the Feds would have a hard time screening out their members for a particular case without accusations of discrimination. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155/6 "2023-04-25T05:49:37Z")
> **[Actor Danny Masterson drugged, raped women, prosecutor says](https://apnews.com/article/danny-masterson-rape-trial-retrial-2023-5ca9ecfe9b825a913b820e4913ce7aa5)** > > A Los Angeles prosecutor told jurors that actor Danny Masterson drugged three women before raping them. Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller told a jury Monday during opening statements at the second trial of the star of “That ‘70s Show” that... ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155/7 "2023-06-01T06:09:21Z")
> **[Danny Masterson, star of That ’70s Show, found guilty of rape](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/may/31/danny-masterson-that-70s-show-found-guilty-rape)** > > 47-year-old actor, who allegedly drugged women’s drinks, faces up to 30 years in prison after jury finds him guilty ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155/8 "2023-06-01T12:31:56Z")
Good! Throw him in one of those volcanos the aliens are in or whatever fool thing they believe. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2023, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155/9 "2023-09-07T19:09:37Z")
Reporting is that he was sentenced to 30 years. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2023, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155/10 "2023-09-07T20:23:56Z")
He couldn’t hide from justice. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2023, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155/11 "2023-09-07T21:33:40Z")
Linky link > **[Actor Danny Masterson sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for rape](https://www.npr.org/2023/09/07/1198160934/actor-danny-masterson-sentenced-to-30-years-to-life-in-prison-for-rape)** > > The "That '70s Show" star was found guilty of two counts of rape in May, in a trial that involved the Church of Scientology. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155/12 "2023-09-08T02:04:24Z")
He’s 47 so 30+ years puts him in his 70’s or 80’s. I wonder if his wife will wait for him and will his daughter bring her kids to visit him in prison. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155/13 "2023-09-08T02:09:37Z")
So he’ll be available for the cast of “That 2050s Show”? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155/14 "2023-09-08T02:32:47Z")
I figure his chances of showing up in future episodes in the franchise are equal to Tanya Roberts’. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155/15 "2023-09-08T02:45:59Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > anya Roberts They were probably figuring on replacing her character with Lisa Robin Kelly for any reboots. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155/16 "2023-09-08T12:57:11Z")
More likely that, as long as he behaves himself, he’ll be out before he’s 60. Sad, but true. ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155/17 "2023-09-08T13:39:08Z")
Still, wasting the time between your mid-40’s and early 60’s is nothing to scoff at. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155/18 "2023-09-08T15:42:13Z")
Hangin’ out, in the clink The same old thing, same old stink. Not a thing to do but sit and stew. I’m not all right! I’m not all right! Hello prison! ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155/19 "2023-09-08T23:21:26Z")
[A clip from “That 70’s” show where reality imitates art.](https://www.google.com/search?q=hyde+clip+from+that+70%27s+show%2Carrested&client=firefox-b-1-d&sca_esv=563841496&channel=fenc&biw=1525&bih=640&tbm=vid&ei=R6v7ZKm7NIOeptQPnKq6WA&ved=0ahUKEwjp-qTSkpyBAxUDj4kEHRyVDgs4ChDh1QMIDA&oq=hyde+clip+from+that+70%27s+show%2Carrested&gs_lp=Eg1nd3Mtd2l6LXZpZGVvIiZoeWRlIGNsaXAgZnJvbSB0aGF0IDcwJ3Mgc2hvdyxhcnJlc3RlZEi3S1CDCljsLnAAeACQAQCYAbQBoAHEDKoBBDIuMTG4AQzIAQD4AQGIBgE&sclient=gws-wiz-video#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:91908ed3,vid:iD0vKbsAR2Y,st:0) Dealers choice. ---
**Author:** ![TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thegunismightierthanthepen/32/2981_2.png) [@TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheGunIsMightierThanThePen)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2023, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155/20 "2023-09-09T04:49:15Z")
I guffawed at this. Well done! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-masterson-rape-case-how-scientology-prohibits-members-from-reporting-other-members-to-the-police/943155.md?page=2)