Scientology's Hacker Revealed

[Lewis De Payne]

I just finished reading a new book, titled "The Fugitive Game - Online
with Kevin Mitnick and Lewis De Payne", by Jonathan Littman (383pp,
hardcover, ISBN 0-316-52858-7). The book was absolutely fascinating!

Did you know that a guy called Justin Tanner Petersen, through a
detective agency called Michaels International, did some work for
Scientology that involved wiretapping and breaking into an office?
This took place in Texas. In addition, this guy was working for the
FBI, and had access to sophisticated equipment, including a system for
wiretapping phones without the "tap" that you or I think about... the
FBI gave him access to a computer system that allowed him to place
taps on phones without physically having to do any wiring!

Apparently, Kevin Mitnick and Lewis De Payne found out about this
system, and may have used it to wiretap (and tape record!) authorities
(FBI agents) conducting illegal investigations!! In the book, it is
hinted that Lewis De Payne has a tape recording of Justin Petersen
talking to someone on the phone about his Scientology involvement!

Please -- if anyone knows anything else about this, or how I can
contact the people mentioned in the book -- let me know!!

[Joe Harrington]

I don't have a great deal of information about this, but about one year
ago I talked with a fellow who knew one of the hackers, can't recall his
name, who has convicted and is serving time at Terminal Island prison.

Reportedly, the two PI firms involved were one in LA, headed up by a former
high-ranking FBI agent from that area, and another PI firm, headed up by
a former Mossad agent.

Vicki Aznaran was a former high-ranking CofS executive, who along with her
husband Rick, had defected from the Scientology hierarchy. The affidavits
she provided in several court cases detailed the fraud and deception that
the CofS engaged in to derail the IRS investigation of the CofS.

Reportedly, an operative was hired by the CofS to bug the Aznaran residence
in Dallas, TX. Shortly thereafter, Aznaran half-heartedly recanted her
earlier affidavit and received a "loan" of $25,000. Shortly after that
the IRS gave the CofS tax exempt status and sealed the record.

I believe the court records from the criminal trial of the hackers were also
sealed, on the grounds of "National Security".

Joe