STATEMENT OF VICKKI FORD COOK
re: My son George Cook Ford (George Ford)'s Affidavit dated
October 18, 2002
December 8, 2002
Because I have made public statements which protest the Church of
Scientology's record of breaking up families---and in particular, my
family---the Church of Scientology and their private investigator Eugene
Ingram have targeted me as an enemy. Through Eugene Ingram, the Church of
Scientology has gone to my business associates and influential members of
my community and given them defaming and false information about my past
and my character. The Church of Scientology is a billion dollar enterprise
owned by the Church of Spiritual Technology.
The Church of Scientology's harassment campaign against me is consistent
with written Church policy and the reports from others who have disagreed
with its tenets. When on May 6, 1991, for instance, Time Magazine, wrote
an article which Church management found unfavorable, the Church used the
exorbitant donations they demand from members to pay for forty full-page
advertisements in USA TODAY to discredit Time Magazine. In their campaign
they went to the extremes of quoting Time Magazine articles from the 1930's
in an attempt to call into question Time's modern-day credibility. They
took statements out of context.
They quoted public figures who weren't
experts on the subject. They did everything in their ability to discredit
Time Magazine, just because the magazine didn't share their view. That
Time Magazine had, in fact, said nothing wrong was later substantiated when
the church, again using the exorbitant donations demanded of members,
dragged Time through the courts and lost. This example is but one of many
available in public records which suggests to what lengths and expense the
Church of Scientology will go to silence their detractors. Sadly, in my
case, the Church initiated their campaign because of my efforts to see my
son, which-because of my disagreements with the church's teachings-is
banned by Church policy.
My son's name is George Cook Ford. He goes by George Ford. When I last
saw George, he was working eighty (sometimes more) hours per week for the
church. His salary ran under $50.00 per week plus room and board in the
Church commune. In that commune as many as five or six Church members
would sleep in the same cubicle. Since George is married he shared a small
apartment with his wife and another family within the commune. He was a
member of the Sea Organization, an organization within the Church whose
secret policies are not available, even to other Church members.
On the Internet there are numerous reports of former Sea Organization
members who tried to leave but were restrained. I have spoken to former
members who have substantiated these reports. I have also seen from former
members the secret writings which require members to do anything in their
power to destroy enemies of the group (and there is no mention of staying
within the confines of the law). I am sharing this information so that you
will understand the context of what follows. Again, my son lives in a
religious commune (at least he did over a year ago when I was last
permitted to see him). This commune is run like a military organization
that requires rigid adherence to policy and denounces as evil any joking or
degrading remarks about the organization or its founder or its policies.
If you are a parent, you can understand what I'm going through. To make
matters worse, I am currently being attacked by my son - or rather,
attacked by The Church of Scientology through my son. If my son were to
disagree with the church, he would face expulsion from the group he now
(confined as he is from outside communication) believes offers his only
path to salvation. Yes, if my son doesn't follow orders to destroy those
whom other higher-ranking group members have declared to be evil, he could
be expelled from this group. In this repressive environment, my son, as
you can imagine, will do anything he is told to do what follows Church
policy. He must say anything he is told to say, or he believes he will
lose his wife, his salvation, and any friends he cares about in his
commune.
Under the treat (stated or unstated, actual or imagined) of such coercion,
George signed an affidavit around October 18, 2002. The affidavit is the
same style as other pieces written and researched by the Church of
Scientology's professional public relations writers. The writing does not
even resemble George's style. You could confirm this for yourself if you
actually watched George write an essay that wasn't altered by others.
The following is my response to the affidavit that my son signed, most
probably in an imagined attempt to survive in the group that he now
considers to be his only possible salvation, the group which uses fear of
expulsion to restrict and control its members communication with the
outside world:
1. In late October, 2001, James at Celebrity Center informed me
that George no longer lived in their commune. George did call my nephew,
his grandmother and his dying aunt on or about October 11, 12 and the 14th
2002, four days before signing the affidavit. Other than that, my only
information about George's whereabouts was the following: On or about
4/19/2002, a woman called saying George had been seen in the Hemet area and
that he was in great danger with the Church of Scientology. On or about May
1, 2002, a Mr. Carver called stating he was from the Klu Klux Klan and the
Church of Scientology and that he had my son. I filed a report with the
proper authorities. Since he left messages on my recorder I do have tapings
of him.
2. It is my belief that my son is not operating free from coercion.
I've explained this in the affidavit's introduction. Based on my
experiences and my husband's experiences we know that a person can be mind
controlled and coerced to do what they have to do if they believed their
salvation is at stake. I have spoken to an ex Sea Organization member who
informed me that all letters and phone calls were monitored by the
management of the Church of Scientology. And yes, I do fear for my son's
life. My son has changed considerably since being in the Church of
Scientology's sea organization. He essentially has turned against his
parents.
3. My son signed the affidavit against me on October 18, 2002.
Yet , only one week before this Affidavit was written, the following
statements were made by my son to my family over several phone
conversations.
2. "I want to be a part of my family again, I miss them"
3. "I am staying away and not calling or telling my mom where I am just to
spite her."
4. "I love my mom."
5. "I want to see my mom again but she has to stop the Internet before I
can."
6. George told his grandmother on or about October 12, 2002,
that he loved his mom, his dad, his family and her. She told
him "George, if your mother had you in her life again,
and you were a family again, she wouldn't need to share with
the world about the truths of the disconnection policy of the
Church and how it destroys families".
Since I had no contact with my son during the week between
his "loving me" and detesting me, I can only assume
that he his being controlled by his commune.
On or about October 18, 2001, my son and I had our last phone
conversation. He basically told me if I didn't follow Church
orders I would never see him again.
4. I look forward to both George and his wife being free to
communicate and to being part of our family.
5. The Affidavit has incorrect data regarding George's biological
father.
George was born on October 13, 1977. I was divorced on March 12, 1979 as
evidenced by the divorce decree, over two years after his birth. George met
his father when he was very young. All during George's early years, George
knew he had a father but there was no relationship. On or about 1983, I
was instructed by my attorney that my ex wanted no more parental rights
with George. My attorney felt it was the right thing to do for George's
future. At that time, George's name was changed to Ford and we received a
settlement of $25,000 listed as child support and alimony. George knew at
that time that it came from his father. That money went into an account for
George. This money was all spent on Scientology and Scientology related
"donations." George spoke to his biological father in 1992 and again in
1998. I attempted to get George and his biological father together as late
as 2001 for no other reason than to clear up the "mystery" that my son had.
George chose not to have this happen for whatever reasons.
6. George was adopted by my husband David Cook on or about 1994,
calling him Dad and Pops. George was willing to accept the nearly $100,000
we put on his account at the Flag Scientology Church in 1998. Never did
George ever tell me that he was unhappy with David, his pops, until this
Affidavit. As so noted in section 4, he told his grandmother how much he
loved David and wanted to be a part of the family again.
7. I have had three prior marriages. I was married to people who I
fell deeply in love with but the marriages did not work. People tend to
repeat the same mistakes. I am regretful that I had trouble with being
married but I did. Not until I found David Cook and handled why I had been
repeating the same mistake was I able to have a stable marriage. We have
been married nearly 10 years as of May 2003. Again, all of these issues
are protected by the Church of Scientology's own commitment and legal
obligation under the law not to disclose any issues regarding Church
counseling.
8. As to George being sent off to Military school, he was sent off
because he wanted to be like his grandfather who also went to Military
School. His grandfather was in the elite of the armed forces and knew top
secrets about his area. George was very proud of him and he and his
grandfather were very close. They shared many wonderful times and
conversations including the military. George also was having difficulty
in school at this time and was sent to a psychiatric hospital under a
psychiatrist. After that, George no longer wanted to stay in the school he
was in. I did my best as a single parent, I did everything I could to help
my son. My son was a very difficult child and I even have a card sent from
he and his wife stating so. My son told me just last year "Mom, you did
the very best job you could, I was a tough child to raise."
9. If George had his attorney receive all the documents from my
marriages, then he would have known that I was not pregnant when I got a
divorce. George was nearly two years old. I also want it known that I am
personally in touch with my ex-husbands and we are and remain friends. (My
third husband cannot remain as friends since he is not allowed to talk to
me since I am out of the church) George's biological father was contacted
by Eugene Ingram, a private investigator, and was told libelous and
slanderous things about me. My ex has informed me of the entire
conversation. I spoke with him at approximately 6 P. M. December 4, 2002.
My ex did tell me that he told the Private Investigator the following:
"George should be proud of his mother and of his mother's family heritage."
10. All of my private Church confessions about anything I may have
experienced in my marriages or in my life were confidential
data given to the Church of Scientology and it is against the Church
parishioner policy and rules to disclose anything that I discussed about my
past or my marriages. Essentially, the Church has violated it's own rules
by disclosing anything about one of their past members.
11. The final divorce decree of George's father and myself has no
issues of adultery or cruel and inhuman treatment. The divorce
decree is of public record: book 528, Page 247 in the Chancery Court of the
First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi. It can be found
under Victoria Ford Smith Harvey as the complainant/cross-defendant.
12. I was faithful to each of my husband's during our marriage.
When people go through divorces, they can be very angry and many ugly
things are said. In 1990, George's father and I met in Houston and we
resolved any and all upsets that had occurred in our divorce. This again is
church/parishioner protected information and in my religious folders held
by the church. The Church has refused my request to receive my confidential
folders back. The Church remains in complete control of these
confidential records.
13. The issues brought up by George's affidavit are issues in private
and confidential Church folders. Due to George and Eugene
Ingram representing the church, they both have put the Church of
Scientology at legal risk. Both are only creating potential lawsuits and
problems for the Church since it appears the Church has committed privacy
violations of my Church records. I know that my two ex-husbands did not
share this information with George, his private investigator or the Church
as I have personally spoken with them as of December 4, 2002. I understand
my third husband, a Scientologist, did discuss our marriage to the Church
representatives. Even though court records are public, these issues are a
part of my confidential and private Church records now exposed by the very
Church who has a legal responsibility to keep them private.
14-20. I have all records of George's stay at St. Mary's, a
psychiatric hospital. George and I received them in 1998 when he and I
ordered them and personally went over them together.
20-24. It is to be noted that my second husband and myself received
Scientology Marriage counseling after our divorce. The Church and/or its
representatives have again violated their own agreements to not disclose
confidential and private, under the law, issues involving my marriage. We
both signed Church forms at the marriage counseling that nothing would ever
be disclosed by the Church of Scientology or its representatives.
24. My second marriage lasted for one year yet the affidavit stated
my divorce dragged on for 5 years. The court records show this
to be inaccurate. Per my marriage certificate, we were married on February
14, 1985 and our divorce became final on April 29, 1986. I have been in
touch with my ex regarding the above issues and he too was contacted by the
Church of Scientology's PI and told him nothing regarding anything as he
did not care to get involved with such matters.
25. Due to my son bringing this matter up, I will briefly discuss
the facts only: I took my son to a psychologist due to issues private to my
son. She told me private personal information regarding my son. I trusted
my son when he told me this was true. In protection of my son I went to
the authorities. George confirmed this with the authorities. Years later,
George came to me and told me these "things" never happened. I then went
to the authorities to help clear the accused name. Again, this is all
protected church/parishioner information as the Church worked with me on
this matter.
My son and I followed Church policy to handle the situation
for all concerned and it was a completed matter at the time. All
information is in my Church records held by the church. George's
biological father and his past stepfather are not upset about what George
has stated as they understand the control of the church. We have
resolved all differences and have moved on like sane adults in our
respective life's. The Church and/or its representatives have again
violated our trust and gone against their Church tenants.
26. George's psychiatric records are his to discuss.
27. I met David more than a month after my divorce was final.
28. George chose to go to Military School. At the time he was in
this school, we did not know my third husband. There is a confusion here.
29. I was never pregnant while married to my third husband. I
spoke to my third husband, a Scientologist at 2:45 P.M. On December 4,
2002. I asked him if he had told the church, George or the Private
Investigator what George claims in Section 34, and my third ex stated he
did not say that and he would call the Church to notify them of this. I
advised him that he continued to discuss our past marriage and continue to
spread libelous and slanderous remarks, he too would be liable for
defamation.
30-33. My third husband and I handled all of our marital and divorce
issues through the chaplain at the Church of Scientology. To discuss these
matters is a violation of the tenants of the church. George's attorney
needs to be aware that he is creating legal problems by allowing his client
to discuss private Church matters regarding information in my Church
folders and any matters involving my past marriages to anyone. Since George
and Eugene Ingram are representatives of the Church of Scientology they
both are ultimately putting the Church at legal risk.
34. Covered above.
35. George knew at all times that he was receiving insurance
benefits and a paycheck. It went into his bank account and his actions
prove this information. I also have a signed statement from the Office of
Special Affairs (the Church of Scientology's legal department)
acknowledging and approving George's insurance. I have already contacted
the IRS regarding these fraudulent accusations. George was an adult when
he received these paychecks and insurance benefits. George needs to
remember that his American Express bills were paid by these very paychecks
as he authorized me to do since I paid his bills.
These bills included
items charged for the Church of Scientology and were as well paid by
George's parents as the bills were much higher than his paycheck could
afford. I was informed that the Church would pay us back for these charges.
George is getting into some very touchy legal issues that he needs to be
very aware of as he could become liable since he had full capacity and
knowledge as does the Church of Scientology.
The Church of Scientology is
not at liberty to discuss anything from my folders and this information
regarding these issues are confidential Church matters. These matters
involving George's paychecks and insurance benefits are considered handled
and perfectly legal and ethical by the Church of Scientology as so stated
to me in writing during my "ordered" trip to and by the Church of
Scientology in 1998. It should be noted that I do not have a tax exempt
organization.
36. Prior to my leaving the Church of Scientology, George and I had
a loving relationship, with normal good times and short term upsets as does
any parent/child relationship. As of 2001, George and I spoke of having
handled all of our past concerns and we were moving on in the future. I
have never claimed to be a perfect parent, just a parent who was devoted to
my son and remain as devoted today.
37. George has never learned the truth of why his dad and I left the
church. He has not spoken to us so he only knows what the Church has
told him.
38. The Church of Scientology believes and follows the rule, as the
Church taught me, that if two people have an upset between them, there is
an outside, third person causing it. I think all who are reading this would
agree that there is an upset between my son and I. Since he is not involved
with his family, it would appear it would be someone in his present
environment. It would benefit all concerned if George could find out who
is "stirring things up" between him and I as well as his other
family members.
We miss you George and love you very much. I do thank you for calling your
aunt. She died one week after you talked to her. You made her very happy
as she loved you very much.
You will always be the love of my life.
Your Mom
1. "I love my mom, I am just mad at her."
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