Church of Scientology 'paid $30MILLION to have criminal investigation into death of member dropped'
Controversial: The 1995 death of Scientology member Lisa McPherson led to protests in Clearwater, Florida
The Church of Scientology spent at least $30million to have a criminal investigation into the death of one of its members in Florida dropped by local authorities, a former church leader alleges in a new lawsuit.
Marty Rathbun claims the church used its influence to sway judges and the medical examiner in Clearwater, Florida, to stop investigating the 1995 case of Lisa McPherson.
Her family claims church leaders watched her die after they took her to a hotel room following a minor car crash.
Scientology leaders have not commented on the allegations. However, the church has filed its own suit demanding Mr Rathbun's claims be dismissed.
Ms McPherson reportedly claimed she needed psychiatric care following the crash, WTSP-TV reports.
The Church of Scientology opposes most modern psychiatric methods, instead believing that spiritual healing is the proper treatment for mental illness.
Instead of going to a hospital, Ms McPherson's family says, she was taken to a nearby hotel where she was treated by church members.
She died 17 days later, sparking protests from her friends and family outside the Clearwater headquarters of the church.
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The church was originally charged with felonies in Ms McPherson's death - practicing medicine without a license and abuse of a disabled adult, according to the TV station.
Marty Rathbun, the former second-in-command at the Church of Scientology, claims that the church then set to work influencing local leaders to drop the charges.
Turned: Marty Rathbun, the former second-in-command of the Church of Scientology, has turned on his former religion and has made numerous public accusations against church leaders
Eventually, Medical Examiner Joan Wood changed Ms McPherson's cause of death from 'unknown' to 'accidental' and the local district attorney withdrew the criminal allegations, according to WTSP.
However, Mr Rathbun claims, the McPherson campaign cost the church more than $30million.
Some of the money was spent showering the medical examiner's attorney Jeff Goodis with gifts, Mr Rathbun alleges in a federal lawsuit.
The treatment led Mr Goodis to influence the medical examiner to change the cause of death, according to the former leader's sworn testimony.
Controversy: The 1995 death of Ms McPherson led to protests outside the Clearwater, Florida, headquarters of the church
Jeff Goodis denies the allegations.
WTSP reports that the church also hired former prosecutor Lee Fugate to lobby the leaders justice system.
Mr Rathbun alleges that Mr Fugate had illegal out-of-court discussions with several local judges.
Mr Fugate refused to comment on the allegations, but said the charges were 'shocking.'
The judges involved have refused to comment.
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