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Portrait of David Miscavige

Photo: Scientology Media · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in United States · Nationality American — Religion / Scientology / governance / litigation

David Miscavige

Religion, sects and spiritual movements

Documented profile covering 8 controversies, including “2019–2026: Bixler/Masterson litigation — allegations of stalking, harassment and retaliation against Scientology and Miscavige” and “2022–2026: Baxter case — allegations of forced labour and human trafficking, proceedings referred to arbitration”.

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Profile No. 2163 · Updated on 12 October 2026

Portrait of David Miscavige

Photo: Scientology Media · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
8Documented controversies
9Sources
0Formal charge · all time
0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

01

2019–2026

2019–2026: Bixler/Masterson litigation — allegations of stalking, harassment and retaliation against Scientology and Miscavige

Civil / administrative proceedings

Women who had accused Danny Masterson of sexual violence, together with relatives, sued Scientology entities, Miscavige and Masterson, alleging stalking, harassment, invasion of privacy and emotional distress in retaliation for their reports.

State of the evidence
Allegations
Attribution
Accused

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    California Court of Appeal via MidpageBixler v. Superior Court CA2/5, B310559Court decisionVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    California Court of Appeal via MidpageBixler v. Church of Scientology International, B339009Court decisionVery high reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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02

2022–2026

2022–2026: Baxter case — allegations of forced labour and human trafficking, proceedings referred to arbitration

Civil / administrative proceedings

Former members raised in Scientology brought a federal action invoking, among other laws, the TVPRA and alleging forced labour, violence, intimidation and unlawful deprivation of liberty. Miscavige was among the defendants.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Accused

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    U.S. District Court complaint mirrorBaxter et al. complaint, Case 8:22-cv-00986Court recordHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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03

2015–2016

2015–2016: Allegations of surveillance of his father Ron Miscavige and threatened legal action over Ruthless

Allegations

Ron Miscavige, David's father, accused the organisation of arranging surveillance of his activities after his departure and published the book Ruthless. David Miscavige's lawyers threatened the British publisher with a defamation action.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The GuardianScientology leader David Miscavige threatens to sue UK publisher over father's memoirPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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04

2015–2016

2015–2016: Miscavige's complaint against Mail Online article about Tom Cruise relationship upheld by IPSO

Allegations

Miscavige challenged a Mail Online article alleging, notably, that he secretly recorded Tom Cruise and granted the actor exceptional privileges. The British press regulator upheld his complaint on grounds of accuracy.

State of the evidence
Reported by the press

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The GuardianScientology leader's complaint over Mail Online's Tom Cruise story upheldPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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05

2006–présent

2006–present: Shelly Miscavige's disappearance from public life and questions about her circumstances

No legal proceedings

The prolonged public absence of Shelly Miscavige, formerly often seen alongside her husband, prompted public questions and a missing-person report by Leah Remini. Los Angeles police stated that they had met Shelly and closed the report as unfounded.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Spouse

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    ABC NewsLeah Remini on Her Break With the Church of ScientologyPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Guardian / Lawrence WrightWhat happens when you try to leave the Church of Scientology?PressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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06

années 1990–2000

1990s–2000s: Repeated allegations of physical violence and humiliation towards executives

No legal proceedings

Former senior officials alleged that Miscavige struck or humiliated them or subjected them to a climate of fear. The Tampa Bay Times compiled several consistent accounts in The Truth Rundown.

State of the evidence
Allegations
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Tampa Bay TimesScientology: The Truth RundownPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Guardian / Lawrence WrightWhat happens when you try to leave the Church of Scientology?PressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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07

années 2000

2000s: "The Hole" and allegations of confinement and degrading treatment of executives

No legal proceedings

Several former executives described "The Hole", a building at Gold Base where officials were allegedly confined, humiliated and subjected to coercive practices under internal discipline.

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Tampa Bay TimesScientology: The Truth RundownPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Guardian / The ObserverDavid Miscavige: A cult figure in the fame gamePressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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08

1986–1993

1986–1993: Takes control of Scientology after Hubbard's death and concentrates power

No legal proceedings

Following Hubbard's death, Miscavige established himself as Scientology's effective leader and chairman of the Religious Technology Center. Former executives describe him as holding near-absolute power over the organisation.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Guardian / The ObserverDavid Miscavige: A cult figure in the fame gamePressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

  • Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
  • Line width: number of documented references
  • Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (3)
  1. Leah Remini2 documented references
  2. Danny Masterson1 documented reference
  3. Tom Cruise1 documented reference

III. Has something changed?

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