A California appeals court has ruled that several women suing actor Danny Masterson for stalking, invasion of privacy, and emotional distress do not have to submit to an arbitration process with the Church of Scientology.The court ruled that the women have a First Amendment right to leave a religious organization.
They are thus not bound by the church’s arbitration rules since the allegations in the lawsuit occurred after they left the Church.Chrissie Carnell Bixler, her husband Cedrick Bixler-Zavala, Marie Bobette Riales and two other anonymous victims have claimed to be stalked after they reported to police that Masterson had raped the women.Masterson’s acting credits include eight years on TV’s That ’70s Show and playing Jameson “Rooster” Bennett in Netflix’s The Ranch.
On June 17, 2020, he was arrested and charged in connection with four rape allegations.Today’s appeals case came after Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Steven J.
Kleifield ruled in December 2020 that the plaintiffs must go through an internal arbitration process in front of a Church panel.The court of appeals disagreed.“Individuals have a First Amendment right to leave a religion.
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