Clearwater, Florida - The leader of the Church of Scientology struck his subordinates numerous times and set an example for physical violence among the religion's management team, four former high-ranking executives told a newspaper for a story published Sunday.
Executives who have since left the organization, including Mike Rinder, who oversaw the church's legal and media relations operations, told The St. Petersburg Times that they witnessed David Miscavige, chairman of the board that oversees the church, hit staff members dozens of times, often without warning.
In a response to the paper, the church denied the allegations, saying that the four former executives statements were "absolute and total lies," and the claims are an effort to tarnish Miscavige.