Mark Rathbun

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Mark "Marty" C. Rathbun
Born United States
Occupation former Inspector General, Religious Technology Center (RTC)
Salary ▲US$ Unknown
Net worth ▲US$ Unknown
Spouse (divorced)

Mark "Marty" C. Rathbun was Inspector General of the Religious Technology Center (RTC), the organization that controls the copyrights and trademarks of the materials relating to Dianetics and Scientology.[1] His role was to head the Inspector General Network, described by the Church of Scientology as "an independent investigatory and policing body whose function is to keep Scientology working by ensuring the pure and ethical use of Dianetics and Scientology technology." The post is one of the most senior management functions in the Church and its related organizations.[2]

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Scientology

According to his official biography, he became a Church staff member in 1978. The Fishman Affidavit says that by 1986, Rathbun was Deputy Director of Intelligence for the Church's Office of Special Affairs. His biography says that he joined the RTC board in 1987 and played a major role in negotiating the Church's controversial tax exemption agreement with the Internal Revenue Service in 1993.[1] In 1998, Florida newspaper the St. Petersburg Times described Rathbun as "top lieutenant" to Scientology leader David Miscavige.[3]

In 1997, The New York Times reported that according to an internal Scientology publication, Rathbun and Miscavige jump-started stalled negotiations over Scientology's tax status when they made an unscheduled visit to Internal Revenue Service headquarters in Washington in October 1991.[4] This was later denied by the Church of Scientology and Rathbun.[5] Commenting to the same newspaper on the involvement of celebrities in Scientology, Rathbun denied pressure on celebrity members to evangelize, saying, "Scientology works for these people, and they just want to give to others what works for them."[6]

[edit] Current

After September 2005 all references to Rathbun (and fellow top executive Warren McShane) were removed from all official Scientology websites and documents, including historical articles that mentioned Rathbun or McShane. To date, neither the RTC nor any other Scientology official or organization has made any announcement about Rathbun's status, and he has faded from public view. It is unclear who now holds the position of Inspector General of the RTC.[7][8]

Rathbun and McShane's current location and health are currently unknown [9].

Mark Rathbun is now living in Ingleside on the Bay, Texas (06-2008)and is currently writing for "We the People", an underground left-wing newspaper.[10].

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Mark Rathbun Inspector General Religious Technology Center. Religious Technology Center. Archived from the original on 2005-09-04. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
  2. ^ "Matters of RTC concern", Religious Technology Center, 2006. Retrieved 2007-02-18
  3. ^ Tobin, Thomas C. (1998-10-25). The Man Behind Scientology. St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved on 2007-12-21.
  4. ^ Frantz, Douglas (1997-03-09). Scientology's Puzzling Journey From Tax Rebel to Tax Exempt. New York Times. Retrieved on 2007-12-21.
  5. ^ Frantz, Douglas (1997-03-19). Scientology Denies an Account Of an Impromptu I.R.S. Meeting. New York Times. Retrieved on 2007-12-21.
  6. ^ Frantz, Douglas (1998-02-13). Scientology's Star Roster Enhances Image. New York Times. Retrieved on 2007-12-21.
  7. ^ David Miscavige Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center. Religious Technology Center. Archived from the original on 2005-09-04. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
  8. ^ David Miscavige Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center. Religious Technology Center. Archived from the original on 2005-10-29. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
  9. ^ Marty and Warren's Excellent Adventure. Operation Clambake. Retrieved on 2008-01-28.
  10. ^ We the People. We the People. Retrieved on 2008-06-05.

[edit] Further reading

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