The Region - News from Oct. 16, 1985

About 150 people rallied at a park in downtown Los Angeles to protest a $25-million fraud suit filed against the Church of Scientology by a former member. Police said the gathering at the Court of Flags Park on North Hill Street was peaceful. Church members said they expected 2,000 to attend the daylong rally; police said they had anticipated about 1,000. While the rally was proceeding, lawyers for the church argued pretrial motions before Superior Court Judge Alfred Margolis. The lawsuit filed by former church member Larry Wollerscheim alleges that the church’s teachings are fraudulent and caused him to suffer emotional distress.