Cult Awareness Network Became Scientologist-Run

The original Cult Awareness Network was an anti-cult group that often criticized the Church of Scientology. In 1995, a man named Jason Scott won a large judgment against CAN after one of its volunteers connected his mother with a deprogrammer who kidnapped and detained him. The judgment and other legal costs pushed CAN into bankruptcy in 1996. A Scientologist lawyer then bought its name, logo, phone number, and other assets for $20,000, allowing Scientology associates to operate a new Cult Awareness Network.

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