http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/news/article_1401119.php/OT_V_Jason_Beghes_full_interview_Scientology_scams_exposed_

MerrillApr 22nd, 2008 - 14:00:01

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2008/04/jason_beghe_on.php

Merrill at April 22, 2008 9:51 AM

So will ask you again. How many dogs does Jason Beghe have? What color are they?

“However, no evidence exists that the Church of Scientology was aware of the asbestos prior to the ship being placed in dry dock. No evidence exists that the Church tried to cover this up.”

Lawrence Woodcraft’s affidavit states he informed Scientologist upper management about the asbestos in 1987. The affidavit was filed in 2001.

So the CoS management has known about asbestos since 1987, or at least since 2001 when the affidavit was filed in a court case against them.

Also, the boat that became the Freewinds (it wasn’t always called that) was built in the 1960’s, and was built as a ferry. All 1960’s boats were built with asbestos, especially ferrys since cars catching on fire is a bad thing. If the CoS didn’t do their due dilligence and have the boat inspected prior to purchasing it then they failed there too. Ignorance is not an excuse.

Asbestos was released during the 1987 refit, as noted in the Woodcraft affidavit. Asbestos was released during other work done on the ship as noted by former Sea-Org member testimony.

Yes, it has been covered up for 20+ years. Also, why did you post in an article buried 3 or 4 pages back on Friday? Why not post in the follow up article which was on the front page, now on page 2? Were you afraid someone might find your comments and refute them? To bad, someone did.

1) The Freewinds was placed in dry dock for re-furbishing several months ago by the Church of Scientology. This fact was announced broadly at the time and all church operations that had been conducted aboard the Freewinds were moved to their facilities in Clearwater.

2) During the refurbishing Asbestos was found on board the ship.

3) According to the above quoted article, the Captain of the Freewinds failed to report the asbestos, which was found during the refurbishing.

4) According to the above article, the Captain acknowledged his failure.

You can take these facts and distort them. However, no evidence exists that the Church of Scientology was aware of the asbestos prior to the ship being placed in dry dock. No evidence exists that the Church tried to cover this up. A single man, the Captain, failed to report it in a timely fashion and perhaps he did try to cover it up, but that is conjecture.

Asbestos can sit inert in buildings and is harmless until it is disturbed, typically by demolition and construction. It is common throughout the United States for asbestos to be discovered in old buildings when they are being remodeled or demolished. No one goes back and alerts the prior occupants of the building as this is unnecessary and would only create undue alarm. The material only becomes dangerous when disturbed, and then very expensive containment and clean up measures are required.