World Literacy Crusade

World Literacy Crusade (WLC) was a non-profit organisation formed in 1992 by the Rev. Alfreddie Johnson to fight illiteracy, and supported by the Church of Scientology.^[1][2] The group uses "study technologies" and "drug rehabilitation technologies" developed by L. Ron Hubbard, the Church's founder.^[3][4] It has been characterized as a "Scientology front group",^[5][6] and has been promoted by celebrity Scientologists such as Isaac Hayes and Anne Archer.^[1]

Legal issues

The Los Angeles Times reported in 2008 that about 100 protestors gathered outside of the World Literacy Crusade offices after being sold fake low cost housing vouchers for as much as $1500. Officials at WLC admitted to selling the free vouchers, but stated they did not know they were fake.^[7] The Compton, Californian offices of the WLC housed a drug detox program using “dry heat sweat therapy”.^[8] In 2015 the executive director of WLC, Hanan Islam, Ronnie Steven Islam (AKA Rizza Islam) and her adult children were arrested for Medi-Cal fraud and insurance fraud for billing for this detox program.^[9][10][11]

Notes

1. Lewis, James R. (2009). Scientology. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 9. ISBN 9780199715954. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
2. Lewis, James R. (2012). Hammer, Olav; Rothstein, Mikael (eds.). The Cambridge Companion to New Religious Movements. Cambridge University Press. p. 137. ISBN 9781107493551. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
3. Mallia, Joseph (1998-03-02). "Church keys programs to recruit blacks". Inside the Church of Scientology. Boston Herald. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
4. MacLaughlin, Jim; Gully, Andrew (1998-03-19). "Church of Scientology probes Herald reporter - Investigation follows pattern of harassment". Boston Herald. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
5. Breitbart, Andrew; Ebner, Mark (2004). Hollywood, interrupted : insanity chic in Babylon - the case against celebrity. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley. p. 128. ISBN 9780471450511. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
6. Smith, Ronald D. (2013). Strategic planning for public relations (4th ed.). New York: Routledge. p. 209. ISBN 9781136172489. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
7. "Renters in search of affordable housing get scammed". LA Times Blogs - L.A. NOW. 2008-03-21. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
8. "As rehab operators fight to reopen clinics, criminal pasts come to light | The Center for Investigative Reporting". cironline.org. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
9. Socialcult (2016-04-11). "Scientology's Disappearing Front Groups: Applied Scholastics". Scientology - The Social Cult. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
10. "Hanan Islam et al, charge documents". Scribd. Retrieved 2019-04-16.
11. "Rizza Islam". Anti-Defamation League. Retrieved February 18, 2023.

References

• Di Matteo, Enzo (1998-12-10). "Scientology wants city's kids". NOW Magazine. pp. 22, 24, 36. Vol. 18, No. 15. Retrieved 2008-03-18.