FROM THE FILES OF THE FBI 251
1 - Mr. Scatterday
1 - Mr. O'Connell
1 - Foreign Liaison Desk (Detached)
Legat, Copehagen (163-222)
12/27/71
Director, FBI
L. RON HUBBARD
FPC
Reference Legat, Madrid, letter to the Bureau 11/22/71, copy sent your
office, and your letter to Bureau, 12/10/71, both captioned as above.
A review of Bureau files shows that Ronald Lafayette Hubbard [sic], also
known as L. Ron Hubbard, was born 3/13/11, Tilden, Nebraska. No
investigation has been conducted by the Bureau concerning Hubbard;
however, files reveal that he was the founder and president of the Hubbard
Dianetic Research Foundation, Inc., which was incorporated in New Jersey
during April, 1950, as well as the self-appointed head of the Founding
Church of Scientology in 1951.
The December 5, 1950, issue of Look magazine contained an article entitled
"Dianetics - Science or Hoax?" which related that Hubbard was an obscure
writer of pseudo-scientific pulp fiction.
During March, 1951, the Board of Medical Examiners, State of New Jersey,
had a case against the Hubbard Dianetic Research Foundation scheduled for
trial on the grounds that the organization was conducting a school
teaching a branch of medicine and surgery without a license.
The April 24, 1951, issue of the "Washington Times Herald" carried an
article indicating that Hubbard's wife, in suing him for divorce, had
claimed that he was "hopelessly insane." According to this article,
"competent medical advisors recommended that Hubbard be committed to a
private sanatorium for psychiatric observation and treatment of a mental
ailment known as paranoid schizophrenia.'"
Enc.
1 - Legat, Madrid (Enc.)(163-168)(Info)
JEO:cs (7)
[page 2]
Letter to Legat, Copenhagen
Re: L. Ron Hubbard
In January, 1963, the Food and Drug Administration directed a raid against
the Academy of Scientology in Washington, D.C., in which machines used by
the Academy in the practice of "Scientology" were seized. It was alleged
that these machines, known as "Hubbard Electrometers," were falsely
advertised as being effective in treating various types of illnesses.
In the past, Hubbard has corresponded with this Bureau and the Department
of Justice on several occasions for various reasons, including complaints
about his wife and about alleged communists. In one lengthy letter in
May, 1951, it is perhaps noteworthy that Hubbard stated that while he was
in his apartment on February 23, 1951, about two or three o'clock in the
morning, his apartment was entered. He was knocked out, a needle was
thrust into his heart to produce a coronary thrombosis and he was given an
electric shock. He said his recollection of this incident was now very
blurred, that he had no witnesses and that the only other person who had a
key to the apartment was his wife.
(62-94080)
Enclosed for your assistance is a copy of an article which appeared in The
Washington Post issue of 12/23/71, date lined London, and captioned
"Report Criticized Scientologist Ron," which pertains to the subject of
your inquiry.
Bureau files contain no information identifiable with Operation and
Transport Corporation, Ltd. (OTC).
-2-
