Scientology Official Need Not Give Deposition In Harassment Suit

In In re David Miscavige, (TX App., July 17, 2014), a Texas appellate court ordered a trial court to withdraw its order compelling David Miscavige, head of the Church of Scientology's Religious Technology Center, to give his deposition in a suit filed by the wife of a former Scientology member.  Plaintiff Monique Rathbun claimed that she and her husband Mark were subjected to three years of harassment after Mark spoke to national media about Miscavige's alleged misconduct. In ruling for Miscavige, the court applied the so-called "apex deposition" doctrine that is designed to protect high-ranking corporate officials from burdensome, expensive, and harassing discovery. San Antonio Express-News reports on the decision.