Bob Minton

Robert Schenk Minton
Born	October 1946
Died	January 20, 2010 Clonbur, Ireland
Occupation(s)	Banker, critic of Scientology
Known for	Funding legal actions against the Church of Scientology; founding the Lisa McPherson Trust; producing the film The Profit

Robert Schenk Minton (October 1946 – January 20, 2010) was a wealthy individual who funded legal actions targeting the Church of Scientology.

Criticism of Scientology

Minton grew critical of Scientology upon discovering its aggressive tactics against detractors and efforts to suppress online free speech. He appeared on multiple news outlets to discuss his stance and the harassment he endured, notably featured on the June 16, 1998 episode of Dateline NBC and in A&E's "Investigative Reports" episode titled "Inside Scientology" aired in December 1998.

His financial commitment to opposing Scientology exceeded $10 million, including approximately $2 million dedicated to the Lisa McPherson wrongful death lawsuit. Minton also pledged a $360,000 reward to anyone departing Scientology with sufficient proof to revoke its federal tax-exempt status—a sum reflecting the typical fees critics claim the Church charges for courses. In November 1997, he spent $260,000 acquiring a residence to serve as a cat refuge for former Scientologists Robert Vaughn Young and Stacy Brooks Young.

Additionally, Minton supported other critics, including those accused by Scientology of copyright violations. He contributed between $25,000 and $30,000 to Swiss ex-Scientologist Jean-Luc Barbier during his legal battle against the Church and provided $250,000 to a French lawyer. Minton also took part in protests outside the Church’s Boston headquarters near his Beacon Hill home.

After Scientology accused him of fraud related to his Nigerian enterprises, Minton won a libel lawsuit against two German Scientology organizations and a spokeswoman, obtaining a permanent injunction barring further defamatory statements. This ruling was upheld on appeal.

Lisa McPherson Trust

In 1999, Minton established the Lisa McPherson Trust (LMT), which initiated a civil lawsuit against the Church of Scientology concerning Lisa McPherson’s wrongful death and offered legal support to former members alleging abuse by the Church.

Operating out of Clearwater, Florida—location of Scientology’s Flag Land Base—the trust’s advocates frequently demonstrated outside Church properties, resulting in clashes between LMT supporters and Scientologists.

In 2000, Minton was awarded the Alternative Charlemagne Award by the European-American Citizens Committee for Human Rights and Religious Freedom. The following year, he received the Leo J. Ryan Award from the Leo J. Ryan Education Foundation in recognition of his "exceptional courage, determination, and persistence" in combating mind control.

Hubbard parody film

Minton financed and produced the film The Profit, investing around $2.5 million. Marketed as fiction designed to inform viewers about cults and con artists, it was widely interpreted as a satirical portrayal of the Church of Scientology and its founder L. Ron Hubbard.

Opposition from Scientology

In his 2022 publication A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology, Mike Rinder disclosed that he and Marty Rathbun were pressured by David Miscavige to "Stop Minton," holding them accountable for failing to prevent Minton’s relocation to Clearwater. The Church initiated an extensive international campaign against Minton, deploying private investigators without budget constraints.

Lead investigator Dave Lubow contacted Minton’s contacts across the country, picketed his business locations, and froze his Swiss bank account. They orchestrated an incident leading to Minton’s arrest after he swatted at a Scientologist; although he was acquitted, the Church branded him a criminal.

By October 2009, Rinder and Rathbun told the St. Petersburg Times that Scientology had effectively silenced Minton through financial probes and covert recordings, including scrutiny of his Nigerian affairs in 2000. After departing the Church in 2007, Rinder referred to Minton as a friend in 2009.

Minton changes stance

After legal representatives from Scientology examined his financial records, Minton revised his statements in the McPherson lawsuit. Former members of the church disclosed how they had recorded their discussions with him and obtained access to his telephone and banking information, uncovering details that caused him concern.

Observers argue that Minton was subjected to coercion by the church. On March 16, 2002, he reached out to Mike Rinder and subsequently met with him on April 6, expressing apprehension about potential perjury charges stemming from falsehoods in the case.

During a hearing on April 20, 2002, related to the wrongful death suit of Lisa McPherson, Minton accused attorney Ken Dandar of pressuring him to provide false testimony, fabricating court documents, and orchestrating adverse media coverage against Scientology to sway the jury. He disclosed that he had contributed in excess of $2 million to support the litigation and compensated witnesses. Dandar testified regarding $750,000 in Swiss bank drafts purportedly originating from Minton. Additionally, Minton acknowledged transferring $800,000 from European accounts to the Lisa McPherson Trust while withholding certain funds to prevent their origin from being traced by Scientology.

The presiding judge refused to dismiss Dandar, expressing skepticism about Minton’s credibility and suggesting that he may have fabricated testimony to avoid tax liabilities. Earlier, six months prior, the judge had indicated that the amount of funding was not material to the case.

In August 2009, John Fashanu, who had previously accused Minton and Ibrahim Babangida of theft in Nigeria in 2000, issued a public apology denying any involvement in debt repurchase schemes or concealed billions. Minton asserted that Fashanu had been manipulated by Scientology to target him.

Death

Minton passed away due to a cardiac condition on January 20, 2010, in Clonbur, Ireland, at age 63. His funeral service took place the following Monday at St. Mary of the Rosary Church in Cong, County Mayo, Ireland. He was laid to rest in Lisloughrey Cemetery.