Dentist Office Rips Off Teacher for Scientology

Today an article appeared in the St. Petersburg Times detailing an account of a Dentist allegedly running up patient's bills in order to pay money to the Church of Scientology. You should read the article here: 'Scientology benefits when Miami dentist runs up patient bills'

I'm not one of those who automatically assume that if a member of the Church of Scientology owns a business, they automatically give it all to the 'Church'. I also do not assume that Scientology is running and managing the business. This seems to be the result of the high costs of a 'Church' who overcharges its parishioners for a service they should be giving for free. Scientologists most often end up in debt because of the 'Church', which cause them to either end up working for the CoS, Borrowing money from everyone they can, Scamming/Ripping off to get more money, or just plain leaving the organization.

I am NOT justifying Dr. Rene Piedra at all. I was merely offering my 2 cents on WHY he was motivated to abuse the trust of his patients and drive them into unrecoverable debt.

-Dr. Rene Piedra

Here are some 'stats' that can be found from the article.

"From 2005 to 2008, court records show, Piedra's practice transferred $715,364 to several Scientology entities, including the church's spiritual headquarters in Clearwater."

• Nearly $150,000 to the Scientology church in Kansas City.

• $121,500 to the International Association of Scientologists, which funds the church's social campaigns and legal actions.

• $55,000 to the Scientology entity raising money to complete the mammoth "Super Power" building in downtown Clearwater.

• $83,000 to the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises, a nonprofit corporation that helps businesses put Scientology principles to work.

Piedra's contributions helped land him in bankruptcy, owing $3.9 million to a long list of creditors. A lawsuit in Miami alleges that Scientology groups played a key role in his downfall.

Barry Mukamal, a Bankruptcy Trustee states that Dr. Rene Piedra was attempting:

"to defraud patients in order to transfer large sums of money" to the Church of Scientology and related groups."

If you want to discuss this topic or debate with others... be sure to check out the forum thread on WhyWeProtest: WWP Active Thread- Miami Dentist Gave Patient's Money to Scientology