California Court Allows Leah Remini Defamation Case
The state Supreme Court declined to block a lawsuit accusing the Church of Scientology of defamation.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Latter-Day Saints
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The California Supreme Court has finalized a decision allowing Leah Remini's defamation lawsuit against the Church of Scientology to move toward trial. The case will now proceed through pretrial proceedings in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Why it matters
The ruling confirms that legal claims involving defamatory statements about a person can move forward in court despite church efforts to dismiss them. This development establishes a path for the suit to be heard, specifically regarding claims Remini characterizes as false and damaging allegations.
Remini, who is 56, seeks damages following a 40-year membership in the organization. The lawsuit initially included 100 allegations, though roughly half were dismissed in July.
The players
Leah Remini
An actress and former member of the Church of Scientology who has become a prominent public critic of the organization.
Church of Scientology
A global organization founded in 1950 that has been the subject of frequent public controversy and legal disputes regarding its treatment of members.
Los Angeles County Superior Court
The local judicial body where the lawsuit will proceed through its upcoming pretrial and trial phases.
The details
The litigation centers on accusations that the Church of Scientology falsely claimed Remini refused to pay for her father's cancer tests and ransacked her grandmother's apartment. Additional claims include accusations of bribery and tampering with justice, which the appeals court ruled could constitute actionable defamation if proven as false statements of fact.
Timeline
Leah Remini left the Church of Scientology in 2013.
A state appeals court narrowed the defamation lawsuit in July 2026.
The state Supreme Court ruling became final on October 28, 2026.
Culture Shift
This case tests the boundaries of accountability for large religious organizations in California, contrasting with historical legal precedents like the 1979 conspiracy charges against Mary Sue Hubbard. It marks a significant shift in how defamation claims against the church are being handled by state courts.
Residents of Los Angeles may observe increased activity at the Los Angeles County Superior Court as the high-profile case moves into the pretrial phase. This process provides clarity on what constitutes actionable libel in religious defamation disputes for local observers.
The takeaway
The court decision underscores that even high-profile defamation claims must clear specific legal hurdles to reach trial. Readers should note that judicial rulings on libel continue to evolve, requiring clear proof of false statements rather than general characterizations.
Further reading
Learn more about religious organization news in the Latter-Day Saints section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Francisco Chronicle.
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