Church of Scientology allegedly ran background checks on friends of 'South Park' creators

A former Church of Scientology member has alleged the organization ran background checks on people it believed to be friends of South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. The investigations followed the 2005 screening of the South Park episode ‘Trapped in the Closet,” which lampooned both the church and, specifically, Scientology follower Tom Cruise.

Yesterday, former church executive Mark “Marty” Rathburn published on his website a report allegedly written by Scientology���s Commanding Officer, Office of Special Affairs, which, according to Rathburn, reveals the organization investigated the public records of non-Scientologists the church thought might help in getting a “direct line” to Stone and Parker. These included John Stamos, his ex-wife Rebecca Romijn, and South Park consultant Matt Prager.

Both Trey Parker and Matt Stone declined to comment on the subject. The Church of Scientology failed to respond to requests for a reaction to Rathburn’s allegations.