LES MOONVES, LAPD, SCIENTOLOGY
Stock Photo ID: 66350941 - LOS ANGELES - NOV 30: Les Moonves, Julie Chen arrive at the Paley Center for Media Annual Los Angeles Gala at Beverly Wilshire Hotel on November 30, 2010 in Beverly Hills, CA
By SNN.BZ STAFF
Disgraced former CBS executive, Les Moonves was known to hire a retired LAPD captain, Corey Palka as a security team member from time-to-time. The men became comfortable enough with one another that Moonves asked Palka to get him a copy of the unredacted confidential criminal complaint against Moonves so that he would know what charges he would be facing before the complaint became public. Palka not only obtained the document for Moonves but he also tried to help Moonves cover up one of his sexual assault accusations.
RET. LAPD COMMANDER CORY PALKA’S INVOLVEMENT WITH SCIENTOLOGY
Within hours of Phyllis Golden-Gottlieb having appeared in person to the Hollywood police station to file her complaint, that Leslie Moonves, then a CBS executive had sexually assaulted her in the past, Cory Palka, a retired Police Commander from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), who was known for his connections and alliance to the Church of Scientology took the report out of its physical filing location and called CBS, he then met with Moonves and others where he handed the document to Moonves. Palka’s involvement with Scientology has been a topic of scrutiny and controversy for decades:
CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY KIOSK PROMINENTLY IN HOLLYWOOD, CA POLICE STATION LOBBY
AMERICAN ATHEISTS PROTESTING LAPD’S POLICE SHOWING OFF CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY KIOSK IN LOBBY
- Scientology Kiosk at LAPD Hollywood Division:
- Captain Cory Palka allowed the Church of Scientology to install an informational kiosk in the LAPD’s Hollywood Division station house.
- Having authorized that kiosk in the police station raised questions about the relationship between the LAPD and Scientology.
- Financial Ties:
- Palka received a $20,000 check from Scientology for LAPD charities2.
- His acceptance of this donation raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
- Leah Remini’s Allegations:
- Actress Leah Remini, a former Scientologist, accused Palka of being involved in covering up the disappearance of Shelly Miscavige, wife of Scientology leader David Miscavige.
- Remini highlighted that Palka was in charge of the division where she filed her missing person’s report regarding Shelly Miscavige3.
- Remini questioned whether Palka had provided confidential investigative information to Scientology over the years.
- LAPD’s Response:
- The LAPD denied any wrongdoing by Palka.
- LAPD “brass” stated that the investigation into Shelly Miscavige’s disappearance was conducted properly, and that officers personally made contact with her and her attorney.
- Palka was not part of the Miscavige search, according to the LAPD3.
In summary, while Palka’s ties to Scientology have been a subject of controversy, the LAPD maintains that the investigation was handled appropriately. However, the situation remains complex and continues to be a point of interest for those following Scientology-related controversies4.
As a result for the ethics breach, Moonves and CBS were both fined for Interference in a Police Probe because the interference did not end at the LAPD. The interference continued at NYPD in New York City. Moonves agreed to pay a $11,250 fine to settle a complaint from the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission.
The complaint alleges that Moonves successfully conspired with a former LAPD captain, Corey Palka, to obtain confidential information about a sexual assault investigation involving Moonves. The investigation which began in the State of California’s LAPD wound up in the State of New York’s NYPD.
Moonves, as a legal representative of CBS violated the city’s ethics code by conspiring with Cory Palka to misuse his position for personal advantage. Palka provided Moonves with information about the investigation, the accuser by providing Moonves an unredacted copy of the Complaint.
SCIENTOLOGY LAWSUITS INVOLVING CBS, MOONVES, LAPD, SCIENTOLOGY
The woman who made the accusation against Moonves was Phyllis Golden-Gottlieb. She reported being sexually assaulted by Moonves while working for him at an entertainment firm in 1986. Unfortunately, the statute of limitations prevented criminal charges from being filed. Moonves has consistently denied the accusation. (who has since passed away).
Despite the controversy, Moonves’s actions continue to be scrutinized, and the case sheds light on the complexities of ethics and accountability in high-profile situations34.
In 2022, Moonves and CBS settled with shareholders, agreeing to pay $30.5 million. This settlement was related to keeping shareholders uninformed about the sexual assault allegations against Moonves.
