As reported today by Tony Ortega, Judge Hammock issued a tentative ruling that David Miscavige has been served by Leah Remini.
Judge Hammock’s ruling ends the scofflaw and deliberate efforts of Miscavige to avoid service of subpoena in Remini v. Miscavige et al.
Judge Hammock scolded Miscavige in his concluding remarks:
Concluding Observations
As this Court commented at the most recent hearing in this case, this motion should never have been filed. This Court had encouraged the lawyers for both sides to resolve the issue of service against Miscavige without the need for court intervention. Be that as it may, this Court recognizes that Miscavige certainly has the right to be served by proper process of law. Although we are well within the 21st century, these rather antiquated service laws still exist and must be enforced by the courts. So be it. Miscavige was, in fact, properly served.
But the arguments put forth by Miscavige, while mostly technical in nature, still must be reasonable. For example, to contend that Plaintiff has not made “reasonably diligent” efforts to serve him simply stretches one’s credulity.
It is simply time for Miscavige to simply step up, as a responsible member of our community, to generally appear in this case and defend himself against the serious allegations being made against him by the Plaintiff in this case. He is the apparent leader of a worldwide religious organization with considerable funds and support. He has (literally) teams of lawyers to defend him. Now is the time to utilize them to defend this case on its merits.
IT IS SO ORDERED.