I told them to take a couple of Scientology courses, and understand what we do.

The case had been brought by two ex-members who said they had been pressured into spending large amounts of money on Scientology courses and other services.

The ornate hotel and its grounds were restored by the church to offer accommodations for members and sites for Scientology courses.

Elli had met Don shortly after taking a Scientology course.

Scientology claims a worldwide membership of more than 8 million, the total of people who have taken the Scientology introductory course.

Lottick was a Russian studies student who had taken a series of Scientology courses; he died after jumping from a hotel tenth floor window.

He then told them to take a couple of Scientology courses to understand what they do.

A spokesman said, "We're aware of several cases in which people have spent a lot more than they intended to on Scientology courses."

In the New York region, he said, 40,000 to 50,000 people have taken Scientology courses or undergone counseling.

Its parishioners own dozens of businesses, and devotees come from around the world each year to take upper-level Scientology courses available only in Clearwater.