Leah Remini is taking legal action against the Church of Scientology and its leader, David Miscavige, for harassment and defamation.
The actress, who starred in the sitcom The King of Queens, joined the Church in 1979 as a child and left in 2013.
Remini, 53, claims Scientology’s “mob-style operations and attacks” have “significantly” impacted her life and career.
BBC News has asked the Church of Scientology for comment.
In a statement released to Variety, Remini said: “For 17 years, Scientology and David Miscavige have subjected me to what I believe to be psychological torture, defamation, surveillance, harassment, and intimidation, significantly impacting my life and career.
“I believe I am not the first person targeted by Scientology and its operations, but I intend to be the last.”
According to the press release, Remini filed the lawsuit in the California Superior Court on Wednesday (2 August) in an attempt to “require Scientology, and any entity it controls and funds, to cease and desist its alleged practice of harassment, defamation, and other unlawful conduct against anyone who Scientology has labelled as an ‘enemy.'”
Variety reports Remini also seeking compensatory and punitive damages for the alleged harm Scientology has inflicted on her personal and professional life.
