Denial of service attacks against its websites were just the start. Now, multiple Church of Scientology facilities have been targeted in a white powder hoax, according to WikiNews and the L.A. Times. Mailings of the faux-anthrax packages to 10 Church of Scientology addresses "prompted the evacuation of dozens of people and the closure of a major thoroughfare."**
The letters were sent via the Postal Service to Scientology properties in Hollywood, the San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica, Glendale and Tustin. Police shut part of Glendale's busy Brand Boulevard for two hours before sounding the all-clear, while 60 people were cleared from buildings in Tustin, authorities said.
Looks like a chance for Tom Cruise to earn another Freedom Medal of Valor. But seriously, hoaxes like this are bad business. They tie up resources and end up costing lots of tax payer dollars. Hazmat responses aren't cheap. And a simultaneous hoax at an apparent nineteen different locations can cause a lot of people to get spun up. Its funny until you get stuck with the bill.
