Breaking news that will be of interest to Scientology watchers: just this afternoon, Jason Beghe's lawyer notified church attorneys Gary Soter and Kendrick Moxon in a letter that the actor is accepting their offer to settle a lawsuit for $19,000.

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninsca ... lement.php
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Case Number: SC112116
JAVIER HERNANDEZ ET. AL. VS. JASON BEGHE

Filing Date: 04/05/2011
Case Type: Intentional PI/PD/WD (eg. assault) (General Jurisdiction)
Status: Pending

http://www.lasuperiorcourt.org/civilcas ... /index.asp

"nolo contendere" plea was a mistake. He should have entered not guilty plea. I am talking from my anti-Scientology experience now. I won the criminal case that CoS staff member brought against me.

Beghe's position was much better than mine because his girlfriend could have provided a testimony showing that he was not the one who started the fight (this may be a lie, but who cares!).

In my case there was one witness on the plaintiff's side, there were no witnesses on my side. I was found not guilty by the jury. I lied my way out of a very bad situation.

Baloney. The process server, regardless who he was working for, had the legal right to serve process on Jason. Jason admitted he was wrong in putting his hands on the the process server, an officer of the court, and pleaded no contest.

Striking another individual, especially an officer of the court, is illegal, regardless how hard he hit the guy. Jason could have simply shoved the guy and still have been charged with assault. Jason's anger got the best of him at a heated moment and he's had to pay for it. Obviously, the judge saw the matter for what it was.. which is why he only received a $100 fine & one year probation, which, in California, is a slap on the wrist.

FYI... There was no Jason's "girlfriend". He's been happily married for years.

^^ I read the article in a hurry, and missed the words "process server". I had an impression that Jason was approached by a CoS member. In his case the judge (or the jury) is likely to side with a process server.

There is also the highly-publicized incident with Danny Montalvo, who filed a police complaint against Jason, claiming that Jason assaulted him over the misuse of a weed-wacker.

If you look at the court record, you will see that Moxon was planning to use Montalvo against Jason in the civil case.

Jason did the right thing to cut his losses. His career is good now (I believe), and he can be out making more money or enjoying life, rather than fighting a $19K claim. His additional lawyer fees to fight the $19K claim could possibly have cost him more than the claim amount.