The State

A federal lawsuit seeking to block a California court from releasing documents detailing the life of L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Church of Scientology, was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Harry Hupp on grounds that he lacked jurisdiction because no constitutional issue was involved. The Church of Scientology had sought to prevent release of the documents--which were filed with the Los Angeles Superior Court in a 1982 lawsuit against a former Scientology archivist--but their legal maneuvers have been rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court and several other courts. Despite Hupp’s ruling, however, the documents will remain sealed temporarily, pending outcome of a Superior Court case that is also aimed at preventing release of the material.