Bennetta Slaughter
Encyclopedia
Bennetta Slaughter is the owner of 24Seven Media group, an advertising and marketing company based in Memphis TN. Her latest subsidiary ventures in 2010 are as CEO and founder of Insurance Media Services, a firm specializing in recruiting and marketing of the insurance and financial industry. A companion venture, Producer's eSource is focused on information and training for insurance producers.
In 2001, Slaughter became a member of the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce board of directors. Between 2002 and 2007, Slaughter was the CEO of Applied Scholastics
, a Scientology-related organization and (a subsidiary of the Association for Better Living and Education
) in St. Louis, Missouri
. Currently she is the CEO of 24Seven Media and living in Memphis, TN.
, in Clearwater, Fla.
McPherson was a long-time Scientologist
who moved in 1994 from Dallas to Clearwater with her employer, AMC Publishing. The company is operated and staffed largely by Scientologists who want to be close to the Church of Scientology's spiritual headquarters in downtown. Bennetta Slaughter was her supervisor and friend for 12 years. In 1995 Lisa McPherson
died of a pulmonary embolism
, weeks after leaving the hospital against medical advice with a group of Scientologists, while under the care of the Flag Service Organization (FSO), a branch of the Church of Scientology
. Following her death the Church of Scientology
was indicted on two felony
charges "abuse and/or neglect of a disabled adult and practicing medicine without a license", putting under trial the nature of Scientology beliefs and practices
. According to Slaughter's own court testimony, McPherson officially listed Slaughter as "next of kin" on her medical record, and Slaughter was the only person Lisa identified to be contacted in case of an emergency.
Of Lisa's death, Slaughter was quoted as saying: "I think she got sick and she died. There's nothing else there." She later took an active role in defending Scientology from the wrongfull death lawsuit for the death of Lisa McPherson, and she explained her role as such: "I will, in fact, counter any hate that will come from them and I will handle that" Slaughter also tried to counter the efforts of prominent Scientology critic Bob Minton
to set up a foundation to help Scientology victims. After Minton announced plans to name his group after Lisa McPherson, Slaughter quickly registered and became the head of the Lisa McPherson Foundation (with 300 members according to Slaughter), the Lisa Foundation, the Friends of Lisa McPherson Foundation, and the Lisa McPherson Educational Foundation. All these organisations were dissolved in September 2003 for failing to file the annual report. Her actions were against the wishes of Lisa's family, who support Minton's organization, the Lisa McPherson trust
. http://www.slatkinfraud.com/slaughter.php In December 1997, Bennetta Slaughter and AMC Publishing were added to the wrongful death lawsuit. The charges were dropped on June 13, 2000, when the state's medical examiner
changed the cause of death from "undetermined" to an "accident". A civil suit
brought by McPherson's family against the Church was settled on May 28, 2004.
Recent career
Slaughter earlier was the CEO and one of the owners of Agent Media Corporation. In 2004, the owners of AMC sold the company to Post Capital Partners LLC, a New York-based private investment firm, and Roscoe C. Smith III, a publishing industry veteran. In June 2007, it was acquired by Summit Business Media. Soon after Slaughter and her husband, David, moved their marketing and publications firm, AMC Publishing, from Dallas to Clearwater, Fla in 1994, Slaughter became active in civic and social groups. She was among the first Scientologists to win acceptance among Clearwater Fla civic leaders.In 2001, Slaughter became a member of the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce board of directors. Between 2002 and 2007, Slaughter was the CEO of Applied Scholastics
Applied Scholastics
Applied Scholastics is a non-profit corporation founded in 1972 to promote the use of study techniques created by L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction author and the founder of the Church of Scientology...
, a Scientology-related organization and (a subsidiary of the Association for Better Living and Education
Association for Better Living and Education
The Association for Better Living and Education is a non-profit organization headquartered in Los Angeles, California. It states that it is "dedicated to creating a better future for children and communities." It promotes secular uses of L. Ron Hubbard's works, and has been classified as a...
) in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. Currently she is the CEO of 24Seven Media and living in Memphis, TN.
Controversy
In 1995, Slaughter, an influential Scientologist, was caught up in controversy surrounding the death of an employee and friend, Lisa McPhersonLisa McPherson
Lisa McPherson was a member of the Church of Scientology who died of a pulmonary embolism while under the care of the Flag Service Organization , a branch of the Church of Scientology...
, in Clearwater, Fla.
McPherson was a long-time Scientologist
Scientology
Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction and fantasy author L. Ron Hubbard , starting in 1952, as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics...
who moved in 1994 from Dallas to Clearwater with her employer, AMC Publishing. The company is operated and staffed largely by Scientologists who want to be close to the Church of Scientology's spiritual headquarters in downtown. Bennetta Slaughter was her supervisor and friend for 12 years. In 1995 Lisa McPherson
Lisa McPherson
Lisa McPherson was a member of the Church of Scientology who died of a pulmonary embolism while under the care of the Flag Service Organization , a branch of the Church of Scientology...
died of a pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary embolism is a blockage of the main artery of the lung or one of its branches by a substance that has travelled from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream . Usually this is due to embolism of a thrombus from the deep veins in the legs, a process termed venous thromboembolism...
, weeks after leaving the hospital against medical advice with a group of Scientologists, while under the care of the Flag Service Organization (FSO), a branch of the Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
. Following her death the Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
was indicted on two felony
Felony
A felony is a serious crime in the common law countries. The term originates from English common law where felonies were originally crimes which involved the confiscation of a convicted person's land and goods; other crimes were called misdemeanors...
charges "abuse and/or neglect of a disabled adult and practicing medicine without a license", putting under trial the nature of Scientology beliefs and practices
Scientology beliefs and practices
Scientology is defined as a set of beliefs written by founder L. Ron Hubbard. Scientology describes itself as the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others, and all of life...
. According to Slaughter's own court testimony, McPherson officially listed Slaughter as "next of kin" on her medical record, and Slaughter was the only person Lisa identified to be contacted in case of an emergency.
Of Lisa's death, Slaughter was quoted as saying: "I think she got sick and she died. There's nothing else there." She later took an active role in defending Scientology from the wrongfull death lawsuit for the death of Lisa McPherson, and she explained her role as such: "I will, in fact, counter any hate that will come from them and I will handle that" Slaughter also tried to counter the efforts of prominent Scientology critic Bob Minton
Bob Minton
During a April 20, 2002, hearing in the Lisa McPherson wrongful death lawsuit against the Church of Scientology, Minton spoke against Ken Dandar, the attorney representing McPherson's family...
to set up a foundation to help Scientology victims. After Minton announced plans to name his group after Lisa McPherson, Slaughter quickly registered and became the head of the Lisa McPherson Foundation (with 300 members according to Slaughter), the Lisa Foundation, the Friends of Lisa McPherson Foundation, and the Lisa McPherson Educational Foundation. All these organisations were dissolved in September 2003 for failing to file the annual report. Her actions were against the wishes of Lisa's family, who support Minton's organization, the Lisa McPherson trust
Lisa McPherson Trust
The Lisa McPherson Trust was an organisation created in 1999 by Bob Minton. The trust was named after Lisa McPherson, a Scientology member who died in 1995 after being in the Church of Scientology’s care for 17 days...
. http://www.slatkinfraud.com/slaughter.php In December 1997, Bennetta Slaughter and AMC Publishing were added to the wrongful death lawsuit. The charges were dropped on June 13, 2000, when the state's medical examiner
Coroner
A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
changed the cause of death from "undetermined" to an "accident". A civil suit
Lawsuit
A lawsuit or "suit in law" is a civil action brought in a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have incurred loss as a result of a defendant's actions, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint...
brought by McPherson's family against the Church was settled on May 28, 2004.
External links
- Insurance Media Services Founder Benetta Slaughter (ca. November 2010)
- Bennetta Slaughter and John Carmichael visit Scientology critic Jeff Lee http://www.shipbrook.com/jeff/CoS/visit.html
- Article on Slaughter's role in the aftermath of Reed Slatkin's bankruptcy
- Slaughter and Applied Scholastics not welcome in St. Louis
- Bennetta Slaughter's Scientology Profile (ca. 2004)
- Bennetta Slaughter Business Profile (ca. 2009)