Danny Masterson expelled from Church of Scientology after rape conviction

Danny Masterson was jailed for 30 years for rape in May this year. Photo / AP

That ‘70s Show star and convicted rapist Danny Masterson has reportedly been booted out of the Church of Scientology.

The actor, 47, was recently sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment in May this year for sexually assaulting two women in the past.

After the ruling, the Church of Scientology, of which he is a prominent member, has reportedly declared him a “suppressive person” - a label applied to those who have a negative effect on the spiritual growth of others, according to the church’s rules.

This means other Scientologists who know Masterson will have to cut ties with him, or face also being declared a “suppressive person”.

Masterson’s estranged wife Bijou Phillips, who filed for divorce from the actor soon after his conviction, and his family are also members of the organisation and will have to follow those rules.

But despite his criminal conviction, it’s believed the church still considers him innocent of the rape charges.

According to the Daily Mail, former Scientologist Jeffrey Augustine has told other members that another former member, Leah Remini, colluded with other former Scientologists to denigrate Masterson.

Danny Masterson's wife Bijou Phillips filed for divorce shortly after his sentencing. Photo / AP

“According to my sources, Danny has been declared a suppressive person, which means he would be expelled from Scientology,” Augustine wrote on his website.

“They are telling Scientologists that he will file an appeal and that he is innocent of the charges for which he was convicted.”

He added, “They [church officials] declared Danny a suppressive person for not maintaining the high ethical standards for the Church of Scientology, and other reasons – but not because he was convicted of rape.”

The actor was convicted on two counts of rape in May, with a third count ending with a hung jury.

Masterson, best known for starring on That ‘70s Show, was convicted of two counts of rape back in May of this year. A third rape charge against him ended with a hung jury.

He denied the charges but did not testify in court, and no witnesses were called on his behalf. The defence argued that the sexual acts in question were consensual, and accused the complainants of working together to attack Masterson’s reputation.