ABOVE THE LAW!

Explosive court papers dish Scientology warred on lawmen to protect Masterson rape secrets

SCIENTOLOGY operatives unleashed a no-holds-barred campaign of intimidation in a twisted bid to derail That '70s Show stoner Danny Masterson's rape trial - only to see the former church poster boy shipped to the slammer, critics charge.

Now sources say the revelation has sent shivers through the shadowy church, which has been accused of bugging phones, using intimidation and even blackmail to protect the secrets of its inner workings and those of its celebrity members, including John Travolta, Tom Cruise, Jenna Elfman and Elisabeth Moss.

According to informants, the controversial religion even enlisted agents to bully and harass both witnesses and lawmen - including a respected prosecutor ― to prevent Masterson's conviction for raping Scientologists and bury the church's involvement in an alleged cover-up.

Former Scientologist Leah Remini, who now crusades against the church, has long contended she has been the target of harassment by the church, saying she has been targeted and tailed by operatives.

She also claims the church enlisted dozens of its members "to record videotaped messages (in Scientology production studios) to make disparaging and false claims against her." 

"A-list members are running for cover, fearing they will be implicated in the coverups and see their careers damaged by the association," a source spilled. "And the church is terrified this scandal will scare away NEW celebrity recruits forever!"

Masterson, 48, was sentenced to 30 years to life in September for sexually assaulting two fellow former members more than two decades ago. The jailbird is appealing his conviction. But Bijou Phillips, his Scientologist wife of 12 years, has since filed for divorce — and sources snitch the sicko was booted from the church!