Holmes rented secret apartment before divorcing Cruise

Sources say Katie Holmes fears she was being followed by the Church of Scientology.

NEW YORK:

As the rumour mill is abuzz with TomKat’s split, some reports indicate that Katie Holmes had rented an apartment for herself in New York City prior to her announcement to separate from Tom Cruise. The move puts Holmes in a stronger position to obtain sole custody of the couple’s only child, Suri, as New York courts are more likely to grant Holmes custody of the six-year-old. New York State courts are more lenient to giving custody to a single parent, while Californian courts favour giving parents joint custody.

This puts Cruise in a corner, as he wants to avoid ties with New York because of high tax rates.  Early sources said the apartment was rented solely by Holmes, however, TMZ reports that the Manhattan apartment in question was deeded to a trust in Holmes’s benefit by Cruise for tax purposes, though he has made every effort to keep the couple away from the city. Should Holmes choose to take up residency in New York, it will come as a major blow to Cruise if he did indeed purchase the apartment. He will likely be fighting to keep the divorce proceedings in California to win joint custody of their daughter.

Other reports indicate that the Church of Scientology played a part in Holmes’ decision to move away from Cruise. TMZ reports Holmes has wanted to keep her daughter away from the Scientology lifestyle, and fears the church has been following her after her relationship with Cruise, a devote follower of the Scientology belief, began to strain. Sources close to Holmes claim that she fears the move to New York has made her a particular target to the church.

An unidentified white Cadillac Escalade and black Mercedes SUV have been frequently spotted behind Holmes in photographs, and some claim that “mysterious” men have been seen trailing her. It is rumoured these vehicles and mystery men are church agents, though these could just as likely be a tail from a unnamed publication or amateur journalists trying to catch a glimpse of her, but there is little doubt in Holmes’ mind that the church is following her.

A church representative, however, has denied any of the claims made against it.

The Church of Scientology has been known in the past to use unorthodox methods to solve problems, and for being secretive, giving it a cult-like reputation. Cruise has often been rumoured to be a high ranking member of the Church.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 3^rd, 2012.