That '70s Show star Danny Masterson has reportedly been expelled from the Church of Scientology following his conviction for rape.
He was sentenced last month to 30 years to life in prison after he was convicted on two counts of rape at his home in separate incidents between 2001 and 2003.
According to private investigator Jeffrey Augustine, who investigates matters pertaining to the Church, sources had told him that Masterson has been labelled a "suppressive person" by the Church - meaning he is now considered someone who has a "negative effect on the spiritual growth of others."
Under the rules, anyone with ties to both the Church and Masterson must cut him off or risk being given the same label.
On his website, the Scientology Money Project, Augustine said: "According to our sources, a 'Writ of Expulsion' was issued on Danny Masterson and he is no longer a member of the Church of Scientology."
He also claimed Masterson's now ex-wife Bijou Philips divorced him in September this year at the request of the Church.
"Our view is that Bijou Philips divorced Danny Masterson for more reasons than to protect assets. We think she did not want to be married to a convicted rapist who will spend the next 30 years, or more, in prison. There is also the possibility that the Church wanted her to divorce Danny Masterson as this aligns with his being declared an SP."
The Church of Scientology has not responded to Augustine's claims.
Masterson is best known for his role as Steven Hyde on That '70s Show, which aired for eight seasons from 1998 to 2006, and co-starred Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Laura Prepon, Topher Grace and Wilmer Valderrama.
Kutcher and Masterson also starred in Netflix's The Ranch beginning in 2016, but Netflix and the producers wrote Masterson off the show amid the rape allegations.
