In the fall of 2016, Leah Remini’s A&E series Scientology & the Aftermath premiered and was a huge hit. And after three episodes of damning allegations about how Scientology was a vindictive organization that is known for running elaborate surveillance and harassment schemes against people it considers enemies, a private investigator named Scott Ross decided to speak up.
On December 18, 2016, Ross posted this tweet, which was later taken down…
By then Scott Ross was a big name in the private investigation field, having not only worked on famous cases like Robert Blake and Michael Jackson, but he also had a knack for becoming part of the story himself. (Something not always desirable in the world of investigations for hire.)
And here he was announcing publicly that he would never help Scientology, something so many other private investigators have done over the years as part of Scientology’s legendary penchant for surveilling and harassing people it considered enemies.
Then, a few months later in May 2017, we broke the news that Danny Masterson had hired legendary defense attorney Tom Mesereau because the LAPD was actively investigating Masterson in connection to allegations by four different women that the That ’70s Show actor had violently raped them in incidents from 2001 to 2003.
Three of the women had been Scientologists, and they said they were discouraged from coming forward to the police by the Church of Scientology, where Danny Masterson was a lifelong member.
And we confirmed not only that Mesereau was defending Masterson, but that he’d put his private investigator Scott Ross on the case, trying to dig up dirt about the women, primarily by calling around to their former Scientologist friends.
Someone else who heard about it was Leah Remini, who then posted this perfectly aimed shade on Twitter.
And now we’ve heard from two different sources with knowledge of the Masterson prosecution that the story about Scott Ross’s involvement in this case got even more interesting.
According to our sources, Ross ended up in a phone call not realizing that the person he was talking to was an investigator working for the prosecution. In the call Ross blabbed about key areas of his own investigation of the allegations against Masterson.
Mesereau stopped using Ross after the incident, our sources say.
But it gets even better.
Because of his misstep, Ross is now someone the prosecution plans to call as a witness when Masterson stands trial.
We sent detailed questions about this to both Scott Ross and Tom Mesereau and didn’t hear back from either of them.
One of the things we wanted to ask Ross about was a mention of him in the amended complaint that was filed in February by the four women, who are suing Danny Masterson as well as the Church of Scientology and its leader, David Miscavige, over what they say has been a concerted harassment campaign since they came forward with their allegations in 2016 and 2017. Here’s the direct quote from the lawsuit, which refers to one of Masterson’s accusers, Chrissie Carnell Bixler…
In 2017 and 2018 Plaintiff Bixler had multiple phone calls with Ryan Gentles, a close friend and associate of Defendant Masterson. Gentles contacted Plaintiff Bixler through Instagram and proceeded to arrange an initial phone call. During one of these calls Gentles reported to Plaintiff Bixler that he had been contacted by Scott Ross, a private investigator for Defendant Masterson’s criminal attorney Thomas Mesereau. Gentles reported to Plaintiff Bixler that Ross told him Masterson had been accused of sexual assault by four different individuals, including a woman who claimed she was assaulted by Masterson when she was a minor. Ross told Gentles this woman later died by suicide.
Ryan Gentles is a music manager, and one of his clients is the New York band The Strokes. According to the lawsuit, Scott Ross told Gentles that one of the women accusing Masterson of sexual assault had been underage at the time, and had committed suicide.
From the beginning of the time we began reporting this story in early 2017, we have heard about this allegation. And now that Danny Masterson has formally been charged for raping three women and is facing 45 years to life in prison, we feel we can now begin asking questions publicly about this troubling aspect of the case.
According to our sources, the woman who killed herself was named Lilly.
We don’t know anything more than that, which is why we were hoping Scott Ross would have picked up the phone. According to the lawsuit, he knew about the allegation and was looking into it. We’d really like to know what he found out, and we have a feeling that the prosecution team would like to know as well.
Can anyone in the public help us out on this one?
Who was Lilly?
SOME OF OUR PAST REPORTING ON THE MASTERSON CASE
March 3, 2017: LAPD probing Scientology and Danny Masterson for multiple rapes, cover-up
March 8, 2017: Danny Masterson: Victim C gets support from a veteran actress
May 9, 2017: Masterson hires Michael Jackson criminal defense attorney Tom Mesereau in rape probe
Nov 2, 2017: Read the threatening letter Danny Masterson’s attorney Marty Singer sent a victim’s husband
Nov 26, 2017: EXCLUSIVE: Scientology interrogated Danny Masterson and accuser, didn’t notify LAPD
Feb 14, 2018: PROSECUTORS PREPARE CHARGES CARRYING LIFE SENTENCE FOR DANNY MASTERSON
Apr 27, 2018: Strange days for a woman accusing Danny Masterson of rape — and for her rocker husband
July 8, 2018: Masterson witness fears for safety as investigation drags on and on
Nov 30, 2018: LEAH REMINI: Los Angeles DA Jackie Lacey, do your job already
Aug 14, 2019: RAPE ACCUSERS SUE DANNY MASTERSON, CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY, AND ITS LEADER
Jan 22, 2020: Cedric Bixler-Zavala blames Scientology for poisoned dog he had to put down yesterday
Feb 3, 2020: Here’s Scientology actor Danny Masterson’s legal response to his rape accusers
Feb 10, 2020: Another dog poisoned: Bobette Riales says harassment worse since suing Scientology
Feb 26, 2020: SEVENTH victim comes forward to LAPD accusing Scientology actor Danny Masterson
Feb 29, 2020: Amended complaint filed against Danny Masterson with new stalking allegations
May 4, 2020: Masterson: Drop me from Scientology lawsuit if the ‘Jane Does’ won’t name themselves
June 17, 2020: SCIENTOLOGY CELEB DANNY MASTERSON CHARGED ON MULTIPLE RAPE ALLEGATIONS
June 18, 2020: How will Scientology react to Danny Masterson being charged with rape?
June 19, 2020: Records show Danny Masterson is a woeful Scientologist — would he turn on the church?
June 23, 2020: The key thing about Danny Masterson’s ‘DJ Donkey Punch’ nick is why he stopped using it
June 24, 2020: Danny Masterson’s Scientology upbringing: An interview with former stepdad Joe Reaiche
June 25, 2020: Danny Masterson finds himself in a changed era, but his victims came forward before #MeToo
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Bonus items from our tipsters
You too can go OT!
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“You’d feel awfully strange if a robot clanked into the room, sat down in the auditing chair and began to pump your hand. As a matter of fact, you’d feel a little queasy. And in view of the fact that this has probably happened quite often on the track, that a robot walked in and started to dismantle you or something of the sort because you’d just had your doll body revoked, you react very badly to something that doesn’t communicate. You probably wouldn’t even object to the robot dismantling your doll body if he came in and said, ‘Well, I got an order here from the general council that you, having been guilty of mopery and dopery in high space, are herewith deprived of one doll body, and we’re going to take it apart and leave it on the bench for seventy-two hours.’ No, that’s what I used to do. This is a different one.” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 27, 1961
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“You are a rabble rouser, a trouble maker, you were kicked out of the Church a very long time ago for that reason! That is why you left in the 70’s, your Tech is not even up to date and you never finished the Class VI course, that is why you don’t have a cert to show. You need a serious ethics handling because you have no qualms in lying.”
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“You ever get up in front of 6,000 people who want to murder your ass until you prove you’re worthy of their adulation and they are spitting and throwing bottles and everything else they can lay their hands on? Because I have on numerous occasions.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Arraignment scheduled for September 18.
— Jay Spina, Medicare fraud: Sentencing is set for July 6 in White Plains, NY
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial set for October 7 in Los Angeles
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments set for July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Hearing on motion for reconsideration set for August 11
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: July 8 (plaintiff attorneys pro hac vice), August 31-Sept 1 (CSI/RTC demurrer against Riales, Masterson demurrer), Oct 7-19 (motions to compel arbitration)
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach bankruptcy appeal: Oral arguments were heard on March 11 in Jacksonville
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Amended complaint filed.
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Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!
We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.
Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!
Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society!
Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in our weekly series. How many have you read?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Tommy Davis is tying the knot in Morocco, and we didn’t get an invite
[TWO years ago] In the Sea Org, no one can hear you scream: Another small slice of Scientology horror
[THREE years ago] REPORT: David Miscavige has not been to Scientology’s secretive ‘Int Base’ in four years
[FOUR years ago] Leah Remini is shooting a TV series about Scientology
[FIVE years ago] Did Scientology hire the man sent to prison for hacking us? Not his job to find out, judge said
[SIX years ago] Here’s a reminder of Scientology’s Cold War origins — L. Ron Hubbard on radiation!
[SEVEN years ago] Judge Whittemore Sets Evidentiary Hearing in Garcia Federal Fraud Lawsuit
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s ‘Martin Luther’ Nails Up His Disputation: Marty Rathbun’s Open Letter to his Texas Neighbors
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 1,981 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,485 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,005 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,025 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 916 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,223 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,091 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,865 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,639 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 2,985 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,551 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,470 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,638 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,219 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,480 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,518 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,231 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,756 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,286 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,846 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 2,986 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,306 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,161 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,281 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,636 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,939 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,045 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,447 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,319 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,902 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,397 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,651 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,760 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 27, 2020 at 07:00
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Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 14 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
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Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
