Politico had a tremendous scoop yesterday, as reporter Matt Dixon revealed that one of the country’s biggest financial supporters of the Trump re-election effort is none other than the wealthiest Scientologist in the world, Florida’s Trish Duggan.
Our readers have certainly heard a lot about Trish and her ex, Bob Duggan, over the years. The wealthy couple rewrote the record books when it comes to donating to the church, forcing Scientology leader David Miscavige to come up with ever greater honorifics and bigger trophies to bestow on them for their largesse. At last count, Trish had reached the status “Patron of Legend,” and the Duggans may be nearing half a billion in giving to the church through various initiatives.
As long as Abbvie, maker of the biggest selling drug in the world, Humira, kept making a profit, its stock would generate many millions for Scientology into perpetuity. But after only a year, we learned, they abandoned the scheme and just turned the stock over to Scientology directly. (We figured Miscavige was too impatient with their original plan.)
But that’s not even the craziest story involving the Duggans and their millions that we’ve covered here at the Bunker. That distinction certainly goes to the strange and disturbing story we wrote back in 2014 about their adopted kids, a story the Duggans have taken steps to try and suppress.
The Duggans tried to attack the piece through the photos we’d used to illustrate it, attempting to get Google to de-index the story by claiming we’d violated their copyrights. So, we simply replaced the photos with some fun illustrations by the very talented Chad Essley, and the story remains searchable.
But it’s no wonder that the Duggans don’t want people reading the story. It’s some ugly stuff, involving the allegation that one of the children the couple adopted (they’ve adopted at least six) was later fobbed off on a Scientologist couple in South Africa when he turned out to be a handful. But now that Trish is getting attention as one of Trump’s biggest individual donors, might some other press finally take a look at the story and the compelling evidence we gathered for it? That would be a kick.
And, heck, maybe there’s hope for another of our wacky stories here that the rest of the media has ignored. Now that Brad Pitt’s brief dalliance with Scientology nearly 30 years ago is a hot story again, maybe someone will get around to picking up the story we did about Brad asking for Scientology auditing for his pet iguana.
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The order that would have put Dennis Nobbe in jail
For what it’s worth, we got our hands on the court order that was going to put Scientology donor and Miami chiropractor Dennis Nobbe in jail, a prospect that resulted in his sudden death on Sept 14.
Nobbe was charged at the end of July with Medicare fraud and PPP loan abuse. He was allowed to post a $200,000 bond to stay out of custody, but as part of his release he agreed not to contact former employees the government planned to call as witnesses. Weeks later prosecutors came back to court saying that Nobbe had immediately violated that agreement, not only contacting a couple of former employees, but even offering one of them a bribe. They wanted his bond revoked and Nobbe put into custody, but Magistrate Judge Alicia Otazo-Reyes allowed him to remain free while raising his bond to $350,000 and confiscating his mobile phone.
Prosecutors, believing that Otazo-Reyes had been confused about the evidence and believing Nobbe really should be in jail, appealed her order. On Sept 14, District Judge Ursula Ungaro sided with prosecutors, and here’s part of what she had to say about it…
The Court finds that it is unlikely that Defendant will abide by any conditions of release, including those imposed by the Order. Defendant wasted little time after his Initial Appearance on July 29 before violating the conditions of his bond the very next day on July 30 by contacting Garcia through a number beginning with 305. D.E. 15, Ex. E. Defendant later contacted Garcia through a number beginning with 786, as well. Id., Ex. F. Defendant continuously contacted both Zager and Garcia over the next few weeks, during which Defendant’s bond paperwork was entered on the docket on August 5, 2020, until at least August 15, and through at least two different phone numbers. See generally id., Exs. A–E. Defendant immediately violated the conditions of his bond once he was released, did so repeatedly, and even secured a second phone number to continue doing so. Notably, despite being ordered to surrender all cell phones, he used two telephone numbers to violate the conditions of his release and surrendered only one. See D.E. 16; D.E. 27 at 13. The Court finds that it is unlikely that Defendant will now begin abiding by the conditions of his bond given his already well-established record of zero hesitance in swiftly, deceitfully, and continuously violating conditions of release.
Although the government had only submitted its final reply the morning of the 14th, Nobbe was notified by a court employee that afternoon that he’d have to surrender the next day. Nobbe called his attorney, H. Dohn Williams, who told the court later that they were both confused by how quickly the court had come to a decision. While Williams was checking his computer to see if an order had actually been issued, he heard a sound on the other end of the line, and no longer heard from Nobbe, whose daughter found him unresponsive a few hours later.
When Nobbe was charged in July the news was carried by numerous outlets, including the Miami Herald. Oddly, no other news organization has noted his death.
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Your proprietor on the airwaves
We enjoyed this discussion with Jordan and Dylan, who have a podcast that focuses on the cultural upheavals of the early 2000s. Some fun threads were woven together here.
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“And by the way, anybody who had sexual relationships with a little boy ought to be killed! The idea! Horrible! Why that’s the most disgusting thought he’s ever heard. What? Sexual relationships with a little boy? Oh, no. Except in the DED you find him taking a little boy and driving the little boy up to sexual enthusiasm, up, up, up, up, up and the little boy just can’t give any more, and so forth, and on the last jolt of demand on the part of the thetan, the little boy who actually did have a thetan in him anyhow, goes PANG. And it goes straight down to 0.0. BzzzUm. And that’s why being a body is death of a body, is thetan into the body. That’s 0.0. Death of the body is being the body. And you’ll find him having his most enjoyable times thereafter as a little boy. He, he’s doing a super life continuum for this little boy. And this little boy bit the dust and was chewed up and spat out maybe 70, 60, 30 trillion years ago.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 23, 1952
“We are not all OT so we need each other. The Org Board is the Props of the Bridge. Millions need to walk this Bridge. Who’s gonna hold it, or better say WHAT’s GONNA HOLD IT? World going down… Zombies is the end product of this civilization… Will you take it or allow it to happen? Live in a world full of Zombies? Imagine the ideal scene: Thousands working together, thousands of aware thetans like you and me. Thousands, not hundreds… That’s what I am aiming for… And they all have one thing in common: A strong conviction they are immortal beings. Those are the ones I want. Aware Thetans. The world is going down fast now… we have been losing all the way. There comes a guy who says: Admin is completely out… Too few get it. Other-intentionedness… a disease worse than COVID-19. As long as I am keyed out I am going to post so You, yes You, see this and Re-cognite!! Maybe new people, fresh in mind and mental vigor need to get to know Scientology. At least you can help with that.”
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“How many Scientologists are left in the world who would stand up and say ‘I’m proud to be a Scientologist!'”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Demurrer filed by Masterson, arraignment delayed to October 19.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing is set for October 5 in White Plains, NY. Jeffrey’s is set for October 24.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Motion for reconsideration denied on August 11
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Sept 29 (CSI/RTC demurrer against Riales, Masterson demurrer), Oct 26 (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 tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Update required in federal lawsuit on Oct 19.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, awaiting verdict.
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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] Leah Remini mourns the estranged father who denounced her on behalf of Scientology
[TWO years ago] Scientology’s private cruise ship had a fitful history before becoming a floating cathedral
[THREE years ago] Director Paul Haggis pens an open letter to Marty Rathbun after Scientology’s latest smear
[FOUR years ago] Beware, protesters: Scientology has been training attack dogs at a Clearwater warehouse
[FIVE years ago] We’re in Cleveland today to talk about Scientology and you’re invited
[SIX years ago] NARCONON DENIED: Damaging Oklahoma report on Scientology rehab facility will be turned over
[SEVEN years ago] LEAH REMINI: Scientology Wants Me to Fail on Dancing With The Stars
[NINE years ago] The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 4: Tom Cruise
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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 2,069 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,573 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,093 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,113 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,004 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,311 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,179 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,953 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,757 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,073 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,639 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,558 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,726 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,307 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,568 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,606 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,319 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,844 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,374 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,934 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,074 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,394 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,249 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,368 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,724 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,027 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,133 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,535 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,407 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,990 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,485 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,739 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,848 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on September 23, 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…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
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
