Leah Remini and Mike Rinder have one of our favorite people on their podcast this week, Texas attorney Ray Jeffrey, who has made plenty of Scientology lawyers break out in a cold sweat.
It was Ray who defended Debbie Cook when she was sued by Scientology in 2012 for merely writing an email about her dissatisfaction with Scientology and its leader David Miscavige. Scientology argued that Cook was looking at potentially millions in liability for violating the terms of draconian nondisclosure agreements she had signed. But after Ray put her on the stand for a single day of testimony in a preliminary hearing, her words were so damaging Scientology killed its own lawsuit and reportedly paid Debbie millions to go away and say no more.
It was one of the most stunning victories against Scientology ever, and Ray was just getting warmed up. We flew back down to Texas to spend time with him as he took on his next case, representing a couple of Scientology’s master spies who had decided to sue the church after it stopped paying them. After we and the Tampa Bay Times guys spent a day talking to those private eyes, Scientology once again put up the white flag and paid a large sum to make the case go away.
Ray then took on the harassment lawsuit of Monique Rathbun and for more than two years fought tooth and nail against Scientology’s dirty legal tactics — such as trying to get him disqualified by sliming him as an unethical litigator — but by late 2015 his team had won a huge appellate victory in the case and Monique appeared to be in the driver’s seat. Then, early in 2016, Monique mysteriously fired Ray, smeared him in official court documents, and dropped her winning lawsuit without a word of explanation.
Ray describes how, while they were waiting for the appellate ruling in 2015, the Rathbuns had quietly moved back down to the Ingleside area, and how Marty’s blog had changed. And please see our history of the way Marty’s blog changed over its entire history as we traced his strange trajectory from Scientology rebel to David Miscavige lapdog. Also, there’s our list of facts that you need to account for if you’re going to speculate about Rathbun’s turn.
In 2017, as Ray explains, he and his colleagues attempted to get a court to force the Rathbuns to give depositions and explain what was going on, and we were in court that day in San Antonio as that effort failed. After that, Ray tells Mike and Leah, he assumed that the church was backing the Rathbuns judging by the attorney they had hired and further litigation wouldn’t be worth the trouble.
Since then Ray has continued to be a valuable resource for people suing Scientology and their lawyers, and we’ve still never seen anyone in court who is smoother in the face of Scientology’s infuriating tactics.
Have a listen as Leah and Mike talk with this singular figure who strikes fear in the black heart of Captain Miscavige….
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Hearing in Masterson civil case postponed
We were gearing up for a big day in the Danny Masterson civil litigation as his “demurrer” was scheduled to be ruled on today at Los Angeles Superior Court. But that event has been delayed, and we’re still waiting for a new date.
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“The history of Guk should be known to you. For a long time we had been scouting for the one-shot Clear, whereby a person walks in, you take a hypodermic syringe and shoot it in his arm, he goes up against the ceiling and comes down Clear. And we had been talking about this for some time as something feasible. Around 15 July 1950 a chemical engineer (the ex-director of research at the Bloch Chemical Company) told us about an atropine derivative that might be used.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 29, 1950
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“We have great news — the Theta-Meter app for Apple Watch has been released. Now you don’t even need the phone to do auditing. Happy owners of bluetooth Theta-Meter e-meter, you can download Theta-Meter Watch program to your Apple Watch in the AppStore!”
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1996: British TV show ‘cyber.cafe’ airs a segment with researcher Martin Poulter: “What I’ve done is collect together the information that Scientology doesn’t want people to read. I’ve collected many first-hand accounts from ex-Scientologists, many documents from legal cases, several documents that were seized by the FBI when they raided Scientology headquarters and many of the postings from the newsgroup alt.religion.scientology. It’s a big fight in cyberspace really. There are some pro-Scientology posters. Some who seem to be authorised by the church, and there’s many people who are protesting. Many ex-Scientologists who are speaking about their experiences. Many people who’ve joined in the debate because of concerns about civil rights.”
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“More people are killed by domestic pigs around the world annually than are killed by sharks.”
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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.’ Petition for a writ of mandate filed with Cal 2nd Appellate District, Sept 10.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Sept 29 – DELAYED (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] Who had the biggest booth at the Black Caucus DC confab this month? Scientology, that’s who.
[TWO years ago] Inside Jesse Prince’s book about Scientology: Doing L. Ron Hubbard’s dirty work
[THREE years ago] Turning hurricane chaos into gold? Scientology might learn something from L. Ron Hubbard
[FOUR years ago] ‘The Unbreakable Miss Lovely’ audiobook on sale, and we’re doing a Reddit AMA at noon
[FIVE years ago] O Canada: We’re in Vancouver today, getting our British Columbia on. Let’s talk Scientology!
[SIX years ago] Jon Atack takes his presentation — ‘Scientology: The Cult of Greed’ — to Russia
[SEVEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Nothing But Unstoppable Scientology Expansion in Every Direction!
[EIGHT years ago] Michael Lewis (Johnny’s Dad) Scheduled for Scientology Event Tonight
[NINE years ago] Scientology High School, Dating, and Super Powers! A Post-Countdown Roundup
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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 2,075 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,579 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,099 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,119 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,010 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,317 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,185 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,959 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,763 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,079 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,645 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,564 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,732 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,313 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,574 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,612 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,325 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,850 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,380 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,940 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,080 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,400 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,255 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,374 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,730 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,033 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,139 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,541 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,413 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,996 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,491 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,745 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,854 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on September 29, 2020 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
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
