Geoff Levin surprised us and made available the trailer for his upcoming documentary, “Brothers Broken,” which takes a devastating look at the effects of Scientology’s toxic “disconnection” policy.
Geoff and his brother Robbie were founding members of the 1960s rock band PEOPLE! that had a hit with their 1968 single “I Love You.” But just as that song was breaking big, they joined Scientology and then even joined the Sea Org, working as musicians to help spread the L. Ron Hubbard gospel.
It destroyed the band and eventually destroyed the relationship of these two talented brothers from San Jose, California. Robbie got out of Scientology by the early 1980s, but Geoff stayed in and even increased his dedication to the church, which included cutting off all ties with his brother.
Eventually, Geoff’s loyalty to Scientology turned him into a virtual hermit suffering intense depression and suicidal thoughts. But then one day, everything changed.
“We’re not completely finished with the film, however it is finished enough to submit to Sundance,” he tells us. “The film is also tied in with our band PEOPLE!’s new album, the first in 50 years. I think it’s a different approach to telling the truth about Scientology. My experiences corroborate those who have gone before me. And I appreciate their work. And first and foremost I am grateful I ran into the journalist at the Village Voice who first exposed me to L. Ron Hubbard’s lies.”
Geoff’s return to sanity and the eventual reunion with his brother makes for a powerful film, and with its background in the 1960s music scene and Geoff’s involvement in Scientology’s Celebrity Centre, this is one of the most unique takes we’ve seen on the subject.
And yes, full disclosure, your proprietor and this website play a small part, and we’re humbled that Geoff and Robbie included us.
“The Bunker has been so supportive,” he says, and we certainly have enjoyed how much the commenting section here was a big part of this story at the time.
Take a look at the trailer, and let us know what you think.
——————–
Lawsuit by Danny Masterson’s rape accusers passes early hurdle
Yesterday Judge Steven Kleifield shot down arguments by Danny Masterson and the Church of Scientology regarding the lawsuit filed by four of Masterson’s rape accusers, overruling the two “demurrers” they had filed to try to derail the case.
Masterson’s demurrer was designed to get him removed from the lawsuit. He also wanted references to the rape allegations removed from the harassment lawsuit, and he wanted the two Jane Does suing him to identify themselves. One of Masterson’s key arguments was that he wasn’t personally being blamed for any particular act of harassment against the women, but instead is being accused of acting in a conspiracy against them. Also, he argued that the women were improperly joining together to sue him when they were alleging different things at different times and in different places.
But Judge Kleifield turned away each of those arguments. He said that the women could sue together, that Danny could be sued as an agent of the church in the campaign against the women, he refused to take out the language about the rape investigation, and he said a demurrer was not the proper place to argue against the Jane Does using their fictitious names.
Scientology made similar arguments in its demurrer against Bobette Riales, the only one of the women suing who was not formerly a Scientologist. Kleifield sustained both demurrers in regards to Bobette, but gave her 20 days to make changes to the lawsuit that would fix the problem. (Like, for example, alleging acts of harassment in Indiana in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.) So as long as Bobette’s attorneys make those changes, then she will remain in the lawsuit, making it a near total sweep for the plaintiffs in yesterday’s hearing.
The only thing the judge upheld for Masterson was an argument regarding the women being able to sue for attorneys fees and treble damages, which the judge denied. But we anticipate that these lawsuits are going to continue to evolve over time — especially if Masterson is found guilty in his criminal case — and what specific damages the plaintiffs will be entitled to may also evolve.
We’re going to post both rulings by the judge. They’re long because he is very carefully restating the arguments on both sides. We find that Judge Kleifield is a thorough and conscientious judge who takes this case very seriously, unlike his colleague Judge Burdge, who handled Valerie Haney’s lawsuit against the church.
The ruling largely overruling Danny Masterson’s demurrer…
Bixler v. Scientology: Dann… by Tony Ortega
The ruling overruling Scientology’s demurrer…
Bixler v. Scientology: CSI … by Tony Ortega
——————–
“How do you run a grief charge? Take him to the beginning of the moment when the incident first occurred….This goes way back on the track to a thing called, evidently, the Weeper — salt water. And for about half a million years man was having a hell of a time trying to rush into the waves long enough to get some food and rush back to get some air. And he didn’t have anything with which to rush. And it was, and it was very frustrating. So frustration winds up in spilling salt water. He had a couple of little tubes and he pushed these out of the shell and he’d pump like mad trying to pump out all the salt water. You run a preclear on this and it’s just fabulous.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 7, 1953
——————–
“Recently I blocked a woman because she was using plain Black Scientology on me. I felt quite relaxed after blocking her.”
——————–
1999: The Dark Horizons website carried a description from the set of Battlefield Earth this week, the movie in production based on a book by L. Ron Hubbard. “I had reservations about this movie, Battlefield Earth based on a book written by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard and of course with Travolta’s involvement, one has to think Is this an attempt to mainstream Scientology beliefs into our movie theaters? But after reading the B.E. script (revised and revised, I might add!) and researching this L. Ron Hubbard person, I found that this movie is based on a great science-fiction story! L. Ron Hubbard it seems was a ordinary writer way back in 1930’s, writing 1000’s of stories for pulp magazines, mostly science fiction. The religion of Scientology didn’t seem to get started until later in his life, and it seems just a way to make money! Scientology does have a website for this movie WWW.BATTLEFIELDEARTH.COM. I rank this new B.E. movie somewhere between Planet of the Apes and Star Wars.”
——————–
“I had a dream I was L. Ron Hubbard and I was wearing a cape, sitting on a throne, with a bevy of teenage beauties sitting at my feet.”
——————–
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 29 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: 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.
——————–
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?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] As Scientologists face another day in L.A. court, we have a bizarre twist to the case
[TWO years ago] Exploiting Tony Bourdain’s suicide or giving out weird massages, Scientology never rests
[THREE years ago] Scientology is hacked off that Luis Garcia and attorney will appear on ‘Leah Remini’
[FOUR years ago] What’s the worst that can happen when you sue Scientology? Here’s one frightening example.
[FIVE years ago] A secret Scientology wake, a ‘Snow White’ link, & more odd twists emerge in the Cat White story
[SIX years ago] Comedy gold: Mark Ebner catches Scientology cheating with Sarah Silverman
[SEVEN years ago] U.S. SUPREME COURT DENIES SCIENTOLOGY IN FORCED-ABORTION LAWSUIT
[EIGHT years ago] How You Can Help Raise Money for Narconon’s Legal Defense!
——————–
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 2,082 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,586 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,106 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,126 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,017 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,324 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,192 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,966 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,770 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,086 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,652 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,571 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,739 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,320 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,581 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,619 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,332 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,857 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,387 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,947 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,087 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,407 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,262 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,381 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,737 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,040 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,146 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,548 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,420 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,003 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,498 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,752 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,861 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on October 7, 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
