On Saturday, we downloaded a court document and were shocked to see what it contained: The real name of one of the “Jane Does” suing Danny Masterson and the Church of Scientology.
The document had been put into the court record by Masterson through his attorney, and over the next few days we watched the docket to see how long it would remain public and what was being done to remedy it.
What unfolded really troubled us. But we figure the best thing to help our readers understand what happened is to show you the full timeline…
August 2019: Danny Masterson and the Church of Scientology (and its leader, David Miscavige) are sued by four women who say they’ve been harassed since coming forward to the LAPD in 2016 and 2017 with allegations that Masterson violently raped them in incidents between 2001 and 2004. Two of the woman suing Masterson are named in the lawsuit (Chrissie Carnell Bixler and Bobette Riales). The other two, however, use the names Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 in order to protect their real identities.
February 3: Masterson files a response to the lawsuit (a “demurrer”) that calls it a publicity stunt and demands that the Jane Does “sue in their real names.”
February 28: The women file an amended complaint, adding new stalking and harassment allegations to their lawsuit.
April 30: Masterson responds to the amended complaint with another version of his demurrer, again arguing that the Jane Does identify themselves publicly.
June 16: Masterson is charged criminally for raping three of the four women suing him, and is facing 45 years to life in prison under California’s strict “One Strike Law.”
August 24: In their opposition to Masterson’s demurrer, the women point out that since Masterson is now facing life in prison for raping them, there’s even more reason for the Jane Does to remain anonymous.
August 28: Replying to their opposition, Masterson’s attorneys argue at even more length that the Doe plaintiffs should identify themselves, writing that they “cannot have their anonymity cake and eat it too.”
October 6: Judge Steven Kleifield overrules Masterson’s demurrer, and specifically points out that a demurrer is not the proper venue for arguing over the anonymity of the Jane Does. For now, the women will remain unidentified.
Thursday, October 8, 5:38 pm: Andrew Brettler, Danny Masterson’s attorney and an associate at legendary Hollywood attorney Marty Singer’s firm Lavely & Singer, files a motion to stay the lawsuit on behalf of the ‘That ’70s Show’ actor. The document reveals that Jane Doe #1 had tried to get Masterson to sit for a deposition, which Masterson opposed, and now he is asking for the lawsuit to be put on hold while he’s being prosecuted criminally. Masterson asks for Jane Doe #1 to be sanctioned $9,150 plus attorneys fees and costs for trying to depose him and putting him in this situation. Along with the motion, Brettler also files a declaration which includes an exhibit, a letter written by him dated September 24 complaining about Jane Doe #1’s request for information. In the letter, the real name of Jane Doe #1 is included.
Friday, October 9, 3:20 pm: Brettler, in an email, says that the first chance he can get before a judge and ask to fix the ‘inadvertent’ error is on Tuesday morning October 13 (Monday is a court holiday) and in another court (Judge Kleifield is not available, apparently). Brettler files his request for a hearing with the court of Judge John P. Doyle. (If that name is familiar, it’s because in 2016 Judge Doyle had to recuse himself from the Laura DeCrescenzo lawsuit because he has cousins at Scientology’s UK headquarters, Saint Hill Manor.) Jane Doe #1’s attorneys file nothing themselves on Friday. In Brettler’s email, he indicates that her attorneys had consented to Brettler handling the issue.
Saturday, October 10: The declaration containing Jane Doe #1’s real name becomes available on the court’s public electronic docket. The Underground Bunker obtains copies of both the motion and the declaration, and sees Jane Doe’s name listed.
Sunday, October 11: The Underground Bunker writes a story about the motion, and posts a copy of it. We do not, however, include a copy of the declaration with Jane Doe #1’s name. We also send an email to Jane Doe’s attorney, Brian Kent, making sure he’s aware of the breach and asking him what Masterson’s attorneys are saying about it. We get no reply.
Monday, October 12: The court is dark, and the declaration with Jane Doe’s name is available on the public docket going into a third day.
Tuesday, October 13: Brettler indicates in another email that they will have to wait another day to get the matter before Judge Doyle.
Wednesday, October 14, 8:30 am: Brettler’s request can finally be heard in Judge Doyle’s court. With both sides agreeing to fix the error of Jane Doe’s name, there’s little for the judge to do but agree. Judge Doyle signs the order. The document, however, remains on the public docket all day.
Wednesday, October 14, 6 pm: The declaration with Jane Doe’s name is finally removed from the electronic docket, six full days after it was initially filed by Andrew Brettler, and during nearly five of which it was available to the public on the docket.
Brettler’s “mistake” unmasked Jane Doe #1 after months of arguing in court that she should not be identified.
And in the six days that she was named, her own attorneys didn’t make a single filing or demand sanctions.
They still haven’t even asked for a protective order.
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In July the Australian Seven News network cancelled at the last minute a ten-part nightly news in-depth investigation of the Church of Scientology and its history of dirty tricks operations. All ten episodes have now been leaked to the Internet, and we’ve collected all ten links in one place. Judge for yourself why Tom Cruise and Tommy Davis might not have wanted viewers to see this hard-hitting series by journalist Bryan Seymour.
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“The fellow who says, ‘Well, all right, all right, so they’re fighting in M-ghanistan. I can’t do anything about it.’ You’ve suddenly — you’ve suddenly had him admit that he couldn’t, he couldn’t have the space of M-ghanistan. And now, this is the biggest trick that your real entheta boys use. They get people to go around admitting they can’t have any — can’t do anything about things.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 16, 1953
“Do you think President Donald Trump is an OT? He must know that focusing on beingness by donating his havingness altruistically makes him even more powereful. The other side has witches practicing magic against him, yet he seems to grow in power. I support him at Tone 40. I shudder to think what Liberty we might lose to practice our beliefs if the communists come into power. It is the same press they control that works to destroy Scientology as works to destroy President Trump.”
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1999: An affidavit filed in the Lisa McPherson civil case was posted to a.r.s this week. The declaration by Robert Vaughn Young supports Jesse Prince’s declaration that high-level Scientology officials would have been informed about Lisa’s treatment, which led to her death in 1995. Some excerpts: “At issue in this case is the command structure of Scientology and the issue of who might have known what or issued orders regarding the incarceration of Lisa McPherson. The organization is seeking to keep the controversy isolated to the Clearwater organizations, but this is not how Scientology has ever operated.”
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“The only sexual magick Crowley had came from an opium pipe or a syringe loaded with smack that let him keep it up all night. In street parlance it’s called ‘dope dick’.”
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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 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
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)
— 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.
Concluded litigation:
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
— 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.
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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] Tom Cruise at the IAS gala with his kids Connor and Isabella? We think it’s likely.
[TWO years ago] Growing up in Scientology, and growing together outside of it: An appeal
[THREE years ago] Crashing a ‘Mace-Kingsley’ event in Pasadena to get some answers about Scientology and kids
[FOUR years ago] Our story last week about Narconon deaths kicked up a fuss — and news of two more deaths
[FIVE years ago] Scientology on trial in Belgium: An update from our man in Europe
[SIX years ago] The Garcias answer Scientology’s ‘International Justice Chief’ with an affidavit by Mike Rinder
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology Asks for Protection in Texas; ALSO: Lawrence Wright a Finalist for Nat’l Book Award
[EIGHT years ago] Rumors That Tom Cruise is Breaking with Scientology: “Bullshit With a Capital B”
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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 2,091 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,595 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,115 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,135 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,026 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,333 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,201 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,975 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,779 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,095 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,661 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,580 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,748 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,329 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,590 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,628 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,341 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,866 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,396 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,956 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,096 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,416 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,271 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,390 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,746 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,049 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,155 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,557 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,429 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,012 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,507 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,761 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,870 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on October 16, 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
