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SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tommy Davis threatens to sue Aussie network over axed series

[‘I’m angry. Real angry.’]

 
We get some pretty interesting mail here at the Underground Bunker.

Take this week’s winner, for example.

 

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Pikes & Verekers
Lawyers
Level 2
50 King Street
Sydney 2000

14 October 2020

Mr Tony Ortega
The Underground Bunker
BY EMAIL tonyo94@gmail.com

NOT FOR PUBLICATION

Dear Sir

MR TOMMY DAVIS
Our ref RT:JE:200651

We act for Mr Thomas William Davis, widely known as “Tommy Davis”.

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As you are no doubt aware, the trailer for and 10 episodes of a proposed series of documentary programs intended to be broadcast in Australia by the Seven Network entitled “Scientology Black Ops” (the Series) have been published on your website “The Underground Bunker” at the address https://tonyortega.org (your website).

Each episode of the Series available on your website includes the logo “7news.com.au”.

Your website claims that the Series “has been leaked to the Internet”.

Episodes 2 and 4 of the Series are defamatory of our client and he is considering bringing proceedings in Australia for damages for defamation.

Our enquiries of Seven News (Operations) Ltd and Seven West Media Ltd (the Channel Seven entities) and their lawyers made:

1. 24 September 2020 (to the Channel Seven entities) and
2. 6 October 2020 (to their lawyers)

as to how the Series came to be published on your website made 24 September 2020 (to the Channel Seven entities) and 6 October 2020 (to their lawyers) as to how the Series has been published in full on your website have not produced a reply.

From the above facts, our client believes that the Channel Seven entities, or their servants or agents, have provided you or your servants or agents with the Series in full in order that it be published on your website. It also appears that the Channel Seven entities own the copyright in the Series and not you.

So that our client may properly consider his rights and whether he should commence the foreshadowed proceedings and against whom, we request that you forthwith provide to us copies of:

1. Any communications between the Channel Seven entities or any of their servants or agents on the one hand and

a. you or any of your servants or agents or
b. persons or entities responsible for the publication of The Underground Bunker/tonyortega.org websites in the period 1 July 2020 to date

which:

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i. provide the Series in digital or other form;
ii. refer to the Series.

2. Any agreement that you have with the Channel Seven entities in relation to the Series.

3. Any communications from the Channel Seven entities or any of their servants or agents to you or any of your servants or agents which record any:

a. claim that the publication of the Series on your website is a breach of their copyright; and/or
b. requests by any of the Channel Seven entities that the Series be taken down from your website.

Further, our client requires that Episodes 2 and 4 of the Series be immediately taken down from your websites in order to prevent further damage to his reputation.

In the circumstances, our client requests full and timely cooperation from you with these requests. If we do not receive a substantive response from you by 4pm on Monday 19 October 2020 our client will commence court proceedings against the Channel Seven entities to obtain the information and documents sought, above.

Our client otherwise reserves his rights.

This letter is not for publication.

Yours faithfully

Robert Tassell
Partner

 

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Just so we’re sure we understand…

If we don’t pull down Episode 2 and Episode 4 of Scientology Black Ops, Tommy Davis will sue the Aussie television network that screwed over Bryan Seymour and the other people who appeared in the series?

Um.

Promise?

 
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Jon Atack ropes in your proprietor

One of the great successes of the Underground Bunker was securing the services of Jon Atack for a series of columns during the early years of this website. Author of one of the best books about Scientology, ‘Let’s Sell Them a Piece of Blue Sky,” Atack provided us with amazing insights. These days he’s making good use of YouTube, and he asked us to join him for a chat. We were happy to oblige.

 

 
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SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks, the series axed by Seven News

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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SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

 
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Source Code

“Everybody is a southpaw earlier on the track, and they’ve shifted over in desperation to the right hand. Well, this southpaw in space opera came about — para-Scientology — came about where the individual carried his gun on the left-hand side of the body and drew it and used it with the left hand (the blaster and so forth). And you’ll find that people are very, very unwilling to use their left hands. They just don’t want to — don’t want to use that left hand and — because it kills people. Just as simple as that. And when people get killed their emotional kickback and so forth, is telegraphed through on the back blast and it makes one feel bad and one goes on down Tone Scale on a — on the overt act-motivator mechanism.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 17, 1953

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“I think Trump might be an angel, or an alien with some of the powers you guys imagine for an OT. He certainly is a ‘Big Being.’ I keep catching glimpses of a column of white light 10 feet across coming down from above surrounding, protecting and empowering him.”

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Past is Prologue

2002: Reuters reported that a second Scientologist will plead guilty in the Reed Slatkin investment scam. “A man who allegedly tried to obstruct a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into EarthLink Inc. financier Reed Slatkin has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges, authorities said on Tuesday. Daniel W. Jacobs is charged with conspiring to obstruct an SEC investigation into Slatkin, who pleaded guilty in April to 15 charges of fraud and conspiracy for bilking nearly 800 clients out of $600 million in an elaborate Ponzi scheme.”

 
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Random Howdy

“I’m still amazed considering the subject of this forum when I read folks wondering about the efficacy of homeopathy, naturopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic medicine etc. People, assume everything’s a scam or magical thinking and work it back from there.”

 
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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!

[Erika Christensen, Ethan Suplee, and Juliette Lewis]

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] He freed key documents from Scientology’s rehabs, and now he can talk about it
[TWO years ago] Scientology tried to ruin her. Now, Sylvia DeWall has a message for her former friends and family.
[THREE years ago] On tonight’s ‘Leah Remini,’ reality star Mimi Faust takes on Scientology’s harm to family
[FOUR years ago] Scientology finally uses trillions of years of wisdom for something useful: The perfect burger
[FIVE years ago] When Scientology makes you a villain, you understand that it rules its members by fear
[SIX years ago] Scientology leader David Miscavige gets in just under the wire in NAFC lawsuit
[SEVEN years ago] Starting Today: Jefferson Hawkins Helps Us Get Our Scientology Ethics In!
[EIGHT years ago] Texas Blues: David Miscavige Forsakes The Largest State in the Lower 48
[NINE years ago] Scientology Mailbag: We Hear it from Church Members

 
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Scientology disconnection, a reminder

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 2,092 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,596 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,116 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,136 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,027 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,334 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,202 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,976 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,780 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,096 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,662 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,581 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,749 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,330 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,591 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,629 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,342 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,867 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,397 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,957 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,097 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,417 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,272 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,391 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,747 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,050 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,156 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,558 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,430 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,013 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,508 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,762 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,871 days.

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on October 17, 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

 

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