Remember “Rachel”? She’s the person who tipped us off several years ago about a possible sighting of Shelly Miscavige in the town of Crestline, just about a mile from the small Scientology mountain compound in Southern California where we believe that Shelly’s been kept since the summer of 2005.
Rachel excitedly messaged us and called yesterday to tell us that something’s up at the compound.
She’s seen a lot of construction activity, and some dark material has been added to the fencing to keep outsiders from seeing what’s going on. She snapped a photo of the darkened fence for us…
“They’ve blacked out the fencing so no one can see, and that’s brand new as of this past week,” she tells us. “The fence that’s dark is on the back side, not the main road to Twin Peaks.”
She says that her husband saw not only construction equipment, but also materials that would suggest solar panels are involved. So perhaps it’s just a large upgrade the compound is going through.
As ever, if you have some info on what’s going on at the compound, please let us know.
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Chris Shelton on Scientology management
Says Chris: “This week I welcome returning guest and friend of my channel Ciprian Ivanof for the first in what we expect will be a short series of podcasts about Scientology’s leadership and management theories and the gross inefficiencies that really do keep the organization from growing or becoming even more prosperous. Of course, we aren’t doing this to give Scientology advice, but to show up just how inefficient and even destructive authoritarian systems like Scientology are and how they preach one thing but do the very opposite every time.”
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Jon Atack on Holocaust denial
“There is plenty of fake news out there, but perhaps the worst example is Holocaust denial. Ed Stratton has been studying the Nazis for many years, so Jon asked him to do a deep dive into the reality of the Holocaust or Shoah. Ed has some startling information.”
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Scientology jurisprudence update
A couple of items from the cases we’re watching: Based on interviews done of his sister, Brian Statler may have a second biological daughter, initials S.C., so by agreement of both sides in the lawsuit she’s been added as a plaintiff in case she does turn out to be his daughter.
Also, Jay Spina is appealing his criminal conviction, and has requested an attorney appointed by the court because he’s completely broke according to a filing he submitted. The appointment of such an attorney is pretty much automatic, and it’s also not surprising that there would be an appeal. As far as we know, however, he’s still expected to surrender himself to begin his 9-year prison sentence on July 13.
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“The United States is having an awful happy time right now pouring billions into foreign aid so these dirty, filthy, fly-ridden grass huts in Balooga-uga-uga-stan can all be torn down and they can put in nice seven-bedroom ranch houses with hot and cold running politicians throughout. And they’re just having a ball. And nobody is more surprised or will be more surprised than the United States government at the end of a period of time to find out that the exact proportion of ‘hate the United States government’ and ‘love the United States government’ exists as before. They might even have gone over toward ‘hate it’ before, to the degree that they actually enforced people to live in these seven-bedroom ranch houses, see. Because you talk to a boy in Blooga-uga-uga-uga-stan and he’s liable to tell you something on this order: ‘Ah, nice house, yeah, nice house. Yeah, reeds, reeds, nice reeds, side of a river, nice reeds. Wife there to raise some yams and so forth, and nice reeds, very thin walls.’ So you say, ‘What do you mean, very thin walls?’ He’s kept crooning over this idea of these thin reeds, you know. And it doesn’t sound like this guy’s very smart. And he looks at you like you’re crazy.” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 12, 1963
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“Your bonus and wherewithal to work depends on the arrival and departure of students. Flag expense is up to three and a half times to five times what it was last year, mostly in the FAO. Two recent weeks were only around three thousand and six thousand. Such an average would be just about a tenth of the total cost. The income of Flag must be such that 20 percent of the gross covers bonuses. If it does not, then there are no bonuses.” — The Commodore, June 12, 1971
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“I worked with Ron last life, and this life also before DM had him killed off. I do not trust anything of DM’s time, OK? I have met now four claiming to be Ron, but I just invited the one who is the real Ron returned. The others may also have some of the knowingness, but are not the same being.”
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1999: Anonymous a.r.s poster “Safe” had his true identity revealed to Scientology by AT&T this week. From The Deseret News: “A law firm affiliated with the Church of Scientology on Monday compelled AT&T’s Internet service to reveal the name of a subscriber who had been critical of the church in an online newsgroup. ‘It is terrifyingly easy to rip off the cover of anonymity,’ said Daniel Leipold, a Santa Ana, Calif., attorney who represents the man. Bridge Publications Inc., which publishes literature for the Church of Scientology, recently took advantage of a federal law enacted last year – the Digital Millennium Copyright Act – that allows subpoenas to be issued even without the filing of a suit in cases involving potential copyright infringement. The man, known only as ‘Safe,’ had posted documents to the alt.religion.scientology newsgroup. His attorney argues that the postings are protected under ‘fair use’ doctrine because they commented on how ‘suppressive’ some of the church’s rules are, and then supported that contention by listing 274 ‘crimes’ against the church cited in one of its publications. Citing potential copyright infringement, Bridge subpoenaed records from AT&T, which handled Safe’s Internet account. After notifying Safe, AT&T turned his name over to Bridge Publications on Monday.”
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“As long as you’re not a boo-hoo or a grim weeper, you’re all right in my book.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Next hearing set for August 9. Trial tentatively scheduled for early November.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff’s sentencing to be scheduled.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Pretrial conference August 21 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for June 18.
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 to US Supreme Court submitted on May 26. Scientology has until June 25 to respond.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: California Supreme Court grants review on May 26, asks Second Appellate Division to direct Judge Steven Kleifield to show cause why he granted Scientology’s motion for arbitration.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Dec 17: Feshbachs sign court judgment obliging them to pay entire $3.674 million tax debt, plus interest from Nov 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, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs. Case appealed on Dec 24.
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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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links, including our four days in Los Angeles covering the preliminary hearing and its ruling, which has Danny facing trial and the potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison.
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.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. 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 a weekly series. How many have you read?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Youth baseball coach arrested for sex trafficking has OC Scientology past
[TWO years ago] Scientology’s new strategy for ex-members ignoring its letters: Sending out invoices
[THREE years ago] How to get fired from a Scientology job the easy way — a real-world example
[FOUR years ago] Scientology and kids: L. Ron Hubbard talks about small children as ancient beings
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s ‘Battlefield Earth’ campaign, featuring Frank Frazetta and a crashed saucer
[SIX years ago] Jon Atack: Scientology’s early history is something most members don’t actually know
[SEVEN years ago] APPEAL BRIEF: Scientology argues that our coverage of them legitimates their spying
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology Doesn’t Want You to See Documents in Laura DeCrescenzo’s Forced-Abortion Lawsuit
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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 2,329 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,834 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,354 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,374 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,265 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,572 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,440 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,214 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 1,544 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,018 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,334 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,900 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,819 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,987 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,568 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,829 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,867 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,580 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,105 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 460 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,635 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,186 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,335 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,655 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,510 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,629 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,985 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,288 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,394 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,796 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,668 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,251 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,746 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,000 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,109 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 12, 2021 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, 1995-2020 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2020), 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, 15 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
