We have great tipsters, and some new helpers have started sending us things and we wanted to say how happy that makes us.
Here’s just a sampling of the good stuff we’ve been receiving, which helps us keep an eye on what Scientology is up to right at the present moment.
First, you have no doubt seen some goofy letters sent out by Scientology to people who once took a course or bought a book. They do this because L. Ron Hubbard tells them to. There’s literally a “stat” that Scientologists must try to improve on whenever they can, the number of letters sent out every week. That constant pressure to send out letters in an attempt to lure former members back into the organization leads to some pretty weird hastily-written missives.
This latest one manages to be creepy and desperate at the same time.
The same tipster who forwarded us that letter also sent us the newest newsletter put out of the Hollywood Celebrity Center. And in it was this tabulation of the top Field Staff Members (FSMs) bringing in new people to Scientology.
But what’s this? Only initials, not names? It’s like Scientology has figured out that virtually everything they put on paper ends up here or at Mike Rinder’s blog or something.
Perhaps some of our super sleuths can guess who these FSMs are.
Meanwhile, the following posting was put up at NextDoor in a Los Angeles neighborhood.’
Hey, that sounds juicy. We’ve reached out to the writer of the post. If you know more about the situation, please drop us a line.
Meanwhile, at the upstart Detroit Ideal Org it’s still 1950 and L. Ron Hubbard’s earliest ideas are brand new…
Hey, the Freewinds isn’t going anywhere. Why not come and spend Christmas and New Year’s on our barge stuck in Aruba?
And while you’re there, maybe you’ll get a chance to see Scientology’s hardest working celebrity, impressionist Jim Meskimen.
One hundred OTs at the LA Advanced Org in the “last few months”? This planet will be cleared in no time!
We love this stuff. Thank you, tipsters, and please keep it coming!
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Sign up for a daily email when we post a new story on Scientology.
Did you know you can get an email every morning when we post our daily Scientology story? We know some of the folks who come to the Underground Bunker aren’t here to talk about the politics of the day, and that’s why we created a daily politics feature over at our other blog, The Lowdown, and we ask readers to take their political discussions over there. And if you drop us a line at tonyo94 AT gmail, we’ll put you on the list so you get a morning reminder that a new Scientology story has been posted — and only for our Scientology stories.
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“Handling Security Checks in a society of this particular character, then, runs into a little bit of heavy weather. And you very often run into some heavy weather. Somebody’s sitting there and, good God, they’re the fellow who did it, you know, and what are you going to do as the auditor, you know?…What is your responsibility as an auditor? Well, it’s, your responsibility as an auditor is first and foremost as an auditor, is get the person out of it. You’re not the police force. Don’t you see? And then you actually are not honor bound from that point there on to be under a stamp and seal of total secrecy with regard to the fact that the First National Bank was robbed by Joe, you see. But don’t go calling up the police. They’re on the wrong road. Cops never get a society anyplace. Cops are a short-term proposition, strictly. The more cops, the more crime.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 13, 1961
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“We have so far sent back two FEBC graduates. W/O Owen Starkey to AOSHDK and Wayne Marples to NY. They both left in a hurry to save their orgs. Starkey has halted the GDS collapse and has most of them on a healthy climb. They both had a lot of beautiful things to say about Flag and its people.” — The Commodore, September 13, 1970
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“About 18 months ago, I began to wake up to the fact that I was in the Church of Scientology in my last lifetime. After more auditing and more mind expansion, I realized, ‘oh, maybe I am/was Clear.’ So, I came to believe I was Clear. Today, I don’t think I was Clear, but, I’m almost sure I did believe I was Clear in my last lifetime. In fact, I kind of see I reached OT2. As I said, I’m not sure, and I speculate that I had good auditing, but also bad auditing. I also was probably subjected to Black Scientology.”
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2001: In the wake of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, DC this week, Scientology has mobilized in numerous ways. “I trust that you all know that getting LRH tech into society – RAPIDLY – is the remedy to this third dynamic engram, and I wanted to ensure that you are briefed about specific actions you can and should take. With populations panicking or in shock at what occurred, we have the tech to bring order and handle the situation. It is vital that you take on the role of being a stabilizing influence in your area. If you are on service at your org, do and complete that service, and get more. Increase the hours you are in the org. Two million of The Way To Happiness booklets are being printed in New York City for distribution right there and in Washington, D.C. Contribute to making this happen. Disseminate! You are an appointed FSM for your local org – help someone in your area by caring enough about them to bring them into the org for service. Deliver assists to those in need. Attend your upcoming Auditor’s Day event. They are happening as scheduled around the world. This is Saturday, 15 September for LA and all WUS, EUS, Canada, UK, European, African, and ANZO orgs, except: for Bulawayo, Harhare, Tokyo, Malmo, Goteborg, Stockholm, Oslo, Brussels, Lisbon, Tel Aviv and Amsterdam and all Mexico and LATAM org events, which will be held Saturday 22 September. Love, Don Drader, President WISE Int.”
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“It seems to me that Narconon preys on folks out in the hinterland and down south where detoxes are few and far between and the people are less up on this kind of stuff.”
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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 November 10. Trial tentatively scheduled for February.
— 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 October 7 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for November 19.
— Joseph ‘Ben’ Barton, Medicare fraud: Pleaded guilty, awaiting sentencing.
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30, 2020 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Petition to US Supreme Court submitted on May 26. Scientology responded on June 25.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: California Supreme Court granted review on May 26 and asked the Second Appellate Division to direct Judge Steven Kleifield to show cause why he granted Scientology’s motion for arbitration. Oral arguments scheduled for Oct 5.
— 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: Third 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 23. Appeal hearing held Aug 23-27.
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] What Scientologists are telling each other on social media right this very minute
[TWO years ago] No, RadarOnline did not discover a new underground bunker at Scientology’s Gold Base
[THREE years ago] How a Scientology-run business preyed on Silicon Valley icons in the name of ‘wellness’
[FOUR years ago] Ford Greene responds to Marty Rathbun, and brings up a previous Scientology secret deal
[FIVE years ago] Co-writer Dan Koon answers accusations about the accuracy of Ron Miscavige’s ‘Ruthless’
[SIX years ago] Paul Haggis, Lawrence Wright react to Alex Gibney’s Emmys sweep for ‘Going Clear’
[SEVEN years ago] Ryan Hamilton files 20th lawsuit against Scientology’s drug rehab network
[EIGHT years ago] MONIQUE RATHBUN VS SCIENTOLOGY, DAY 2: Texas Showdown Shifts Gears
[TEN years ago] Marty Rathbun, Ex-Scientology Exec, Back from Germany: ‘The U.S. Media Has No Balls’
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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 2,422 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,927 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,447 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,467 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,358 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,665 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,533 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,307 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 1,637 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,111 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,427 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,993 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,912 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,080 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,661 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,922 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,960 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,673 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,198 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 553 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,728 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,279 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,428 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,748 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,603 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,722 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,078 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,381 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,487 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,885 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,761 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,344 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,839 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,093 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,202 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on September 13, 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
