Ah, Scientology and the Covid bailout programs. How often we’ve followed this bouncing ball in the last year.
In July 2020 we pointed out that not only had three Scientology “orgs” received payroll bailout loans, but so had its drug rehab centers and some associated schools.
Then, on the morning of December 3 we reported that an even more extensive list of orgs, rehabs, schools, and front groups had received PPP loans, and we put them together in an illustrated list totaling about $4.4 million. Later that day the Daily Dot came out with a similar list, and since then the publication has published more updates regarding PPP and other federal programs showing that the total they found is now up to nearly $10 million.
In June, we pointed out that it wasn’t just Scientology’s orgs that were benefiting from the government’s bailout programs. We found that individual Scientologists like David Minkoff, his daughter Rebecca Minkoff, Ben Fialkoff, Rusty Tweed, and Grant Cardone had received generous help.
And Mike Rinder in January pointed out that Scientology was going for a pretty blatant double-dip, not only having its orgs apply for bailouts, but also asking its staff members to turn over their personal bailouts to the organization.
Now, it’s nearing the end of the calendar year, and people are beginning to think about taxes and charitable giving, and once again Scientology has its hand out.
Besides setting aside billions for payroll relief, the CARES Act passed by Congress also allowed for bigger write-offs for charitable donations, and Scientology sure wants its members to know it. Here’s a flier that went out to the rank and file a few days ago.
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Bonus items from our tipsters
Austin keeps reeling them in. When’s the grand opening?
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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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“I remember one space academy, I think the curriculum was two thousand years. I was a student there.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 19, 1961
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“The ‘letters to Ron’ line was backlogged in being answered in some orgs and the backlogs have been called to Flag for answering. LRH Comm has just given me a verbal report on these letters from various parts of the world. The line is very very theta, very friendly, very open. It has improved even over what it was a year ago. There are no critical comments. There is only great appreciation. This means that my own public image is high and has not been injured by last summer’s events. The orgs only injured themselves somewhat with crush sell and checks. It also means our tech is better. It does NOT mean our org image and friendliness must not be improved. It MUST be. It is very nice to hear from all these good people. I love them too. That’s why I work as hard as I do. It becomes more and more evident in this declining world that Man, above all things, knows he needs a friend.” — The Commodore, September 19, 1971
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“I charge $620 for a Life/auditing repair. That would include repairing TRs.”
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2000: Tory Christman reported that a Scientologist-owned restaurant in Clearwater attempted to refuse her service based on her being a former Scientologist. “I walked across Fort Harrison to a restaurant called Daniella’s. I walked in and stood by the counter. Suddenly the phone rang, and I heard what looked like the owner say ‘Blue top, white pants?’ I realized I was the only one in there in a blue top and white pants. As she skulked behind the wall, and whispered into the phone I realized this is a security issue. I left quickly, and went back across the street to LMT to get a back up. I got Karin Case and we returned and I ordered a salad. No sooner had I ordered than the same lady on the phone earlier came up to me from behind the counter. ‘Are you from across the street?’ I said ‘Yes’. She asked ‘What do you do there?’ I told her it was none of her business. She told me she was a Scientologist and was against what ‘they’ were doing and thus wasn’t going to serve me. I reminded her this was a PUBLIC business, and I had every intention of eating there. She said no, so I said ‘Well then call the police darlin,’ as THAT is Discrimination and is against the law. One of the workers got me my salad, as she looked on reluctantly.”
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“I always wanted to start my own cult even more than I ever wanted to be a rock star. I’m going to go watch some gun videos and start winding down. Goodnight Sherb, get some sleep.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— 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] Read Danny Masterson’s ‘demurrer’ he’s hoping will get his criminal charges dismissed
[TWO years ago] Here’s the Kent team’s 3rd lawsuit against Scientology and David Miscavige — dive in!
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s minion lawyer stretches his ‘theta arm’ to touch the future!
[FOUR years ago] Tonight, Paul Haggis calls out Scientology’s celebs: ‘Damn them for being purposely blind’
[FIVE years ago] Talking highlights of ‘Fair Game’ with its author, Aussie journalist Steve Cannane
[SIX years ago] THE GETTING CLEAR CONFERENCE: How to see the videos that lay Scientology bare
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s tent party in England: The 9-minute trailer!
[EIGHT years ago] Scenes from Scientology’s Armageddon
[TEN years ago] The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 6: Anonymous
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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 2,428 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,933 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,453 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,473 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,364 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,671 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,539 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,313 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 1,643 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,117 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,433 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,999 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,918 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,086 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,667 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,928 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,965 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,679 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,204 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 559 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,734 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,285 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,434 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,754 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,609 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,728 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,084 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,387 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,493 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,891 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,767 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,350 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,845 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,099 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,208 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on September 19, 2021 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, 1995-2020 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
