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Latest Capitol rioters arrested: Florida TV chef and poker player — and OT Scientologists

 
Arrests continue to be made in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot as the FBI is still working to identify some of the individuals in the mob that stormed the building. The latest case unsealed was noted by news organizations because it involved an interesting couple who lived together in a home in Dunedin, Florida: Carol Kicinski, 67, who made a name for herself as a gluten-free chef, with a monthly TV show and also a magazine she’d founded, and Jon Heneghan, 57, a professional poker player.

But Aaron Smith-Levin posted last night on Twitter that there was something else interesting about them:

 

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In fact, Heneghan’s history in Clearwater goes back at least to 2007, when the Tampa Bay Times noted that he was turning some of his poker winnings into downtown Clearwater development.

For months now, he’s spent his days on the northwest corner of Garden Avenue and Cleveland Street refurbishing the property known as the old Telephone building….

The Chicago native paid for the Telephone building in part with the $611,015 first-place “no-limit hold ’em” purse he won in the 2005 World Series of Poker Tournament in Las Vegas.

And Heneghan had another interesting connection to Las Vegas besides playing poker. He was also a vice president at Real Water, the alkaline water scam run by Scientologist and former Nevada legislator Brent Jones, which turned into a major disaster when it poisoned dozens of people, including children. Real Water was shut down with a court consent decree last year.

Kicinski founded Simply Gluten-Free magazine, where she was editor, and we found that she was interviewed in 2018 by another gluten-free icon, Scientology Platinum Humanitarian (that means $750,000 in donations to the Valley Ideal Org), Dr. Vikki Petersen.

 

 
According to the FBI, it was Jon’s smartphone that began their trail of tracking the couple down. Heneghan and Kicinski showed up numerous times in video footage of the riot…

 

 
And GPS data from Heneghan’s phone placed him inside the building. Using various phone and property records, agents identified the couple and made contact with them, arresting them on Tuesday. Also key in the investigation, they pointed out, was Heneghan’s Instagram account, which helped them confirm his relationship with Kicinski.

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We took a quick tour through his Instagram and found a few interesting posts…

 





 
According to Scientology’s publications, Carol completed OT 7 in 2012, and Jon did five years later. No record of whether they then went on to get OT 8 at the Freewinds, but chances are they will only get probation for breaching the Capitol, and then they’ll have plenty of time to go to the ship.

Here’s the full FBI statement about how Heneghan and Kicinski were identified and tracked down.

Heneghen and Kicinski arres… by Tony Ortega

 

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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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Source Code

“One of the things that is going to happen in the next few months: You will probably see, increasingly, the word ‘Scientology’ occurring. And that is in order to give doctors of medicine and psychiatrists and psychologists an out. It is pretty hard, after a man has made a pronunciamento about which he knows nothing, to convince him that he ought to say something else about it now that he knows something about it, because he will lose face with the people he has said this to. So if we just give him another word for a similar package and we say ‘Now it’s Scientology, and Scientology embraces the Axioms,’ why, then, two things will happen: He can say, ‘Well, Dianetics was no good and Hubbard was really crazy when he threw that one. But Scientology — now, that’s different. scientifically done. It has a great many things to recommend it. Well organized, and it works! (Dianetics didn’t!)’ And as the students who are going to graduate out of Hubbard College will discover, their degrees are in Scientology, not in Dianetics. It says that they are professional Scientologists and that they are capable of understanding mental and physical stress and are eligible for further degree work in Scientology. So I hope these graduates will feel themselves capable of understanding physical and mental stress!” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 25, 1952

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“In LA and now on Flag someone is justifying reserves and prices charged by saying ‘Ron needs it’ or ‘it goes to repay Ron.’ It isn’t true. I’ve received no 10 percents for ages. An audit of monies owed me by orgs showed about 13.5 million pounds some years ago. I long since forgave the 13.5 million. Other more recent sums aren’t included. It takes money to run things and keep the show on the road. A lot of money. Particularly in our expanding scene. It’s all for a worthwhile cause. The actual cost of L10ing someone and giving all grades is close to the price charged. A hundred million would be a low down payment for our org tech. So realise the value of what’s being bought and sold. What’s the value of health to a suffering man? What’s the value of immortality to an Earthbound eclipsed being? You’re right. It would be priceless. There isn’t that much money. It doesn’t go to me. So let’s keep the scene real in all selling and pricing. It’s for priceless results. For the pc. Not for me. I am in a relaxed frame of mind of owing no one anything and not being worried about what I’m owed. Let’s keep it cool. (And by the way did you know the psychoanalyst and psychiatrist charge ten times our total fees for delivering a long and agonizing death?)” — The Commodore, February 25, 1971

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

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“When I extend my space I feel the presence of the local mountain spirits. I have seen many shift into various other practices and mix them in with Scientology without alignment to the axioms resulting in a somewhat goofy hodge podge. PDC tape 53 is one which I consider a fundamental for any researcher along with the Axioms (Both Scientology and Dianetic), Logics. Pre-Logics and the Data Series. Without those tools thoroughly studied one will wander in the dark overwhelmed by the myriads of apparent complexity that face aspiring students of the nature of existence.”

 
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Past is Prologue

1999: The Globe and Mail reported on Scientology’s tactics against Gregg Hagglund in an article this week. “In one corner is a small band of critics that include Mr. Hagglund, a 48-year-old newspaper distributor from Oakville, west of Toronto. In the other is an organization that describes itself as a religion but which Mr. Hagglund and his friends regard as merely a business. For two years Scientology’s Yonge Street headquarters has been the target of picketing by Mr. Hagglund and others. His protests have also taken him to Clearwater, Fla., where Scientology’s U.S. parent is facing criminal charges in the 1995 death of a member. [H]is home has been counterpicketed several times by Scientologists who have stuffed leaflets in mailboxes and paraded along the sidewalk with signs accusing him of bigotry. ‘I couldn’t believe it,’ said Shelly Ferguson, who lives five doors down. ‘Gregg had warned us they were going to picket and we’d been wondering, ‘Who’s crazier, Gregg or these people?” Then the truck rolls up with the pickets, and I went, ‘Oh, Gregg’s not nuts. These people are really off the deep end.'”

 
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Random Howdy

“When you tell vaLLarrr that LRH had no degrees or academic training, s/he replies that science hasn’t caught up to LRH yet and that Newton was insane and Einstein was a high school dropout. Rathbun was doing the same thing when he was trying to compare the quantum theory that nothing really exists unless you’re looking at it with Hubbard’s bullshit about subjective reality.”

 
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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 pretrial conference May 31. Trial scheduled for August 29.

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‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Last hearing was on January 18, referred to grand jury.
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 March 25 in Los Angeles
David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for April 8.
Joseph ‘Ben’ Barton, Medicare fraud: Pleaded guilty, awaiting sentencing.
Yanti Mike Greene, Scientology private eye accused of contempt of court: Hearing held on February 15, awaiting ruling.

Civil litigation:
Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Eleventh Circuit affirmed ruling granting Scientology’s motion for arbitration. Garcias considering next move.
Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Valerie asks for March 15 hearing on motion for reconsideration.
Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Appellate court removes requirement of arbitration on January 19, case remanded back to Superior Court. Scientology has said it will file an anti-SLAPP motion.
Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Third amended complaint filed, trial set for June 28.
Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs. Appeal hearing held Aug 23-27. Awaiting a ruling.
Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Lawsuit filed by the FTC and state of Georgia in August, now in discovery phase.

 
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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.

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.

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] Scientology celeb family the Mastersons selling houses: Getting out of Dodge?
[TWO years ago] Is David Miscavige winning? Scientology seems to be on a roll, but is the law about to step in?
[THREE years ago] No, the National Enquirer has not ‘found’ Scientology’s Shelly Miscavige
[FOUR years ago] Orlando, you’re next! Scientology makes an ‘Ideal’ move on the magic kingdom
[FIVE years ago] More federal charges for Scientology family that sold rhino horn products
[SIX years ago] Laura DeCrescenzo, on eve of crucial hearing, explains Scientology for new judge
[SEVEN years ago] Now it’s Scientology UK that opens its books, and we have the numbers
[EIGHT years ago] Telepathic space-age exorcism — Let’s do Scientology’s New Operating Thetan Level Six!
[NINE years ago] Anne Archer, Terry Jastrow, and…Could It Be…Tommy Davis, At Film Reception Tonight?
[TEN years ago] Scientology Thaumaturgy: Commenters of the Week!

 
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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 2,586 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,091 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,611 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,631 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,522 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,829 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,697 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,471 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 1,802 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,275 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,591 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,157 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,076 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,244 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,825 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,086 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,122 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,837 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,362 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 717 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,892 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,443 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,592 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,912 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,767 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,886 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,242 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,545 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,651 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,049 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,925 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,508 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,003 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,257 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,366 days.

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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 25, 2022 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, 1995-2021 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2021), 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

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

 

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