Well, we chose a great day for a long bike ride to have lunch with an old friend. While we were out, a new lawsuit was filed in Tampa and covered by Tracey McManus at the Tampa Bay Times and Ben Schneiders at the Sydney Morning Herald.
That’s what we get for dawdling. But hey, we thought we’d post the lawsuit so you can dive into all of its juicy details.
The facts about Valeska Paris, one of the three plaintiffs, should be familiar to our longtime readers. Our interview with Valeska in 2011 at the Village Voice was our most-read Scientology story while we were there. We wrote about her years on the Freewinds, when she says she was being kept as a virtual prisoner. It was in punishment, she figured, because her mother had gone on French television and spoke out about Scientology.
Anyway, here’s the complaint. Please go through it. We’ll be looking into the details too, and asking one question that we didn’t see answered in either the Tampa Bay Times or the Sydney Morning Herald: How can claims from such a significant time ago be brought to court now? And also, this is pretty much the road the Headleys went down that ultimately didn’t succeed for them. We will be asking these attorneys what they think will be different this time.
Here’s the complaint…
Baxter v. Scientology by Tony Ortega
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“In the final analysis, everything is a postulate. Everything came about by postulates. We just could make postulates the end-all of everything, and we’re very safe on it. Everything rationalizes out very nicely. And postulates if treated as a topflight goal bring about a very, very fine condition on the part of the preclear. What are you trying to get him to do, in essence? Change his mind. He has a bad leg, he’s crippled; you won’t get that leg well unless he changes his mind about having to have a bad leg. Believe me, you won’t. The doctors can saw and hew and use axes and materia medica and Morris Fishbeins and everything else on him, and by George, his leg will not get well until he has made up his mind for his leg to get well.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 28, 1954
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“UK is in the mystic band. That’s the last stop this side of Hades, when an empire decides to go, Man. The basic law on this is: When dealing with unknown dangers over which he has no control and against which he has no defense, Man becomes mystic as to cause and effect. Reaching a population in that condition is quite a problem. It can be done, but only on the gradient of tiny cause and effect. By coaxing small reaches and giving very light effects it can be done.” — The Commodore, April 28, 1970
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“I’ve decided to leave the other Scientology groups I belong to or have been added into. What I’ve been observing and why I’m actively leaving those other groups is while this group has seemed to come together out of common interest for the betterment of ourselves and other members with Ron 2.0 at the head, and now seems to be forming a high-level group, those other groups are filled with snakes in the grass luring people in on a pretext in order to influence and actively put people off doing not just new processes but any form of auditing.”
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1997: The St. Petersburg Times published the results of a police survey on the problems of downtown Clearwater. Scientology was rated as worse than prostitutes. “The top six responses listed as the most important issues were: transients, traffic, drugs, parking, Scientologists and prostitutes. Other concerns included: redevelopment, traffic, safety, vacant buildings, opening more shops, landscaping and the general cleanliness of downtown. Many of the comments were complimentary toward police. In others, someone suggested merchants have a sticker to tell people they aren’t Scientologists, while someone else said having the Church of Scientology downtown helps reduce crime.”
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“‘Malcolm In The Middle’ was so good I broke my rule for watching TV shows with Scientologists in them.”
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.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Last hearing was on January 18, referred to grand jury. Additional charges also referred to grand jury after January 5 assault while in jail.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff’s sentencing to be scheduled.
— Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Pretrial conference May 20 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for May 5.
— Joseph ‘Ben’ Barton, Medicare fraud: Pleaded guilty, awaiting sentencing.
— Yanti Mike Greene, Scientology private eye accused of contempt of court: Found guilty of criminal and civil contempt.
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’s motion for reconsideration denied on March 15.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Appellate court removes requirement of arbitration on January 19, case remanded back to Superior Court. Next hearing scheduled for June 29.
— 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.
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] Two Scientologists win seats on Los Angeles neighborhood council
[TWO years ago] Scientology admits that it numbers ‘tens of thousands’ not millions, as we’ve been saying
[THREE years ago] Leah Remini and Mike Rinder dare Scientology defenders to go on camera
[FOUR years ago] A new ex-Scientologist memoir provides a journey through extortion in the rank-and-file
[FIVE years ago] With Scientology at war in Clearwater, religious studies types still seeking its warm & fuzzy side
[SIX years ago] MONIQUE RATHBUN BLAMES FORMER ATTORNEYS AS SHE PLANS TO DROP LAWSUIT
[SEVEN years ago] Secretly taped Scientology executive complains about cheating on the ‘Survival Rundown’
[EIGHT years ago] Chris Shelton on the origins of Scientology’s notorious ‘Fair Game’ policy
[NINE years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: Baby We’re Amazed!
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Critics Find That Someone Wants Their Cellphone Records
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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 2,648 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,153 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,703 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,693 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,584 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,891 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,759 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,533 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 1,864 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,337 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,653 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,219 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,138 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,306 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,886 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,148 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,184 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,899 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,424 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 779 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,954 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,505 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,654 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,974 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,829 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,948 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,304 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,607 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,713 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,111 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,987 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,570 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,065 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,319 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,428 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 28, 2022 at 17:25
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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, 1995-2021 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
