PODCAST: Jesse Prince is here to shake up your understanding of Scientology

If you’ve been a Scientology watcher as long as some of our stalwarts at the Bunker, you will remember a time when our guest today was as electric a campaigner against Scientology’s abuses as anyone who had come out of the organization’s upper ranks.

At one point in the early 1980s, Jesse Prince was just a couple of rungs below founder L. Ron Hubbard himself, and he was even David Miscavige’s auditor. But then, around the turn of the century, Jesse became one of Scientology’s biggest headaches and a major target for its retaliation campaigns.

We’ve kept in touch with Jesse since he put out a memoir a few years ago, and we were thrilled when he agreed to come on the podcast. We knew we’d be in for a bumpy ride. We enjoyed hearing his surprising takes on things like Scientology’s victory over the IRS and also about his personal relationship with David Miscavige. We figured we’d be in for some surprises, and we were right.

Today, we’re releasing the thirteenth episode of The Underground Bunker Podcast to our paid subscribers at Substack. You should receive it presently at your email inbox if you’re on the list.

Not a paid subscriber? Well, we have something for you, too. Last week’s episode was with Paulette Cooper, who has been exposing Scientology’s controversies for more than 50 years and who was the subject of our book ‘The Unbreakable Miss Lovely.’ In the weeks before, we talked to Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan, Jefferson Hawkins, Marc Headley, Patty Moher, Geoff Levin, Pete Griffiths, Sunny Pereira, Jeffrey Augustine, and Claire Headley.

Those first twelve episodes are now free to all of our subscribers, paid and unpaid. All of our podcast episodes can be found here.

 
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New York chiro and Scientology donor Jeff Spina gets a sentencing date

In April 2021 we attended a sentencing hearing at the federal courthouse in White Plains, New York, and watched as Judge Kenneth Karas said the case before him made his “blood boil.”

He was sentencing Middletown, NY chiropractor Jay Spina to nine years in state prison for masterminding an elaborate scheme to defraud the Medicare system that, investigators testified, added up to about $80 million. Jay and his brother Jeff both pleaded guilty, and the judge expressed his revulsion at the details: That the Spina brothers had set up sophisticated sham businesses and phantom ownerships in order to hide their fraud, and Jay had encouraged the use of dangerous injections that resulted in the death of at least one patient.

When the patient’s son tried to complain, Jay set out to target him for harassment for speaking up. This was one of the details that seemed to incense Judge Karras the most.

We were interested because Jay and Jeff Spina were also big Scientology donors and longtime members, and had helped underwrite some of Scientology’s sneaky front operations.

After his brother went to prison, Jeff Spina has been awaiting his own sentencing date and in the meantime has, after asking permission from the court, made several trips to Europe to spend time with his son. But that cushy schedule is about to end.

Judge Karas has now set a date of October 28 for Jeff Spina’s sentencing. That also happens to be when the Danny Masterson rape trial will likely still be going on in Los Angeles after its scheduled start on October 11, and Rizza Islam’s fraud trial will be starting in the courtroom right next door to Masterson’s.

So it looks like we won’t be able to attend Jeff Spina’s sentencing, which is disappointing. We have a feeling it won’t be quite as entertaining as Jay’s day in court. Not only did it seem apparent that Jay would be getting the longest sentence, but when he was given the opportunity to address the judge, he actually quoted L. Ron Hubbard (but not by name). We were stunned, and tried to ask him afterwards if that’s who he had quoted, but he ignored our question. He turned himself in to prison authorities a few weeks later.

Technology Cocktail

“What if, in the science of physics, a book by Professor Glumph came out, omitting the three laws of motion and gravity. It is assumed then that Newton’s laws are no longer valid. Because they are old. (Newton lived between 1642 and 1727.) So some young student engineer is baffled because bridges have weight and can’t work out gravity or motion! And he and his fellows begin to build without knowing these laws and there goes the whole of engineering and the culture itself! This is no fantasy. As a college student in upper math I was utterly baffled by ‘calculus.’ I couldn’t find out what it was for. Then I discovered it had been developed by Sir Isaac Newton, examined the basics and got the idea. My college text omitted all the basic explanations and even the authorship of the subject! Calculus today is really not enough used because it isn’t understood.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1970

 
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Now with no restrictions: Our podcast series on the Scientology docuseries that never aired

In five episodes, we recently looked at something we’ve been curious about for several years: The potentially explosive television show, produced by Sirens Media, that would have featured L. Ron Hubbard great-grandson Jamie DeWolf as its presenter, and that would have taken an active look at the families ripped apart by Scientology’s “disconnection” policy. Unfortunately, even though the series was ready to air on the A&E network in 2016, it never has. Our podcast series turned out even better than we were hoping, and we’ve made all five episodes available to everyone.

 
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Source Code

“Unfortunately, Black Dianetics is inherent in Dianetics. In 1945, this was all the Dianetics there was: how to drive people crazy, how to foul up political systems, how to restimulate individuals just by talking to them, without planting engrams. And in addition to this, how to interrupt life force in an individual. We haven’t gone into that very much. It is a wonderfully smooth way of committing murder.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 17, 1951

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“No one is to play the piano in A Deck Lounge without the written permission of Lt. Cmdr. Diana Hubbard.” — Lt. Nikki Freedman, Sun Deck I/C, September 17, 1971

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“Book one? Nobody cares about Book One. That faded away seven decades ago. You need to be less politically correct. What you need is celebrities who actually speak their mind. Not Tom Cruise. OTs, almost by definition, do not organize Book One events. One can’t be an actual OT and involve oneself with that, because it is a waste of time. Napoleon got things done. And he had R6. You are not an OT, and no one should treat you as such. You can’t get things done and refuse to support people who do. You are as causative as a mentally disabled person in a wheelchair. Scientology OTs, putting the tech aside, are probably some of the least effective beings on this planet. I haven’t seen good results. And that’s because of lower grades.”

 
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Past is Prologue

1999: An affidavit by Jesse Prince was posted to a.r.s this week concerning the Lisa McPherson case. Some excerpts: “I am intimately familiar with the organization, movement, beliefs, practices and technologies of Scientology. I served in the highest ranks of Scientology, including second in command of the Religious Technology Center (RTC), the most senior body of Scientology….I have personally witnessed executive decisions directed to members instructing them to ‘end cycle’, i.e., die. I have personally read written instructions by Ray Mithoff concerning the following individuals: Diane Morrison, a personal friend of mine. She had cancer. Radiation treatment is forbidden by Scientology. She was instructed by Ray Mithoff to ‘end cycle.’ Her husband, Shawn Morrison, was ordered by Ray Mithoff to transport her off of the Scientology property at Gilman Hotsprings, California, to her mother’s house so that she would not die on Scientology property. Ted Cormier, a personal friend of mine. He had Parkinson’s disease. He was ordered to leave Gilman Hotsprings and go directly to Flag for NOTS 34, auditing to cure his cancer. When this failed, Ray Mithoff sent him orders in his Pre-Clear folder for him to ‘end cycle.’ He died. In the four instances of Isolation I observed, the person was locked in a room with at least two other people guarding the exit door. The people that watch the person in a psychotic break are not allowed to talk to the person at all. They are only allowed to physically restrain the person. The reason there are people guarding the exit door is that the person wants to leave and attempts to leave time after time. By their own policy the person in a psychotic break is not allowed to leave until the Case Supervisor allows it.”

 
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Random Howdy

“I’ve always wanted a goat. A small place in the country with a goat, a couple of pigs, some chickens, a duck or two and of course the usual cats and dogs..oh, and a semi-tamed crow or raven.”

Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Trial scheduled for October 11.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Arraigned on August 29.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff’s sentencing to be scheduled.
— Rizza Islam, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for October 24 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for September 19.
— Yanti Mike Greene, Scientology private eye accused of contempt of court: Found guilty of criminal and civil contempt.

Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Complaint filed April 28 in Tampa federal court, Scientology moving to compel arbitration. Plaintiffs filed amended complaint on August 2.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Selection of arbitrators underway. Next court hearing: February 2, 2023.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Appellate court removes requirement of arbitration on January 19, case remanded back to Superior Court. Stay in place, next status hearing October 25. Scientology petitioning US Supreme Court over appellate ruling.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Third amended complaint filed, trial set for December 6.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: New trial ordered after appeals court overturned prior 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 makes another attempt to defeat its terrible image, this time with Millennial OTs!
[TWO years ago] Scientology chiro Dennis Nobbe drops dead after being informed he’s going to jail
[THREE years ago] Why isn’t Scientology’s ship the Freewinds hauling emergency supplies to the Bahamas?
[FOUR years ago] Visit to London Ideal Org shows that the Scientology bubble is still firmly in place
[FIVE years ago] Scientology leader David Miscavige has empty buildings all over the world — here’s a rundown
[SIX years ago] With Jason Lee out, what does it mean for Scientology’s tightest celebrity clique?
[SEVEN years ago] Surreal encounter at Scientology’s secretive Int Base shows up in Danish documentary
[EIGHT years ago] New leaked videos from the super beings at Scientology!
[NINE years ago] Jenna Miscavige Hill Talks to Us As Her Book Comes Out in Paperback
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Oz-fest: Commenters of the Week!

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on September 17, 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