We like to brag on Sunny Pereira, one of our favorite correspondents at the Underground Bunker, who has given us many good pieces over the years describing what it is like to grow up as a second-generation Scientologist, what it was like to work at the Hollywood Celebrity Centre, and what it is like to have your family ripped apart by Scientology ‘disconnection.’
Most recently, she came to us with something really startling: An inside source at the Church of Scientology who was sharing with her real-time information about what Scientologists were saying in the aftermath of Kirstie Alley’s shocking death to cancer at only 71.
Since then the public has heard a lot about Scientology and the “OT” levels (Kirstie was OT 8), about Scientology and the medical profession and about cancer in particular, and about Scientology’s dwindling celebrity ranks.
And many news outlets jumped on something we posted the day after Kirstie’s death was announced that we got from Sunny and her source: That Scientologists themselves were being told that only a small, private memorial for Alley would take place at Scientology’s Flag Land Base in Clearwater, Florida, and nothing at all at the Hollywood Celebrity Centre, where Kirstie had been such a big presence earlier in her life.
Sunny herself wrote a poignant piece about that yesterday, and it generated a lot of interesting reactions online.
But we also wanted to follow up on the other thing we had heard, about a small service at Flag.
One of our eagle-eyed readers spotted what looks like confirmation that it occurred, just as Sunny’s source told us.
The photo was posted by Clearwater Scientologist Terri Novitsky, and it was an image of her and a minor Scientology celebrity, actress Denice Duff. (See above.)
Novitsky erased her original caption and, apparently thinking it wiser to be more circumspect, posted this description: “Clarification: Special weekend with Denice Duff and other friends honoring another friend.”
Our reader who spotted the photo told us there was no question at all where the two of these prominent local Clearwater Scientologists were standing: The ballroom at the Fort Harrison Hotel, centerpiece of the Flag Land Base. The photo was posted on Sunday.
“Looks like Kirstie’s service happened this past weekend with everyone sworn to secrecy,” our reader said. “That’s definitely the Flag Ballroom. I still have bad dreams about that place. There wouldn’t be any other ‘service’ happening there.”
And here were some reactions from other local Scientologists who apparently also attended:
Considering how rare such an event would be at the Flag Land Base, and the timing, and the people who attended, we can be pretty certain that they are referring to the small private service held for Kirstie Alley at the hotel ballroom.
And once again, we are grateful to Sunny Pereira for all that she brings to the Bunker. As ever, her information about Scientology is spot-on.
Technology Cocktail
“Although any computation can be run, the following computations will prove effective: Cause, Effect, enjoy things, hate things, look, don’t look, motion, no motion, sound, sight, feeling, work, pain, no-sound, no-sight, no-feeling, no-work, no pain, babies, no-babies, spirits, no-spirits, Christ, no-Christ, God, no-God.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1953
——————–
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 as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
——————–
THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
— The Underground Bunker Podcast
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— SPECIAL: Your Proprietor’s updates on the Danny Masterson trial
[1] Sep 21 [2] Sep 28 [3] Oct 4 [4] Oct 10 [5] Oct 11: Day One [6] Oct 12: Day Two [7] Oct 13: Day Three [8] Oct 17: Day Four [9] Oct 18: Day Five [10] Oct 19: Day Six [11] Special interview with Chris Shelton, Oct 19 [12] Oct 20: Day Seven [13] Oct 21: Day Eight [14] First week in review, with Jeffrey Augustine [15] Oct 24: Day Nine [16] Oct 25: Day Ten [17] Oct 27: Day Eleven [18] Oct 28: Day Twelve [19] Second week in review, with Jeffrey Augustine [20] Halloween special [21] Nov 2: Day Thirteen [22] Nov 3: Day Fourteen [23] Nov 4: Day Fifteen [24] Third week in review [25] Nov 5, Saturday special [26] Nov 6, Sunday special [27] Nov 7, Day Sixteen [28] Lisa Marie Presley breaking news [29] Nov 8, Day Seventeen [30] Nov 9, Day Eighteen [31] Nov 10, Day Nineteen
——————–
“A god of this universe, an anthropomorphic god — and I hope that you understand me very clearly when I use this word ‘god’ loosely and even blasphemously, for the good reason that this thing g-o-d is something which man has set up in his image. And it is merely an ambition on the part of a thetan, it’s an effort, a co-effort on the part of thetans to have a playing field and so on. And there is, actually, beings above the beingness of this universe. There are beings, but they are not this anthropomorphic thing who is the jealous god, who has hate and vengeance and so forth, that happens to be above that level. And the jealous god, the most jealous god there would be, would be a god who would insist at all times that he must not be duplicated, even to the point of not using his name in vain. He mustn’t be duplicated. No graven images. His space, it’s all his space and so forth. And we go on this way. Interesting, isn’t it?” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 14, 1953
——————–
“SMERSH: Good news. Adelaide trouble had a reprieve when they did not pass a ban bill at once but delayed it until Feb due to the filibuster tactics of our opposition and the ferocity of the defense. The ‘Parliament’ there was considering a bill to ban Scn, backed of course by the Health Minister who is a SMERSH appointee.” — The Commodore, December 14, 1968
——————–
“There’s been several research lines on the case for homosexuality. Why none of them has to do with the beings that control the re-incarnation cycle on Earth. (Marcabians). Because some homosexuals are born that way. These ETs manipulate the entities. Can create cloned bodies and can put spirits into containers, mix them and put them back into bodies. Creating composite beings of any kind or sexual preference is implicit.”
——————–
1996: Jason Scott, victor in his case against the Cult Awareness Network, has changed attorneys. Scientologist Kendrick Moxon, who has attempted to liquidate CAN, was dismissed. In his place, Graham Berry. “Mr. Moxon’s replacement, as attorney for Jason Scott, is Graham E. Berry of the Los Angeles law firm of Musick, Peeler & Garrett. Mr. Berry has successfully represented a number of defendants against the Church of Scientology and its related entities. Recently, he replaced Faegre & Benson of Minneapolis as FACTNet, Inc.’s lead lawyer in Scientology’s internet related litigation against FACTNet, Lawrence Wollersheim, and Robert Penny, now pending in Federal District court, Denver, Colorado. In replacing Kendrick Moxon, Jason Scott said that he had not seen a penny of his judgment against the Cult Awareness Network and that he was now retaining Graham Berry to try and negotiate a settlement that would both put a reasonable sum of money in his pocket and perhaps enable the Cult Awareness Network to emerge from the bankruptcy it filed as a result of his judgment against it. In addition, Mr. Scott said that he was tired of being a Scientology poster-boy, and that he felt Kendrick Moxon had discarded him after he had obtained the judgment against the Cult Awareness Network. Now, said Mr. Scott, he merely wants to settle his claims against CAN, obtain some money, reunite with his wife and family and put this whole saga behind him.”
——————–
“Most animals have more of an affinity for their offspring than the average Scientologist.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Mistrial declared November 30. Status conference scheduled January 10, retrial scheduled March 27.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff scheduled to time served with three years supervised release, restitution of $9.7 million.
— Rizza Islam, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for March 1 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial hearing December 9.
— 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. Hearing November 17 to argue the arbitration motions, awaiting ruling.
— 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 at least through February 7.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Case settled ahead of scheduled Dec 6 trial.
— 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.
——————–
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?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Clearwater’s new city manager: ‘We must develop a partnership with the Church of Scientology’
[TWO years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 7: The litigators
[THREE years ago] Glam for Xenu: When Scientology celebrities ruled the world
[FOUR years ago] Finally, L. Ron Hubbard’s first ‘Clear’ — Sonya Bianchi — found again after 68 years
[FIVE years ago] He was Scientology’s most famous spy, then he turned witness and vanished. Now, here he is.
[SIX years ago] Nora Crest’s powerful new video: Why you can’t be gay in Scientology
[SEVEN years ago] Who are those WISE guys? A tipster helps us get some names of Scientology operatives
[EIGHT years ago] Another Scientology ambush, this time of Marty Rathbun with Louis Theroux present
[NINE years ago] Jon Atack: What we have here — in Scientology — is a failure to communicate
[TEN years ago] DOX: Florida Officials Fight Attempt to Hide Drug Rehab’s Scientology Connections
[ELEVEN years ago]
——————–
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 2,878 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,383 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,933 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,923 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,814 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,119 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,989 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,094 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,567 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,883 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,449 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,368 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,536 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,116 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,378 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,414 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,129 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,694 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,009 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,184 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,735 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,866 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,204 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,059 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,178 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,534 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,837 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,943 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,341 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,217 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,800 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,295 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,549 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,658 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on December 14, 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
