We were very happy we got the chance to catch up with Mark Plummer this week. (Find the podcast episode here.)
Mark has been a friend to the Underground Bunker for many years, supplying us with killer documents that he took out of the Church of Scientology when he left it in the early 1980s.
We met him in person for the first time in Austin on our book tour in 2015. And we’ve been grateful for his friendship and his deep knowledge about Scientology’s history.
We knew that some of our readers may not be familiar with this important researcher of all things Hubbardian, and so we were glad to talk with him this week about his Scientology journey.
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Technology Cocktail
“A vacuum isn’t a hole. It’s a collapsed bank. Every lifetime bank is collapsed into a vacuum…Caution, handle one vacuum at a time. These vacuums go back for 76 Trillion years. They were
the original brainwash thetans did to one another, then psychiatrists (on the whole track) did expertly (modern psychiatrists are punks, modern shock too feeble to do more than restimulate old vacuums).” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1956
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Jon Atack and Karen de la Carriere
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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 as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
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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
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“Scientology is liable to be around for a long time, because that really isn’t a split terminal. Somebody’d have to dream one up which ran a parallel to get a total throw-out of the subject called Scientology. But then it throws itself out, which is the only thing that makes it safe to have around. Probably the only subject on Earth today which solves itself without liability or continuance of itself, which is quite interesting. It’s a safe subject.” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 4, 1957
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“Odd time of the year to speak about Christmas. But in this case it’s a statistic. Public Popularity increase over the world was very marked this last Christmas. The general public response was up very nearly 35% over previous years. The volume of public cards to me personally would indicate an increased popularity of Scientology by a full third! Gifts were 40 – 45% higher than in previous years. While it was a joy hearing from so many at the time, now in retrospect, it can be viewed as confirming a general public upsurge. My hard working personal staffs here and in other areas were impressed with the increase. In previous years it was already enormous. My staffs work for many weeks after Christmas caring for the flow, the address corrections and tabulations and do an excellent job of it. So the full picture is now in and the fact emerges. Public Popularity has increased a full third.” — The Commodore, February 4, 1971
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“Is religion and spirituality all part of the trap to keep us down involved in MEST as we appear to be? Auditing is the only answer to get rid of charge. It is that which holds us trapped and doing crazy things. If we wait until we can do it perfectly, we won’t ever do it. A lot of engrams got run from those who simply read DMSMH and did it even poorly. If we fight the Corp Church we take our eyes off the ball, create a game and problem that will hang in time and achieve nothing. Let’s just get on with clearing the planet. The church tells us to be careful: That’s suppression. LRH gave us a gift. Let’s get busy and use it. It is the most fun you can have.”
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2000: The Guardian published an article on Scientology celebrity Kirstie Alley this week. “Latterly a prominent Scientologist – she’s also the spokeswoman for Narconon, the Church’s in-house rehab programme – Alley currently divides her time between lingerie-themed TV show Veronica’s Closet and fighting the good fight for L Ron Hubbard: ‘I don’t like it when journalists mention the ‘controversial Church of Scientology’ in an article about me’, she remarked in 1998. ‘It’s like me saying ‘the controversial Jew who interviewed me’.”
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“Raining on other people’s parades is one of my specialties.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Mistrial declared November 30. Retrial scheduled, jury selection begins March 29.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Plea deadline scheduled for December 16.
— 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.
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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] Here’s Scientology’s petition for rehearing in Masterson lawsuit, arguing that court blew it
[TWO years ago] Scientologist David Gentile charged by feds in $1.8 billion Ponzi-like fraud scheme
[FOUR years ago] Mark Bunker: Clearwater’s Officer (now Chief) Slaughter oversaw the Scientology detail
[FIVE years ago] Are you Sci-Curious? Here’s Scientology’s 2018 Super Bowl ad
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s Super Bowl ad: Here’s your sneak peek at what it’s going to be like
[SEVEN years ago] When David Miscavige was riding high with ‘The Basics’ — Scientology’s 2008 New Year’s event!
[EIGHT years ago] LEAH REMINI IN TALKS TO SUE SCIENTOLOGY: MIKE RINDER TESTIMONY
[NINE years ago] It’s a make-or-break day for Monique Rathbun vs Scientology in a Texas courtroom
[TEN years ago] Best Twitter Reactions to Scientology’s Super Bowl Ad
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Wants It Both Ways: The Church’s Opposite Legal Strategies In Florida and Texas
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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 2,930 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,435 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,985 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,975 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,866 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,170 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,041 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,146 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,619 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,935 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,501 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,420 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,588 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,169 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,430 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,467 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,182 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,746 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,061 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,236 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,787 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,918 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,256 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,111 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,230 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,586 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,889 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,995 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,393 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,269 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,852 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,347 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,601 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,710 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 4, 2023 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
