Holy Xenu’s E-meter, campers, we love the long, skinny fliers that Scientology for some reason thinks are the bomb when it comes to prying money out of the hands of their members.
We can’t get enough of them! And while we’re focused on whether or not Scientology leader David Miscavige is going to open his first new Ideal Org in three years this weekend in Chicago, we’re thrilled to get an update from Toronto, where the Ideal Org building has been rotting away for years and years. When the heck is Toronto finally going to get some renovations at Yonge Street going?
Well, now Toronto is “back on schedule!” says this breathless dispatch!
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Technology Cocktail
“With man now equipped with weapons sufficient to destroy all mankind on Earth, the emergence of a new science capable of handling man is vital. Scientology is such a science. It was born in the same crucible as the atomic bomb. The basic intelligence of Scientology came from nuclear physics, higher mathematics and the understanding of the ancients in the East. Scientology can and does do exactly what it says it can do.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1956
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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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“Now be god as an infinite blackness, concentrated upon you, a thetan. Get how all powerful and how out-swelling you are, concentrated upon you, a thetan. Get what your regard for this thetan is. Now be very saintly as you crush its life out, and trap it forever. Oh, be saintly about it. OK. ” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 10, 1954
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“Now that we know about 3rd Dynamic Admin TRs it becomes obvious to see where they are out. LA area falsifies its stats by double-including bounced checks — once when first offered, once when collected. With no Debit invoice in between. Out TRs in accepting such a check. Out TRs in the simple matter of confronting an invoice enmest area. Out TRs in telling a Treasury staff member to DO IT RIGHT. Nobody even goes in and yells. Wherever there’s a lousy mess, somebody’s admin TRs are out. Getting something done is basic confronting. You can’t string beads well behind your back.” — The Commodore, February 10, 1971
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“I’m interested in hearing CBR’s conspiracy theories. Apparently they are epic. I’m already aware that there are alien and interdimensional intelligence operations going on here on Earth. New Agers are onto these things, but I’d like to see if he’s right or not. David Icke for example is a victim (but like a good victim) of spirits affecting him in order to help him awaken humanity. He gets telepathic comms. This is what I mean by an interdimensional intelligence op by the way.”
1999: Frequent Scientology protester Gregg Hagglund reported a visit to his elderly parents this week by representatives of Scientology. “One Catherine Manning and one AL Buttnor attempted to trick my parents into permitting them to enter their home. My parents are in their 80s and not in the best of health. I had extended the No Trespassing Notice I gave the Co$ to include my brothers home (which the Co$ had visited once before) and my parents home. It may be possible to bring charges of Criminal Assault by Trespass. My mother answered the door to a man and woman who identified themselves as Scientologists and wanted to come in and discuss ‘your sons religious bigotry’. My mother told them to go away and closed the door on them. This was the purpose of the visit. To let me know Co$ can reach out and
impose themselves on my family members, cause upset and lend family pressure for me to ‘mind my own business’. Well while I love my parents and do not want them to suffer further upset I will not cease my open criticism of the Co$. I will not be intimidated or ‘shuddered into silence’ in this fashion.”
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“This idea that we’re going to gently coax these people out of the cult is rubbish. Let’s say there are 15,000 to 30,000 left in the world, do you realize how long this method would take? Your average ‘good’ Scientologist isn’t interested in having a conversation with any wog any more than your average ISIS, Taliban, Al-Qaeda member is interested in having a conversation with an Infidel. A fanatic is a fanatic.”
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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. Next pretrial hearing: Feb 16.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing Feb 13.
— Rizza Islam, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for March 1 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next status conference Feb 13.
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: March 15, 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.
— 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] VIDEO: Sure you don’t want to join Scientology staff? These people seem pretty stoked.
[TWO years ago] Scientology at its peak: A 1991 confidential briefing to take you into orbit with OT secrets!
[THREE years ago] Another dog poisoned: Bobette Riales says harassment worse since suing Scientology
[FOUR years ago] An Austin Powers Scientology party? Sure, anything to get locals to fork over cash
[FIVE years ago] Come on, people. Even Star mag’s own article doesn’t claim Tom Cruise has left Scientology.
[SIX years ago] Can a celebrity Scientologist like John Travolta really commit murder under the rules?
[SEVEN years ago] On the 8th anniversary of the Anonymous protests, more signs of Scientology’s desperation
[EIGHT years ago] ‘You encourage people to leave the Church of Scientology’: The Mike Rinder deposition
[NINE years ago] MEDIA ADVISORY: Stop saying that Scientology is infested with big movie stars already
[TEN years ago] Tom Cruise Can Raise the Dead! …And More Scientology Sunday Funnies
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology vs Debbie Cook, Day 2: More Live-Blogging by the Voice
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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 2,936 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,441 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,991 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,981 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,872 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,176 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,047 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,152 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,625 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,941 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,507 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,426 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,594 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,175 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,436 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,473 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,188 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,752 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,067 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,242 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,793 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,924 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,262 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,117 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,236 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,592 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,895 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,001 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,399 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,275 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,858 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,353 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,607 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,716 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 10, 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
