Yesterday was Neighborhoods Day in Clearwater. It is a festive day every year where individual neighborhoods throw their own block parties and we council members, along with police officers, city staff and officials travel around and visit as many of the get-togethers as possible. It’s a fun tradition and a good chance to find out what is on people’s minds.
Things were going swimmingly until I got to the Country Club neighborhood. I noticed signs asking for us to support some changes to Drew Street to make the neighborhood safer. I explained to one woman that we have the votes to make that happen so help is on the way. She was so excited she asked me to join her to tell that to a friend at the end of the block. We headed that way when suddenly this woman was grabbed and pulled away from me. I figured this may be the woman she wanted me to meet so I approached them…and they both ran away.
Suddenly, a woman I hadn’t seen in a couple of decades popped up at my side and angrily demanded, “You need to leave!” It was Maureen O’Keefe, who was much nicer when I met her on the streets of Clearwater back in 2000…
Maureen also was at the Chicago Org in 2000 when I was arrested for trespassing on a public sidewalk while trying to interview two dentists defrauded out of $20,000 by Scientology. Maureen actually signed the arrest report which I have had hanging on my wall for decades. That happened shortly before the video you see above this which I referenced in the video.
Maureen continued her Tone 40 demands that I leave but I told her no and reminded her that the injunction she kept mentioning also applied equally to her. It is not “the Mark Bunker injunction” no matter how many times Scientology tries to paint it in that light. I told Maureen I was there as a city official and wasn’t leaving. When she hit me again with, “You have to leave,” I matched her tone with, “How dare you!” and kept repeating that as we went to talk to a police officer she insisted on meeting. That was fine with me because that officer was escorting me around to the various events. We spent the whole day together. Her arguing that there was an injunction was not convincing and the officer told her we were staying.
She wasn’t happy about that but she went about informing every Scientologist to beware the SP. That left one nice guy with a doggie who told me that the neighborhood had become 85 percent Scientologists. We had a fun lengthy conversation about the nuttiness around us. Besides constantly trying to recruit him, the only complaint he had was being cajoled to bake a pie to enter into a pie contest.
I didn’t stick around to see the judge’s decision, but after everyone watched him speaking with me I have a feeling he didn’t win.
The odd thing is I was there to be friendly and to help. I answered questions and when the first woman wanted me to walk with her to look at an overgrown area that needed some clearing, I genuinely felt I could get that done for her. If she had told me she was a Scientologist I still would have helped her because I like to believe I am a decent guy and don’t harbor any ill-will for its members. I would have been happy to speak to every one of them and answer their questions but that is something these highly advanced individuals cannot do. I never saw the overgrown area because the woman was snatched away from me to kick off this insanity.
It was time to move on to the next neighborhood where people recognized me from Scientology and the Aftermath and wanted to share stories about how Scientology has ruined the downtown. One woman even told me her mom had helped a Sea Org member flee from the organization.
Other cities may have Neighborhood Days but none of them are quite like this.
This is true.
— Mark Bunker
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“When you can process a catatonic schiz, a five-day-old baby, you’ve got it made in the world of homo sapiens. The only further adventure we might adventure upon would be the processing of the thetan not connected with the body, and that would be an entire field about which we know practically nothing.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1957
——————–
Jon Atack looks at a Scientology knockoff
——————–
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?
[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
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter
——————–
“Look, you know that a thetan has been sitting around here for a couple of hundred trillion years. You realize that there have been psychiatrists all over the track? I mean, you probably didn’t realize that it was a stupid universe, but it is. Been psychiatrists all over the track; they’ve been electric shocking people. Well, that certainly should have upset the GPMs, shouldn’t it have? Huh?” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 26, 1963
——————–
“THE BEACH: Cagliari’s old town (mostly bombed out in WW II) is reputed to be more expensive and a bit ‘clip.’ The new town is over the hill and is reputed to be fairer in price. These shore people will give you bad money exchange rates if you don’t watch it.” — March 26, 1969
——————–
“I see there’s a whole bunch of new people here. If you’re serious about Scientology, I’d recommend you find a good indie group (there’s lots, just type in independent Scientology) and leave this one. The admin is NOT a Scientologist, and he will ruin your case. Please trust me on that, he posts things contrary to what Scientologists actually believe in, confidential cognitions, and is increasingly more antagonistic towards Scientology, Scientologists, and LRH. I’m only making this post for your own good.”
——————–
2001: Keith Henson posted an update on the legal situation of attorney Graham Berry, a long-time opponent of Scientology. “The clams got Graham’s car by assuring a bankruptcy judge that his 14 year old jeep, bald tires, marginal brakes, electrical problems, and water leaks would sell for $6700. Since in bankruptcy you can’t have a car worth more than $1900, they will sell it at auction to some public scn and give Graham $1900. There is a deposition of Donald Wager; in it he admits to a string of criminal actions in the Hurtado v. Berry case and related. Wager admits paying a street person in jail for false testimony and being paid back by Moxon. He also talks about taking the street person’s false testimony to the Sheriff in an attempt to get Graham arrested.”
——————–
“So the owner of a gay bar took money from the Church of Scientology? AAAAGGHH! Now I’m really in a bad mood.”
——————–
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.
——————–
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] ‘Oh gosh’: Judge views alleged rape filmed on phone of Scientology private eye
[TWO years ago] ABC gives platform to Scientologist named one of 12 biggest sources of vaccine disinfo
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s bizarre response to the pandemic: Handing out sketchy cleaning products
[FOUR years ago] Tom Cruise’s son Connor to marry Scientology staffer in the church’s Florida mecca
[FIVE years ago] Leah Remini is still being stalked, and now Scientology has turned to an ex-NYPD detective
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s gateway drug: The personality test and what it’s actually telling you
[SEVEN years ago] Talking Scientology with actor and podcaster Ethan McKinley
[EIGHT years ago] ‘Going Clear’: Sara Goldberg on how Scientology turned her own daughter against her
[NINE years ago] Jillian Schlesinger: How I got into Scientology, and how I got out
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s Version of Family Values: The Group is Everything
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s ‘Writers of the Future’ Contest Loses a Participant After Our Expose
——————–
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 2,980 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,485 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,035 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,025 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,916 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,220 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,091 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,196 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,673 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,985 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,551 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,470 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,638 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,219 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,480 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,516 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,232 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,796 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,111 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,286 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,837 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,968 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,306 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,161 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,280 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,636 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,939 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,045 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,443 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,319 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,902 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,397 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,651 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,760 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on March 26, 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, 1995-2022 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2022), 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
