There’s nothing like a Scientology hype video to get our blood pumping, and we knew you’d want to see this latest offering from the church.
It’s promoting a two-day “convention” at the San Fernando Valley “Ideal Org” that next week will feature some of Scientology’s most recognizable fundraising icons: Big donors Tom Cummins, Jim Bridgeforth, and best of all, the Fabos Factor, Steve and Peggy Fabos!
We wrote recently about how interesting it is to see the Fabos duo being featured in Scientology fundraising materials after the dicey appearance of Steve’s son as a witness for the prosecution in the Danny Masterson rape trial last October.
But all is forgiven, apparently, and the Fabos whales have rejoined the pod. Hip, hip, hooray!
The other reason we are interested in this particular event and the way it’s being promoted is not only the unusual fact that it’s a two-day shindig, but also in the sense that it seems to be an announcement that things are finally returning to a post-pandemic normality for Scientology. While there have been other “All-Ideal USA” events held in the last couple of years, they were virtual affairs. Now, Scientologists are being asked to come down personally for this fleecing.
And what hours! Attendees will be expected to be in place from 9 in the morning to 10 at night on that first day. Thirteen hours of briefings and seminars! Yikes. And all leading up to a high-pressure situation as once again attendees are asked to give, give, give to complete more Ideal Org projects around the country.
Speaking of that, we do have a bit of news. We had heard that a permit had been taken out for an April 15 grand opening for the new Austin Ideal Org, which is today. But just recently we learned that the permit has been moved back to May 13.
We still expect that Austin will be the first of several Ideal Orgs to open after the long delay for the pandemic. But we’ll have to wait a few more weeks, apparently. After that, our sources tell us, it will be Chicago, an org in Mexico City, and then Paris.
So for now, all eyes will be on the Valley as the Fabos Factor wows them next weekend. We’ll be very interested to see how many people show up.
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Technology Cocktail
“This past week has been an eventful one in research. It has culminated a four-year search for the factors which lay behind what is called IQ, or Intelligence Quotient. We have been taking tests here for many years and these tests were mainly used to establish change in preclears. We care nothing about the significance of the test. We do care, however, that these tests mirror change.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1958
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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?
[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 [42] John Sweeney
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“Don’t, by the way, think I’m utterly mad when I talk about this, because I am afraid that the very, very best and most conservative churches of the land would rather be found dead than to disagree with me on the fact that man does have a soul. And the quest of an auditor, in working with a preclear, is to discover and rehabilitate that soul and actually help the individual to find out where heaven is. If we use those terms, of course, it becomes very comprehensible, in a past frame of reference. But heaven isn’t what you think it is, and hell is right here….But isn’t it strange that whenever I talk to somebody about this, they are much more willing to accept this concept than they were willing to accept such things as prenatal engrams and so forth. The most violent reactions I get from people, ordinarily, ‘You mean I HAVE lived before and I WILL live again?’ And you say…’Yeah, and the race has lived for an awful long time, and you could probably do so-and-so and so-and-so, and step out of your body and soar off to Venus if you wanted to.’ Used to be I’d say to somebody…’There’s such things as prenatal engrams and a child records when it’s in its mother and so forth.’ And they’d say, ‘Yak yak yak yak yak yak yak yak.’ No agreement on the line. But people are agreeing with me on THIS in the most unexpected quarters, unexpected quarters. Most people are atheists because they know that the way it was drawn up and presented to them wasn’t the way it is. That’s why they’re atheists. So don’t have any great fear about this theta track and theta beingness, or even in relaying it to people, because you’re in for some surprises. They’ll sit there and they’ll say, ‘Is that so! Tell me more.’” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 15, 1952
“CORFU: It may be of interest that ‘Major’ Forte the British Consul in Corfu who messed the area up with lies is about to be sued by us in Corfu for libel and slander proven by his own testimony.” — The Commodore, April 15, 1971
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“I would say Hubbard’s Bridge was incomplete, with lots of unrepaired loose ends (he was notorious for interfering with his C/Sing and solo running new processes, according to old timers) coupled with the fact that it’s hard to know of a terminal where his previous time track would be validated. This is made worse by people who clearly are not LRH claiming publicly to be. I have heard of this effect in non-Scientology fields amongst the ‘past life’ crowd where everyone seems to have been Cleopatra, Henry VIII, etc, but then this poses a serious problem where if either of these individuals show up for real, they are going to face substantial invalidation both internally and externally.”
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2000: Mark Ebner reported that a Scientology official visited Mean Magazine with concerns over a recent article on L. Ron Hubbard and Jack Parsons. “LA Scientology PR operative Kat Tebar showed up at the Mean Magazine office today to purchase a copy of the issue featuring journalist Lisa Derrick’s article on Jack Parsons and his relationship with L Ron Hubbard. While at the office, she made every attempt to try and discredit Derrick, calling her a ‘bigot,’ who is out to get Scientology. The editor’s response was priceless: ‘If we published something critical of the Catholic church, I don’t think the Pope would send someone by our office.’ He went on to inform Tebar that she is welcome to buy an ad or write a letter to the magazine, otherwise, she should ‘find something better to do.'”
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“The only thing standing between Scientology being viewed in the same light as FLDS, Peoples Temple or Branch Davidians by the general public is Tom Cruise and the rest of the celebs.”
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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] Calif. supremes want reply from DA to Danny Masterson’s bid for review in rape case
[TWO years ago] Kirstie Alley’s daughter: ‘Everyone’ is ditching Los Angeles for Clearwater
[THREE years ago] ‘Rona blues: Court delays, Shelly on the menu, and more Scientology nonsense
[FOUR years ago] L. Ron Hubbard: Scientology will thrive when medical doctors are reined in
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s space opera ideas aren’t just for the upper levels, as one key early book shows
[SIX years ago] Scientology is No. 1 with No. 2! Or, how the Church of David Miscavige stinks up Clearwater
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology rips apart families with its ‘disconnection’ policy — but why?
[EIGHT years ago] Another leak of outtakes from 1997’s ‘Secret Lives’ — Scientology’s finance ‘dictator’
[NINE years ago] Jefferson Hawkins helps us understand Scientology’s L Rundowns!
[TEN years ago] We Need Your Help, Scientology Watchers
[ELEVEN years ago] Writers of the Future, Today! Scientology Gets Its Party On
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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 3,000 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,505 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,055 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,045 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,936 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,240 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,111 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,216 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,693 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,005 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,571 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,490 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,658 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,239 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,500 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,536 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,252 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,816 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,131 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,306 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,857 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,988 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,326 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,181 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,300 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,656 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,959 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,065 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,463 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,339 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,922 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,417 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,671 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,780 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 15, 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
