We first wrote about Tory Christman in 2001, and 22 years later it’s still one of our favorite stories of all time — about a woman who went from one of Scientology’s most reliable foot soldiers to one of its most resilient critics.
She was in the courtroom this week at the Danny Masterson retrial, and we were curious about how it compared to some of the trials she had attended as a church operative. We think you’re going to find her observations fascinating.
But we also enjoyed having her on because Tory is so fun to talk about anything with. She’s a hoot!
So please enjoy this recording as we trade notes about the trial, and consider Tory’s career as a whistleblower.
Please go here to listen to the podcast.
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Technology Cocktail
“Another interesting phenomenon about death is that a thetan will stay around a body until it is disposed of properly. You can take an E-Meter and any preclear, and you can find times when he has been left out on a cliff and nobody even put a lid on the coffin, and there it was exposed to the wind and rain and he will stay around there until that body is totally dust.” — 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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“It’s very funny, you know: bodies have machinery laid into them from other times. It’s quite interesting. You’ll find some preclear wallowing around one time or another: ‘Well, look what I have done to this body. Look at the horrible machinery and things I have set up.’ Then he wonders why it runs much faster and gets much more solid. Well, some thetan that had the thing on the genetic line way back when has already installed a tremendous number of items. You didn’t install everything that’s wrong with your body.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 5, 1957
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“MOVIE: The top Broadway hit man, Milton Katselas, through Celebrity Centre sent me a screen play that deals with some Scientology materials. I received it as he requested, went over it. As an old screen writer I found some ways to polish it and telexed him that I would. He has just telexed back very thrilled. In one week he did Grade VI, went Clear, was taken on at Columbia Pictures to direct his Broadway hit and got my assurances I’d help work on the new screen play. To quote ‘All in One Week. Wow.’” — The Commodore, May 5, 1971
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“According to the book Science of Survival, in times of political turmoil one has to identify the subversives in covert hostility associated with politics or public office. One has to identify them and isolate them from society. I think this condition exists now in the USA and the rest of the world. A list of Scientologists and ex-Scientologists (including Sea Org and ex-Sea Org) supporting covert hostility movements (communism) would be beneficial. This in order to alert the rest of social Scientologists against the turmoil and chaos that this covert hostility individuals create in times of political unrest. A list of Scientologists and ex-scientologists, commies and supporters of Democrat commie/socialist agendas.”
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1999: “Realpch” in the San Francisco area reported revenge pickets every day this week. “It was one of the people who had been here picketing on Friday. I took a look and no one was outside, but once again there were bigot flyers applied to my car. I would like to point out that my car is on my property, and no one has my permission to come on my property in order to leave flyers, least of all ones describing myself in a rude and scurrilous manner! Home with the groceries at about 7pm, a solo picketer down at the end of the block hurries up so she can be right in front of my house as I get out of my car. This one is a sixtyish woman with a big sign, a fistful of what were undoubtedly ‘Religious Bigot’ flyers, and of all things, a pair of
sunglasses. I called the police, and put away my groceries. I checked awhile later and indeed an officer was out front discussing matters with the Sunglasses Woman, and he said that he’d talk with me later. I fed the cats and checked in about 15 minutes, and they were still talking. When I checked in another 15 minutes, no one was there. I have no idea what happened.”
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“No one knows what possible dirt there may be in Katie’s PC folder. Her first concern is maintaining the image of a ‘fit’ mother so Cruise doesn’t try to get custody of Suri on that accusation. If she dishes dirt I’m sure so will he.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— ‘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] 1950 US Census proves Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard did indeed have a second wife
[TWO years ago] The Scientology-QAnon connection that showed up in HBO’s ‘Q: Into the Storm’
[THREE years ago] We’ve highlighted the parts Danny Masterson wants removed from the Scientology lawsuit
[FOUR years ago] Media and authorities should focus on the real horrors of Scientology’s Freewinds
[FIVE years ago] In the US and Australia, new Ideal Orgs are increasingly isolated and uninviting. What gives?
[SIX years ago] How to get yourself removed from Scientology’s legendary mailing list: A case study
[SEVEN years ago] How Ron Miscavige’s Scientology memoir reads to a former Scientologist
[EIGHT years ago] Neil Gaiman’s sister shows up in Scientology response video to Gibney film ‘Going Clear’
[NINE years ago] Flag Down drama — Mark Bunker kicked out by conference organizer
[TEN years ago] Cinco De Funnies: Getting Drunk on the Wisdom of Ron!
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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 3,020 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,525 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,075 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,065 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,956 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,260 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,131 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,236 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,683 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,025 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,591 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,510 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,678 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,259 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,520 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,556 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,272 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,836 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,151 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,326 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,877 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,008 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,346 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,201 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,320 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,676 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,979 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,085 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,483 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,359 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,942 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,437 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,691 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,800 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 5, 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
