Scientology releases photos of reclusive David Miscavige at IAS gala in England

Oh joy, new photos of Dear Leader!

Scientology finally uploaded its press release and photo gallery from the return of the annual IAS gala to Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead, England, the first time it’s been held there since 2019.

Scientologists who attended the three-day event were quick to post a lot of images of the venue, the other attendees, Tom Cruise, their meals, and even some of the musical acts that performed on Sunday night. But for some reason, they were very disciplined about not posting any images to social media of Scientology leader David Miscavige.

But now we can see at Scientology’s website images of C.O.B. giving his usual three-hour speech on Friday night, which was summarized in the press release, and listed these accomplishments that Dave was boasting about…

— Volunteer Ministers delivered 9 million hours of one-on-one help between 2020 and 2023

— 45 million humanitarian materials were distributed

— 29,000 new “partnerships” with government agencies were formed

— Scientology TV gained 20 million new viewers

— Church recognition and tax exempt status in Panama and Netherlands, and “house of worship” license in Greece.

Sounds impressive, to be sure, but as Marc Headley has explained in the past, these facts and figures were always exaggerated for events, so who knows.

Dave also handed out new Freedom medals to three OT 8s: Psych-buster Yuzuru Ogara of Tokyo, Drug Free World warriors Salomon and Lucy Dabbah of Mexico City, and tax exemption victor Giselle Lima of Panama City.

As for the Ideal Org program, Dave said four Ideal projects have been opened or are about to come on line…

An Ideal Org in Paris and a Continental Narconon in Africa are just about ready, and an upgrade to the Nordland (a Sea Org dorm, essentially) in Copenhagen was recently completed, and a new Central Qual unit was dedicated at Saint Hill itself. (This is the one that we believe Miscavige himself was scheduled to preside over, but sent out Erin Banks instead when Apostate Alex’s protest showed up.)

What, no Chicago? No Austin? Those poor Ideal Orgs have been sitting, completed but unopened, for years. When is Dave going to get around to them?

Anyway, Scientology uploaded various shots of Dave with the crowd, which we can see pretty clearly now is not more than about 2,000 people and nothing like the 6 or 7 thousand that Scientology usually claims.

And we were curious about who got to stand in the front row, and we figured you might want to help us identify those lucky folks.

Here is the entire front row, from left to right, with some of them named that we were able to ID.

Tom Cummins and Jim Bridgeforth are degulated electricity barons in Florida who have each given the IAS tens of millions of dollars.

Kathy Feshbach’s husband Matt was the first million-dollar donor in Scientology history, back in the late 1980s, and he was the first to get to try out the “Super Power” processes, years before the Super Power Building (a/k/a the Flag Building) was opened. Matt and Kathy also got dinged in a yearslong tax fight.

Alan and Shiela Atkinson-Baker have also given the IAS more than $17 million, and they have a court reporting business. (Cringe.)

Bodhi and Jenna Elfman were there because Jenna would be emceeing the Sunday night charity concert. Trish Duggan is Scientology’s most wealthy whale. She and her ex-husband Bob Duggan have given the church more than $300 million. And Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson, is one of the most hardcore of Scientology celebrities and has personally given the IAS about $17 million.

Moises Agami is a wealthy Mexico City developer who has many projects in Clearwater, Florida, including the bank building that he rehabbed as condos that include the double-floor penthouse for Tom Cruise.

Scientology also posted a nice photo of Jenna Elfman, who emceed the Sunday night concert. Doesn’t she look thrilled?

Well, Dave, you pulled off quite a party. And sure, you’re looking healthy for your 63 years.

Los Angeles, are you ready for Dave’s next big event, on December 16?

 
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Technology Cocktail/

“There has been such a rush on in technical that it may have looked to you that we were in a state of rapid change. This was occasioned by a speed-up caused by various events. You are getting about a century of research (or more) in a very few months. So bear with me. The end is not only in sight. It’s here. My job is mainly now to refine and get the data to you. The order brought into our work by making FIVE LEVELS OF SCIENTOLOGY is paying off rapidly. Level One is in development. Level Two is well away. Level Four is complete. And suddenly Level Three leaped to a final phase. We can CLEAR, CLEAR, CLEAR.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1963

 
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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 [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman

 
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Source Code

“Be the space of your body. The space of this room. The space of your body. The space of this room. Be the space of your body. The space of this room. The space of your body. The space of the building. The space of your body. The space of the building. The space of your body. The space of the building. The space of your body. The space of this building. The space of your body. The space of this building. The space of your body. The space of Camden. The space of your body. The space of Camden. The space of your body. The space of Camden. The space of your body. The space of Philadelphia. The space of your body. The space of Philadelphia. The space of your body. Space of Philadelphia. Space of your body. Space of Philadelphia. Space of New York. Space of your body.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 28, 1953

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“MISUNDERSTOODS: I wrote a piece in the OOD yesterday about Nixon’s misunderstoods. I hope no one accumulated any misunderstood words reading it. I found ‘hilarity’ in the first sentence wasn’t known. It means ‘high amusement,’ or ‘boisterous merriment’.” — The Commodore, November 28, 1971

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“People need to realize why Scientology isn’t making as many OTs as it should. The purif cannot handle modern problems, Scientology needs to be used in conjunction with expert naturopaths etc to combat modern weapons released on us. I don’t even think we can get OT while we are busy trying to just remain not retarded. Fluoride’s bad effects take awhile to kick in and also I think they combine with vaccines to degrade us, these things take years of accumulation and then it gets passed on to kids.”

 
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Past is Prologue

1996: Martin Poulter posted an update on Jon Atack, the author of Scientology expose A Piece of Blue Sky. “He has been extensively sued and ‘Fair Gamed’ and has been driven bankrupt by the costs of his legal cases. Jon himself is unwilling to talk about the cases – he’s taking a well-earned rest from cult related work to write a novel – but I did manage to find out that the cult’s two actions against him are still in pre-discovery stages. The cult’s lawyers were trying to find evidence of assets that they could claim, and subjected him to four days of examination in court. They found *no* evidence of assets, so the cult has gained nothing. Jon should be out of bankruptcy in May of next year.”

 
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Random Howdy

“Every Thanksgiving my Dad would get in a bad mood and start saying stuff like the Native Americans should have slaughtered the pilgrims as soon as they landed.”

 
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7.

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Complaint filed August 2, Scientology submitting anti-SLAPP response Oct 26.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration. Plaintiffs allowed interlocutory appeal to Eleventh Circuit.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Discovery phase.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Ordered to mediation.

 
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SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

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] Can the Danny Masterson jury figure things out today?
[TWO years ago] Scientology returns to ‘Christmas’ implant in earnest: L. Ron is the reason for the season!
[THREE years ago] Chris Shelton: What it’s like to spy for Scientology’s Office of Special Affairs
[FOUR years ago] On this Thanksgiving, we’re thankful again for people we will never forget
[FIVE years ago] Scientology responds to Leah Remini’s season premiere with smeariest smear video ever
[SIX years ago] Ugh. We just found a troubling L. Ron Hubbard Scientology lecture about little boys and sex.
[SEVEN years ago] How Liz Gale came to disconnect from her own mother, Scientology style
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s apocalyptic ‘expansion’: A hint at the real story in a Brighton shiny moment
[NINE years ago] The richest Scientologists in the world get a new trophy for donating another pile of cash!
[TEN years ago] Jefferson Hawkins Explains the Ethics of Scientology’s “Suppressive Person”
[ELEVEN years ago] David Miscavige Tried to Meet with Judge in Lisa McPherson Case: Affidavit

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 28, 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

 

Tony Ortega at Rolling Stone