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Scientology’s celebration of its biggest donors was even more ultra than we realized

Sunday, we were excited to bring you images from Scientology’s annual orgy celebrating its biggest donors, the Patrons Ball that was held on Saturday, November 4 under the big tent at Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead, England.

As we noted then, it was surprising to see so many people receive trophies for giving to the International Association of Scientologists cumulative amounts totaling more than a million dollars each. We’ve never seen so many listed at any one event before.

Well, Impact magazine also described that night in ways that we thought you’d want to see. It turns out that not only were these big donors treated to new massive bowling trophies, but they also had video tributes made especially about who they were and what they did for a living. Can you imagine?

We have a new goal now: We want to see these whale-stroking videos! Someone leak them to us, pretty please!

Here’s the description in Impact…

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A Fitting Tribute

Given the record number of members stepping up in Patron status over the past four years, and all it represents for our future, this year’s IAS Anniversary Patrons Ball was reimagined — and the result was an homage that shined the spotlight on the stars of our movement.

Talk about a celebration! The red carpet was rolled out to recognize IAS members hailing from around the globe who entered the marquee decked out in black-tie finery. The space had been transformed for the evening — the tables were dressed in silver and blue, and the room shimmered under rows of fairy lights. The atmosphere was magical, the energy electric, and the attendees were overjoyed to be back together again.

Everything about the evening was five-star, from the floral arrangements to the banquet fit for a king to the world-class concert. But all that was just the backdrop to the centerpiece of the night, the Patrons Awards Ceremony. While the whole weekend was a celebration of the collective accomplishments of the IAS over the past four years, the ball was a celebration of the stars of our movement: the Patrons. These luminaries kept the engine of the IAS stoked throughout global lockdowns, not only enabling the IAS to continue fueling vital campaigns and expansion, but to power ahead toward a bright future.

Setting the stage for a truly extraordinary evening, Chairman of the Board RTC, Mr. David Miscavige said, “While we gather in what appears to be a Grand Marquee, it becomes something else altogether when it is filled with honest-to-God heroes of legend.”

Putting the evening into perspective, he went on to say, “If what you witnessed last night seemed astounding, well, it’s all the more so, now that you are all here.” After welcoming all, he announced that a record-setting number — nearly 5,000 — had advanced to the rank of Patron and beyond just since we last convened at Saint Hill.

While attendees expected this year’s ball would be special, they were amazed at just how special it was. Presentations capturing the personality and passion of our IAS Patrons amounted to a film festival of honorees, giving attendees an up-close and person look at the superstars of the IAS.

After introductory videos and against backdrops tailored for each awards presentation, Mr. Miscavige honored IAS members who stepped up to Patron and beyond.

As members reached Gold Meritorious and higher statuses, they were featured in videos presenting them as home, at work, and at play.

Those who had risen to the exalted ranks of Laureate Excalibur and even higher were showcased in individual films spotlighting who they are, what they do, and how they exemplify the mission of the IAS.

The awards ceremony culminated with a very special homage to a woman whose support of the IAS is boundless. Trish Duggan was the star of a tribute that captured her personality, her power, and her personal style and featured words of appreciation from some of our other IAS heroes. As she took the stage with her daughter as Platinum Patron of Legend of the IAS, the crowd erupted with cheers and a prolonged standing ovation.

Mr. Miscavige concluded the awards ceremony with an acknowledgment to Patrons the world over for all they do to make the IAS an unstoppable humanitarian force. “Let there be no doubt, what you are making possible today, and far into the future, is no less than destiny itself.”

Then it was time to party. The music started and again the crowd was on its feet, celebrating each other and the stars of the movement.

Also, a few more notes on the trophy winners, since Saturday’s post ran over and we didn’t have room for our own observations.

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— We could only estimate Trish Duggan’s contributions as more than $300 million. She and ex-husband Tom Duggan have acknowledged giving that much at least in interviews. But we really don’t know how much she’s forked over. We can’t help noticing, however, that Dave this time named her Platinum Patron of Legend, a subtle hint to her, apparently, that she can still reach Diamond Patron of Legend if she keeps handing over the cheddar.

— In previous years, only the top whale got to pose with David Miscavige himself. But this time, Dave got in the photo with every whale who had given more than $10 million, a total of six different photos. But as nearly everyone pointed out, he looks so similar in every one, you can’t help wondering if they’re using a cutout.

— The closest to an actual celebrity in this year’s collection of whales was musician and film composer Mark Isham who, with his wife, Donna, was recognized for forking over $1.75 million to the IAS. How embarrassing.

— For the first time, we see one of the adopted sons of Trish and Bob Duggan showing up in the list of Gold Meritorious ($1 million) givers, Daniel Duggan. A chip off the old block, apparently.

— And did you notice that Jeff Pomerantz, who has been the “voice of Scientology” at events, was wearing his Freedom Medal as he received his Gold Meritorious trophy. Now that’s dedication.

Hip, hip, hooray?

 
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Continuing our year in review: The stories of July 2023

At the beginning of July, we were into the second installment of a series looking at the nuts and bolts of CST, Scientology’s most secretive branch, and looking at things like its real estate holdings, for example.

Steve Cannane’s publisher threw in the towel in a lawsuit against his book Fair Game, and Steve gave us a more nuanced explanation.

Luke Y. Thompson was back with another film review, this time of Tom Cruise’s latest Mission Impossible movie.

Mark Bunker continued to freak out Scientology in Clearwater, Florida, where he was vice mayor.

We learned from Phil and Willie Jones that Elisabeth Moss had lost a sister.

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On July 15, maybe our wildest podcast episode of the year as Mark Ebner dished some wild insider info about Tom Cruise’s best friend, writer/director Chris McQuarrie.

It was great to hear from Cindy Plahuta again, and she had a great tale for us about one of Scientology’s most secretive operations.

With a new Mission Impossible out, we had some new Tom Cruise info from Valerie Haney, who connected him to the Shelly Miscavige story.

Bruce Hines and your Proprietor both caught early showings of Oppenheimer so we could discuss the film in the light of some of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s claims about nuclear science. Fun stuff! (And a great movie.)

Sunny Pereira was back with another look at Scientology’s most toxic policy, disconnection, and it inspired a fascinating response from one of our readers.

A LOOK BACK AT JULY 2022: Australia gains 2 million in population but loses 26 Scientologists. Valerie Haney nominates Elisabeth Moss to be one of her arbitrators. Claire Headley tells us things we don’t know about Tom Cruise in Scientology, and Bruce Hines tells us a wild Shelly Miscavige tale we hadn’t heard before. Scientology filed its petition in the Bixler case to the US Supreme Court. Jon Atack got married, and Paulette Cooper came out with a memoir.

A LOOK BACK AT JULY 2021: Chris Owen on Scientology’s war with psychiatry. New court documents in Brian Statler’s shooting death. Our motion to quash a subpoena served on us by Tom Mesereau in Danny Masterson’s criminal case. And more accounts about life in Scientology from Sunny Pereira, Pamela Nickel Williams, and Cathy Mullins.

A LOOK BACK AT JULY 2020: Covid bailout loans went to Scientology churches, front groups, and schools. Some LAPD emails demonstrating a cozy relationship with Scientology were released. Kelly Preston died at 57 and Lisa Marie Presley lost a son to suicide. Bryan Seymour’s ‘Black Ops’ series was cancelled and Leah Remini blamed Tom Cruise. Leah Remini and Mike Rinder began a new podcast series. And Leah gave us her unpublished chapter on Tom Cruise to post here at the Bunker. And a potential Biden VP pick, Karen Bass, gets called out for her Scientology support.

A LOOK BACK AT JULY 2019: Brendan Tighe and Sunny Pereira told us more shattering disconnection stories. Chris Owen unearthed what was really behind the 1960s FDA investigation of Scientology. Miss New York would no longer shill for a Scientology front organization after our reporting. Mike Rinder made public an LAPD report about a woman who fled Scientology after being lured in by Jason Dohring at the Celebrity Center.

A LOOK BACK AT JULY 2018: Photos from Maiden Voyage included what would become an infamous shot of David Miscavige getting pinned with a medal. A witness in the Danny Masterson investigation provided proof that they were being subjected to frightening harassment. With trial nearing, Laura DeCrescenzo served David Miscavige with a notice to appear. A stunning new story of Scientology financial crime begins to unfold in the tale of Efrem Logreira and an ice cream party. Chris Owen reconsidered the UK ban on Scientology on its 50th anniversary. We reported the puzzling suicide of a young Scientologist visiting the Flag Land Base. And Sunny Pereira treated us to her Scientology passport!

A LOOK BACK AT JULY 2017: Clay Irwin snagged images from the spy camera aimed at his house. L. Ron Hubbard explained how you could crush a planet between thumb and forefinger with OT powers. Scientology billionaires yoked the fortunes of the world’s biggest-selling drug to an ongoing windfall for Scientology. Tommy Davis’s Hollywood dream ended, and so did his marriage. Paulette Cooper turned 75.

A LOOK BACK AT JULY 2016: How the parents of a Kazakh woman got her back from the Sea Org. We marked the passing of Steve “Sarge” Pfauth at 70. We found that Joey Chait’s story was more complex than some had it. Rebecca McKee told us how she reunited with her high school sweetheart. And we said goodbye to Arlene Cordova.

A LOOK BACK AT JULY 2015: We wrote about Scientology’s day care from hell. Brian Sheen’s full Scientology story turned out to be pretty fascinating. Chris Shelton emceed us in Denver. And Nick Lister dished on Tom Cruise ruthlessly putting ethics in on his own family.

A LOOK BACK AT JULY 2014: Our Independence Day special, when Jeremy Powers defied disconnection and came home. We said goodbye to John Joseph, a man who cared. Camilla Andersson went public after 29 years in Scientology. And we live-blogged ID network’s show on Elli Perkins (which featured your proprietor).

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A LOOK BACK AT JULY 2013: Leah Remini defects, Shelly Miscavige speaks, Jim Lynch exteriorizes, and Christian Stolte rocks.

 
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Technology Cocktail

“I have seen life from the top down and the bottom up. I know how it looks both ways. And I know there is wisdom and that there is hope. Blinded with injured optic nerves, and lame with physical injuries to hip and back, at the end of World War II, I faced an almost nonexistent future. My Service record stated: ‘This officer has no neurotic or psychotic tendencies of any kind whatsoever,” but it also stated “permanently disabled physically.’ And so there came a further blow . . . I was abandoned by family and friends as a supposedly hopeless cripple and a probable burden upon them for the rest of my days. I yet worked my way back to fitness and strength in less than two years, using only what I knew and could determine about Man and his relationship to the universe. I had no one to help me; what I had to know I had to find out. And it’s quite a trick studying when you cannot see.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1965

 
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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

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— 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

“Some people have been awfully mean to us. Now let’s knock them down the emotional curve. The way you do it is to define a miracle and then turn them out, because you can turn out a certain percentage of miracles. The lame aren’t good enough — you want somebody who can’t walk. The blind are fine, but don’t get people blind in just one eye; you want a seeing-eye-dog type of blindness. And if you follow out that line of advance you will then, as a third-, fifth- or tenth-echelon reaction, help all the others….All of a sudden it starts word of mouth all over: ‘Dianetics is turning on people’s sight.’ Everybody who is blind, who really wants some help and objects to being blind and isn’t basing all the approval of his life upon being blind, will be on the other end of a telephone, as far as you are concerned….Let’s set up shop and undo three specific problems. I know you have a lot of preclears that are hanging on your skirts and so forth. Give them the book and tell them to give you a call, and you go to work on blindness, arthritis ‘can’ts’ and children in bed with the aftereffects of polio. Just work on those categories. Don’t take children that have been all chewed up by surgery. You can make them better off but they are not spectacular.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 27, 1951

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“We are moving toward AD 21 with all aces. The sequence of (1) Put Flag here (2) Put Continental Liaison there (3) Put orgs there is working out very well. We have been about 14 months on this sequence of actions already. We’re about 2/3rds through No. 1, 1/2 through No. 2 and, assisted by the FEBC student pgm are already begun on No. 3. The targets I’m working toward is every SO tripled in size and every Scn org in the world the size and activity of SH 1967. As we have now proved out that we have the only fast effective tech on the planet that handles the sick and insane as well as everything else we have had, it is obvious that if we just keep on going the way we’re going and our people have and wear their hats, we’ll make it!” — The Commodore, December 27, 1970

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“I was in contact with my son before he was born…We come from knowing everything, at least my son did, into a baby body that now is expected to need to learn everything. Seems crazy. But my son told me that he would have to disconnect our link so he could forget everything so he could then learn it again. At three days old he came to me and said goodbye, he told me it was time for him to forget and he could not do that and keep our link. For me it felt physical like a door slammed into my face and then he was gone.”

 
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Past is Prologue

1997: The legal newspaper Los Angeles Daily Journal carried an article on Lawrence Wollersheim’s victory in court, including interviews with his attorneys. “The trial court concluded that defendants’ leaders ‘acted in bad faith which would result in an injustice to plaintiff if CSI’s and RTC’s corporate separateness were maintained and they were not added as judgment debtors.’ In a 6-page order issued Oct. 29, 1997, the court concluded that CSI and RTC were the alter egos of CSC. The court based its findings on a number of factors including that CSI and RTC had sufficient unity of interest and ownership with CSC, that CSI and RTC controlled the litigation, that CSI financed the lawsuit, used the same counsel, and that RTC’s chairman and highest officer supervised and controlled the defense and ordered the destruction of certain files the court ordered CSC to produce to plaintiff. Consequently, plaintiff was permitted to amend the judgment to include CSI and RTC, the real party defendants and judgment debtors. On Nov. 17, 1997, defendant CSI posted a bond in the amount of $9,045,229.40 to undertake an appeal of the reported decision. The result was reached approximately 17 years after the case was filed. Craig J. Stein: I have never been treated in any way that I would call inappropriate. I have not experienced anything. I have not experienced anything that is different than any other litigation except for the fact that every time we go to court, they have a new set of lawyers. Basically, we have continued to have reasonably positive results with the court. I guess they say, ‘Well, we didn’t have success with this set of lawyers, let’s bring on another set of lawyers.’ It is hard to even explain to you in a brief interview just how much litigation Mr. Wollersheim has been involved in, in connection with this case. He sued Scientology once, they have sued him at least four times now, and they are presently suing him. It is hard to imagine the process being used in this fashion. During the pendency of the trial, Scientology sued Mr. Wollersheim in the district court — not only Mr. Wollersheim, but his lawyers and his expert witnesses. Ultimately, it was determined to have been brought in bad faith and was dismissed. Cathy Shipe: [T]hey are very litigious. They will file every sort of conceivable motion and oppose the motions you file very vigorously. So you get repeated opportunities to perfect your law and motion skills (laugh). It is a never-ending, long and tedious process. There is no group of opponents that I have ever dealt with that has even come close to these people in terms of the volume and rancor associated with the litigation tactics they use. You know, it’s not just me. We have declarations that we have used various times over the years from people like Judge Kolts. He talked in one of the declarations he filed in one of the cases about how they filed every motion that was conceivable and some that are not conceivable. He had never seen anything like it. Judge Ideman, who was on the Central District of California panel at one time, filed a declaration that basically said the same thing. He recused himself from the case, because he felt like he was being harassed by them. He just had enough. It is truly phenomenal. It’s like nothing you see anywhere else. Daniel A. Leipold: Well, to go back — I also represented the Cult Awareness Network. Scientology is what I would call a serial litigator, and they filed approximately 30 lawsuits against the CAN in California. They actually filed about 50 of them. I didn’t know anything about Scientology, [and] didn’t know anything about CAN. They needed a defense to some lawsuits. Well, at the time, it was just two lawsuits, so I said fine, I’d be willing to do that. What they did was, the Scientologists were using what they call FSMs, field staff members, which are outside public members of the organization to act as fronts, and they were fronting a series of Unruh civil rights actions against the CAN which considers Scientology to be a cult. [The suit] stated that CAN was discriminating against them by not allowing Scientologists to join. You know, these well known firms tend to come and go. You will see them on a case for six months or a year and then you won’t see them again. I suspect that they eventually realize that they are getting farther and farther out on an edge. But, can I prove that? No. That is my suspicion. I do not believe that the motions are written by these well-known firms. And I have had these lawyers admit to me that they are not writing them. I don’t know what the relationship is. They tend to over-lawyer cases unbelievably. They send legions of lawyers when any rational law firm or litigant would send one or two, and they believe by facing you off with a half dozen overpaid lawyers they will either overwhelm you or impress the court so much, that you won’t stand a chance.”

 
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Random Howdy

“When I first read about ‘TR-Alice’ I was stunned because to me it was so obviously Hubbard laughing at his marks and laying out a huge clue that he was scamming them.”

 
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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.
‘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 January 29, 2024.
David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud.

Civil litigation:
Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Complaint filed August 2, motion to strike/anti-SLAPP motions by Scientology to be heard January 9, 2024.
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] POLL: Scientology tied with Satanism for America’s most ‘unfavorable’ religions
[TWO years ago] After leaving Scientology, the 1960s band People! has a new album out!
[THREE years ago] The expensive set of nutty experiences Scientology is pushing hard right now
[FOUR years ago] This year’s best Scientology shoops by readers of the Underground Bunker
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s humanitarians will continue to salvage this planet in 2019
[SIX years ago] Looking back at July ’17: How a billionaire set up psych drugs to fuel Scientology into the future
[SEVEN years ago] Tonight on ‘Leah Remini’: Marc & Claire Headley on forced abortions and Sea Org escapes
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s 2015 in review: Our July travels, and the day care story we can’t forget
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s 2014 in review: For July, a stunning story of independence
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s 2013 in review: The appeals of May and the blunts of June

 
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Scientology disconnection, a reminder

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 3,256 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,771 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,321 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,311 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,192 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,496 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,367 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,919 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,261 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,827 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,746 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,914 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,495 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,756 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,792 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,508 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,072 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,387 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,562 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,113 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,244 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,582 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,437 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,556 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,912 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,215 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,321 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,719 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,595 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,160 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,673 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,927 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,036 days.

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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 27, 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

 

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