The Scientology forced-marriage lawsuit has two big issues facing it today and next week

There’s a lot going on in the lawsuit filed by Jane Doe 1 against Scientology, David Miscavige, and Sea Org recruiter Gavin Potter.

At the end of 2022, between the two criminal trials of Danny Masterson where she was one of the three Jane Doe victims, Jane Doe 1 filed this lawsuit under seal, taking advantage of California’s Childhood Sexual Abuse law, which has some advantages for plaintiffs suing over incidents that happened years ago.

In June, the case was unsealed and it was revealed that Jane Doe 1 was suing Scientology because as a minor she alleges she was forced into a marriage with Potter, and that any sexual relations she had in that marriage she considered non-consensual. She was married to Potter from 1991 to 1997.

Scientology went to its usual playbook and filed a motion to force the case into its own version of “religious arbitration,” saying they had found a 2002 contract signed by Jane Doe while she was at the Flag Land Base which contains the church’s infamous arbitration clause.

Judge Robert Broadbelt is scheduled to consider Scientology’s motion on February 16. But in the meantime, he granted Jane Doe 1 the right to have limited discovery, and now we’re getting some idea of what she was able to pry out of Scientology in the last few weeks.

Specifically, in a new filing are copies of documents that tend to corroborate her version of events, that when she went to Flag in 2002, it was to spend time with her good friend Lisa Marie Presley, and not to get “religious” services. More documents have been produced, for example, which show that no one from Scientology itself had signed the contracts that Jane Doe 1 says she was forced to sign merely for spending time there.

Documents recently produced by Defendants confirm that Scientology Defendants never accepted the Agreement and that Jane Doe did not participate in services at FLAG during her visit in 2002 or thereafter.

Her attorneys also make the point that Congress in 2022 passed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, which makes it illegal to enforce arbitration in cases of sexual assault. (We expect that, as usual, Scientology will argue that “religious” arbitration is a separate animal.)

So, a big day in court is coming for Jane Doe 1 on Feb 16 over Scientology’s usual arbitration gambit. Today, however, the case has a hearing regarding David Miscavige’s attempts to stay out of the lawsuit by arguing that he hasn’t been properly served the lawsuit.

We’ve told you before, numerous times, about how Miscavige plays this game, sending his personal attorney Jeffrey Riffer to make a “special appearance” and claims that they haven’t been properly noticed of the lawsuit.

And last week, Riffer filed a new document with the court, asking Judge Broadbelt to take notice that three years ago the judge who forced the Bixler v. Scientology case into religious arbitration (which was later overturned by an appeals court) had agreed with Miscavige that efforts to serve him weren’t sufficient, and he wasn’t named a defendant.

Riffer, of course, is hoping that Judge Broadbelt decides similarly today and finds that the money and time Jane Doe’s team has spent on process servers has all been in vain.

Also, as for Tuesday’s hearing in Leah Remini’s lawsuit, we checked with the court and were told that Judge Randolph Hammock has taken the motion to strike and anti-SLAPP filed by Scientology under submission and has not yet made a ruling. And as for the attempt by Miscavige to stay out of that lawsuit, his motion to quash is scheduled to be heard a week from today, and Judge Hammock’s court confirmed to us that no decision has been made yet about whether the Scientology leader has been formally served.

 
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Technology Cocktail

“A Service Facsimile is a computation generated by the being not the bank. An example of this is: ‘All horses sleep in beds.’ Such a computation locked away in the mind will obviously precipitate many compulsive doingnesses, beingnesses and havingnesses. An example of a doingness precipitated by the above computation would be: ‘Making beds for horses.'” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1966

 
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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

“You want to make a Clear Clear. You want to make somebody who won’t have any trouble with the Goals Problem Mass or any trouble with the bank from there on out, and all of his fondest hopes, and so forth. And of course, if you keep doing that in extremis and then straighten out the whole track, and take up all fragments of the Goals Problem Mass in their turn and handle all them, you’ll make an OT. You couldn’t help it. So you probably could make a Dynamic Clear or a Clear Clear, a stable, a very stable Clear by moving straight on through the Goals Problem Mass and getting these valences parked in their proper places on the track so they’re not troubling the pc, and so forth. And he’d stay that way. It’s taken trillennia to get these things assembled into a black sponge. And it’ll take him more trillennia to get them back together again because it’s quite accidental that they remain in that weirdly balanced balance. You mean somebody has got a package that comes from 10 trillion years ago, beautifully poised and balanced against a package that came from 110 trillion years ago, and he’s got a 100 trillion year loop in the Goals Problem Mass. And these two things are opposing each other gorgeously. How does he do it? I ask you. Thetans are skilled, but I never expected them to be that clever. But they actually can do it.” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 8, 1962

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“MIMEO FILES FB: DOUG LEWIS is removed as I/C and demoted in the same unit for being unable to handle people and neglecting to study the project or clarify intention. Robert Williamson is restored to Mimeo Files I/C with orders to get the files set up. Doug Lewis, Robert Williamson, Mort Smithberg and Richard Bunnell are affected by this order. It is noted that Smithberg, a speed typist, should never have been assigned to this unit and should be replaced soonest. The project has no typing or stencil cutting duties. Its sole duty is to set up and to file all loose mimeos on the ship NOW, NOW, NOW. I haven’t seen such an enmest mess for a long while!” — The Commodore, February 8, 1971

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“Scientologists that are in the know, myself, likewise, a former exoplanet space-academy member. The more we know and the less the cabal withholds info, spiritual awareness, and their hidden agendas, the easier and faster it will become to get the general population woke to injustice, and knowledgeable or aware enough to want and demand more knowledge, including the knowledge and technology of the LRH Bridge. The Sea Org motto is ‘We Return.’ The old sea was Space, and now, once again, the new sea will be a return to Space.”

 
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Past is Prologue

1999: Frequent Scientology protester Gregg Hagglund reported a visit to his elderly parents this week by representatives of Scientology. “One Catherine Manning and one AL Buttnor attempted to trick my parents into permitting them to enter their home. My parents are in their 80s and not in the best of health. I had extended the No Trespassing Notice I gave the Co$ to include my brothers home (which the Co$ had visited once before) and my parents home. It may be possible to bring charges of Criminal Assault by Trespass. My mother answered the door to a man and woman who identified themselves as Scientologists and wanted to come in and discuss ‘your sons religious bigotry’. My mother told them to go away and closed the door on them. This was the purpose of the visit. To let me know Co$ can reach out and impose themselves on my family members, cause upset and lend family pressure for me to ‘mind my own business’. Well while I love my parents and do not want them to suffer further upset I will not cease my open criticism of the Co$. I will not be intimidated or ‘shuddered into silence’ in this fashion.”

Random Howdy

“Stan Lee, Forrest J Ackerman and Hugh Hefner are the Holy Trinity of my adolescence.”

 
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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] After ‘Real Water’ fiasco, Scientology donor and former Nevada legislator files for bankruptcy
[TWO years ago] Danny Masterson’s ‘Dream Team’ lawyer angers ‘Aftermath’ producers with repeat subpoenas
[THREE years ago] NARCONON SHRINKAGE: Scientology lists only five US locations as ‘Fresh Start’ is removed
[FOUR years ago] War on wogs is hell: A peek inside Scientology right now, and it’s not pretty
[FIVE years ago] USC: SCIENTOLOGY FAKED LETTER FROM PROFESSOR TO DISNEY, PROBE OPENED
[SIX years ago] David Palter, 1952-2018: Remembering a Scientologist who became a steady critic
[SEVEN years ago] Ron Miscavige on life at Scientology’s secretive Gold Base (and getting thrown in its lake)
[NINE years ago] Ryan Hamilton’s plan to consolidate his lawsuits against Scientology rehabs is denied
[TEN years ago] Jon Atack on Scientology’s methods of ‘thought stopping’
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s Atlanta Drug Rehab Buys Its Way Out of Courtroom Nightmare

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 8, 2024 at 07:00

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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