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BANNED IN EAST GRINSTEAD: How we got blacklisted for asking about Scientology

[Mayor Visser enjoying himself on Scientology’s stage]

We have something pretty special for you today, and we need to do a little work to explain what it’s all about.

Underground Bunker readers have appreciated the initiative that former Scientology London staffer Alexander Barnes-Ross has been showing in recent months, and we had a lot of fun watching him hold a three-day protest at Scientology’s IAS gala weekend at its UK headquarters, Saint Hill Manor, in East Grinstead, England, in November.

One of the results of that weekend was that we were all fairly stunned to see the gung-ho involvement of East Grinstead Mayor Frazer Visser, who was on stage on the third day of the event, during the charity ball (see the photo above).

As a result of that, Alex and others began asking questions about just how involved the East Grinstead Town Council, including the mayor, was with Scientology.

In order to find out, Alex began making some requests for information from the Council, and he tipped us that there might be something interesting going on during a January 29 Town Council meeting that would be broadcast online.

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Acting on that tip, we requested to view the meeting, and we were sent a link by the Council. We watched as four members of the public, at the beginning of the meeting, asked some pretty pointed questions of the Council, and Mayor Visser shut down any further discussion of Scientology. Later, when the Council posted video of the meeting, they had cut out that portion with the questions about Scientology, and then at another point even removed any mention of it from a written description of the meeting.

Clearly, the Council was struggling with how to react to this new level of scrutiny.

In fact, we were hearing from our sources that Alex’s requests for information, and the debacle of the January meeting, had caused something of an uproar in the Council itself, and we heard that emails were flying between the Councillors about what to do about it.

That inspired your Proprietor to send the Council a request of our own, on February 23, for “Any and all internal email communications between Councillors from 31st January 2024 relating to Alexander Barnes Ross; specifically any suggestions made by Council Leader Helen Farren and/or the Town Clerk as to how to respond to the FOI requests he made relating to the redaction of Council Meeting minutes.”

The Council acknowledged our request, and let us know it would take some time to fulfill. So we waited patiently.

Then, this week, the Council sent us over a document that they said fulfilled our request.

In other words, we had hit paydirt, and we think you will find the document the Council sent us pretty interesting. We’ve asked Alex to provide some annotations to the document, which turns out to be an email from Council Leader Helen Farren to the other Councillors about Alex’s information requests.

But first, before we show you that, we wanted to show you something from the Council’s response to us, which included a paragraph that we were a bit surprised to find.

Further to the above, we have been advised on instruction to inform you that East Grinstead Town Council, now decline to respond any further on this subject. We are aware of the relationship between yourself and other parties which is clearly aimed to to disrupt Council business and cause a disproportionate and unjustified level of disruption and distress. If you are dissatisfied with this you have the right to make representation to the Information Commissioner.

Kind regards,

East Grinstead Town Council

We have to admit, this takes us aback. In the 28 years that we have been reporting on Scientology, we have only ever communicated with the East Grinstead Town Council twice. First, when we asked for that link in January to watch their online meeting. And second, when we sent in our information request.

That’s it. And now the Town Council is saying that our communications are “aimed to disrupt Council business,” and they won’t be taking any more of our calls or emails.

We’re banned in East Grinstead. Is that something or what?

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“You have been reporting on Scientology since literally the year I was born,” Alex said when we showed him the letter. “Your reporting on my efforts to expose Scientology in the UK represents just one out of dozens of developing stories you have covered recently and I fail to see how the Council could reasonably assume your motive in submitting a Freedom Of Information request was to cause an ‘unjustified level of disruption and distress.’ By doing so, East Grinstead Town Council have made an unjustified attack on the ethical standard of your reporting — as well as continuing the false narrative that I am on some mission to disrupt the Council. Do my efforts not make it clear enough that my motive is, in fact, to hold those to account who are enabling and supporting the abusive, child trafficking, money laundering cult to which I once fell victim?”

Thank you, apostate friend to the Underground Bunker. Now, here is the email that our request pried out of the hands of the Council, and Alex’s annotations…

 
From: [redacted]
Sent: 20 February 2024 17:34
To: [redacted]

Dear all Councillors,

I must start this email by apologising for not sending an email earlier.

In honesty, the situation has been very challenging for everyone dealing with it over the last weeks and months and over recent days even more so. It has taken its toll.

[Alex: I fully appreciate this issue has caused more of a stir than anybody expected or realised when it was first raised by a local resident on Twitter back in November. However, time and time again the Council has demonstrated stark insensitivity to the toll this ordeal has had on the brave abuse survivors who are simply asking for accountability. It is the Council’s own response to our concerns that has led us to where we are now.]

We, as you all know, are not in partnership with CoS. Any suggestion otherwise is categorically untrue.

[Alex: Instead of commenting on this one, I’m just going to provide you with the evidence and let you make up your own mind. In the words of former Mayor Dick Sweatman, “The Town Council and Church of Scientology at Saint Hill work very closely together.”]

Please find below a full update on the latest situation:

— The statement was sent to [redacted] as discussed and agreed by the council Monday 5th, February.

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— The complainant raised further concerns about the redaction of the public section of the Council meeting recordings. A reply was also sent — as also agreed on Monday 5th February.
— Since then, there have been 2 more FOI requests.

[Alex: I have only ever submitted four FOIs to EGTC dated 17th November, 25th November, 27th January and 1st February. I have, however, been reporting on this story as it develops on Scientology Business and on social media and quite rightly, members of the public are outraged at the Council’s behaviour and response to the concerns raised. I am not surprised in the slightest that others have followed suit in submitting FOI requests, but this comment is based on the Leader of the Council’s assumption I have orchestrated some form of FOI campaign and I would suggest perhaps she considers the alternative: that this issue has caused a great deal of concern among local residents (and the wider general public), who are also seeking accountability and greater transparency.]

— It is the reply to these extra FOI requests that have caused the upset and confusion over the weekend. The reply was received and added to the YouTube channel within half an hour.

[Alex: Well, what can I say… thanks for supporting my efforts and watching my videos! Drop me an email and I’ll give you a discount code for my merch store.]

(As I stated at the start of this email, I should have emailed you all to explain this. The timing was difficult in sending out communications to you all and to the individual and to manage the issues and wellbeing of the council officers who have had to dig deep to deal with this situation.)

[Alex: Having been a Scientology staff member, I can certainly empathise and understand the importance of wellbeing and mental health. However, I think it’s important to note that every step of the way (like when they called me a bully, for example) the Council have shown little to no regard for my wellbeing – or others like Danielle Chamberlin, who bravely stood up and shared her story of abuse at the Council meeting on 29th January. If Council officers are feeling overwhelmed or distressed by the extra work generated by this whole fiasco, perhaps they would consider my initial proposal, which still stands, of simply briefing the council on why this is an important issue and reconsidering their relationship with Saint Hill… Doing so back in November would have resulted in far less work for the Council over the preceding months.]

— As some of you are already aware, the Council Officers have taken advice from [redacted] who provide Data Protection Officer services to the Countil in respect of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and communications from one individual [redacted] which have been received during a period of 3 months by the Council and Councillors directly.
— I attended a meeting with [redacted] representatives, [redacted] and [redacted] (in the absence of [redacted]) on Monday 12 February to discuss the matter and to discuss the content related to the Council which is being used on social media on the individual’s channels and accounts.

[Alex: I’m struggling to see how, or why it is an appropriate use of public funds to pay for people’s time looking at a single member of the public’s social media accounts. Although of course I’m appreciative of the views on my videos, I would suggest it would have been better for the Council to have used this time to meet with me back in November to hear our concerns and work collaboratively to find a solution instead… But then again, these Councillors have years (in some cases decades) of experience I don’t have in public office so one would hope they would serve better judgment on such things.]

Our response subsequently was based on their advice in regards to the vexatious and bully nature of some of the correspondence we have received.
— Responses have now been sent to the latest FOI requests.

Next steps Following the response, a panel meeting has been requested under our complaint’s procedure. This is being arranged for March and the complainant has been invited to attend the Council offices (as per policy) where his complaint will be reviewed with evidence supplied by both parties. We were advised that this could be declined but I felt it was important to complete the complaints process and meet in person.

[Alex: I am thankful for the Council Leader to agree that an in-person meeting might be a more efficient way of resolving this matter; however if that is truly her view I just have to wonder why my offer to do exactly that was not taken up months ago, and instead was allowed to drag on resulting in a formal complaints procedure four months later?]

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Support I understand the distressing effect this has had on some of you and [redacted]. We are doing everything we can to support colleagues during this time. Please do reach out if you would like to discuss this further.

[Alex: Let’s just contrast this to the letter I received from the Council on 16th February: “Your requests, complaint, attempts to disrupt council meeting question times as well as the bullying tactics that you have employed on members of the town council have met the threshold [..] East Grinstead Town Council now decline to respond on the basis that this and any further requests for data or complaints relating to this subject are vexatious and would cause a disproportionate and unjustified level of disruption and distress… we decline to respond to you any further on this matter.”]

On a practical level, if you feel that this matter has impacted you on a personal level it would be helpful to make a note of this in a written personal statement, should you need any advice on this please email [redacted] and the appropriate Council officer will contact you.

In addition, if you feel it is appropriate you can also report any harassment be this on-line, verbally or in writing to Sussex Police via their online reporting service.

[Alex: Firstly, was it really necessary to use bold type, here? To me, this could almost be interpreted as the Leader of the Council suggesting or even encouraging her colleagues to report me to the Police.

Secondly, this only demonstrates the Council’s ignorance and need for education on Scientology’s Fair Game tactics I (and so many others) are subjected to on a daily basis. Since I started speaking out I have received a constant barrage of hate messages and attack videos on social media – and last week I even got my first death threat. Scientology have issued lengthy statements to the press describing me as an anti-religious bigot who is attempting to exploit my “few weeks” of participation in the Church and that I’m now part of a hate group online. Some of the more notable tweets I’ve received recently include “you are nothing but an attention whore”, “alex is butthurt cuz he got kicked out, twice lol” and “This is a disgusting lie and shows what a hateful little person you are.”…. If East Grinstead Town Council genuinely consider 4 FOI requests and my polite emails asking for accountability to be harassment, it only makes it clearer how ill-informed they are on how the organisation they are publicly defending treats its former members.. and why I am fighting so hard to educate them on the reality of the cult in their own backyard.]

Working together I am aware there has been some division amongst some councillors.

[Alex: Although he is yet to release an official statement, it might be worth noting this email is dated 20th February, just 3 days before John Dabell handed in his resignation as Councillor.]

To reiterate, East Grinstead town council are not in partnership with CoS. Any suggestion otherwise is categorically untrue.

I have taken the time to speak to some of you including the less vocal councillors amongst us and I am pleased so many have supported and are in agreement with the action taken.

[Alex: “I have taken the time to speak to some of you” …but not to speak with me, or any members of the public who have voiced their concerns?]

It is important that we work together and follow the expert advice we have been provided to bring about a successful resolution to this issue.

[Alex: “It is important that we work together” No kidding – this is what I’ve been calling for since my first contact with the Council back in November! I am certainly no expert, but my suggestion is that the Council reviews who they are getting their advice from.. This matter could’ve been resolved so much quicker and easier by simply agreeing to a briefing and listening to local residents. And I’m still struggling to grapple the concept of any official body advising or even supporting a Town Council taking such an aggressive, vicious response to very valid concerns about a local issue with national significance.]

To that effect, it is strongly advised that individuals avoid using social media and other channels to discuss the issue.

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[Alex: At least they’re being equal to both sides and not just trying to silence the victims.]

And in line with that we will not be putting out a further public statement at this time.

To reiterate, please note the following information:

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— Councillors are advised not engage with this individual either in writing or on social media, please note that communications may come from other individuals/sources as well.

[Alex: Again, the Leader of the Council is continuing the narrative that I am orchestrating some form of planned attack involving multiple people which is simply not the case. The concerns I’ve raised are legitimate and frankly worrying, and I understand it may be a hard pill for the Council to swallow but it has gained public interest – it’s not just me.]

— We have been advised by the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) to collate evidence, as it could be required should the individual make a complaint to the ICO (Information Commissioners Office) in respect of any Freedom of Information (FOI) requests which we have responded to under section 14(1) of the FOIA Dealing with vexatious requests (section 14) ICO
— Any communications received connected to this matter should be forwarded to the council to retain as evidence, if the communication is in the form of a phone call a note should be made of this and again forwarded to the council to retain as evidence. Please send to [redacted], the [redacted] email account.

Please contact me if you have any queries and I will ensure that any more communications you are notified in a more timely manner. I will also report to all councillors the outcome of the complaint when the meeting has taken place and any other conversation that is had at that time to assist in this matter.

Kind regards, [redacted]

[Alex: I can confirm that since this email was written, the ICO have launched an investigation into the Council’s rejection of my FOI request and I will be sure to provide you with updates as this progresses.]

 
What is the surest sign that East Grinstead’s Town Council is under too much influence of the Church of Scientology? That it has reacted so clumsily to merely being asked about it, for one thing.

We’re glad that our polite request resulted in the disclosure of this email, which pretty clearly demonstrates the panic in the Council over Alex’s requests for information.

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Perhaps if they spent more energy investigating Scientology and what it is doing in East Grinstead, and less time erasing meeting minutes and banning reporters, they might learn something really important and useful about their charming little town.

 
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Technology Cocktail

“Why Dianetics fell out of use had nothing to do with its workability. It has worked and well since 1950. In some areas, mainly the US, it was illegal to heal or cure anything. There was even a law in California giving 25 illnesses that were against the law to cure. The ‘Better’ Business Bureau in the US even issues pamphlets that state that ‘You can always tell a fake healer because he says he can cure something’.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1969

 
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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.

 
——————–

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

“I’m not down on religion. I believe in religion, except I don’t believe in limited religion. If we’re going to have two gods let’s worship two gods, that’s all. If we’ve got to have worship of gods, let’s at least worship the minimum number allowable in this universe. Now, let’s not fool around with this religion, tell people what they can’t do with religion and what they can do with religion. We’ve just got religion — if we’re going to have religion, then let’s be honest with it and look and see and find this to be the case: that everybody who starts worshiping one god and one god only, and shaping his pathway straight toward one god and only one god and good, and it’s good, and that’s all we can have anything to do with is good, winds up bad. Ever know any minister’s sons?” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 23, 1953

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“Had a good break today on Research. Cracked why one can’t be audited after exteriorization so one can. Will push OT ability up out of sight. I do get my own hats worn despite randomity!” — The Commodore, March 23, 1970

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“It was LRH’s mistake that he failed to perceive that each major triangle was actually two triangles: a white one and a black one. He should have perceived it because he knew Magick, and must have known very well that when summoning any basic universal force that the negative side of that force must be bound FIRST, in order to receive only the positive. (All primal forces in the universe are arranged in a dichotomy with part at or near the top of the tone scale and the other part at or near the bottom.) He failed to bind the black triangles (the KRC also), and they devoured him. To say it in Scientology terms, he failed to confront the lower scale ‘R’ of the ARC triangle, therefore it persisted. The more he failed to confront it, the bigger it became, and after some years the white triangle vanished under a wave of SO force: ‘What does your material state?,’ ‘Make it go right!’ and other black ARC.”

 
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Past is Prologue

2001: The film Battlefield Earth, based on a book by L. Ron Hubbard, won seven “Razzie” awards, given to the worst films of the year. From CBC news: “The jurors of the 21st annual Golden Raspberry Foundation had little difficulty selecting the absolutely rottenest movie of the year: Battlefield Earth. The movie starring John Travolta won seven ‘Razzies’ for worst movie, worst actor, worst supporting actor, worst supporting actress, worst director, worst screen couple, and worst screenplay. Battlefield Earth was a runaway winner over such dismal contenders as Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 and The Next Best Thing. ‘It was actually a cakewalk for jurors. Battlefield was truly wretched,’ said John Wilson, founder of Golden Raspberry Foundation. The Razzies are handed out every year on the eve of the Academy Awards. The trophy consists of a plastic raspberry atop a film can, valued at $4.29 (US).”

 
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Random Howdy

“I remember growing up in the 60’s, and this idea that all of our problems were due to suppressed subconscious desires or traumatic incidents we had ‘forgotten,’ and if some psych could make us remember we would be miraculously whole and normal again like Liz Taylor, was the concept that was being pushed on everyone. Hubbard just took the bullshit and ran with it.”

 
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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 March 26, 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: motion to file new complaint, hearing on March 20.
Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, hearing on March 26.
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] Meet John Blosser, Scientology’s new shill, who is targeting Graham Berry
[TWO years ago] An insider’s report on David Miscavige at Scientology founder’s birthday event 2022
[THREE years ago] Danny Masterson accusers take Scientology ‘arbitration’ to California Supreme Court
[FOUR years ago] The wealthy donors keeping Scientology in business, New Year’s 2020 edition
[FIVE years ago] Carol Es on 20 years in Scientology: ‘You’re programmed to think emotions are weak’
[SIX years ago] Stop interacting with Scientology’s Internet trolls. Here’s proof it can backfire on you badly.
[SEVEN years ago] State investigators fired for blowing the whistle on Scientology’s rehabs get hearing in Denver
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology attorney Bert Deixler takes another swing at Karen de la Carriere
[NINE years ago] ‘Going Clear’: Mike Rinder helps us understand a Scientology document that will creep you out
[TEN years ago] Three weeks out of Scientology: Fresh information from a ‘blown’ Sea Org member
[ELEVEN years ago] Blood Brother Ron: Starting Out Life on the Wrong Blackfoot

 
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Scientology disconnection, a reminder

Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 2,848 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,343 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,858 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,408 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,398 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,279 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,583 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,454 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,006 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,347 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,914 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,833 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,001 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,582 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,843 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,879 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,595 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,159 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,474 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,649 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,200 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,331 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,669 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,522 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,643 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,999 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,302 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,408 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,806 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,682 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,247 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,760 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,014 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,123 days.

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 23, 2024 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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