Why doesn’t Scientology want you to see its wealthy donors, including Grant Cardone?

 
Scientology’s latest takedown demand of images we’ve posted at the Underground Bunker is a bit of a head-scratcher, but we figured we’d raise a stink about it anyway.

This time, church attorney Gary Soter complained to the Internet provider of our original website, tonyortega.org, about two posts from 2021 and 2022, before we had started posting our stories here at Substack.

Gary sounded particularly miffed that we had posted a couple of dozen images from Impact magazine which featured the 2022 New Year’s celebration, which in that pandemic year was held at the Fort Harrison Hotel auditorium in Clearwater, Florida, Scientology’s holiest site and leader David Miscavige’s refuge during Covid restrictions.

The issue featured photos of donors who had showed up for their trophies, as well as more casual shots of others who couldn’t make the trip.

We had posted the images, of course, under the Fair Use exception to copyright law because of the news value of these images. It’s news when Scientology reveals which wealthy donors are getting trophies for donating $1 million or more (sometimes much more) to Dave’s legal slush fund, the International Association of Scientologists.

And even though we know the law is on our side, we don’t have the resources to fight these battles and risk possible litigation with the likes of Scientology. We’d rather just take down the photos and keep on doing what we do, day after day.

But before we took down the images, we looked through them to try and determine which one had irked Dave and justified having Soter do all the work to get them down.

The images of Dave basking in the glory of a standing ovation? Maybe.

Or was it the photo of Grant and Elena Cardone and their two daughters along with a huge trophy for reaching Platinum Laureate With Honors for forking over $13.5 million, and also featuring Miscavige?

How did the Cardones rate having C.O.B. on stage with them? Well, it turned out they had given the most of any of the donors who had actually showed up for the ceremony. The bigger whales (Alan & Sheila Atkinson-Baker, Tom & Victoria Cummins, and of course Trish Duggan) didn’t make the scene.

Does Dave now regret having to stand on stage with a wanker like Grant, who only got the honor because Trish didn’t show up?

And isn’t it fun to dream up reasons for why Dave is unhappy with the Underground Bunker? Come on, do it yourself and let us know why Scientology is so hopping mad!

Also, hey Dave, thanks for reading!

Here again is the list of whales we featured in that 2022 story. Let’s make sure they get another round of Internet glory for their bowling trophies!

Gold Meritorious ($1 million)

Joe Baba (Kansas)

Ben & Adi Klevit (Oregon)

Teresa Coyle (California)

The Rawner-Parselle Family (East Grinstead, UK)

Stu Rosenbaum & Marie Guenat (Palm Harbor, Florida)

Stuart Guy & Ruaraidh MacLeod (East Grinstead, UK)

George Malnati (Clearwater)

Kevin & Julie Adney (Palm Harbor)

Gary Camp & Cheryl Caputo (Clearwater)

Gold Meritorious With Honors ($1.75 million)

Sean & Shannon Noll (Clearwater)

Platinum Meritorious ($2.5 million)

Greg Kingdon (Hat Yai, Thailand)

Dominique & Laurence Dambrin and Family (Sarvon, France)

Stephen & Urania Duque (Tampa)

Rob & LeAnn DeMotts (Clearwater)

Diamond Meritorious ($5 million)

Warren & LeAnn Meyer (Belleair, Florida)

Norm & Terri Novitsky (Clearwater)

Steve Fabos & Peggy Oppenheim Fabos (Golden, Colorado)

Platinum Laureate With Honors ($13.5 million)

Steve & Wendi-Lynn Hechtman (California)

Grant & Elena Cardone and Family (Miami)

Patron Excalibur ($20 million)

Alan & Sheila Atkinson-Baker (Florida)

Platinum Maximus With Honors ($37.5 million)

Tom & Victoria Cummins (Clearwater)

Patron of Legend ($300 million plus)

Trish Duggan (Florida)

Soter also submitted a takedown demand for a video we posted in July, 2021. We described it as a “hype video” to get Scientologists amped up to visit the Freewinds, Scientology’s cruise ship that plods between a couple of ports in the Caribbean.

At the time, the pandemic was still hanging on and we were all still dealing with various restrictions. But Scientology was anxious to advertise that it had set up an “OT Bubble” at the ship, and after a period of quarantine ashore, Scientologists could come on the ship and doff their masks.

There’s no narration to the 1 minute 40 second video, but these are the title cards that come up while we see happy folks cavorting on the old barge…

The world is in confusion

But guess what?

We’re not!

So take off the mask

Get in a hug

and cast off on your journey

TO OPERATING THETAN

Enter the OT UNIVERSE

Take the Helm of Your Life

Gain the Confidence To Succeed

Step Aboard Your OT Ship

Freewinds OT Bubble

Well, we hate to see that video go, but we’re sure that if you don’t recall it, you can still get a sense of what it was like with these title cards and some of that cheesy 90s thumping disco that Dave insists on putting in every video.

Thanks for reminding us of it, Dave!

 
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Technology Cocktail

“In Scientology a high TA means ‘overrun.’ The Dianetic auditor however doing Dianetics does not “rehab” the F/N. He is handling why the TA does go high. Mental mass consisting of pictures. A Scientology overrun goes by an F/N. In the F/N movement the mass moved away. It didn’t erase. If you keep on running the same action the mass moves in again. The Scientology auditor recovers the moment it moved off by ‘rehabbing the point of release.’ The Dianetic auditor in doing Dianetics finds the incomplete chain, carries it to basic and gets it GONE forever.” — 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.

 
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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 [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones

 
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Source Code

“The first time you ask your preclear, ‘Now let’s go out across the country until we find a sawmill running. All right, now step into the buzz saw.’ He’s going to say gulp. It’s going to astonish him. But you’d be surprised what happens to him when he finds out he can do just that. He’s going to realize all of a sudden that there he is. He can be anything. Well, if he can be anything then he can have an unlimited number of viewpoints. If he can have an unlimited number of viewpoints, then he can know anything, can’t he? Well, if it’s written down, he can certainly be in the middle of a book at the library and read it. Well, that’s very easy. Or if somebody knows it at that time, he can go pick that somebody’s brains. That’s right. Read somebody’s mind.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 24, 1953

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“It is NOT hygienic to leave damp towels flung DOWN on bunks when they should be hung UP to air; it is NOT hygienic to have dirty sheets left on unoccupied bunks. It is NOT good to have those areas emmesty and NOT squared up and looking decent and clean. Therefore, all occupants of men’s and women’s dorms may expect a thorough inspection tomorrow forenoon, Saturday.” — W/O Bob Prior, April 24, 1970

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“Scientology and LRH accomplished an effective impact on the world, despite everything! It’s difficult to prove, but this world would have been far different had there been no Scientology whatsoever.”

 
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Past is Prologue

1997: Jeff Jacobsen reported that the most recent Freedom newspaper gave details about a recent Scientology celebration and PR spin on the case of a woman who fled the Ft. Harrison hotel to jump into the bay. “Freedom newspaper issue 11 has a story ‘An evening celebrating the birthday of L. Ron Hubbard’ which is pretty interesting. David Miscavige was MC for the 3500 attendees. The article is noteworthy in that it gives NO figure to show that the church is expanding; only the claim that church is one ‘of the most vital and rapidly growing religions on earth.’ They don’t mention that they have claimed 8 million members since 1991. Some figures DM did give were; 3.8 million kids are now literate, 250,000 people gotten off drugs, 76,000 firms use Hubbard management tech, 53 million people furnished with the Way to Happiness. Also, they claim 17 million hits on their web pages since opening, and 7.5 million hits in the last 2.5 months. Dan Sherman is working on a bogus biography of Hubbard that again touts the idea that he was a war hero. A new church in London England and Florence Italy are now open. ‘Thought Police’ in Clearwater? which is about the woman who on March 1 ran out of the Ft. Harrison hotel at 5am. This article claims that the police saw her and decided to get involved so they could *deprogram her* from Scientology! ‘Her time there [at the police station], in essence, amounted to an unsuccessful attempt to ‘deprogram’ her from her religion.’ This article also states that Detective Tom Miller ‘helped members of the former CAN to stage a ‘demonstration’ in Clearwater in March 1996.’ This is bogus. The police were talking to both sides and trying to strike a deal wherein the police would have no problems that day. Detective Miller NEVER told us what to do or even made any suggestions. He was there for us to tell him what our plans were.”

 
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Random Howdy

“You can’t even receive auditing if you’re engaged in other ‘spiritual’ practices like meditation. The whole ‘other religions are OK with us’ is demonstrably false.”

 
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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 May 17, 2024.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud.

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Leah seeking to amend her complaint.
— 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 May 29.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, hearing on April 16.
— 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] How will today’s opening statements in the Danny Masterson retrial differ?
[TWO years ago] Scientology’s saddest celebrity, Eddie Deezen, committed after latest arrest
[THREE years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 1: The Feds
[FOUR years ago] Raising money in the time of the virus: Scientology will always find a way!
[FIVE years ago] It’s an anniversary of shame for Scientology: Will they go for a repeat?
[SIX years ago] Scientologist pair running for office double down on their denials about church involvement
[SEVEN years ago] Nan McLean in 1973: Rare Scientology documentary goes online, and it rocks
[EIGHT years ago] Texas Supreme Court asks for Monique Rathbun’s response to Scientology’s petition
[NINE years ago] Scientology opens a new ‘Ideal Org’ in Basel this weekend — nearly a year after its last one
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s drug rehab hit with another lawsuit; Laura D asked to turn over computer
[ELEVEN years ago] Claire Headley Tells Us How to Keep Scientology Working

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 24, 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