TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’re not fans of censorship, but today, 74 years since ‘Dianetics’ was first released and eventually produced the Scientology movement, shouldn’t there be some discussion about whether this vile turd belongs on library shelves, especially after all the damage it has done? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“When you are sitting in an auditing session what are the 3 important communication lines and what is their order of importance? 1. The first is the Pc’s line to his bank. The Itsa Maker line. 2. The second is the Pc’s line to the Auditor. The Itsa line. 3. The third is the Auditor’s line to the Pc. The What’s-it line.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1963
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [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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“The US in a Masterpiece has officially stated it has no responsibility for its money. They can say that twice. The scoop is that genius Nixon’s Federal Reserve Board lowered bank rates in the US, causing US investment money to flee to Europe. Nazi bankers caught the ball so deftly tossed to them by their US agents and began a smash attack on the dollar. Exchange is still 3.8 francs to a dollar in Switzerland. It should be 4.3. Costing us our shirts. We don’t dare deposit and lose. Somebody in the US Federal Reserve is working very hard for his Iron Cross First Class.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 9, 1971
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“ALL CREW: Please submit to me knowledge reports on any injustices that you may know about. Injustices must be righted. Thank you.” — Lt. Cmdr. Diana Hubbard, May 9, 1969
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“I realize now what I am exhibiting with all my wins; unbelievable, incredible, so many wins in such a short time… are all happening for a specific reason. That reason is, I am exhibiting a complete and accurate alignment of my basic purpose. My basic purpose on the whole track is to communicate Ron’s discoveries. To explain what the tech does for a spirit in a way that is easy for anyone to understand.”
1998: The St. Petersburg Times reported that Scientology announced the plans for the new Super Power building “After years of preparations and a series of design changes, the Church of Scientology says it has arrived at a ‘totally complete’ design for its massive new complex in downtown. Scientology officials say the expansion will lead to a dramatic increase in the number of parishioners who travel to Clearwater, the ‘spiritual mecca’ for the controversial church since 1975. Scientology also plans to increase its local staff by 1,000 in addition to the 1,000 now in Clearwater.”
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“David Miscavige is a South Philly street punk: rude, lewd, and crude. He wants to be Vito Genovese but he’s John Gotti instead. All flash and bravado with no real depth or vision.”
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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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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] Former London staffer tells his story: ‘Abuse is fundamental to Scientology’s very nature’
[TWO years ago] How Scientology’s ardent followers prove their loyalty with blind (or near-sighted) obedience
[THREE years ago] The Scientologist and the superstar hacker: A stock market fable for our times
[FOUR years ago] Dianetics at 70: Scientology’s bible, endorsing child molestation since May 9, 1950
[FIVE years ago] Death in the Timor Sea: The darkest war secret of Scientology’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard
[SIX years ago] Early witness Don Rogers on Hubbard and ‘prior lives’: ‘Nothing but a parlor hypnosis trick’
[SEVEN years ago] Danny Masterson hires Michael Jackson criminal defense attorney Tom Mesereau in rape probe
[EIGHT years ago] 66 years ago, L. Ron Hubbard transubstantiated from pulp writer to god among men
[NINE years ago] Scientology answers Garcia motion: We are definitely a bona fide worldwide religion!
[TEN years ago] Ryan Hamilton adds Colorado in new lawsuits against Scientology’s rehab network
[ELEVEN years ago] Search Warrant Affidavit: Scientology’s Atlanta Drug Rehab Billed $3 Million in Insurance Fraud
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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 2,895 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,390 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,905 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,455 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,445 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,326 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,630 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,501 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,053 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,394 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,961 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,880 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,048 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,629 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,890 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,926 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,642 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,206 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,521 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,696 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,247 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,378 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,716 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,569 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,690 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,046 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,349 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,455 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,853 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,729 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,294 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,807 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,061 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,169 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 9, 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
