TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Last August the Daily Mail claimed Tom Cruise was leaving #Scientology because he hadn’t been showing up in East Grinstead, England. Now InTouch Weekly is saying that Tom Cruise is leaving Scientology because he’s not showing up in Los Angeles. Oh, brother. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Exteriorization is defined as the act of moving out of the body with or without full perception. It is the fact of this act which proves that the individual is not a body but an individual. This discovery in 1952 proved beyond any question the existence of a thetan, that the individual was a thetan, not a body, and disproved that man was an animal, and that he was a spiritual being timeless and deathless.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1970
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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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“Now you get down toward the Center of this galaxy and the possibility of finding somebody without the Helatrobus Implants, of finding any foreign implant system, will probably be totally negligible. Probably nonextant, you see? But out here you got a mixed bag and we don’t know what they did in the next galaxy. See? Now, science fiction writers following the cue of some chap, I’ve forgotten his name now, Einstein, Beinstein, something like that, who said that MC squared over C wouldn’t go, man, and that the speed of light could not be excessive. And actually I was looking up some speed tables the other day, and a trillion light years per day is not full throttle on a space wagon. So there’s traffic between galaxies and there’s traffic between islands of galaxies and other islands of galaxies. Interesting.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 21, 1963
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“The auditing was in general better today. Auditors go in fads — now it’s ‘feelings.’ Nobody has any aches, pains or misemotions. They have ‘feelings!’ What happened to good old PAIN. Some aren’t able to confront the flak we get into. It takes a bit of guts to be around Flag. And some get very nervous and want to leave. We have 3 or 4 good things I don’t quit. Thanks for holding the ship together.” — The Commodore, May 21, 1969
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“The local ruling corporeals sit around in their disposable clones in their underground arenas doing figure-figure on who will be the prophesied coming messiah, poor devils. I’m glad you saw this for yourself and on the higher levels of the playing field(s). I can only ask myself, ‘What is your (meaning ‘my’) cause?’ so as not to get into self-defeating contention with those who hold onto non-life and covert goals. Eyes wide open.”
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1996: The Los Angeles Times published an article on Earthlink, the Internet provider founded by cult member Sky Dayton. “EarthLink’s expansion, however, has so far been privately funded by an eclectic mix of investors, including El Dorado Ventures, a venture capitalist firm; Warren Musser, president of Safeguard Scientific; and National Media Corp., an infomercial production company. Discussions on Internet news groups such as la.general and alt.religion.scientology and a World Wide Web site have focused on Dayton’s affiliation with the church – and on the actions of another Earthlink employee in battling church critics on the Internet. Dayton acknowledges that at the beginning, a large portion of EarthLink employees were Scientologists. With the company’s growth, though, the proportion has fallen to a small fraction, he says. Earthlink also used Hubbard management techniques in its early days. Dayton says the Hubbard methods are secular and have nothing to do with the religion of Scientology, and that in any case they are no longer in use at the company.”
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“The only other ‘church’ I can think of that stoops to calling people names is the Westboro Baptist Church.”
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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 31, 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.
— 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, on hold until appeal over new judge heard.
— 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] Scientology spying on Amy Scobee and Mat Pesch: Cameras pointed in their home
[TWO years ago] THE VALESKA PARIS DECLARATION: Here’s her full report to Clearwater PD on Scientology abuses
[THREE years ago] Day four of the Danny Masterson prelim: The arguments and a ruling!
[FOUR years ago] Scientology so stoked you watched ‘Spread a Smile’ video, it’s trying to cash in tonight
[FIVE years ago] A Scientologist is brutally murdered in Peoria, but you didn’t hear it from Scientology
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s elaborate use of child labor for pennies an hour, spelled out in black and white
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology may be crumbling, but around the world it’s still plotting a planetary takeover
[EIGHT years ago] Atack: Contradictions in L. Ron Hubbard’s “tech” only increase Scientology discipline
[NINE years ago] Leah Remini and Paulette Cooper? Scientology can start worrying now
[TEN years ago] No, LA Weekly, Tom Cruise’s career was not ruined by a GIF
[ELEVEN years ago] Disconnection: Scientology’s Most Toxic Sacrament
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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 2,907 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,402 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,917 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,467 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,457 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,338 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,642 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,513 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,065 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,406 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,973 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,892 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,060 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,641 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,902 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,938 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,654 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,218 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,533 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,708 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,259 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,390 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,728 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,581 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,702 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,058 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,361 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,467 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,865 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,741 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,306 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,819 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,073 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,181 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 21, 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, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), 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
