TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: After our last discussion with Valerie Haney, we still can’t believe that Scientology is getting away with abusing her once again under the excuse of ‘religious arbitration,’ tucked away in a sea of warehouses. And the church this week celebrated how it’s getting away with it [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“When you exteriorize somebody or he exteriorizes during auditing he gets keyed in a bit and without having audited earlier INTERIORIZATIONS, he has been put in the last part (exteriorization) of an incident which began with Interiorization. Not only are you touching on something (exteriorization) late on a chain (which has hundreds of billions of like incidents ahead of it), you are also touching something which is late in the incident (which began with interiorization).” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1970
——————–
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
— 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
——————–
“This is probably how the ancient magician enchanted things. Possibly princes have turned into deer in the forest. If you took a period in the magic universe when thetans were still capable of mocking up their own bodies, and you pulled some shocking stunt on the person and sandwiched them in that ‘You are now a deer,’ why, he’d cease to mock up the prince and start mocking up a deer, don’t you see? And he would be an enchanted deer. That would be how enchantments were accomplished. I mean, the mechanism of enchantment is no cruder than that.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 24, 1962
——————–
“FISH AND SAUSAGES: There’s a native street off the main drag where fresh grilled fish, and a kind of hot dog and other bits cost about 10 cents apiece or less. Cokes can be gotten nearby. Don’t shoot the prices up. Interesting area.” — The Commodore, May 24, 1970
——————–
“When I see former corporate Scientologists in the free world expressing doubts or outright disagreements with the truth or workability of Scientology – or railing against KSW, the thought immediately comes to mind that the person was failed by the organization somewhere along the line. Either that, or that person is a true SP who is only interested in using the tech to suppress and dominate others.”
1999: Web book store amazon.com this week removed Jon Atack’s book A Piece of Blue Sky from its offerings. Amazon later announced that it would reverse the decision, but the book is still missing from Amazon, despite continued availability on other bookstore sites. From Wired News: “Amazon.com has removed a controversial book from its listings, a book well known for angering the Church of Scientology. A Piece of Blue Sky, by UK writer Jon Atack, is an expose of the Scientology movement from its creation in 1950 until the death of founder L. Ron Hubbard in 1986. The book disappeared from Amazon’s site only recently. Amazon spokeswoman Lizzie Allen would only say that ‘under certain circumstances, for legal reasons, we need to stop selling a book. I really just can’t comment any further.’ Officials at the Church of Scientology said they have had nothing to do with the removal of the book from Amazon’s site. One woman told Wired News that the book was illegal to sell in the United Kingdom, and that was why Amazon had removed the book. ‘It was declared defamatory because it contained false statements,’ said church spokeswoman Linda Peters. ‘Amazon didn’t know about it. We don’t really know who alerted them. There are a lot of Scientologists around the planet.’ Peters said the ruling took place ‘four or five years ago.’ Amazon’s Allen said she was surprised that the church would speak for Amazon, but she still couldn’t say what had prompted the bookseller to remove the book. But the ‘legal reasons’ can’t be very far-reaching, since both barnesandnoble.com and Books.com still offer it for sale. ‘We haven’t been contacted by anyone to remove this book,’ said Lisa Lanspery, manager of external communications for barnesandnoble.com. ‘It’s on our site and it’s going to stay there.'”
——————–
“There are no shortage of folks here who enjoy a serious discourse, and there are those like myself who love satire, snark, and the absurd. That’s what makes this place so special. You need to be able to appreciate both to truly get the whole groovy effect of this place. And there’s a difference between respecting people and respecting their ‘beliefs’.”
——————–
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.
——————–
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?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Bruce Hines: Scientology has always protected abusers and always will
[TWO years ago] Yes, Narconon IS Scientology, and we have video that settles the matter
[THREE years ago] How the Scientology drama in Danny Masterson’s prelim appeared to a former Sea Org official
[FOUR years ago] VIDEO: Proof Scientology still promotes Hubbard’s bizarre ideas about evolution
[FIVE years ago] How Scientology created its own prison for children who chafed at lifetime service
[SIX years ago] When rabid Scientologists got into a fistfight with US marshals to protect L. Ron Hubbard
[SEVEN years ago] Believe it or not, a second season of Reza Aslan’s ‘Believer’ is coming
[EIGHT years ago] As Scientology sinks, does Tom Cruise really have to go down with the ship?
[NINE years ago] Paulette Cooper has a surprise for Scientology and the residents of a certain Florida town
[TEN years ago] When Scientologists sell each other Scientology: ‘I’m me for the first time in trillions of years’
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s Enforcer Has a New Book: Will This Be The One We’re Waiting For?
——————–
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 2,910 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,405 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,920 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,470 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,460 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,341 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,645 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,516 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,068 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,409 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,976 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,895 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,063 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,644 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,905 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,941 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,657 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,221 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,536 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,711 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,262 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,393 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,731 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,584 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,705 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,061 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,364 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,470 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,868 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,744 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,309 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,822 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,076 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,184 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on May 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, 1995-2023 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
