TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology is pretty unique in the way it openly attacks reporters with smeary broadsides supposedly written by concerned individual Scientologists. Recently, the church redoubled its attack on a journalist it said was caught in a scandal, and we decided to look more closely. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“In TR 103 the coach occupies the position of a bull-baiter who interjects distractions, bull-baiting and disruptive remarks into the ‘session’ between student and doll. He can throw in answers on behalf of the doll which the student must abide by; but the coach does not play the part of ‘pc.’ Don’t go playing the role of ‘pc’ on a real set of process commands!” — 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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“How about the big boy who becomes the big boy, and he’s been a local boy in some town, and all of a sudden he becomes a big boy. And he’s highly powerful on Wall Street. And he never again speaks to any of his friends in the old home town. Jesus, those people resent that. That is so much the matter of the thing that I can tell you personally that it’s almost impossible to speak to them. That is to say, if you’ve been in an area where you’ve been very well known and you suddenly become, oh, you might say, become a celebrity or something like that, these people won’t believe that you want to talk to them, you see? They’re so used to having the formula violated. You get the idea?” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 25, 1965
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“TO ALL ABOARD: (1) Anyone who makes any shuffle, bang, clatter — ANY NOISE — while the Commodore is IN SESSION will get NO AUDITING themselves for 3 months. (2) For FEBC’s — they lose a week’s stats. (3) The Commodore’s Messengers are keeping a list of these people and will turn the list in to D of P as well as a copy for Dir I&R. If one isn’t considerate enough to let the Commodore audit — one doesn’t deserve it himself. (4) If the Port Prom deck is roped off — it is for a PURPOSE — don’t go walking under the rope. IT IS OUT OF BOUNDS! (5) The radio room is OUT OF BOUNDS when LRH is IN SESSION too. (6) If the A & B Deck ladies heads are closed off with a sign saying ‘LRH IN SESSION NO ENTRY’ you don’t walk under the rope — go somewhere else!” — Msm Terri Gillham, Commodore’s Messenger, May 25, 1971
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“With Scientology one has a shot at regaining the ability to create or un-create, by one’s own abilities, either one, or any of the myriad and infinite variations of motion of particles across a distance, given and received in the game of communication.”
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2000: Bryan Zwan issued subpoenas this week to critics of Scientology, attempting to obtain information on former Scientologist Brian Haney. Haney is suing for delivery of stock options that were awarded him in a fraud case. Zwan cited Haney’s support of Scientology critics as the reason for withholding the options, worth hundreds of millions of dollars. From Gregg Hagglund: “I recently received a subpoena from a US District Court in Southern Ohio in the Zwan/Haney raucous. Since I consulted my lawyer and I am entitled to my expenses for your willful harassment. Please remit to me $500 Can. Since you have gone to so much trouble to engage a Reporting firm here in Canada for me to bring my documents to for copying on June 1, I intend to go. I shall bring close to 500,000 pages of documents and correspondence for copying and transmission to your offices on your clients nickel. If you can find any communique in that pile from Mr. Haney, Brown or HSH Investments you are welcome to it.”
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“There is plenty room around here for the J&D’s as well as the ‘Herberts’ and if people cross way over the line they usually get their asses straightened out by both sides.”
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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] Deborah Rennard fends off ugly accusations by Haleigh Breest in new affidavit
[TWO years ago] Meet the heavy-hitter lawyers Scientology has hired for labor trafficking case
[THREE years ago] Is Scientology protecting Danny Masterson or is it protecting itself? A Sea Org perspective.
[FOUR years ago] On Memorial Day, Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s ‘stolen valor’: His bogus war injuries
[FIVE years ago] Behind enemy li(n)es: Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s secret mission that never was
[SIX years ago] Erika Christensen shows off her new Scientology trophy for donating half a million bucks
[SEVEN years ago] Our photographer goes back for more Scientology ‘body routing’ on the streets of LA
[EIGHT years ago] As Scientology prepares for Saturday’s grand opening, its controversial sign goes up
[NINE years ago] On Memorial Day, some new revelations from L. Ron Hubbard’s military record
[TEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: Save the date for Maiden Voyage!
[ELEVEN years ago] Jon Atack on Scientology — “The Church of Hate”
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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 2,911 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,406 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,921 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,471 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,461 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,342 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,646 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,517 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,069 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,410 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,977 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,896 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,064 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,645 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,906 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,942 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,658 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,222 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,537 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,712 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,263 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,394 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,732 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,585 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,706 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,062 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,365 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,471 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,869 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,745 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,310 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,823 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,077 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,185 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 25, 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
