TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’ve seen numerous examples of Scientology employment contracts and pledges over the years. But we think it might be what new staff members are signing today as they dedicate themselves to a religion that spells out it won’t have to pay them a dime. Scary. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“I have found a major cause of blows from classes, orgs and Scientology. Overts are of course a primary cause but many have overts and don’t blow, so why do such people blow? A case audited past Exterior, particularly if it is not acked, tends to get stuck on Exteriorizing. This can (but doesn’t always by any means) cause the person to take himself away!” — 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
——————–
“Time is a temperature. I don’t know what that temperature is in Kelvin, but now that I know that time is a temperature, I can find it. And the moment I find the exact temperature, I could make any area, at any given instant, timeless or speed its time up. I know that sounds very strange. But this is a great discovery in physics. Only you know about it, but it is a great discovery in physics. It’s rather a staggerer. ” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 26, 1961
——————–
“MELBOURNE: We served a writ on Anderson, the ‘judge’ of the Melbourne Inquiry for legal faults. Ian Tampion there got lots of immediate raw public congratulations and good wishes. Dianetic Auditing is starting up there and the org will soon be reestablished. Some real good people are on the grounds.” — The Commodore, May 26, 1970
——————–
“I think that Scientologist women make very bad lovers. They can not enjoy sex freely. I think that Scientologist women make very bad wives. They put Ron before their husbands. I think Scientologist women make very bad mothers. Too many have shown to be willing to kill their own children if somebody in a position of authority in the Church of Scientology orders them to do so. It would be better if the same way that Scientology states clearly that it does not encompass the eighth dynamic, it also would clearly state that it does not address, handle, or encompass sex and sexual relationships.”
2001: Bob Minton posted a letter from Ben Shaw of Scientology’s Office of Special Affairs to his parole officer, claiming that Bob is in violation for assisting Keith Henson’s move to Canada. “One of the terms of his probation is; ‘You will live and remain at liberty without violating any law or any injunction (temporary or permanent) entered by this Court. A conviction in a court of law shall not be necessary in order for such a violation to constitute a violation of your probation.’ One of Mr. Minion’s associates is H. Keith Henson. Mr. Henson was found guilty for interfering, with threat or force, with the free exercise of the Scientology religion. On the day of his conviction Mr. Henson and his wife picketed the court house with a sign displaying the phone number of the Lisa McPherson Trust in Clearwater. Mr. Henson fled to Canada. A warrant has been issued for his arrest for this most recent breach oŁ California law. Mr. Minton placed a posting on the newsgroup bragging that ‘I helped him (Henson) escape BEFORE the fact.’ And in another posting which Mr. Minton directed to Mr. Henson, he asked, ‘You have enough money up there in Canada? If not, just let me know.’ Aiding and abetting the commission of a crime is a violation of California Penal Code. Mr. Minton therefore appears to be in violation of the terms of his probation. I assume that you will take appropriate action in dealing with this matter.”
——————–
“The ultimate goal of Hubbard’s bridge was to take all your money and then turn you into a slave once your money was gone. And if you did have enough money to make it all the way up the Bridge, the EP was hopefully insanity or suicide so you couldn’t sue Hubbard’s ass for fraud or spill the beans.”
——————–
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] Janis Gilham Grady and Mark Fisher: Taking you into Scientology’s abuses and its past
[TWO years ago] Continuing to chat with a Scientology celebrity: On ‘SP’ Danny Masterson, and more
[THREE years ago] Scientology chiros make pilgrimages to Clearwater before heading to prison
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s rising new anti-vaxx star, coming to a ‘re-open’ protest near you!
[FIVE years ago] What California’s controversial new confessions bill means for Scientology
[SIX years ago] Karen Pressley on the madness of Sea Org life: ‘I no longer belonged to my dreams’
[SEVEN years ago] L. Ron Hubbard was no Bill Shakespeare, but here’s some of his early playwriting anyway
[EIGHT years ago] What you didn’t see on ‘I Am Cait’: Kate Bornstein and Caitlyn Jenner at Scientology HQ
[NINE years ago] Scientology denied: Karen de la Carriere stops a takedown attempt on videos at her channel
[TEN years ago] The David Miscavige summons, and other dire news for Scientology’s drug rehab network
[ELEVEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Scientology Has Your Back!
——————–
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 2,912 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,407 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,922 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,472 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,462 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,343 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,647 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,518 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,070 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,411 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,978 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,897 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,065 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,646 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,907 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,943 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,659 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,223 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,538 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,713 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,264 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,395 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,733 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,586 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,707 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,063 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,366 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,472 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,870 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,746 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,311 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,824 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,078 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,186 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on May 26, 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
