TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Sadly, it was time to update our ‘Not Forgotten’ tribute. We have recently lost two giants of the field, Mark Plummer and Andreas Heldal-Lund, and so Observer has done a wonderful job adding them to the sylvan glen where our heroes relax under the shade of two stately oaks. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Evaluation, Q and A and an inability to listen resulting in the auditor chopping comm would be the chief reasons any errors would creep into the sessions given in the Repair Program. As these might not show up in the auditing reports, if the Repair Pgm sessions did not result in gain the C/S would have the auditor’s auditing checked for these points of Evaluation, Q and A and comm chop. The sessions are actually very easy to run and could be done by an Academy Class III or better by a Class VI.” — 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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“Every time you throw a book in the mails, you see, why there was so much effort coming back toward one, and it’s neglected. Similarly, let’s say, the colored gentleman who has a good, high-paid job: sticking his head through a canvas and letting people throw baseballs at him. I think that’s a well-honored profession of one time or another in carnivals and so on. All right. So here he has these baseballs coming in at him all the time. The visible picture, you see, is made of everything, but his attention goes on the incoming baseball. Yeah, but as this baseball is coming in, actually there is a contrary reaction that he pays no attention to, because he’s interested in the baseball. He’s not interested in that contrary reaction. He wishes there were more of it, if anything, you see, to slow that baseball down. And the next thing you know, he will have too many baseballs thrown at him. Now, he’s actually the — it isn’t the injuries of the baseballs or anything; it’s just the fact that he’s built up a ridge in front of his face that consists of not the incoming baseball, but the resistance going back against the baseball. You got the idea? Well, it’s the resistance back against that baseball that sticks there, not the baseballs. So he has too many baseballs thrown at him and all of a sudden gets a horrible feeling of pushing out that way.” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 2, 1961
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“Hey, how about completing TRs. One on the course is trying for a world’s record on TR 0. How about reading the HCOB and doing it? There is only one way off the course and that’s through it. 80 percent of one Class Xs pcs are on this course. For sure we want no Execs out there who can’t pass Zero. So….” — The Commodore, June 2, 1971
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“When I’ve surveyed some of the horrendous deeds I’ve done on the whole track, it has occurred to me that no amount of regret would do a thing to make up for those actions. In fact, nothing I could possibly do in PT could compensate for some of the crap I’ve done down the track. And so I concluded that there was no point in dwelling on these things. Best to act in terms of the greatest good now and work it around (with Scientology) so that I’m unlikely to do those things again. Your emotions are within your control, and regret is a place you don’t want to go.”
2001: Jam Showbiz News reported that the animated sequel to Battlefield Earth is in production. “Generally regarded as one of the most reviled big-budget films in recent history, the film of ‘Battlefield Earth’ was based on Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s novel of the same name. Despite the poor showing, Hubbard’s book has been licensed for a 13 episode animated series, to be done in the highly stylized Japanese animation format known as manga. Travolta will apparently not be providing the voice of Terl. Dan Haggerty, best known as TV’s Grizzly Adams, will fill the role, with action hero Chow Yun-Fat (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) mentioned as a voice for the non-English version of the series.”
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“In the cosmology of L. Ron Hubbard your children aren’t really ‘your’ children. Instead they are just non-corporeal immortal alien beings who popped into the genetic entity inhabiting the womb of the bigger thetan who proceeds to plop it out. They would have these little thetans signing billion-year contracts with their little footprints if they could.”
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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] Here’s the court order demanding Danny Masterson’s attorneys attend leak hearing
[TWO years ago] Le Monde & Vanity Fair: FBI probes Russian oligarch financing of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’
[THREE years ago] Scientology hype video celebrating its pandemic response is the bomb
[FOUR years ago] Steve Cannane took Scientology’s line, says unrepentant ‘Deep Sleep’ doctor
[FIVE years ago] Having conquered QR codes, Scientology goes all in on WhatsApp
[SIX years ago] Janis Gillham Grady on Scientology jail: ‘LRH had been like a father to me. So much betrayal!’
[SEVEN years ago] Scientologist’s lawsuit against Jim Carrey over Cat White’s suicide survives dismissal
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s tall tales about himself never get old
[NINE years ago] Scientology, six degrees of separation, and Miss Lovely — author Paulette Cooper
[TEN years ago] Ryan Hamilton files lawsuit number eleven against Scientology’s drug rehab network
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: What Did David Miscavige Tell the Troops Last Night?
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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 2,919 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,414 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,929 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,479 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,469 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,350 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,654 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,525 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,077 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,418 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,985 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,904 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,072 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,653 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,914 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,950 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,666 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,230 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,545 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,720 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,271 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,402 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,740 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,593 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,714 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,070 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,373 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,479 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,877 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,753 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,318 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,831 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,085 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,193 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 2, 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
