TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: After we posted the most recent version of our ‘Not Forgotten’ memorial, which included Quentin Hubbard, the troubled son of #Scientology’s founder, we received this touching tribute from Val Ross, looking back at the way the press covered Quentin’s demise. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“When speed is the consideration, not results, you get a very cheap camera or car. And you can expect it to fall apart very soon. You also get a cheap reputation. We are in the Leica and Cadillac and Rolls Royce product class without trying.” — 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
——————–
“We follow the rule — if it’s out out there it begun by being out on Flag. In getting it in on Flag we know how to get it in out there. That’s why management orgs must never be separate from a service org — separated, management goes unreal. You can’t say that about Flag. We really get our hands dirty. Unlike the housewife who criticizes the neighbors while her own living room is mountained with garbage, we clean it up at home first. Then we’re in a position to tell others how to do so. See, ma! Clean hands!” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 10, 1971
——————–
“DRESS: Dear All, regarding our uniforms and dress — we looked a rather mottled lot on the dock yesterday and it was necessary to delay the Port Captain’s arrival to prevent him seeing us all in that state. Please remember we are an important ship round these ports so we must look that way. Please improve your dress and smarten up to fit. PORT: The Port Captain came aboard for drinks — he has invited Liz and I out for a meal and wants to return with his wife so she can see the ship. PRO in this port is cool.” — Lt. Barry Watson PO/Port Captain, June 10, 1970
——————–
“Legally, you have no grounds to stand on regarding the defamation of our organization and its members. Human rights trump Scientology. Libel is libel and I have informed you and this group now on where I stand. Further comm is not necessary….One way or another, these posts will come down. We can go the amicable route or another route. The choice is yours.”
1995: The Associated Press reported this week that the Chilocco Development Authority has turned over the former Indian school to the Bureau of Indian Affairs rather than continue to deal with Narconon, the Scientology detoxification program. “But Wanda Stone, chairwoman of the Kaw Tribe, said her tribal council approved the move because it was tired of dealing with Narconon Chilocco New Life Center, a substance abuse treatment facility that has a 25-year lease on the site. ‘We decided we didn’t have time to mess with them,’ Ms. Stone said. The tribes had expected to receive a total of $16 million over 25 years when they signed the lease with Narconon five years ago. But Stone said the facility has only about 75 of the expected 1,000 beds. ‘We would get checks maybe every quarter for $2,500,’ she said. ‘We decided we had more important things to do.'”
——————–
“I think it was John Brousseau who said that he heard C.O.B. demean his father by calling him a ‘theetie-weetie thetan.’ LRH used the term in a lecture, I do believe.”
——————–
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] Mark Bunker: Scientology is up to its old tricks in Clearwater
[TWO years ago] Scientologist chiro gets 5 years probation for fraud after settling sex harassment suit
[THREE years ago] Danny Masterson’s odds? Juries really don’t like Scientology, Wise Beard Man reminds us
[FOUR years ago] Singing for L. Ron Hubbard in the Sea Org: New videos about the Scientology experience
[FIVE years ago] YouTube runs interference for Scientology and its Nation of Islam bigot problem
[SIX years ago] Scientology working its grift on a continent where it’s the last thing they need
[SEVEN years ago] Who’s the most powerful elected Scientologist in the land? We have a candidate.
[EIGHT years ago] Tonight, Cathy Schenkelberg takes her Scientology cans to the Hollywood Fringe
[NINE years ago] Garcias file notice of appeal with the Eleventh Circuit, take on two more specialist attorneys
[TEN years ago] About that ‘threesome’ with L. Ron Hubbard and the Heinleins[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Goes After Critics With Legal Threat Letters Following Strange Infiltration
——————–
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 2,927 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,422 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,937 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,487 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,477 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,358 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,662 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,533 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,085 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,426 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,993 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,912 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,080 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,661 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,922 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,958 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,674 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,238 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,553 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,728 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,279 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,410 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,748 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,601 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,722 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,078 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,381 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,487 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,885 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,761 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,326 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,839 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,093 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,201 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on June 10, 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
