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Technology Cocktail
“As psychiatry circulates rumours about auditors and attempts to discourage the use of Dianetics and Scientology, it is only fair for the auditor to know exactly the status of psychiatry and psychology as used today. It goes without saying that the savagery and fraud of psychiatry must cease and
that auditors must encourage in state and public and through all their connections displacing psychiatric abuses with sane auditing.” — 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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“The individual is in contest with his environment. We’ll just take off from that point. Now, that’s a very true observation. Particularly, if we qualify that observation just a little bit further and we say that a contest is not necessarily a battle of fisticuffs….Once umpty-skillion years ago I got swatted, and sat there very, very immobile, being right. I went on being right for quite a little while. See, by permitting myself to be immobilized, it made the other fellow wrong. It wasn’t really doing anything to him, taking no action, absolutely no forward thrust of any kind whatsoever, no outward motion, no outward flow of any kind, not even a thought of an outward flow and yet that was the method of handling the environment. So the way we qualify this is the method is not necessarily smart.” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 16, 1964
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“A Comm Ev was ordered by Telex on the non-SO auditor at Asho (Sheila Aldrich) for evaluating and feeding cognitions and all but destroying tech. Pokras and Eltringham on the US Station Ship were ordered transferred to deck for 6 months for neglecting to report or put right area out tech. Another Comm Ev has been ordered on the Broadbents for fostering the situation. This was what had Asho stats down so long! So it’s time we got sharp and drilled up and put our own house in good order.” — The Commodore, June 16, 1970
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“I have screenshots of this stuff, so there’s all the proof I need. You have played this game for far too long and when I put my intention and attention on something, I win. Believe me, I will put an end to your suppressive actions and this suppressive group. This is NOT Scientology, this is PURE ENTHETA.”
2001: Scientology celebrity John Travolta appeared on the cable TV interview show Larry King Live. Some excerpts: “KING: You’re able to take something negative. You pass by this newsstand and see something about you that’s a bold-faced lie, or something and look beyond it. TRAVOLTA: To me there, it’s like a, like a – nipping dogs at your ankles, or something. It’s not, it’s not to be taken too seriously. I’ve never taken any of that very seriously. I take bigger issues seriously. I think what one of the biggest misunderstood concepts is that, you know, Scientology is non-denominational. You can be any religion and be a Scientologist – Jewish, Catholic, Christian. KING: But is it a religion? TRAVOLTA: It is. But it’s a religion on technical concepts, you know. It addresses you spiritually, and it leaves God as a – up for your religion, you know. You as a Christian, or you as a Jewish person would interpret what you wanted from that aspect of your religion. KING: Then how did it get all bum-rapped? TRAVOLTA: Well, that’s probably a long story, and a story, and it could have happened back in 1950, when ‘Dianetics’ was first written, and I think there was an attack on the book, because it really attempted to help in a mental health way. KING: And knocked psychiatry. TRAVOLTA: Yes. And I think that could have been the initial, initial issue, you know. KING: What led to FBI investigations? German authorities trying to stamp it out? TRAVOLTA: Well, you know, as you know, you’re in a profession that, it’s interpretive how press will kind of release ideas on things. And, you know, I look at a – the members that I know, the members, the person I am. It has only done fantastic things for my life. And everyone I know, you know. We’re very strong on trying to rehabilitate people on drugs. We have a 90, 95 percent success rate in taking people off of drugs. We’re immersed in so many positive aspects of society, you know, as a group. So, I don’t know. The group’s motto, ‘A world without war, insanity or criminality.’ And, a person needs to want to be helped, and I have a very specific way of helping a person off drugs. So, you have to want that. There’s vitamin programs and detoxification, sweat programs that a person goes on, and Scientology calls it a purification program. But it’s not – you can even do it outside the church. You don’t have to do it there. You can do it with different organizations. You know, there’s a whole wonderful organization called Narconon, that is just, it just helps. Life is overwhelming. Life is not easy. Life is tough. And you need something that really works and helps you actually, not promises to help you, then fail. And that’s why I’ve always loved Scientology, because it offers help, and it works.”
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“There are no theologians in Scientology. No one is allowed to interpret or tell a student what they think L. Ron Hubbard meant.”
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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] THE WITNESS: Damian Perkins opens up about how the case against Danny Masterson began
[TWO years ago] Valerie Haney facing new court hearing: why hasn’t Scientology ‘arbitration’ happened yet?
[THREE years ago] Scientology has been desperate to produce results in Texas for a very long time
[FOUR years ago] Buffy goes Clear, and other signs that Scientology has survived the coronavirus
[FIVE years ago] While Scientology shrinks, its ‘Ideal Orgs’ pretend they are booming
[SIX years ago] The trauma of leaving Scientology: ‘Who wants to believe they’ve thrown away their best years?’
[SEVEN years ago] Marty Rathbun’s project becomes clear: Someone’s worried about Scientology & the IRS
[EIGHT years ago] Our money maverick dives into Scientology’s latest financial house of horrors
[NINE years ago] O Canada! All eyes in the Scientology-watching world will be looking north next week
[TEN years ago] LEAKED: The slick campaign Scientology had planned for UK expansion!
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: When David Miscavige Made RTC Look Like The Matrix
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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 2,933 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,428 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,943 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,493 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,483 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,364 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,668 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,539 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,091 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,432 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,999 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,918 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,086 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,667 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,928 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,964 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,680 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,244 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,559 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,734 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,285 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,416 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,754 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,607 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,728 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,084 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,387 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,493 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,891 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,767 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,332 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,845 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,099 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,207 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 16, 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
