TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Since Scientology reacted to the Whitney Mills wrongful-death lawsuit by denying she was told to ‘drop the body,’ we’ve heard from former members who say the concept is very much a part of the culture. And now, an anecdote from a reader who very recently left the organization. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“When it comes to light that a pc has roller coastered despite an F/N at session end and at Examiner’s and if neither Tech nor Qual makes any effort to remedy, then the matter becomes a High Crime. Example: If a pc at the Examiner’s F/Ns and yet within a few hours returns for a second Examination with a complaint which does not F/N, then the 24 hour rule applies. If the Tech C/S ignores it and no repair is done within 24 hours by Tech or Qual, both lose their stats for that day. If the matter continues unhandled the matter becomes a High Crime.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1971
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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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“In Dianetics, if you don’t think you could produce ‘therapies’ which would produce convulsions, break people out in rashes, make them walk on the ceiling and have their ears rot off, you are foolish. You definitely could. You are working here with the basic tools; you are working with what is wrong. And when you are working with what is really wrong with the human psyche, you can of course just specialize in making it more wrong. For instance, you can take a preclear down the time track and turn on a fever that won’t turn off for two or three days. That is spectacular! You can actually send him down the time track and get him into a fever engram and take his temperature or see that his skin is very hot to the touch, and he will have a fever.” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 28, 1951
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“THE ENEMY: Nelson Rockefeller finances and pushes forward the Totalitarian idea of Population Control by Psychiatry and his foundations try to shove us around. In the news he and his family interests are under heavy attack in South America. Rhodesia’s anti-Ron government just gets in deeper and deeper. I wrote Smith a Constitution permitting black representation while maintaining white interests that Britain and the Rhodesian white both would have bought. The govt answer was refusal to extend my visa. That the people of Rhodesia remained on our side is attested by three orgs there now. That Smith is on the side of psychiatry is attested by a new big psychiatric clinic next door to the jail. The enemy is having a very hard time. He is going counter to a world where comm is pushing freedom into being. We are going with the flood tide of world opinion. The enemy is floundering against it. We only have to expand and endure to win.” — The Commodore, June 28, 1969
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“We all are just being happy slaves without even noticing. I hear Scientologists say ‘In my next lifetime I am going to…’ They actually want a next lifetime with all package included: being born again, not being able to talk or walk for a very long time, having to be taken care of, studying all over again what you already studied, possibly (if you are Pre-OT) getting back in Scientology when you are already an adult and doing some of the services all over again till you cognite you are a past-life Scientologist and even so requiring sometimes long hours of auditing to get your memory back, etc. I know some have been fortunate to discover it fast and even being able to pick up a Scientologist family, but that has not been the norm. Scientology is supposed to end the long cycle of death and birth, not to promote it. Will someone please explain to me where is the freedom in that?”
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1999: A film by Mark Bunker shot at the Hollywood opening of John Travolta’s film The General’s Daughter was listed in Film Threat, a newsletter and web site of alternative film. “If you were not able to attend the world premiere of ‘The General’s Daughter’ last week, don’t fret — Xenu TV brings it to you on the web. Xenu TV is the creation of documentary filmmaker Mark Bunker who is using his talents to create the ultimate doc on the world of Scientology. Bunker and his crew brought along Scientology’s evil overlord Xenu to meet John Travolta. Or a guy dressed as Xenu. Travolta was not amused. Next stop — The ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ premiere with Tom and Nicole.”
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“Two eggs over easy, hash browns, and either two Italian sausage or four bangers and dark rye toast. Thanks. Oh, and a double tequila sunrise in a pint glass.”
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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] Jon Atack takes issue with new theory about Charles Manson that ignores Scientology
[TWO years ago] Odd coincidence: For now, Paul Haggis and Danny Masterson both have trial dates of Oct 11
[THREE years ago] Leaked price list: What it costs to stay at Scientology’s ‘spiritual mecca’ in Florida
[FOUR years ago] Scientology will see you now! Orgs are reopening in safe and not so safe places
[FIVE years ago] Your brain on Scientology: ‘I am the hurricane’
[SIX years ago] Scientology rock ‘n’ roller goes back to his days with L. Ron Hubbard at sea
[SEVEN years ago] Federal judge tells Scientology to cool its jets, says arbitration is ‘imminent’
[EIGHT years ago] How Google is getting gamed in the fight both for and against the Church of Scientology
[NINE years ago] Project Normandy, 2015: Paulette Cooper has landed in Clearwater — Scientology’s ‘Mecca’
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s secret plan to take over the world — here it is!
[ELEVEN years ago] Blogging Scientology’s Bible: Vance, We’ve Reached the Finish Line!
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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 2,945 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,440 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,955 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,505 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,495 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,376 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,680 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,551 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,103 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,444 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,011 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,930 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,098 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,679 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,940 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,976 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,692 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,256 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,571 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,746 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,297 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,428 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,766 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,619 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,740 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,096 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,399 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,505 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,903 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,779 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,344 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,857 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,111 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,219 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 28, 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
