TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We continue to receive reactions from readers since Scientology angrily denied that the church encourages ill members to ‘drop the body’ and start new lifetimes. We’ve been hearing from former church members who say that concept is very much a part of Scientology culture. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“To C/S a case for Quad Dianetics it is best to first lay out a Scientology repair, making sure the case is flying, then list out the items already run on Single and Triple. Then get them run so that all four flows are complete on each item in sequence from first to last. This includes any LX items, former practice, drugs or any other engram running. These, like Dianetic items, are listed in their correct sequence of former running. Then the missing flows are run.” — 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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“If you’ve had dreams of just going right straight through to Clear without ever being a Release, why, you might as well come off of it because — That’s all right, you and a lot of others will learn how to do Class VII before you’re through, so. It isn’t too hard to do. But that’s the easiest and safest way. And then you find out R6 materials, they just run like a bomb. My God! There’s nothing to it because you’re just right straight at it and everything as-ises like mad.” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 29, 1965
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“A shark swam alongside today and said, ‘Who is it?’ and I said ‘Who is what?’ and he said, ‘Who is petitioning to leave out here in mid ocean?’ And I said ‘How’d you know that?’ And he said, ‘you’re not tearing up your despatches very good before you throw them over.’ He was real put out. Thought I was invalidating him by saying he couldn’t read. I ordered him to Review and get rid of the ARC Break but he hasn’t any priority — and anyway he’ll have to wait for our waterproof E-Meter. He’s out there now muttering. Do I get some Dianetic sessions today or do I put the shark on course?” — The Commodore, June 29, 1969
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“I see there is just no use in reasoning with you. I’m convinced you’re quite literally insane (as per LRH’s version). The one thing that I’ll leave here is that if we don’t at least try to reach for awareness through becoming more Theta and less entheta, we all become objects. You will become part of MEST as will I if I don’t at least try. Your stuckness will literally make you stuck in MEST. It’s funny Because you’re trying so desperately to control the world around you, and in the end the world around you and Thetans will end up controlling you. There is still time. Consider this the last time you have to make changes, because you know what I say is true if you believe in the whole time track. I feel sorry for you, sincerely.”
2000: The Riverside County sheriff has determined that the death of Stacey Myer at Scientology’s Gold Base was accidental. “Stacey Myer, 20, died June 25 when she slipped as she climbed into the vault at the Church of Scientology complex near San Jacinto. ‘She was someplace she should not have been,’ said Lt. Darryl Birney. ‘We have investigated this thoroughly, looked at the evidence, and concluded that it was an accident.’ Birney said it appears Myer slipped or lost her balance and fell from a ladder leading into the vault, then grabbed a wire as she fell. Myer died instantly when she touched a 7,200-volt wire connecting two transformers in the 10-foot-by-10-foot vault, authorities said. Ken Hoden, manager of Golden Era Studios, had previously speculated that Myer may have gone into the vault to find out why a squirrel had died inside weeks before. Investigators received numerous calls, mostly from critics of Scientology, who suggested Myer’s death was not an accident, Birney said.”
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“Tommy must shudder whenever he hears Leah’s name and he imagines what D.M. would be doing to him, if he could, considering his ‘you don’t have the fucking rank’ was a major catalyst in her defection.”
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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] Jane Doe 1 attorney asks for leaked evidence in Danny Masterson case, Scientology pushes back
[TWO years ago] ‘Top Gun’ event brings Scientology huge donations from deliriously happy pilgrims
[THREE years ago] Can someone let Tom Cruise know that his Scientology bandleader has died?
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s global virus playacting was supplied by giant California slave labor plant
[FIVE years ago] David Miscavige’s pet projects result in constant fundraising pressure
[SIX years ago] In Scientology, going Clear is like leasing a car, and David Miscavige is Repo Man
[SEVEN years ago] HowdyCon: Aussie journalist Steve Cannane’s response to Marty Rathbun
[EIGHT years ago] Why Lisa Marie Presley’s custody battle likely has nothing to do with Scientology
[NINE years ago] Augustine: Taking a hard look at Scientology’s slush fund, the unlicensed and unregulated IAS
[TEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: The Nancy Cartwright freak-out edition
[ELEVEN years ago] When Jon Atack Declared David Miscavige a Suppressive Person
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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 2,946 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,441 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,956 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,506 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,496 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,377 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,681 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,552 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,104 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,445 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,012 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,931 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,099 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,680 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,941 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,977 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,693 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,257 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,572 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,747 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,298 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,429 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,767 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,620 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,741 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,097 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,400 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,506 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,904 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,780 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,345 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,858 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,112 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,220 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 29, 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
