TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’re connoisseurs of #Scientology promotional materials, and we especially enjoy video appeals. We saw several fliers for last night’s event, and we get the idea that this push for an ‘Ideal USA’ was a pretty big deal for church leader David Miscavige. Check out this come-on! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“I have seen several cases wrecked by careless storage of Ad Course materials where lower levels could get at them. One notable case was a suppressive who got hold of Ad Course materials and chanted them at his wife to drive her insane. She recovered eventually. He didn’t. When a C/S gets a whiff of upper level materials on a lower level pc worksheet he should make an ethics matter of it and get it traced.” — 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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“Science plays a lively tune and they play it with very glossy photographs. They play it with very good advertisements. They play it with great big, imposing universities, huge facades built out of gorgeous marble, imported from South Dubuque. They’ve got themselves a pretty good face, see? Big stuff. People’s cars go whiz-whiz down the streets and the petrol that goes into the engine will make it run at vast expense. They’ve got it up to a point where an engine can actually utilize over a thousandth of the potential power in a gallon of gasoline. They’ve got it fixed up so they can color your health bread by certain breeds of mold, and so they can get appropriation from other breeds of mold called ‘Congress.’ You’ve got yourself quite a game going here. It’s called science, and you yourself are not totally aware of the fact how that cuts your personal throat.” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 30, 1964
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“The shark picked up a lot of paper that was thrown over and wants to take the DAC. He’s got a former therapy thing going though. Used to be partners with an electric eel in a psychiatric racket. I told him if we didn’t get some auditors soon I’d discuss his application further. He went off singing an odd song that went ‘Most courteous fish in the ocean, with temper forgiving and mild. Though his record is dark, he’s a Man-eating shark who would eat neither woman or child.’ Good luck to full time DAC on your exams.” — June 30, 1969
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“The fact is we are in a continual danger condition as beings, and we don’t even realize it. Anyone, of course, has the right to procure another body and another lifetime, I can’t call that freedom though, can’t even call it self-determinism. I don’t think that there are that many Scientologists out there who really, I mean really, understand the situation in which we all are in this planet and guess what, it has nothing to do with humans and has nothing to do with reactive minds. It has to do with evils and powers we are not even aware of. It is either explained or hinted at in so many LRH lectures and yet, it seems to escape us every time.”
2001: Thomas Gandow reported that the head of Narconon in Russia has denounced Scientology and left the organization. “Vladimir Ivanov – the leader of Russian ‘Narkonon,’ the president of scientological ‘Foundation of Salvation of Children and Adolescents from Drugs’ and the foundation ‘Drug-Free Russia,’ while speaking live on popular radio Ekho Moskvy, unexpectedly announced that he had broken with the Scientology organization. Mr. Ivanov spoke about Scientology as a criminal cult which has nothing to do with religion and which capitalizes cynically upon the sufferings and pain of other people. Ivanov said that he is no longer ‘Satanist’ and had asked forgiveness from those numerous people whom he recruited into Scientology. He had announced that from now on none of the organizations he heads, has anything to do either to Scientology, or to ‘Narconon.’ At the same time, Mr. Ivanov had expressed an idea that technology used in Narconon can be used effectively outside of Scientology and Narconon itself. ”
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“Scientology is in the same category as Christian Science and the Jehovah’s Witnesses as far as being a ‘spiritual’ practice that has caused the deaths of its adherents in the past through the denial of legitimate medical treatment. These crimes need to be stopped.”
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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] German government once again proves it has no illusions about Scientology: What’s up, US?
[TWO years ago] Today: Danny Masterson’s last chance to avoid criminal trial in October?
[THREE years ago] First, do harm: Scientology’s secret war on mental health
[FOUR years ago] That time Laura Prepon helped silence a Danny Masterson victim for Scientology
[FIVE years ago] Scientology continues to use the United Nations as a prop for its propaganda
[SIX years ago] Scientology scam: ‘It hadn’t occurred to me I was getting appalling advice from Church execs’
[SEVEN years ago] We have the letter Scientologists are receiving from a federal judge!
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology produces miracles — but you only get to hear about them in one place
[NINE years ago] Scientology leader’s father signs a book deal, for ‘IF HE DIES, HE DIES’
[TEN years ago] That time L. Ron Hubbard was hit by lightning while wearing full armor: It’s science!
[ELEVEN years ago] Tampa Bay Times Portrays Twin Sister of Scientology Leader as Dope-Smoking Slumlord
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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 2,947 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,442 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,957 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,507 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,497 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,378 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,682 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,553 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,105 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,446 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,013 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,932 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,100 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,681 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,942 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,978 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,694 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,258 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,573 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,748 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,299 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,430 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,768 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,621 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,742 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,098 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,401 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,507 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,905 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,781 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,346 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,859 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,113 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,221 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 30, 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
