TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’ve wondered if Scientology leader David Miscavige might experiment with a new approach as his organizations struggles to recruit new people. And this week, we think we may have stumbled across it. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“A course must have a Supervisor. He may or may not be a graduate and experienced practitioner of the course he is supervising but HE MUST BE A
TRAINED COURSE SUPERVISOR. He is not expected to teach. He is expected to get the students there, rolls called, checkouts properly done, misunderstoods handled by finding what the student doesn’t dig and getting the student to dig it. The Supervisor who tells students answers is a waste of time and a course destroyer as he enters out-data into the scene even if trained and actually especially if trained in the subject. The Supervisor is NOT an ‘instructor,’ that’s why he’s called a ‘Supervisor’.” — 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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“To date, I think I’ve lost something in the neighborhood of four or five hundred dollars treating patients by accidentally leaving change around while treating somebody I didn’t know was a kleptomaniac — it wasn’t part of the diagnosis. And I’ve had people halfway through to Clear all of a sudden put the money back in the drawer again. That was about the first time I learned about how, as people come up the line, their honesty level comes up too.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 1, 1950
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“PERSONAL HYGIENE: Until 3 July the 1600-1745 period may be devoted to personal hygiene.” — The Commodore, July 1, 1970
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“Scientology is booby-trapped to the point where Scientologists are sometimes unable to confront and handle reverse Scientology in PT. False bridges are confronted and resolved as an integral component of life on earth and the dynamics beyond the 8th. That includes the two primary BTs plus the primary and secondary assumption of beingness for the current eternity. The person is neither and BTs are a lower level harmonic of relative states of beingness, encountered within this universe as BTs which reduce to functions of awareness.”
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1995: MTV this week aired a special news broadcast about cults, and included some discussion of Scientology. Stacy Young and cos PR person Leisa Goodman were interviewed. A transcript was posted to a.r.s, anonymously. Some excerpts: “KURT LODER: But according to former scientologists, members aren’t given the church’s full liturgy until after taking many expensive courses. Although scientology executives deny it, former longtime members say that eventually followers are told that some of these ‘engrams’ are the remnants of space aliens called ‘body thetans’ who are placed there by the galactic overlord ‘Xenu’. STACY YOUNG: It’s a very science-fiction world, um, it has a, galactic confederacy … it’s a very romantic … view of the world. LODER: I don’t understand, there’s like a galactic overlord Xenu… is there a whole staff of characters… or is that not true? GOODMAN: Ohh uhh… I don’t think … I don’t really know what you mean. What you’re talking about. LODER: At one point, eleven scientologists, including Hubbard’s wife, were convicted of conspiracy and burglary, of IRS offices. GOODMAN: Actually the people who did that, were booted out of the church. It’s got nothing to do with Scientology. And, um… LODER: In the end, the IRS granted scientology the tax exempt religious status it wanted. A move IRS spokesman now decline to discuss.”
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“People get distracted by the crazy convolutedness of the ‘Tech.’ At its core Scientology is simply a con game, a ‘long con.’ Hubbard just kept adding to his ‘Winchester Mystery House’ as he went along hoping the marks wouldn’t catch on. Unfortunately for D.M., Hubbard didn’t leave him much in the way of building materials.”
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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.
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] PODCAST: Jon Atack on Charles Manson and Scientology
[TWO years ago] Australia gained 2 million people between 2016 and 2021 — and lost 26 Scientologists
[THREE years ago] Defeating the ‘Satan worshippers’: Scientology’s secret war on doctors
[FOUR years ago] Who knew? Scientology Volunteer Ministers bring ‘spiritual’ aid to disasters & not just PR
[FIVE years ago] Measles-free, Scientology’s cruise ship holds its annual ‘Maiden Voyage’ celebration
[SIX years ago] Scientology celebrates 30 years of duping wealthy people on the high seas!
[SEVEN years ago] HowdyCon: From “Squeeze My Cans,” Cathy Schenkelberg’s sexy Scientology sec-check!
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s ‘Ideal’ program really reaching at this point as it eyes a city without an org
[NINE years ago] Is David Miscavige really planning to extend Scientology’s ‘Bridge’?
[TEN years ago] Rathbun: ‘Scientology never endorsed anyone where there wasn’t a clear self-interest’
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology To Turn Over 18,000 Pages of Evidence to Laura DeCrescenzo on Tuesday
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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 2,948 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,443 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,958 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,508 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,498 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,379 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,683 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,554 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,106 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,447 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,014 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,933 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,101 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,682 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,943 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,979 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,695 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,259 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,574 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,749 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,300 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,431 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,769 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,622 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,743 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,099 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,402 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,508 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,906 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,782 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,347 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,860 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,114 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,222 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 1, 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
