TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: In a 4-part podcast that dropped Wednesday, two women say they were sexually assault in otherwise consensual relationships with author Neil Gaiman, who denies the allegations. We got involved when the podcasters wanted to go over Neil’s strange Scientology past. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The Thetan in this universe has begun to consider himself mest and has begun to consider himself mass and the being that considers himself mass of course responds to the laws of electronics and the Laws of Newton. He is actually incapable of generating very much or as-ising very much.
An individual considers himself mesty or massy and therefore he has to have a second terminal. A second terminal is required to discharge the energy. Here we have two poles. We have an auditor and a pc and as long as the auditor audits and the pc replies we get an exchange of energy from the pc’s point of view.” — 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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“It’s very funny, you know: bodies have machinery laid into them from other times. It’s quite interesting. You’ll find some preclear wallowing around one time or another: ‘Well, look what I have done to this body. Look at the horrible machinery and things I have set up.’ Then he wonders why it runs much faster and gets much more solid. Well, some thetan that had the thing on the genetic line way back when has already installed a tremendous number of items. You didn’t install everything that’s wrong with your body.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 5, 1957
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“MOVIES AND BOOKS: I have a movie to rewrite and some book work to do. I wish all hands would get the orgs off my desk. One blessing: I am not having to stir the crew’s soup. Thank you Service Div FSO. I think you’re great! The FAO has no top brass yet. That would help.” — The Commodore, July 5, 1971
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“LRH does deliver on his promises. The level works. The State of Operating Thetan or Theta Clear do really exist! They are conditions of the static. Thought does influence matter and on OT 7 if you apply the tech and keep your ethics in, the gain will surpass anything you’ve ever imagined. My tip: forget all the noise. Get back onto standard tech. Find an auditor. Find a twin, write your O/W’s, read a book, get back onto session, take a course. Not only will your life will start to get better but you will feel a lot of happiness. Scientology is really the only existing way to spiritual freedom. This technology when properly applied is wonderful.”
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1999: Scientology’s efforts to spike a story in Variety appear to have succeeded. From MSNBC: “DAN COX, a reporter with Variety for six years, spent six months researching and writing an in-depth look at Scientology’s use of celebrities in promoting the religion. Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, Lisa Marie Presley and Jenna Elfman are among the high-profile members of the unconventional church, which has a Celebrity Center in Los Angeles and even publishes a magazine called Celebrity. Cox says he came up with startling new information, including, for example, an early document from the church, listing the specific celebrities that it was going to try to recruit. When Cox handed in the piece, he says, Editor Peter Bart told him it was too tough. ‘It wasn’t too tough at all,’ says Cox. ‘It was accurate and very well documented. There’s nothing remotely libelous in it.’ Bart, for his part, is insisting that the article was never completed. Without addressing exactly why the piece would not run, Bart concluded: ‘Relax guys. No pernicious article will be sprung on you. Tell your lawyers to take the rest of the week off.’ ‘He’s lying,’ says Cox. ‘I like Peter Bart. He’s still a friend. But he’s lying, and I’m pissed. I finished the piece. It’s six thousand words. I’m trying to sell it. I want this story out.'”
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“It’s 10:30 and I’m enjoying a fine bottle of rot gut vodka so I’m in no mood for deciphering new Scientology acronyms.”
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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] Steve Cannane’s statement as publisher settles ‘Deep Sleep’ lawsuit over his book ‘Fair Game’
[TWO years ago] Of course Scientology works — it has graphs and charts and stuff!
[THREE years ago] Take Scientology’s quiz to see if you qualify for the Sea Org and its billion-year contract!
[FOUR years ago] ‘Scientology is dead’ says the ex-con claiming he’s the reincarnated L. Ron Hubbard
[FIVE years ago] More rich donors propping up Scientology are revealed in a church magazine
[SIX years ago] Shocking molestation claims inside Scientology leaking out before ‘Aftermath’ episode
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s all-hands-on-deck gathering in the Valley caught in pics
[EIGHT years ago] Battle for a Scientology soul: Kazakh 20-year-old ‘prisoner’ is back home, but will she stay?
[NINE years ago] LIVE REPORTS: Scientology leader David Miscavige opens “Ideal Org” in Colombia today
[TEN years ago] John Joseph, 1955-2014: A Scientologist, and a friend to the Underground Bunker
[ELEVEN years ago] Has Leah Remini Left the Church of Scientology?
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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 2,952 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,447 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,962 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,512 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,502 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,383 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,687 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,558 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,110 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,451 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,018 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,937 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,105 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,686 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,947 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,983 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,699 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,263 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,578 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,753 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,304 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,435 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,773 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,626 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,747 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,103 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,406 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,512 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,910 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,786 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,351 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,864 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,118 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,226 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 5, 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
