TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Just what we needed on this long holiday weekend: An update from L. Ron Hubbard 2.0, who says he’s made a huge Scientology breakthrough from his jail cell, and also an explanation from one of his most ardent fans about why he’s convinced this really is the returned Great Thetan! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Many auditors think they are being a second terminal to the degree that they pick up the somatics and illnesses of the pc. Actually there is no backflow of any kind that hits the auditor but if he is so convinced that he is mest he will turn on somatics in echo of the pc. Actually nothing hits the auditor, it has to be mocked up or envisioned by him. You have set up in essence a two pole system and that will bring about an as-ising of mass.” — 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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“Let’s take the smaller goal of what to eat. The person will sit down and look at a menu. What he himself wants to eat is very definitely modified by engrams concerning food, what he should eat and so on. You will find people who would become very upset indeed if you mentioned pickles and ice cream to them. ‘You can’t eat pickles and ice cream. It will make you sick.’ Actually pickles and ice cream mix, but there is a social aberration to the effect that they don’t. So he gets into a state of confusion. He has the goal of wanting to eat pickles and ice cream, but the engram says, ‘No, pickles and ice cream will make you sick,’ so he goes down the line and sees sauerbraten. Sauerbraten is one of those foreign foods, according to the engram in the bank, and ‘You shouldn’t eat this fancy foreign food stuff.’ He can get very confused on this whole line. He is trying to make a minor decision and his mind will go around, and finally rather unhappily he will say, ‘Bring me ham and eggs.’ He doesn’t want ham and eggs, but the engrams don’t forbid ham and eggs so he has got a compromise solution.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 6, 1950
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“Hey that Rockefeller sure got plastered in Latin America. His foundation finances these ‘National’ (which are private but only use the name) mental ‘health’ groups. He is some of the money back of attacks on us. Wish I knew what groups roughed up his visits to Latin America. They’re our pals! Our enemies don’t have very good luck lately.” — The Commodore, July 6, 1969
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“You are still riding my coattails from last lifetime and that will never change.”
2000: One of the letters manufactured to support the asylum petition of Scientologist Antje Victore in 1996 was posted to a.r.s this week. “Recently the government of Munich has ordered that no Scientologist can get a job in all companies and institutions under public law. There is now a standing order. The rule is, that all people looking for a job have to fill out a form with questions like are you a member of any Scientology organisation or group or church. The answer has to be NO, this is a requirement for appointment. Under this order I cannot employ you, I would risk a loss of business and a lot of discrimination. Sorry for this negative message. In Germany, we have a lot of Scientologist without work, and for practicing Scientologist it would be very hard to live here in Germany in your normal way of live. The defense of the constitution will keep under surveillance all Scientologist in Germany. Yours sincerely, Wilhelmina Katzschmann” An affidavit by Jens Billerbeck describing his part in the deception was also posted this week. “In Fall 1996, Antje E. Victore, who I, as a Scientologist, knew very well at the time, asked me to compose a letter from my own company. In it the impression was supposed to be given that she had put in an application with my company and that I was refusing her based on her membership in Scientology. In fact Antje E. Victore had never applied with my company. Antje E. Victore stated to me that she needed such a letter so that her asylum application at an immigration court in Florida, USA, which had initially been refused would then be granted. She was very proud that this operation was being worked out personally with her by an OSA (Scientology intelligence service) attorney and Kurt Weiland, OSA chief at the time. So as a favor to a fellow Scientologist, I authored a letter and sent it to her in Florida, USA. When her asylum application was granted in February 1997, Antje E. Victore sent me a commendation letter typical for Scientologists in which she thanked me for my support.”
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“I went ‘exterior’ after I’d been up for four days on meth. I’m sure that was a genuine paranormal experience.”
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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] Our mission, that we chose to accept: Watching Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt become a cult leader
[TWO years ago] In court today: Scientology responds to Valerie Haney naming Elisabeth Moss as an arbitrator
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s cruise ship isn’t going anywhere, but the new hype video is here anyway!
[FOUR years ago] Brian Statler’s sister reveals new details in shooting death at Scientology org
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s ‘disconnection’ policy plays out in unbelievable scenes in a Florida hospital
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s homophobia and its disconnection policy — still producing refugees today
[SEVEN years ago] Jon Atack: Scientology has a history of flip-floppers, including the founder’s son
[EIGHT years ago] What happened when one of our readers got into a Scientology ‘Flag World Tour’ event
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s trophy problem: Did David Miscavige lie, or did the IAS?
[TEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Scientology finally starts making its members superheroes!
[ELEVEN years ago] Best Account of Life in Scientology? Jon Atack Makes the Case for Counterfeit Dreams
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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 2,953 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,448 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,963 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,513 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,503 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,384 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,688 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,559 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,111 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,452 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,019 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,938 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,106 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,687 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,948 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,984 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,700 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,264 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,579 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,754 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,305 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,436 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,774 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,627 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,748 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,104 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,407 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,513 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,911 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,787 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,352 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,865 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,119 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,227 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 6, 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
