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 been looking forward to this post-election report from Alex Barnes-Ross, who has been causing Scientology so many headaches in the UK. And it’s a very encouraging one. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The highest advance of 19th Century Psychology was a machine to drive people crazy. All it did was repeat after the person everything the person said. Children also do this to annoy. But that isn’t the main reason you do not repeat what the pc said after the pc. If you say it wrong the pc is thrown into heavy protest. The pc must correct the wrongness and hangs up right there. It may take an hour to dig the pc out of it.” — 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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“God help you someday when you get somebody who has an engram fifteen-trillion-trillion years long. Try to find the beginning of that! Before you’ve gone halfway through, of course, your date is so wrong that it’s jamming the track anyway. And just time after time, you find the earlier part of it and you find the earlier part of it and you find an earlier part of it — and finally, you finally get it all worked out and you find out that this thing which first registered as one and one-half hours long was actually 15 trillion-trillion years in length. Somebody stuck in a mountain that long; couldn’t get out. That’s rough. That’s hard to do. It’s hard to do when everything else is correct. So you’ve got to have everything else correct and then it can be done. But it is not easy to do when all signs and portents are favorable. Got that?” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 10, 1963
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“STOP PRESS: We just won the New Zealand inquiry! Sydney halting further action because of this. Org in Auckland normal Op in stats with our Dian course going full blast.” — The Commodore, July 10, 1969
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“I should have known you aren’t even LRH-trained because you won’t display your education. You have set the tone in the field for this to be acceptable. No training, take money, no certs provided, take money, no ethics, take money and then laugh at people and make them wrong so you don’t have to deal with what you did. You can trace back those who are connected to you very easily, it’s a noticeable nastiness that you perpetuate. Always being right and others wrong. I have gotten much feedback about this observation. Give me my money and leave me alone. I have better things to do than play in your cesspool of degradation.”
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1997: Jeff Jacobsen posted a lawsuit by the family of John Barrow against Scientology in Arizona. “The Church failed to perform the services, or, in the alternative, breached the contracts by failing to properly perform the services which were promised. The Church breached its duties, including the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. As a result of the Church’s breach, Barrow suffered the following damages, including, but not limited to: Barrow developed psychosomatic congestive heart failure symptoms. Barrow became paranoid about his personal safety, following rumors about Scientology being a cult, from which he might be kidnapped and ‘deprogrammed’. Barrow was given the company’s Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Index (MMPI) test, for nuclear plant security, which he failed. He was then put on psychological probation and his clearance to enter site security areas was revoked, pending participation in the company’s psychological counseling program. The Church’s policy, as set forth in its literature, is that persons seeking a return of ‘donations’ is expressly prohibited from seeking the assistance of an attorney. The Church actively sought to induce Plaintiff to forego litigation by leading Plaintiff to believe that settlement of her claim would be effected without the necessity of bringing suit, and in fact the Church expressly discouraged Plaintiff from seeking legal assistance by telling her that there would be no settlement if she sought such assistance. In the course of his relationship with the Church, Barrow purchased, and received certain ‘courses’ from the Church, including, but not limited to the following: ‘New OT Preps’; ‘New OT Audited NOTs’; ‘Single Intensive Full Rate’; ‘Hubbard SOLO course’; ‘Level II’; ‘Level III’; ‘Class IV INT’; ‘Ministerial Crs’.”
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“Hubbard said that all science fiction was based on whole track incidents that the authors were subconsciously remembering.”
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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] Scientology gaslighting courts about arbitration? Valerie Haney has proof of it
[TWO years ago] Scientology fundraising is getting both desperate and weirder than usual
[THREE years ago] Tabs keep telling us Tom Cruise is ditching Scientology, and always with zero evidence
[FOUR years ago] Christmas in July: Videos of Scientology stars raising money for their pals at the LAPD
[FIVE years ago] When Scientology has you dividing up funerals because family never really matters
[SIX years ago] Former Scientologists, academics, and Falun Gong get together for a Philly blowout
[SEVEN years ago] Hip-hip-hooray! We have the newest Scientology propaganda about creating an ‘Ideal World’
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology continues to push for ‘Battlefield Earth’ sales, and you can get this T-shirt!
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s day care from hell: The scandal the church managed to keep hidden — until now
[TEN years ago] Scientology begins hitting back at Ryan Hamilton and his lawsuits
[ELEVEN years ago] Indie Scientologists Try to Spoil “Super Power” Release as it (Supposedly) Nears Debut
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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 2,957 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,452 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,967 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,517 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,507 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,388 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,692 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,563 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,115 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,456 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,023 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,942 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,110 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,691 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,952 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,988 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,704 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,268 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,583 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,758 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,309 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,440 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,778 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,631 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,752 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,108 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,411 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,517 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,915 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,791 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,356 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,869 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,123 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,231 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 10, 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
