TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We were on France’s side with the naked blue guy and the spectacle of the opening ceremony, but it lost us with this mystifying decision to honor Scientology’s chief stooge in a secret ceremony. What gives? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“A case does not know what is wrong with it or it would as-is and wouldn’t be wrong. So talking to a case about his case is a waste of time for a C/S. Some write huge notes to a C/S. The only value in all this is to analyze whether it’s a hidden standard or an ARC Brk or a w/h or a PTS matter. TECHNICAL considerations are all that enter in looking over such. EXECUTIVE opinion is the world’s worst source of data on a pc. No C/S should ever take what seniors say about a junior. It’s all Human Emotion and Reaction. It’s not tech. FAMILY, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles are of little value to listen to about a case. The most they could give you would be a list of accidents or illness or time in a home. But beware, they may be worse off than the pc. No. The C/S is the pc’s safest friend.” — 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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“Do you realize the value of auditing is not measurable in dollars and cents to a person who is being audited properly? It is just not measurable. A hundred thousand dollars an hour would be something he would talk about. Got the idea? He would talk about. He might not be able to pay it but he could consider it. Now, that’s quite interesting. He could consider it, without gaping and jumping out the window and so forth.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 29, 1958
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“The enemy seeks by false reports to blunt our org image and this by depressing stats recoils into Div III making finance hard. It is interesting that the enemy is also depressing world stats in this same way. False alarming reports of conditions are made so that the finance of nations is being injured. The World Bank loans the bulk of its funds to India. It has now pressured India to nationalize its banks. It also forces birth control and unpopular measures on India to cause civil unrest and give the government a bad name with its people. The world bank’s biggest debtors are forced to act in criminal and unpopular ways. False reports are spread to injure credit. We were smart enough never to borrow or subsidize. Thus we are still alive.” — The Commodore, July 29, 1969
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“LRH describes in the Philadelphia Doctorate Course taped lectures, that one can ‘scan’ the time track of a room or a house. LRH scanned the past track and the future track of the room he was doing the lecture at.”
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1995: Helena Kobrin, lawyer in charge of harassment for Scientology, was busy this week sending threatening letters to a.r.s posters for quoting 5 lines from the OT7 document. New recipients this week include Bruce J. Bell, Blind Carlos, Maggie Council, ‘Jesse Garon’, James J. Lippard, Old Salt, Doctorb Science, Tony Sidaway, Tim Skirvin, Keith Spurgeon, Steve, Donna Stuckert, and TarlaStar. Letters were also sent to several Internet Service Providers. Henry posted: “After the threat to me was extended to my sysadmin, I have canceled all messages which contain ‘fair use’ reproduction of the six lines of OT VII which I have quoted.” Andrew Burt, sysadmin of Henry’s site explains his response: “I also explained to her that, if she could supply me with absolute proof that you violated the law, I would revoke your account (per standard Nyx terms). I did explain that the proof needed to be convincing, not just her word against yours. Toward that end, I indicated that a court judgment against you would be an example of such convincing proof.”
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“I want a cheap E-meter so I can sec-check my cats and I can get to the bottom of mysteries like, why do you chew on plastic bags? Why do you eat your own hair? Why do you refuse to help me do the dishes?”
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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] Striking actors: Need non-union work? Scientology has your back!
[TWO years ago] The spy who never was? L. Ron Hubbard and ‘Maj. Ian Macbean of the British Secret Service’
[THREE years ago] How insidious is Scientology? Cathy Mullins on how she got sucked back in after escaping
[FOUR years ago] Miami chiropractor and Scientology donor Dennis Nobbe charged with COVID relief fraud
[FIVE years ago] Driving people away (and begging them back) was built into Scientology from the start
[SIX years ago] Nancy Cartwright goes home as Scientology ‘Ideal’-izes the world
[SEVEN years ago] Jon Atack: The biggest thing L. Ron Hubbard got wrong about Buddhism
[EIGHT years ago] Arlene Cordova, 1933-2016: In her 80s, she took on Scientology and reunited with her daughter
[NINE years ago] How Scientology schools prepare young minds for the rigors of the Sea Org
[TEN years ago] VIDEO: Scientology gets a grilling at Chautauqua
[ELEVEN years ago] Jim Lynch, Scientology’s Shill, Dies at 59
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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 2,976 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,471 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,986 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,536 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,526 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,407 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,711 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,582 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,134 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,475 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,042 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,961 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,129 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,711 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,971 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,007 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,723 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,287 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,602 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,777 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,328 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,459 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,797 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,650 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,771 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,127 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,430 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,536 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,934 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,810 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,375 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,888 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,142 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,250 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 29, 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
