TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: While we wait to see Tom Cruise rappel down in Paris today, we’ll catch up on items helpful readers have sent. In Orlando, the Scientology staff sent out a video about how fulfilling it is to work at the Ideal Org. After watching, what’s keeping you from signing up, pilgrim? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The Golden Rules of C/Sing are: 1. Never fail to find and point out an actual goof and send the auditor to Cramming. 2. Never invalidate or harass an auditor for a correct action or when no technical goof has occurred. 3. Always recognize and acknowledge a technically perfect session. Only those C/Ses who follow these Golden Rules are truly loved by their auditors.” — 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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“Illiterate cultures do not survive and they are not very high. The natives of the tribe of the Bugga-Bugga Booga-Boogas down in Lower Bugga-Wugga Booga-Woog are mostly no longer with us or they are around waving red flags today and revolting against their central government. They’re having a bad time. Well, the British Tommy that went down there with his Snider or his Lee-Enfield and brought them higher education in the first place was only occasionally followed by anybody who taught them anything. And they didn’t learn fast. Their literacy was not up to absorbing culture rapidly. So, of course, they can be victimized by anybody who comes along. Once the line is open, if literacy doesn’t follow and if secondhand observation is not available to a people, they stultify, they die, they go to pieces, they degrade. They are struck by this tremendous volume of exterior culture. They’ve been very happily down amongst the bong-bong trees, you know, dancing up and down amongst the bong-bong trees and the highest level of their interest, and so forth, was their own back yard. They could tell you all about bong-bong trees and they could tell you all about you mustn’t step in bug-bug bushes, because you step on a thump-thump snake and this was their direct observation.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 11, 1964
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“BREAKTHROUGH: In the last few days I’ve made about three upper level breakthroughs, two very important. One of these is comparable to the CC breakthrough. The other deals with On perception, why it’s off and how to turn it on. So my own hats have a high stat this week. About a century’s worth.” — The Commodore, August 11, 1970
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“In the last 100 or so years, science has done very little real advancing and a whole lot of chasing its own tail. Don’t imagine that most of what you see as advances in technology are triumphs of science; they aren’t. There’s a little incremental science in there and a whole lot of engineering, which is not the same thing at all. And unfortunately, most of what the God of Physics, Albert Einstein, had to say is based on false assumption and is thus false. Yet physics has been limited by his writings for a least a century. Interestingly enough, Einstein’s writings, if accepted would be the exact thing you’d promote if you wanted to keep a planetary population bound to their planet. Four years to get to the nearest star, if you could go as fast as light, which Einstein says you can’t.”
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2001: A Scientology press release promoted the anniversary event held recently at the Celebrity Center in Los Angeles. “The names on this year’s lengthy guest list included, Jenna Elfman, Leah Remini, Catherine Bell, Danny Masterson, Lynsey Bartilson, Marisol Nichols, Michelle Stafford, Jennifer Aspen, Nancy Cartwright, Marissa Ribisi, Erika Christensen and Jason Lee. Celebrity Centre President, Susan Watson, said, ‘the popularity of Scientology and Mr. Hubbard’s works within the arts mirrors the Church’s overall growth, with nine million members in over 120 countries and eleven ‘Celebrity Centres’ in cultural centers around the world such as New York, Paris, London, Vienna, Nashville and Las Vegas as well as the International center in Hollywood.’ The fifteen hundred-or-so guests at the soiree not only received a copy of a new musical CD entitled, ‘The Joy of Creating,’ they witnessed the hip-hop legend, ‘original human beat box’ Doug E. Fresh, Broadway’s Carl Anderson, jazz great Chick Corea and Australia’s number one female vocalist Kate Ceberano, performing variations of Mr. Hubbard’s poem that declares, ‘The greatest joy there is in life in creating. Splurge on it!'”
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“Back in my punk days I would donate plasma twice a week for $20 a pop. It helped keep me in pizza.”
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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] Leah Remini asks for new judge in her lawsuit against Scientology
[TWO years ago] Lured into your own past: The seduction of an initial Scientology session
[THREE years ago] Tom Cruise’s Scientology superpowers, No. 12: Resisting illnesses with his mind alone
[FOUR years ago] Leah Remini’s podcast: Forbes and Time writer Richard Behar on being a target of Fair Game
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s efforts to suck up to power is appearing to pay off
[SIX years ago] Church of Fear: When John Sweeney sat down with Anne Archer and Leah Remini
[SEVEN years ago] Leah Remini calls for federal action: Here’s the frustrating reason the IRS may not answer
[EIGHT years ago] Never-before-seen photo of Diana Hubbard, daughter of Scientology’s founder
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s front group that targets kids gets cover from a Swiss politician: News report
[TEN years ago] Mike Rinder on Scientology’s pathetic PR, and the Freewinds welcomes a famous clown
[ELEVEN years ago] Stop Picking on Scientology! Double-Fisted Wisdom from 1977
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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 2,989 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,484 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,999 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,549 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,539 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,420 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,724 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,595 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,147 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,488 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,055 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,974 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,142 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,724 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,984 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,020 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,736 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,300 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,615 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,790 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,341 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,472 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,810 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,663 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,784 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,140 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,443 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,549 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,947 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,823 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,388 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,901 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,155 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,263 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 11, 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
