TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Readers often send us stories that only tangentially relate to Scientology or evoke Scientology’s well-known tactics. We wonder: Is it that Scientology’s thuggish ways are really spreading, or was Scientology always reflecting the grifting habits of the cruel reality we live in? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“If someone is in terrible condition and he is really writhing around, and you want to render an assist, you don’t wait until he stops writhing. He is liable to stop writhing dead. What you do with him is to direct his attention. You tell him to ‘Shut your eyes and look at my fingers.’ You press your fingers hard enough so that he can’t help but put his attention on them. In this wise you can always have a successful assist, because assists all come under the heading of control. The beingness of the person and his presence makes the control possible. So part of control is always presence, identity, person, the one who takes charge and has things under control. When you are able to control his attention, his body and thoughts, then he will be in session and you are no longer doing an assist.” — 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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“I’ve been working on a clear cut statement of what are the beliefs of Scientology. It will be under survey. I am working on the Scientologists Hat. Without such a statement it is hard to get word of mouth. We are well into a Messianic period on Earth. Progress has been made on this. I can write, I think, a ‘Book of Fate.’ I have also made an advance in research on the character and handling of mental mass. Some weeks ago I conceived we did not know all there was to know about high and lo TAs and have suddenly made big progress. The answer was unexpectedly simple and includes auditing over out suppressed ruds that one doesn’t suspect are out! We just don’t pay enough attention to it. Big answers are very basic. So I feel cheerful.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 17, 1971
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“US DOLLAR: The Socialist planning for crashed finance goes along apace. Nixon has just announced the forthcoming devaluation of the dollar. Means it will buy less. We are safe enough at the moment. But this rapid deterioration of the existing US cultural scene pushes us. We have to get Europe viable fast fast fast. That means translations more and faster. That means a beefed up EULO. A special action is needed for AF. UK needs picking up quickly.” — The Commodore, August 17, 1971
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“Who cares about these newbies if they buy such things as Justin Craig? Scientology was for the intelligent, not for tweety sweeties.”
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2000: Jeff Jacobsen spoke before Clearwater’s City Council this week. “I didn’t know how far Scientology’s influence has spread in this community just from visiting once a year. But I’ve seen the influence now. Scientology gets away scot-free after the death of Lisa McPherson, while critics of Scientology are enjoined from even walking on certain sidewalks in Clearwater. A Scientologist hits a critic’s video camera with a hammer and the police do nothing. A picketer is assaulted not once but twice by a Scientologist, and despite the assaults being on video tape from different angles, the Scientologist is not arrested. Just a few weeks ago a German official from Hamburg came to town. I was at the airport when about 30 Scientologists greeted her with shouts of ‘Nazi Go Home!’ and attempted to manhandle her. I was there when the Scientology attorney came demanding that she be deposed in a case she has nothing to do with at the exact time she had already scheduled a news conference. Ms. Ursula Caberta has gone home after having been viciously treated by Scientology, and let me assure you that the European media, starting with Der Spiegel, have already begun to paint Clearwater as German-hating and nuts. I suspect you are going to be seeing fewer German tourists around here now, thanks to the actions of Scientologists. Maybe when Europe’s tourists boycott our wonderful community, the hit in your pocketbooks might wake you up to reality.”
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“Hubbardese was definitely inspired by ‘Newspeak,’ in my opinion. All cults engage in it to some degree.”
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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] ‘Only the ruthless can own it’: behind the scenes of Scientology’s dirty tricks operations
[TWO years ago] The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see, Episode 2: Derek Bloch
[THREE years ago] Danny Masterson accusers answer Scientology’s salvo at California appeals court
[FOUR years ago] Brian Statler’s family wins right to police report and Scientology surveillance footage
[FIVE years ago] ‘Scientology and the Aftermath’ participants send in their tributes as series is set to end
[SIX years ago] The Garcias won’t go down without a fight: Filing appeal of Scientology’s ‘arbitration’ farce
[SEVEN years ago] Celebrity battle lines: Michael Peña’s wife asks Scientologists to ‘Stand with Daniel Masterson’
[EIGHT years ago] A rare gem from 1968: When the Daily Mail tracked down L. Ron Hubbard in Tunisia
[NINE years ago] Once shy about the Internet, Scientology is now oversharing on social media
[TEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: The apocalypse is here, and it is ideal
[ELEVEN years ago] SCIENTOLOGY SUPER POWER IS COMING: OCTOBER 6!
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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 2,995 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,490 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,005 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,555 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,545 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,426 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,730 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,601 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,153 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,494 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,061 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,980 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,148 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,730 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,990 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,026 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,742 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,306 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,621 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,796 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,347 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,478 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,816 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,669 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,790 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,146 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,449 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,555 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,953 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,829 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,394 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,907 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,161 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,269 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 17, 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
