TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Val Ross has enlightened us with tales of her career as a Scientology spy and victim of domestic violence. We’re so glad she has another memory to share with us about her days in this controlling, absurd organization. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“There was the vain lady who wore shoes too small for her feet. She removed them every session. The session went well each time. Then she put on her agonizing shoes and went to the Examiner and the C/Ses and auditors all went mad trying to find out why every Exam had a high TA. Tight shoes. The E-Meter is accurate. It is a lovely instrument. You have to fit the pc to it. Good luck.” — 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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“This quarter of the universe, by the way, is suffering from an overdose lousy civilization. See, that’s what it’s suffering from. It apparently has been recently conquered in recent times (in the last few hundred thousand years) but those who were conquered had already been — their governmental action had already been set up for their own failure, see? They’d been set up be conquered by using, themselves, mental technology which made slaves. They implanted their own troops. Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho,
ah-ah-ah-ah-a ah-ah-ah.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 21, 1963
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“I was looking over the schooner just down the dock, a handsome three master. PR-wise their appearance ship wise and crew-wise is ideal. Our crew is not yet poshly uniformed and ship appearance could do with upgrading. But for all its sharp appearance their sailors get drunk ashore and dump rubbish in the harbour. One thing no-one will excell us in is the friendliness of our crew, our orderly behaviours and pride in duty. That’s our PR gem!” — Lt. Cmdr Diana Hubbard, August 21, 1970
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“Justin Craig has initiated from the start a black PR campaign against Captain Bill Robertson’s tech and as such is expected to be an OSA operative at the service of David Miscavige and should be investigated fully.”
1997: Former Scientologist David Alexander reported on Scientology’s attempt to reclaim him into the cult. “They didn’t call me, but had their private investigator, Ted Banas, call me last Tuesday the 12th, and say nice things to me. Ted’s the same ex-LAPD they sent last September and October. He still insists he’s not a Scientologist, but fills their need for a ‘disinterested party’ to contact people who I guess would jump out of their skin if confronted by a Scientologist. It still causes me much enturbulation every time I relive/review the fear and domination I felt as a very devoted Scientologist. So I guess there is something to hiring non-Scientologists for this work. I guess I disappointed them by telling Ted I was preparing prosecution at the invitation of the Attorney General, and that I was making progress with the help of a forensic Psychiatrist. My favorite Private Investigator called me again today, Tuesday at 5:30pm, with a message to relay to me from OSA. OSA wants to assure me that the door is always open. I think I’ve heard that somewhere before. Well I’m sure ‘into’ the RPF is always open, and I feel there has always been an eagerness to hand out punishments of sorts. Ted, ‘my’ PI, says they want to return my money minus everything that it paid for. What I remember the most is what I’ve learned over the past few years–most notably the truths I’ve learned on ARS, such as, Hubbard is agnostic–in it for the money, the church will stop at nothing to enforce their reality, Hubbard was God and could ‘do no wrong’, larceny by false promise, many deceptions. But most of all I remember the sadistic handling of my children and the poverty they have endured while COS proved to me it was in possession of some balls or something. I remember hobbling on mangled ankles because I blew the money for surgery on holy parlor games or something.”
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“It was speed which was readily available back in his day. When Hubbard talks about ‘Pinks & Grays’ he’s most likely talking about Dexedrine and Phenobarbital or Librium.”
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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] ‘Ruin them utterly’: how PIs and volunteer members work against Scientology’s enemies
[TWO years ago] Elisabeth Moss declines Valerie Haney’s nomination as arbitrator, says Scientology
[THREE years ago] Why isn’t Scientology promoting the Covid-19 vaccines like it did hand-washing and masks?
[FOUR years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 21: Parents who subscribe to ABCMouse
[FIVE years ago] Has Scientology’s leader David Miscavige gone underground in the face of a legal onslaught?
[SIX years ago] See the Scientology-like ad for Scientologist-owned ABCMouse, made by Scientologists!
[SEVEN years ago] DOX: The full FBI file from its 2009-2010 human trafficking investigation of Scientology
[EIGHT years ago] Who are the clergy Scientology convinces to attend its ‘interfaith’ farces?
[NINE years ago] VIDEO: Scientology rehab salesmen — Just exactly the humanitarians you imagined
[TEN years ago] Jon Atack: The games L. Ron Hubbard played
[ELEVEN years ago] MONIQUE RATHBUN FILES SUIT AGAINST SCIENTOLOGY OVER HARASSMENT
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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 2,999 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,494 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,009 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,559 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,549 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,430 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,734 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,605 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,157 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,498 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,065 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,984 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,152 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,734 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,994 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,030 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,746 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,310 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,625 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,800 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,351 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,482 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,820 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,673 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,794 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,150 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,453 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,559 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,957 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,833 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,398 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,911 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,165 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,273 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 21, 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
