TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Last week Scientology threw a 3-day beach party in Clearwater, Florida. The timing suggested it might be some kind of ‘Sea Org Day’ celebration. Now, a reader in LA has sent photos showing similar tents and inflatables appeared there yesterday. What gives, Dave? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Regardless of can size, cold E-Meter electrodes tend to give a much higher Tone Arm reading particularly on some pcs. Until the cans warm up, the reading is generally false and is false in the direction of high. A chilled pc almost always has a high TA until he or she gets warm. Just throwing a coat over the pc’s shoulders can bring down a TA in a cool room. But some pcs are “cool blooded” and the shock of ice-cold cans can drive the TA up and it takes a while to drift down. This has a great effect on Examinations where the cans are used very briefly.” — 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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“Anybody says to you, ‘Well, Scientology is weird because it believes in past lives,’ why, I look at them rather oddly and say, ‘Aren’t you familiar with the subject of psychotherapy?’ Be mean, you know. And they say, ‘Well, yes. Oh, yes. I’m a professor of Uptygup, you know.’ And say, ‘Well, why is it that you didn’t know that one of the primary branches of psychoanalysis and so forth — that of Professor Jung — believed implicitly in returns to druidism? See, we’re not being new at all’.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 25, 1966
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“We had a rather splendid cruise. Summer sea and a water glass. The Cons did great. I had to ballast her bow down a trifle — 2 tons then 10 tons of fresh water into the deep tank. And I had to pull her nose back out of the waves once (to stop pitching you come away from the waves, not further into it). But that was very little to do. You notice its smoother when I’m up than when I’m turned in, still. The landfall and docking was excellent. If you close your window fully you can’t hear the bulldozer on the dock. Your vent gives plenty of air.” — The Commodore, August 25, 1970
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“There is no such thing as a personal first dynamic state of OT. I have seen many people in Scientology who want personal power. A self that wants to preserve itself is doomed. The ‘I’ that wants to be ‘OT’ is an aberration. Scientology will not succeed until it starts working from the top down rather than from the bottom up. First dynamic oriented beings will never create a brighter future.”
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2001: Bob Minton explained to the court why he did not attend a Scientology-related deposition this month in an affidavit also posted to a.r.s. “On the afternoon of August 2, 2001, I became aware of the internet posting attached as Exhibit 3 to my Response. I was, to say the least, shocked by Scientology’s grotesque, abusive, and invasive action. I was extremely distraught, not only by Scientology’s attack, but by their apparent illegal access to such private information. Later that day, I learned that the neighborhood where my minor daughters live, including their home, had been papered by Scientology with fliers, falsely accusing their mother and me of criminal and/or unethical behavior. I spoke at length to a therapist, because of the severe anguish I felt, and the importance of complying with the Court’s order if at all possible. As I talked to my therapist and considered the facts, I grew more rather than less agitated, and eventually accepted my therapist’s unequivocal advice that I not travel to Florida to be deposed by Scientology on August 3. In the following days, I asked that the therapist agree to give evidence about the events of the afternoon and evening of August 2, 2001. The therapist refused to cooperate, because of Scientology’s history and reputation for abusive attacks on members of the mental health profession, and on its opponents.”
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“At first I thought you were funnin’ me but I hearsayed it and you’re right.”
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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] Stan Lee* helps Scientology raise money from beyond the grave!
[TWO years ago] Here are Scientology’s new motions to force arbitration in the Valeska Paris case
[THREE years ago] Tom Cruise’s Scientology superpowers, No. 7: Pulling in objects with tractor beams
[FOUR years ago] Leah Remini podcast: Scientology’s atrocious ‘Fair Game’ campaign against Mike Rinder
[FIVE years ago] If Scientology’s Ideal Org grand openings are on hold, fundraising steams ahead
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s new ‘STAND’ front unleashes bot army on Twitter — and gets zapped
[EIGHT years ago] Steven Mango, who appears in Theroux film, calls police to Scientology facility over assault
[NINE years ago] Stop worrying about ISIS and Syria and Iraq — Scientology’s got this, people
[TEN years ago] Chris Shelton explains why Scientology is in a management death spiral
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: The All-Video Version!
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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 3,003 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,498 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,013 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,563 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,553 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,434 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,738 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,609 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,161 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,502 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,069 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,988 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,156 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,738 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,998 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,034 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,750 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,314 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,629 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,804 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,355 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,486 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,824 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,677 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,798 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,154 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,457 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,563 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,961 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,837 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,402 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,915 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,169 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,277 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 25, 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
