TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We hope our American readers are enjoying their long holiday weekend and will not mind too much if we bring your attention to another part of the Scientology world today, where the church has run into some serious headwinds. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Some drug takers go plowing back into early implants and drug therapies so the two get crossed up on a case. To isolate the reason for a highly resistive case or high TA…Don’t limit it to this lifetime. And don’t do it so as to key the person in hard on things he wasn’t in. And don’t do it unless the case is very hard to get a gain on. Engram running of a crude sort can be found hundreds, thousands or billions of years ago and consists if it appears, of an overrun. They didn’t know much about it and overran them badly. Implants, psychoanalysis, psychiatry, hypnotism get all snarled up with sex as these birds would commonly (and do) stage insane sex scenes. They violate the children and wives of officials even today to produce a degrade and to make a scene so insane that the ‘patient’ if he remembers it really thinks he is insane. And if he tries to tell anybody (or if she tries to tell her husband) it’s a prompt mess, so these ‘practitioners’ hide their activities in this fashion.” — 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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“Where does that leave psychology?…This is the way the wheel is going to turn. And the wheel has already begun its slow inexorable spin. They are about to become a more radical element of Scientology. And we’re about to become the conservatives and they’re about to become the revolutionaries. They’re the Johnny-come-latelys, the cowboys in the black hat. And we’re the old homesteaders, been there a long time. And they’ll give us all the propaganda we want to drive this point home, because it will outrage them to such a degree that every time they pick it up or hear it they will go into a complete scream. They will help us. In every university they will help us. They’ll explain to all of their classes, ‘Hubbard is crazy because he says actually Scientology is a very broad subject that psychology is just a part of,’ Ha-ha-ha! None of the students are laughing. Students can understand a radical offshoot, or a Johnny-come-lately type of an approach that says all men are animals.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 1, 1964
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“According to a long newspaper article John F. Kennedy picked up a body in Germany five minutes after he was killed in Texas. Spotting and naming the people of his family and office and mentioning personal habits and actions, this is John F. Kennedy all right, now 7 years old is now the son of Johan Schuler of Munich and has the name of Johan Schuler. The parents are worried about his ability to lead a future normal life. An interesting point is not that he picked up a new body but that Germany is now alert to ‘reincarnation.’” — The Commodore, September 1, 1971
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“Scientology is NOT dead. It is alive and well, much to the chagrin of squirrels and SPs. The only thing that can kill Scientology is reasonableness and allowing SPs and squirrels to dilute and suppress the philosophy and technology. The way forward is to pour the coals on the purpose of Scientology and validate THAT, not the antithesis.”
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2001: Berlingske Tidende reported that three former Scientologists are suing Scientology in Copenhagen for return of the money
they donated. “The three women want all the money back they applied to Scientology courses during their years of membership. Altogether it adds up to more than half a million Kroner. But more than that is at stake for the Scientology Church. If they lose the proceedings, there presumably be others who demand refund of greater amounts. According to the lawyer for the complainants, they have justification to get their money back in that they were subjected to extreme measures of persuasion by which their free will was more or less taken from them. ‘It is upsetting when you see how they conduct themselves. If you don’t want to continue with the courses, they systematically put you under pressure until you give in and sign up for the next course. The Scientology Church is a commercial enterprise, and an essential part of that consists of financially exploiting people.'”
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“It’s too bad Russell Crowe didn’t become a full-time Scientologist. He would have been the ultimate batshit crazy Scieno. He would have made Cruise look like Mr. Rogers.”
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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] Los Angeles gets its premiere of the Scientology documentary ‘Brothers Broken’
[TWO years ago] After 9-year appeal, Scientology wins tax exemption in the Netherlands
[THREE years ago] Hot new progress reports from Scientology’s massive world takeover!
[FOUR years ago] Leah Remini podcast: Scientology leader’s Fair Game campaign against his own father
[FIVE years ago] Another capital to get a ‘national’ Scientology center. Can you feel the excitement?
[SIX years ago] A peek inside Janis Gillham Grady’s second volume as ‘Commodore’s Messenger’
[SEVEN years ago] DRONE FLYOVER: Scientology’s failed underground vault project in Wyoming
[EIGHT years ago] Marty Rathbun defends Scientology leader David Miscavige as he trashes tell-all memoir ‘Ruthless’
[NINE years ago] Louis Theroux film — ‘My Scientology Movie’ — to premiere October 14 at the London Film Festival
[TEN years ago] Signs of chaos emerge for Scientology’s drug rehab legal defense
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Leader David Miscavige Files Declaration in Texas Lawsuit
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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 3,010 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,505 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,020 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,570 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,560 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 4,946 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,441 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,745 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,616 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,168 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,509 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,076 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,995 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,163 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,745 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,005 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,041 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,757 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,321 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,636 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,811 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,362 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,493 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,831 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,684 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,805 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,161 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,464 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,570 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,968 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,844 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,409 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,922 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,176 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,284 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on September 1, 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
