TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We couldn’t be in Judge Olmedo’s court for Danny Masterson’s sentencing, but we obtained the transcript of what was said that day. So on the anniversary of the hearing that put away Masterson for 30 years to life, here again are the statements made that day by his brave victims. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“It is wise to greatly prefer that students pay for their training before being recruited. Purely for free services have a bad history in orgs.
As this Interneship is ALSO the same Interneship for paying students only a portion should be staff trainees as such. The difference is that the staff trainee must be contracted to the org and must continue on in the HGC. Only the very best, most ethical fast study trainees should ever be sent to a higher org. The percentage of losses is too high otherwise. It is too hard on the org’s income otherwise. If somebody else just must go to a higher org, let him pay his own way. Don’t make your org a subject of freeloading. It hurts your own pay.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1972
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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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“The most sorrowful engram I ever ran into was an AA [attempted abortion] on Christmas Eve. This was a brutal one. This person couldn’t even start to come near a Christmas tree without going to pieces. He didn’t want anything to do with Christmas or any part of it. He was very peculiar about presents. If anybody tried to give him a present, he would say the social amenities of ‘Thank you very much. Oh, yes, I enjoy it a great deal,’ and then hastily throw it into a trunk to get it out of sight so that he wouldn’t run into it again. This peculiar behavior was occasioned by the very sad engram of a mutual AA where Papa was being very brutal. He got drunk and decided that he didn’t want any children around. He did this AA against protest, at the same time talking about Christmas. And then he said, ‘I’ve got a present for him,’ and thrust a needle right straight through the embryo. One thrust, one phrase. It really messed up that person’s life. Mama went to the doctor shortly afterwards and got herself patched up and the baby came through.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 7, 1950
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“To relieve the feeling it’s a totally nutty planet, there are several PLUS-POINTS. 1. Orgs are there. Last Oct. they would have gone bankrupt but hard work by MSH and Gdn Office using FP No. 1 and CS-3 and FBOs got their cash-bills graphs into a solvent situation. 2. We have a strong SO unit at UK and a competent SO C/O at WW who is getting in a CIC at WW. We have the UK SO member aboard in training to put the Liaison Bureaux into UK. 3. We have trained a new C/O for AOSHDK and he is reported by one of our officers just there to be making the fur fly.” — The Commodore, September 7, 1970
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“DM is just afraid. He is terrified of OTs just as space opera societies have been. Just as the asshole who put us here in this prison planet was. Get an actual OT made, you know, a NOTs completion followed by SOLO NOTs completion, taken standardly through original IV-VII to their FULL EPs. Then the original OT VIII, not the adultered quickied one on the Freewinds, and you’ll have, indeed, a extremely rehabilitated thetan who can exert a LOT of power and control on his environment. Enough, that just a few of them could revert the whole scene in the Church. DM KNOWS this. He really does.”
2000: Christianity Today published articles this week on Scientology and its attempt to dominate Clearwater. “Some Christians in Clearwater call Scientology a pushy, money-driven cult that preys on the vulnerable. Others avoid confrontation, striving to tolerate or even welcome Scientology as a member of the religious community. Bill Anderson, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Clearwater for the past 25 years, says it has been difficult to treat Scientologists with love while countering their teachings with biblical truth. ‘This has really sharpened my focus about the exclusivity of the gospel,’ Anderson told Christianity Today. ‘Part of my challenge as a pastor has been trying to help my people live not only as good people but to live as good witnesses. Too often, I’m afraid, Christians are afraid to stand on the fact that only Jesus can save you.’ Scientologists have made persistent and persuasive efforts to win the favor of key officials and municipal leaders in Clearwater. Scientology members clean vacant lots, plant sea oats to stop beach erosion, and hang holiday decorations in December. They led volunteer citizen councils to prepare the city for Y2K and created their own Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops. Scientologists hold annual parties for local orphans, support anti-drug education in community schools, and sponsor Winter Wonderland, a children’s carnival, every Christmas season. Scientologists say they were welcomed by some religious leaders, including Otis and Barbara Green of Everybody’s Tabernacle, the rabbinic leaders of Congregation of Beth Shalom, and the United Church of Christ’s hospice director, Doyce Wise. Largely unwelcome in most of Clearwater’s religious circles, Scientologists created their own interfaith council and launched ministry projects for the community. Scientologists also actively engaged in community service, outchurching Clearwater’s Christians. But some residents question their desire to serve. ‘Their true agenda is control,’ Anderson says. ‘They don’t really want to be known. They want to get along like a tiger wants to get along with a rabbit.'”
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“YouTube routinely takes down videos after DMCA complaints without any sort of review, especially if the complaint comes from a paying customer.”
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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] Danny Masterson’s attorneys ask for concurrent sentences to lessen his time
[TWO years ago] The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see, Episode 5: Jamie DeWolf
[THREE years ago] Why Scientology celebrity Elisabeth Moss is problematic as an icon of reproductive rights
[FOUR years ago] Prosecutors: Judge isn’t getting the point about Dennis Nobbe’s post-arrest shenanigans
[FIVE years ago] More filmmakers who are helping out Scientology with its TV network
[SIX years ago] Another life connected to Scientology ends in despair, as so many do
[SEVEN years ago] Forced to open its books, one overseas Scientology rehab shows that business is grim
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s secret sites: The Bunker premieres drone footage never before seen of ‘Int Base’
[NINE years ago] TEN YEARS GONE: Shelly Miscavige, the wife Scientology’s leader wants us to forget
[TEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Scientology is going down in style!
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Heresy: Jon Atack on L. Ron Hubbard’s Debt to Psychiatry
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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 3,016 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,511 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,026 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,576 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,566 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 4,952 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,447 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,751 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,622 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,174 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,515 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,082 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,001 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,169 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,751 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,011 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,047 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,763 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,327 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,642 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,817 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,368 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,499 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,837 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,690 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,811 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,167 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,470 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,576 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,974 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,850 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,415 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,928 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,182 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,290 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on September 7, 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
