TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: You may have seen the news yesterday, that former Las Vegas City Councilwoman Michele Fiore was found guilty on federal charges. But her trial also featured documentary evidence of something we’ve been saying a long, long time about her involvement in Scientology. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“In this lifetime the downfall of any thetan began with his loss of some heavy mass. The heaviness of the mass was the value of the mass. For instance, an auditor wishing to trace the feeling of degradation in a preclear would look for a time when the preclear lost or was removed from a massive object. The auditor then has the preclear mock up the object and change its quality better or worse until it ‘snaps in’ automatically on the preclear. Then the auditor has the preclear mock up enough of the object to create an avalanche. The preclear must then add more and more to the inflow, then add planets, stars and black stars until the preclear can comfortably throw several dense objects away in mock-up. A reverse (outflowing) avalanche is then begun and run.” — 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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“I don’t know whether parts of the body will rebuild or not. Auditors have hazarded that and they’re working on it. They’re trying to figure it out, trying to get the third tooth to grow where a tooth’s been pulled, trying to get this to happen and that to happen and trying to get a finger to grow, something like that. People’s limbs have lengthened two, three, four inches; their spines have lengthened, their height’s grown. And I’ve seen places on the body fill in where chunks had been pulled out. But I haven’t seen a whole limb grow, or I haven’t seen half a limb grow, I mean, and complete itself and be a full limb again. I don’t know. Possibly something to do with structural pattern or the bud or something has to be implanted along the line or something. One of these days we’ll find out what that is and then we’ll all have two heads.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 4, 1953
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“FESTIVAL: The GREAT PEANUT RACE is the next major event of the Festival! The three lowest hour auditors in the last five days will engage in a death defying race pushing each a peanut around the entire circle of the Prom Deck amid the cheers of the multitude. The Contestants should be equipt with knee pads and gloves. Three peanuts must be provided of suitable size with spares in case of a track crack up.” — The Commodore, October 4, 1971
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“Some folks said that LRH never conceived of the Internet. Well, he was still alive when computer networks were already in existence, and governments had sent digital transmissions across the country long before that. So why would LRH announce future communications technologies when those concepts had already been in the scope of design since the 60s? So Berners-Lee came up with something practical along that line around the late 80s. Where do some people think LRH came up with the term ‘Terminal’ from? Does he need to get more specific?”
1999: Cinescape published an article on Scientology celebrity Kelly Preston, wife of John Travolta, on her part in the movie Battlefield Earth. “Kelly Preston is talking up what she’s seen on the set of her husband John Travolta’s big screen version of L. Ron Hubbard’s book, Battlefield Earth. ‘I’ve seen some of the footage and John looks so weird. He’s the leader of the alien force and he has this prosthetic face and nobody would recognize him.’ Preston also has a cameo role in the film as another alien which she describes, ‘I have a huge head and I walk on these stilt-like legs.'”
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“J&D is hard. Anybody can write something serious and emotional and get all the upvotes. We comedians are the true artistes.”
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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] Why Scientology’s reclusive leader would risk re-emerging in England for the IAS gala
[TWO years ago] Prosecution plans to call 1996 victim in Danny Masterson trial
[THREE years ago] Is this a list of all of Scientology’s active subsidiary corporations that a tipster fed us?
[FOUR years ago] Scientology once again confirms our estimates for its tiny size
[FIVE years ago] For $100, Scientologist sorcerer will share secret of living to 150 (and we have the secret!)
[SIX years ago] Scientology has its whales — and now the Underground Bunker does too!
[SEVEN years ago] Is Scientology’s notorious prison detail — the ‘RPF’ — a thing of the past?
[EIGHT years ago] Pam Bondi thrills at Scientology’s mecca, Hungarian TV bends over, & other updates
[NINE years ago] Meet the young Hollywood types who introduced Cathriona White to Scientology
[TEN years ago] Jon Atack: How to talk to a Scientologist to plant the seeds of doubt
[ELEVEN years ago] WORLD PREMIERE: The Shrinking Cult of Scientology, A Video By Tiziano Lugli
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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 3,042 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,537 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,052 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,602 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,592 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 4,978 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,473 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,777 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,648 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,200 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,541 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,108 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,027 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,195 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,777 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,037 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,073 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,789 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,353 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,668 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,843 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,394 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,525 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,863 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,716 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,831 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,193 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,496 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,602 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,000 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,876 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,441 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,953 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,208 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,316 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on October 4, 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
