TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Yesterday’s dispatch from one of our correspondents, suggesting that Scientology leader David Miscavige might be softening the church’s notorious ‘Disconnection’ policy, turned out to be pretty controversial with our ex-Scientologist readers, and they let us know it. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“I know that some months ago and earlier than that it seemed rather fatal to us to continue to fixate the preclear’s attention on the chronic somatic. But that is not a problem with us right now. It ceased to be a problem the moment I invented an auditing command exactly as follows: ‘Invent a problem that (leg, arm, nose, eye, body) could be to you.’ Running this command, which is in itself a sort of remedy of havingness,
and repairing and remedying the havingness of the preclear as we go, we will discover that practically any and all phenomena associated with the service facsimile will come away and clear up, and the limb, nose or eye will get well. This can be used as a word of warning: ONLY ON ACTUAL TERMINALS. Never use this command, and I mean NEVER, on actual conditions.” — 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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“Auditing itself depends to some degree on miracle healing. And the longer you sit back waiting for the process to do it, and the longer you sit back waiting for Ron to do it, the less it’s going to happen. You’re not going to make Clears waiting for something else to do it. You’re going to do it. If you don’t do it — look, who else is there! There’s the pc and he’s been an aberree for the last 15 trillion, squillion years, hasn’t he? He’s been spinning ever since they pulled his last temple down on his head or whatever happened. Well, if he could get out of the bank just at a whoooo, he wouldn’t be your pc, so he can’t do it. And when you’re in an auditing room all by yourself with just the pc, you know, and a couple of chairs or couch or something, you look around real carefully and find out who else in that room is going to do it! Nobody going to do it but you.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 9, 1959
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“THIS PORT: This is a very upstat area and our general relations with the shore are very good. We will be here for 15 days or more, at this or some other dock, as we are getting heat into the tween decks and holds and having some other repairs done. So if you have any extensive work or actions that need doing, now is the time to do them. As the World Health Organization is not all that good in restricting epidemics and although there is nothing particular wrong here, you are warned not to eat fresh fruits without peeling them and fresh uncooked foods ashore. Also do not drink any fresh water that has not been chlorinated.” — The Commodore, November 9, 1971
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“US late night talk show host Jeffrey Daugherty has embarked on a path to deliver ‘White Dianetics’ to the world. I suggest the free Scientology community check out this project and interact appropriately with him. He is someone who is eminently amenable to factual discussion. It would be truly wonderful if someone from the community could come onto his show for an episode of discussing and laying out interesting stuff that could further show his quite open-minded audience what a wonderful technology LRH gifted humanity.”
1999: Gerry Armstrong posted a letter he received from Scientology lawyer Andy Wilson, showing an attempt to have the court hold Gerry in contempt for speaking about Scientology. “Plaintiff/Judgment Creditor Church of Scientology International hereby applies ex parte for an order directing Defendant/Judgment Debtor Gerald Armstrong to show cause why he should not be held in contempt of this Court for Armstrong’s willful defiance of this Court’s October 17, 1995 Order of Permanent Injunction. This application is made on the grounds that, in violation of the Order, Armstrong – who has twice previously been found in contempt of the Injunction – has continued to openly flaunt the authority of this Court, violating the Injunction issued by this Court in numerous respects. During the period February 20, 1998 to July 10, 2000, Armstrong made a total of
131 postings on the Internet, each of which violated one or more provisions of the Injunction. Armstrong traveled to Clearwater, Florida and on December 5, 1999 spoke before a public gathering sponsored by the Lisa McPherson Trust, a for-profit corporation, the purpose of which is to bring about the destruction of the Scientology religion. Armstrong traveled to Tampa, Florida and on December 10, 1999 gave an interview on radio station WMNF-AM, during which he again violated the terms of the Injunction. Armstrong has willfully treated this Court’s authority with such callous disregard that he should be criminally sanctioned by fine and imprisonment.”
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“How long did it take for the Shakers to cease to exist? As far as I’m concerned that’s the basic scenario we’re looking at here. The feds aren’t going to do anything about Scientology ever and there’s not going to be any Jonestown event (thank gawd) so what does that leave except a fade out to non-existence?”
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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.
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] He helped launch Scientology’s cruise ship, and later was cast aside by the church
[TWO years ago] BIZARRE: Scientologist figure Tommy Davis accosts two Paul Haggis trial witnesses in Soho
[THREE years ago] Profs looking at tiny groups of American ‘indies’ miss Scientology’s big issues
[FOUR years ago] How Scientology can prove us wrong about L. Ron Hubbard’s ‘sheep-dipped’ valor
[FIVE years ago] The Scientology-‘Ancient Aliens’ tie-in we just know you were waiting for
[SIX years ago] Someone is faking Lawrence Wright emails — and this one is about the Underground Bunker
[SEVEN years ago] French-kissing Wilt Chamberlain: Adventures of a teenager in the skeezy world of Scientology
[EIGHT years ago] How a new independent ‘church’ is trying to wrestle away control over the word ‘Scientology’
[NINE years ago] Scientology on the high seas: When L. Ron Hubbard was still making tech ‘breakthroughs’
[TEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: Kirstie Alley is now Super Powered!
[ELEVEN years ago] Luis Garcia Responds to Scientology’s Arbitration Scheme
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,078 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,573 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,088 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,638 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,628 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,014 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,509 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,813 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,684 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,236 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,577 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,144 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,063 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,231 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,813 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,073 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,109 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,825 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,389 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,704 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,879 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,561 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,898 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,752 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,867 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,229 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,532 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,638 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,036 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,912 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,477 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,988 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,244 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,352 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 9, 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
