TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’ve really been looking forward to seeing how the notorious Dr. David Minkoff, alternative medicine doctor and major Scientology donor, would respond to the Whitney Mills wrongful death lawsuit, and wow, he does not disappoint. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Group justice is of some use but all it really does is make the person withhold himself even harder and while a necessary restraint, nevertheless does not itself bring a lasting improvement. Threats and “heads on a pike” (meaning examples of discipline) do however jar the person into giving his attention and channeling his actions into a more desirable path from the group viewpoint. Justice is necessary in a society of such people but it is not a remedy for improvement.” — 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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“We understand God because of the Devil; we understand this, we understand that. These are double data. The basic unit of the universe is two, not one. And we suddenly announce, ‘Theta has as its potentiality the location of matter and energy in space and time, and can, as well, create space and time.’ Well, once we say that, and the same time we say it has no wavelength, it — boy, we’re really describing a beast here. This thing couldn’t possibly have any position in the real universe. And sure enough, it doesn’t.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 14, 1956
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“At Group Muster last night the FSO was not satisfied that the requirements were met by S. Moreau, A. Tabayoyon, C. Varga and E. Hayes, so the above are still restricted to the ship and given 24 hrs to: Get all shore passes of those restricted to ship removed from QM desk and given to AMA. Run a series of drills on QMs to ensure they won’t goof again. Draw up a proposed watch stat for QMs which includes a heavy penalty for watch goofs. Get a list of all QMs given to Dept 13 so that gangway QMs be post purpose cleared.” — Lt. N.F. Starkey, Captain, November 14, 1971
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“I’ve been out of prison now for a week and it’s good to be back! The time I did was good too. I got to sleep in nearly every day and I read and watched a lot of things. It was quite an interesting holiday of sorts. I even got to have some scary experiences around crims which is great character and confidence building. Victoria’s lefty prisons are like summer camps. The powers that be like the crims because they make money off ‘punishing them and use their bad behaviour as an excuse to expand the police state’s power. The sentence I got was an absolute joke. The lefty justice system and Vic police just wanted an excuse to lock me up because I dared challenge their communist feminist agenda.”
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1998: The State of Florida this week charged Scientology with crimes in connection with the death of Lisa McPherson, who did in their care in 1995. From the New York Times: “The church’s Flag Service Organization, its chief operating arm in Clearwater, Fla., was charged with abuse or neglect of a disabled adult and with the unauthorized practice of medicine in the death of the church member, Lisa McPherson, 36. Ms. McPherson’s death has become a rallying point for critics of Scientology. They contend that her death reflects the coercive nature of the church, which has been a lightning rod for criticism since it was founded 48 years ago by L. Ron Hubbard, the late science fiction writer. Church officials and organizations have faced charges in foreign countries in recent years, but the charges in the McPherson case are believed to be the first criminal accusations against a Scientology entity in the United States since 11 of its leaders were imprisoned 20 years ago for breaking into Government offices. The Clearwater charges are similar to those brought against nursing homes accused of providing inadequate treatment to elderly patients who die in their care. The abuse or neglect charge accuses the church of knowingly or negligently causing harm to Ms. McPherson. Under Florida law, the maximum penalty is a $5,000 fine for each charge, but courts may impose additional penalties, including forfeiture of property. McCabe and Clearwater police officials declined to comment on the charges. But an affidavit by A. L. Strope, a special agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which was released with the charges, provided a chilling portrait of Ms. McPherson’s final days. According to Strope’s affidavit, Ms. McPherson was hyperactive, delusional and hallucinating. He said she tried to harm herself and others and was repeatedly restrained and prevented from leaving her room. After the first week, she routinely urinated and defecated on herself and rarely slept, Strope said. She had conversations with people who were not there, claimed to be people she was not, sang and danced around the room as if giving a performance, crawled around on the floor, stood on the toilet, got in the shower fully clothed, tried to walk out of the room in a state of undress and on at least one occasion drank her own urine. Strope said Scientology staff members administered injections of magnesium chloride in an effort to get her to sleep and gave her numerous doses of vitamins, herbal sleep remedies and prescription drugs.”
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“Hubbard had it wrong from the very beginning. Man is an animal and nothing more. Detachment from the material world is one of the main reasons humanity is destroying the material world. Spiritualism is our get out of jail free card.”
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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, 2023.
— ‘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 November 15.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud.
Civil litigation:
— 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] Leah Remini and Scientology agree to slow down her lawsuit a little after heated exchanges
[TWO years ago] PODCAST: Leah Remini joins us to talk Scientology, the LAPD, and Shelly Miscavige
[THREE years ago] DOCUMENT LEAK: Did the ‘Chase Wave’ cause a blacklisting of Scientology?
[FOUR years ago] Jon Atack quizzes Mike Rinder: Scientology’s former spy chief on L. Ron Hubbard’s paranoia
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s David Miscavige served again: This time in a sick case alleging child abuse
[SIX years ago] Records of Scientology leader David Miscavige’s speeding tickets contain a small surprise
[SEVEN years ago] Tonight on ‘Leah Remini’: L. Ron Hubbard gets the Russell Miller treatment
[EIGHT years ago] At an early age, Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard learned how to captivate the press
[NINE years ago] Jeffrey Augustine: Just a friendly reminder — Scientology prices are outrageous
[TEN years ago] Classic Scientology shenanigans as class action lawsuit is filed against legal opponent NAFC
[ELEVEN years ago] Jefferson Hawkins Drops In To See What Condition Our Scientology Condition Is In
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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 3,083 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,578 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,093 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,643 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,633 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,019 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,514 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,818 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,689 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,241 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,582 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,149 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,068 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,236 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,818 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,078 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,114 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,830 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,394 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,709 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,884 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,566 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,903 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,757 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,872 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,234 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,537 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,643 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,041 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,917 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,482 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,993 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,249 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,357 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 14, 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
