TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: No matter how much Scientology dwindles, isn’t it precious that it still has geriatric space cadets who are young at heart, full of wallet, and who still think their Space Age obsession with sci-fi hack L. Ron Hubbard will create a new civilization on earth? Bless their hearts. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The body is a physical object. It is not the being himself. As a body has mass it tends to remain motionless unless moved and tends to keep going in a certain direction unless steered. As he is not really running his body, the robot has to be moved when not moving or diverted if moving on a wrong course. Thus anyone with one or more of such beings around him tends to get exhausted with shoving them into motion or halting them when they go wrong. Exhaustion only occurs when one does not understand the robot.” — 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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“There’s another item that’s posted on the bulletin board, has to do with one R. — I think it is — R. M. Nixon. You notice that on the bulletin board? And John is attributing the fact that we clobbered Nixon to the fact that he’s clobbered. I don’t know to what point this extends, but it’s interesting that that is the first political figure in the United States that we really have clobbered. Of course, we hit him hard. Mary Sue isn’t here. Mary Sue isn’t here, so I can tell you that actually I hit him because he hit at Mary Sue. It’s almost that corny. But this fellow was using the United States Secret Service as a sort of a private Gestapo. And he’d been doing this all over Washington and so forth. So I just didn’t think it was good political, I didn’t think he had the right political color, somehow or another.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 15, 1962
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“BIRTH CONTROL PILLS — these apparently cause severe depression and severe damage to female sexual organs. It is of interest that these four things are the direct product and tools of the same people who for 20 years financed and pushed the attacks on Dianetics and Scientology. Thus we are looking at the current center of psychosis on the planet. The drug companies and their primary pushers — the psychiatrist and medicos. About half the ringleaders in attacks on us are disabled or dead. It’s like audint a planet already.” — The Commodore, November 15, 1970
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“This is a war of implanters vs free thetans. Get more auditing. I recommend the Excalibur course to see the command of the collectivists, ‘we are one.’ I don’t know if you are old enough to remember how many governments and media sources came out with bogus and biased stories to destroy Hubbard and Scientology in the 60s and 70s. The implanters bring spiritual pressure down on their minions to harass and destroy all good people and prophets who make breakthroughs to free thetans. This is the way it’s been throughout human history. It is successful because beings above us in space are suppressing us in real time. I am not even done with Excalibur, but I came face to face with the real suppressive forces and see a direct link to their attacks on Hubbard and now also Trump. If you are against Trump, then you do not know who he is or what he is doing for America and the world.”
1999: The St. Petersburg Times reported that Scientology is suing Lisa McPherson’s aunt, Dell Liebreich, alleging that she falsified documents making her executor of Lisa’s estate. “In a petition filed this week, Scientology asks a Pinellas probate judge to remove a Texas woman, Dell Liebreich, as the personal representative of Lisa McPherson’s estate. The church is alleging that Liebreich forged a key document used in setting up the estate. The charge is based on the findings of an expert, Gus R. Lesnevich, who once examined handwriting for the Army and the Secret Service. Liebreich’s attorney, Ken Dandar of Tampa, called the church’s petition slanderous, saying, ‘They’re making some very outrageous and serious allegations.’ The wrongful death case continues to drag on in Hillsborough County Circuit Court. A trial is scheduled in June, but the church is trying to stop it before it gets that far. According to Scientology, Fannie McPherson never blamed the church for her daughter’s death in 1995. But two years later, when Fannie McPherson was close to death herself, Leibreich took advantage of her sister’s fragile health by filing documents without her consent, the church alleges. In those documents, Fannie McPherson’s right to represent her daughter’s estate was transferred to Leibreich. The church alleges that the dates of the filings coupled with handwriting samples from Fannie McPherson point to fraud and forgery. Dandar said Fannie McPherson and Dell Liebreich were close, and Liebreich has simply carried out her sister’s dying wish that Scientology be exposed for causing Lisa McPherson’s death. The church’s handwriting expert contends Fannie McPherson’s signature on the waiver is a forgery because the smooth strokes do not match the shaky strokes she used on other documents just weeks earlier. Dandar said the signing was witnessed by Liebreich, a hospice worker and a notary public. He also said the church has no legal basis to contest Liebreich’s standing in the estate.”
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“Those who still believe in the tech will say that they ‘know’ that it works from personal experience and that science hasn’t caught up to LRH yet. vaLLarrr used to ask us if we thought we loved our mothers or if we knew we loved our mothers in her attempts to defend the tech as being empirically provable. It’s all self delusional mind games they’re playing with themselves.”
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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:
— 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] Mick Wenlock, 1953-2023: A Scientology escapee who helped others recover their dignity
[TWO years ago] Closing arguments today at the Danny Masterson trial: Come along for the ride
[THREE years ago] Scientology at a crossroads: When the ruthless upstarts pushed out the less compliant
[FOUR years ago] Scientology has your certificate, pilgrim. Join these big beings around the world!
[FIVE years ago] The new leaders of ‘Scientology’ tell us about their fight to free the world
[SIX years ago] Eric Saldarriaga, private eye who took the fall for Scientology, 1973-2017
[SEVEN years ago] Jared Fogle, former Subway huckster, turned to an indie Scientologist for failed ‘appeal’
[EIGHT years ago] In court today: Flop filmmakers who met in Scientology face 75 years for Ponzi scheme
[NINE years ago] Tom DeVocht: Watching David Miscavige watch Lisa McPherson and her faulty ‘needle’
[TEN years ago] Judge calls for February mini-trial in Garcia case, and we have text of the Lemberger lawsuit
[ELEVEN years ago] Judge James Whittemore Reins In the Garcia v. Scientology Case
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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 3,084 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,579 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,094 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,644 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,634 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,020 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,515 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,819 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,690 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,242 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,583 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,150 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,069 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,237 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,819 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,079 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,115 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,831 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,395 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,710 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,885 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,567 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,904 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,758 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,873 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,235 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,538 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,644 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,042 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,918 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,483 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,994 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,250 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,358 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 15, 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
