TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Judge Olmedo and the LA DA’s Office are both concerned about repeated contacts of the jurors in Danny Masterson’s second trial by members of Masterson’s legal team. Judge Olmedo says the law may have been broken, and the DA wants a hearing to consider sanctions. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The first English grammarians, writing in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, did not attempt to describe the English of their day. On the contrary, they were attempting to “improve” English and they demanded Latin constructions which were not characteristic of English. They objected to the expression I am mistaken, because if translated into Latin this would mean I am misunderstood. They claimed that unloose must mean tie, because un is a Latin negative. They objected to the ‘double negative’ which was good Old English, and also good Greek, but not good Latin.” — 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 handled a preclear not too long ago who was in the valence of a horse. He had been in the valence of a horse for a long time. He had gotten so mad at a horse that he had wished everything off on this horse imaginable and then the horse won. And the preclear went into the horse’s valence. Fact. You have probably processed people in the valences of dogs and so forth. As a matter of fact, if I were raising a little child, I would certainly hang all the pets out the window and let them run away rather than have them around a child, because the pet is liable to give the child trouble.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 19, 1951
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“WORD TO WISE: When you are told it was by my orders you were moved, shot, demoted, denied a place in line at the canteen, forced to eat spinach with sand in it, ask to see it in writing. If it isn’t written it isn’t true.” — The Commodore, November 19, 1970
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“As Ron says in ‘The Reason for Orgs’ there are others who would like to ensure that real OTs are not being made. For instance there were some (not all in fact I ran into quite a few who were and are spooks who think OT is a very cool thing) in CIA and other sectors of ‘National Security’ who feel threatened by it. I mean their job is to keep things secret and hidden and having pesky OTs around totally ruins that game plan for ’em. Then of course you have your average SP who isn’t too thrilled by the idea because it makes ‘the masses’ (probably an appropriate term by those stuck in a GPM) harder to suppress and dominate.”
1996: The UN Human Rights Committee criticized Germany this week, alleging discrimination against Scientologists. From AFP:
“The 18-member committee discussed Monday and Tuesday the first report on the human rights situation in Germany to be submitted by Bonn under the terms of the 1976 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights since the country was reunified in 1990. A senior official of the German justice ministry, Matthias Weckerling, defended moves against the controversial Church of Scientology as prompted by the duty of the state to protect its citizens against the activities of certain religious sects. But members of the committee said there was a very fine line between protecting the public and respecting the rights of religious expression and belief.”
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“A Scientology divorce is simply postulating and as-ising that wife #2 never existed.”
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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.
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] Bruce Hines: Scientology, its spies, the World Cup, and an irrepressible friend
[TWO years ago] Let’s help out a couple of former Scientologists who could use your attention
[THREE years ago] L. Ron Hubbard 2.0 surprises us yet again with his latest venture: Sitting in a Tennessee jail
[FOUR years ago] Danny Masterson takes another expensive and futile swipe at his criminal charges
[FIVE years ago] Nan McLean, 1923-2019: One of the bravest women who ever exposed Scientology’s abuses
[SIX years ago] Disaster relief? Scientology’s own documents spell out the real mission of ‘Volunteer Ministers’
[SEVEN years ago] Most remote large city in the world won’t be overlooked by Scientology’s zeal to be ‘ideal’
[EIGHT years ago] EXCLUSIVE: See the letter Scientology sent to scare A&E out of airing Leah Remini’s series
[NINE years ago] ‘Babywatch,’ day one: Lisa McPherson raves out by Scientology’s holiest swimming pool
[TEN years ago] L. Ron Hubbard, deadbeat dad ALSO: Former members of Scientology show off their stuff
[ELEVEN years ago] The Oiliness Table, For Real! A Look Inside Scientology’s Super Power Building
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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 3,088 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,583 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,098 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,648 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,638 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,024 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,519 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,823 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,694 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,246 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,587 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,154 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,073 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,241 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,823 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,083 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,119 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,835 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,399 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,714 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,889 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,571 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,908 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,762 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,877 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,239 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,542 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,648 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,046 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,922 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,487 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,998 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,254 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,362 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 19, 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
