TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Now that the deadline for submitting evidence has passed, Alex Barnes-Ross brings us up to date on Scientology’s attempt to convince local politicians that protest should be banned outside the church’s UK headquarters, Saint Hill Manor. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“When I was first working on evaluations of study in 1971 the ‘dishonesty factor’ appeared as a very general Why. But it was not worked with at that time as there seemed no easy way to handle it. By improving the technology of Confessionals on another entirely different research channel, the problem of the student also became clear. Only the honest student is a good student and a credit to his class and the subject and himself. The only reservation then is that the Confessional itself has to be done competently and honestly. But honest Confessionals breed honest Confessional auditors and this can be closely supervised as an expert action.” — 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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“You will normally find that semen and money cause the biggest commotion on a meter dial.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 23, 1953
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“EPIZOOTICS: A 48 to 64 hour illness is around. The number is decreasing. The last port of students brought it. High temperature, chills, aches in lower back and legs, strong headache, diarrhea are the symptoms. It hasn’t been named as to what it is. Probably some type of Flu that got loose from a Roche bacteriological warfare project to raise their dividends on anti-biotics sales. We get a lower percentage than other groups. But that it hits at all shows the need of stepped up auditing action. We have far too few auditors in Qual. Group numbers doubled but Qual auditors didn’t. Student and public lines increased in delivery hour potential didn’t. I have now speeded up tech results which should help.” — The Commodore, November 23, 1970
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“Re the idea of as-ising the universe from a book, I remember once when I was a fairly green newbie in Scientology, my friend showed me the difference between the perceived cycle of action and the actual cycle of action (FOT) and when I really duplicated the actual cycle of action, I realized I was continually creating my body (create-create-create) and that if I ceased to create it, it would disappear, and that’s when it became transparent and I could see the floor through it and that’s when I slammed back in so hard to protect it I had a headache for days! So I grok your ‘as-isness’. ”
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2000: Jeff Jacobsen reported conditions in downtown Clearwater in the week prior to the annual Lisa McPherson memorial events. “I went to the Sandcastle to take pictures of the shelving Scientology is putting up along their bushes next to the sidewalk. These shelves will be used to place Christmas tries shoulder to shoulder to keep parishioners from seeing any potential picketers. I then took a few pictures of the half-built Winter Wonderland. Then to finish off the roll I went to the Super Power building. As I was taking pictures of several people going into the Super Power building on the south side, a Scientology security guy on a bike came up and asked what I was doing. ‘Taking pictures.’ Who was I taking pictures for. ‘Why, is it illegal?’ No. ‘Are you a policeman?’ No, but I can call them. ‘OK, call the cops and tell them I’m taking pictures of your building. Why do you care?’ Well we don’t get many people taking pictures of our buildings. ‘Well that’s all I’m doing right?’ Right.”
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“All along the Bridge, in the lectures mainly, LRH drops all sorts of clues, inferences, asides that the whole thing was a game and that there was an inside joke. Unfortunately a certain percentage of the faithful failed to pick up on this.”
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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] Judge removes some allegations from lawsuit by Danny Masterson victims
[TWO years ago] Scientology’s richest in 2022: Where have all the whales gone?
[THREE years ago] Court finds schizophrenic teen not responsible for killing at Aussie Scientology HQ
[FOUR years ago] More former Church of Scientology members describe life after Miscavige
[FIVE years ago] In Touch sold out to Enquirer’s parent, so now it starts up with the Tom-foolery
[SIX years ago] Here is what’s in the documents that are prompting a new look at Casey Kasem’s death
[SEVEN years ago] We’ve cooked up for you a special Scientology Thanksgiving — so pass the Source!
[EIGHT years ago] Before Leah Remini burns it to the ground, here’s Scientology’s side of the story
[NINE years ago] Another Scientology rehab death — and why this one is particularly bad for David Miscavige
[TEN years ago] VIDEO: Watch a Scientology spy get busted by Marc Headley in Las Vegas last night
[ELEVEN years ago] Jon Atack: Why do Scientologists Find it So Difficult to Apologize?
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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 3,092 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,587 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,102 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,652 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,642 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,028 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,523 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,827 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,698 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,250 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,591 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,158 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,077 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,245 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,827 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,087 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,123 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,839 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,403 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,718 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,893 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,575 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,912 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,766 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,881 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,243 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,546 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,652 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,050 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,926 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,491 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,002 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,258 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,366 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 23, 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
