TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Our American readers celebrate Thanksgiving today, and once again we’d like to hear what you’re grateful for. We’re bringing back a tradition and passing the Source — enjoying Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s tall tales about being a race car driver 40,000 years ago! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“I don’t know exactly how to get this across to you except to ask you to be brave, squint up your eyes and plunge. I don’t appeal to reason. Only to faith at the moment. When you have a reality on this, nothing will shake it and you’ll no longer fail cases or fail in life. But, at the moment, it may not seem reasonable. So just try it, do it well and day will dawn at last. What are these natterings, upsets, ARC Breaks, critical tirades, lost students, ineffective motions? They are restimulated but missed or partially missed withholds. If I could just teach you that and get you to get a good reality on that in your own auditing, your activities would become smooth beyond belief.” — 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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“Be the space of your body. The space of this room. The space of your body. The space of this room. Be the space of your body. The space of this room. The space of your body. The space of the building. The space of your body. The space of the building. The space of your body. The space of the building. The space of your body. The space of this building. The space of your body. The space of this building. The space of your body. The space of Camden. The space of your body. The space of Camden. The space of your body. The space of Camden. The space of your body. The space of Philadelphia. The space of your body. The space of Philadelphia. The space of your body. Space of Philadelphia. Space of your body. Space of Philadelphia. Space of New York. Space of your body.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 28, 1953
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“MISUNDERSTOODS: I wrote a piece in the OOD yesterday about Nixon’s misunderstoods. I hope no one accumulated any misunderstood words reading it. I found ‘hilarity’ in the first sentence wasn’t known. It means ‘high amusement,’ or ‘boisterous merriment’.” — The Commodore, November 28, 1971
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“OMG there’s talk now of No Jab-No Flight rules and an electronic way of checking at airports if people have gotten the jab. Just today they mentioned this in the mainstream media. Of course, we knew this was coming. When you get good at spotting conspiracies you can predict this sort of disgusting rubbish. The communist world order wants you vaccinated, and they are going to force you to do it. Well I ain’t touching their untrustworthy drugs/medicines/vaccines/advice/science just everything really. Over my dead body, baby!”
1998: Lyon Capitale, a French news weekly, published an article on Scientology cases in France, and harassment of critics. “While 23 of its members were before the criminal courts of Lyon, one for involuntary homicide, the others for fraud and abuse of trust, the Church of Scientology was highly visible in the streets of Lyon. Demonstrations, distribution of leaflets, open houses and public ceremonies: the Scientologists cultivated the appearance of victims through a vast PR campaign. The Scientologists convicted by the court saw their sentences reduced on appeal. While recalling that there had been fraud, the appeals court allowed the Church of Scientology to take advantage of being a ‘religion’, thus giving the cult a new opportunity to improve its public image. Today, the church has, it seems, closed its doors again. Sealed off from the world, the organization is showing itself to be more allergic than ever to criticism. When we asked for permission to take a few photos at the church in Lyon, we were dryly told: ‘No. I mean no. Don’t insist,’ with no further explanation. Currently under fire in the media, now that several elements of a case against the cult have disappeared from a court in Paris, ‘la Sciento’ has pulled into its shell. And gone onto the offensive. Lyon professor Paul Aries, a specialist on cult issues, knows something about it. His latest work, ‘Scientology: laboratory of the future’, published by Golias, wasn’t yet on sale when he received a letter from Scientology reminding him that that the texts of the founding guru
were protected by copyright, before threatening him with forgery. But Christian Terras, founder of the revue ‘Golias’, replied to the scienos that he would anyway publish the book. It’s a done deal since last week. Police, academics, and the investigating magistrate responsible for the inquiry into the suicide of a member in Lyon have all be subject to multiple intimidations. Journalistic inquiries such as Serge Flaubert’s ‘A Cult at the Heart of the Republic’ or Richard Behar’s article in Time magazine were the targets of lawsuits. The threats are sometimes physical. Since he started researching cults, Aies has been attacked several times, resulting in a dislocated shoulder. A meeting with senior police officials was canceled anonymously. His mail has been stolen. He has had to move house several times. ‘I can’t accuse anyone in particular’, he says, ‘I am filing charges against a John Doe’.”
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“Every Thanksgiving my Dad would get in a bad mood and start saying stuff like the Native Americans should have slaughtered the pilgrims as soon as they landed.”
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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] Scientology releases photos of reclusive David Miscavige at IAS gala in England
[TWO years ago] Can the Danny Masterson jury figure things out today?
[THREE years ago] Scientology returns to ‘Christmas’ implant in earnest: L. Ron is the reason for the season!
[FOUR years ago] Chris Shelton: What it’s like to spy for Scientology’s Office of Special Affairs
[FIVE years ago] On this Thanksgiving, we’re thankful again for people we will never forget
[SIX years ago] Scientology responds to Leah Remini’s season premiere with smeariest smear video ever
[SEVEN years ago] Ugh. We just found a troubling L. Ron Hubbard Scientology lecture about little boys and sex.
[EIGHT years ago] How Liz Gale came to disconnect from her own mother, Scientology style
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s apocalyptic ‘expansion’: A hint at the real story in a Brighton shiny moment
[TEN years ago] The richest Scientologists in the world get a new trophy for donating another pile of cash!
[ELEVEN years ago] Jefferson Hawkins Explains the Ethics of Scientology’s “Suppressive Person”
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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 3,097 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,592 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,107 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,657 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,647 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,033 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,528 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,832 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,703 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,255 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,596 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,163 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,082 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,250 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,832 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,092 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,128 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,844 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,408 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,723 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,898 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,580 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,917 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,771 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,886 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,248 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,551 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,657 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,055 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,931 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,496 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,007 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,263 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,371 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 28, 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
