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Technology Cocktail
“What do we mean by an origin of the preclear? He volunteers something all on his own; and do you know that is a very good index of case — whether the person volunteers anything on his own? An old-time auditor used this as a case index. He said, ‘This fellow isn’t getting any better. He hasn’t offered up anything yet.’ You see, he didn’t originate—he didn’t originate a communication. So remember that the preclear is as well as he can originate a communication. That means he can stand at Cause on the communication formula. And that is a desirable point for him to reach.” — 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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“The magic cults of the 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th centuries in the Middle East were fascinating. The only modern work that has anything to do with them is a trifle wild in spots, but it’s fascinating work in itself, and that’s work written by Aleister Crowley, the late Aleister Crowley, my very good friend. And he did himself a splendid piece of aesthetics built around those magic cults. It’s very interesting reading to get ahold of a copy of a book, quite rare, but it can be obtained, ‘The Master Therion,’ T-h-e-r-i-o-n, The Master Therion by Aleister Crowley. He signs himself The Beast, the mark of the beast six sixty-six. Very, very something or other, but anyway the, Crowley exhumed a lot of the data from these old magic cults.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 5, 1952
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“DARBY: As the Income-Outgo picture is poor, you should quickly take advantage of the opportunity to attain one or more of the £5 prizes. Not unlike an old Easter Egg hunt, the DARBY offers cash prizes to the lucky winners. Score to date: Rewards — 54 £5 prizes. Penalties — 651 £1 penalties. At least defend your area against penalties! Look on the crew notice board for a surprise. The Darby goes on.” — The Commodore, December 5, 1971
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“Hubbard invented the Clear state for marketing reasons. Hubbard did a lot for marketing reasons. People get an out of body experience, or a big win, or simply mind time travel really well, like really tap into that past experience, and they are so blown away by this experience that they think they have gone Clear. Lots of Clears are just delusional people, victims of their own imaginations and desperation to be better than what they are. Many people love the label of Clear and OT so easily FN to being Clear when tested out. In fact the lower toned the person is, the more desperate they are and the more easily deluded they are that they are more likely to call themselves Clear while doing Scientology far too early in the adventure. Basically they are rabbiting away from doing the tech they need more than anyone else.”
1998: Pickets were held in Clearwater, Florida this week to mark the 3rd anniversary of Lisa McPherson’s death at the Fort Harrison Hotel. Pickets were to be accompanied by bus ads. From the St. Petersburg Times: “Pinellas County’s transit chief pulled 10 buses off the road Sunday after the Church of Scientology complained that the vehicles’ side panels contained anti-Scientology advertising. The ads were purchased by church critics and were to be on buses Saturday through Monday as part of a weekend-long protest against Scientology. Each of the 11 ads carried a different message. Among them: ‘Think for Yourself. Quit Scientology,’ ‘Find out why so many people oppose Dianetics and Scientology’ and ‘Why does Scientology lie to its members?’ Scientology representatives began phoning the homes of transit and Clearwater city officials after the buses began rolling Saturday morning. The church argued that the ads violated a state law regarding published material that ‘tends to expose any individual or any religious group to hatred, contempt, ridicule or (abusive language).’ Rathbun said ads were part of ‘an unprecedented level of taunting’ against Scientologists. ‘I think they went out of bounds in terms of inciting hatred toward Scientologists and inciting Scientologists to react in some fashion,’ he said. Had the church engaged in the same activity, it would have been skewered by the media, Rathbun said. ‘You might as well have no rights as far as we’re concerned.’ They were purchased by a group called Former Scientologists Speaking Out, which had its three-day advertising contract cut short, said Frank Oliver, a former Scientologist and a Scientology critic who heads the Miami graphics company that designed the ads. ‘None of those statements are inflammatory in any way,’ he said. ‘They don’t have a leg to stand on.’ Oliver said the group that placed the ads had not decided how to proceed. ‘Obviously the contract was violated, but I think our point was made,’ he said.”
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“I remember like 2009 thinking we were kicking ass on Scientology on YouTube and the whole cult/magical thinking in general…and then I discovered David Icke, and I remember thinking ‘What’s the use?’ Knock one down and another takes its place.”
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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] Twenty-eight years ago today: The final hours of Lisa McPherson’s Scientology life
[TWO years ago] Twenty-seven years ago today: The final hours of Lisa McPherson’s Scientology life
[THREE years ago] Twenty-six years ago today: The final hours of Lisa McPherson’s Scientology life
[FOUR years ago] Twenty-five years ago today: The final hours of Lisa McPherson’s Scientology life
[FIVE years ago] Give Scientology $500 and you too could be a ‘Harlem Homie’!
[SIX years ago] Slimed by Scientology, Cierra Westerman says she’s still feeling good about coming forward
[SEVEN years ago] The raid on Scientology you probably haven’t heard about — and how the church beat the rap
[EIGHT years ago] EXCLUSIVE: Scientology tried to derail Remini series by calling 14-year-old ‘aggressor’ in rape
[NINE years ago] Twenty years ago today: The final hours of Lisa McPherson’s Scientology life
[TEN years ago] Steve Cannane has Scientology book news, and helps us with a Down Under history lesson
[ELEVEN years ago] RUSSELL MILLER’S BARE-FACED MESSIAH, BACK IN PRINT IN FEBRUARY!
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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 3,104 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,599 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,114 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,664 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,654 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,040 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,535 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,839 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,710 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,262 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,603 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,170 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,089 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,257 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,839 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,099 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,135 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,851 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,415 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,730 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,905 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,587 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,924 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,778 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,893 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,255 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,558 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,664 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,062 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,938 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,503 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,014 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,270 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,378 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 5, 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
