TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: In October we posted the lawsuit against Delphi Academy, a Scientology school in Lake View Terrace over a notorious case of abuse. We were interested to see who would end up defending Delphi, and now the school has submitted its answer to the lawsuit. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The subject of Scientology is to some degree developed in reverse order. The task was to undercut the current level of Man and this was the general target. Therefore one finds the higher levels publicly spoken of most frequently in the earlier books and tapes (between ‘51 and ‘55). In seeking full application to others and attainment for them of their potentials it was necessary to codify the materials and develop processes for them. Any difficulties people were having with going Clear were handled in the mid ‘60s and OT levels as they exist in Advanced Orgs were completed by ‘68. There are perhaps 15 levels above OT VII fully developed but existing only in unissued note form, pending more people’s full attainment of OT VI & VII.” — 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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“If you went into this technical society and you could just make better screwdrivers than anybody else, why, if you had any acumen at all, you eventually would make some kind of a minor success of the situation. But we’re not talking now about screwdrivers. We’re talking about the stuff of which life is made: life itself. And any time you get a technology of that character going forward, and you have a grasp of that technology, you cannot help but win. You don’t even have to try to win. People will come ahead and present you with large sections of Earth. That is all. I mean, it can’t help it. For instance, right now I’ve told them occasionally, from time to time, they’d never get into space without us. I’ve told them that from time to time. Well, what do you know? Cape Canaveral just sent for a Scientologist. They won’t get into space without us.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 12, 1961
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“NO ONE is to send telexes, telegrams, telephone messages or mail ashore without security clearance of CS-1. This includes the Ships Rep and Operations on international and mission lines but does not affect daily purchasing, PRO and port/agent cycles. This DOES include personal favors asked of persons leaving the ship on mission or on leave — they may NOT be given things to send specially for crewmembers or money to be transferred off normal org lines that are set up to handle just that.” — Ellen Klayman, F/Communicator, approved by Lt. Brian Livingston CS-1, December 12, 1969
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“While Facebook is a tool to connect, and it could have been a great tool for dissemination, it has now become a cesspit for counter-intentions, ARC breaks, and suppression of the subject. This is something I want no part of. Scientology is meant to be the exact opposite of that. Therefore, I have made a decision to disconnect from groups that are not AOGP owned. This is me ‘delivering a successful blow’ if you will. Now probably nobody gives a shit, I certainly have seen the apathy amongst Indies so I’m not expecting a farewell or anything. But in some small way I am hoping to inspire others to get active and make their own stand against some of these cultish individuals as well.”
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1998: Schweriner Volkszeitung reported this week that Scientology is threatening a lawsuit over continued surveillance in Germany. “Interior Secretary Timm (SPD) rejected an ultimatum from the Scientology organization to end the observation of its members. ‘We won’t let ourselves be extorted,’ stated the Minister in Schwerin yesterday. If there were to be Scientology activity in the Northeast, ‘of course it would be under observation’ by the Constitutional Security Agency. Timm mentioned that the state Interior Ministers assessed the surveillance of Scientology as ‘permissible and appropriate’ at their meeting in Bonn the middle of last November. In the past, the organization has, on numerous occasion, given reason to suspect that they do not respect the constitutional right to freedom of speech or the protection of human dignity. Surveillance of Scientology by the Constitutional Security Agency was decided upon in June 1997.”
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“I remember one time I was talking to vaLLarrr and she let slip that the universe was 76 trillion years old. The next day she tried to make out she had been talking about the multiverse theory, but when I pressed her on it she admitted that wasn’t what she originally meant — she was honest in a weird way. That was a big win for me to get her to engage in verbal tech because normally she was super slick about avoiding that.”
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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. Appeal brief due by December 23.
— ‘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 January 13, 2025.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud, awaiting sentencing.
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. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1.
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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] How desperate is Scientology to find people for its New Year’s event? This desperate.
[TWO years ago] SEASON’S GREETINGS: Mark Bunker shares fan mail from Scientology members
[THREE years ago] Lose weight, regrow hair, and best of all, help an OT 8 donate to Scientology!
[FOUR years ago] Wild scene in court papers: Scientology leader David Miscavige finally, really served?
[FIVE years ago] Pete Combs, 1959-2019: A reporter who believed in the power of digging for the truth
[SIX years ago] Tiponi Grey, 1968-2018, a woman who told off Scientology for its lack of compassion
[SEVEN years ago] For the first time: The FBI file of Gabe Cazares, the Clearwater mayor targeted by Scientology
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology and ‘aliens’: What did L. Ron Hubbard actually say about space invaders?
[NINE years ago] More leaked video: Watch Scientology welcome 2007, a year David Miscavige would regret
[TEN years ago] Jon Atack packs a lot into a new short book — ‘Scientology: The Cult of Greed’
[ELEVEN years ago] Judge Whittemore grants Luis Garcia discovery of Scientology’s murky trusts in fraud lawsuit
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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 3,111 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,606 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,121 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,671 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,661 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,047 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,542 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,846 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,717 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,269 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,610 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,177 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,096 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,264 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,846 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,106 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,142 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,858 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,422 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,737 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,912 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,594 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,931 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,785 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,900 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,262 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,565 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,671 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,069 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,945 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,510 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,021 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,277 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,385 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 12, 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
