TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’ve been meaning to check Trish Duggan’s financials for some time now, and when we saw that she was once again Scientology’s number one trophy winner at this year’s IAS gala, we figured it was the right time. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“For quite a while I have had the ‘hat of finder of lost tech.’ Whole sections of knowledge drop out of view, whole arrays of processes (and administrative principles) go out of use and preclears there and the organization of the area sag; but recovery is swift the moment the ‘lost’ knowledge is pulled out of their own file cabinets and restored. Further, people in organizations are quite often at high case levels. They have already experienced the bridging knowledge which connects the subject to the man in the street. It is not new to THEM. They sometimes err in believing it is not new to the world. Thus gaps are permitted to exist. The solution is to recover the ‘lost’ tech.” — 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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“As long as religion brings solace to man in any way, shape or form, as long as churches stand in any way for the spiritual freedom of man, psychiatry will not really be able to progress, whatever its end goals are. Therefore, our rebuttal to any such attack is that psychiatry should not be permitted to wipe out a small church and then go on to a bigger church and then go on to a bigger church, and so take it all over. And also that the Minister of Health, as we have just told the press, has no right whatsoever to comment upon religious beliefs or practices. And in addition to that, that they are telling us that we must not do something we are not doing. Now, this is the yickle-yackle that appears in the world. The public at large is in actual fact getting ready to turn. Much of it has already turned. They see something very rotten in this idea of attacking Scientology. They are sick of this, see, because it’s gone on too long. And we hear cross comments of this particular character here and there. And they’ve gone too far and they’ve said too much! And they are now talking to a hostile public on the subject. It’s up to us to make sure that this is the downfall of all suppressive practices in that line.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 13, 1966
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“Lots of fan mail and FN VGIs from people on the FSO on Valuable Final Products. I hope we can get in any corrections and additions. Send them to LRH Comm Ship. Funny but it’s like gold. Before one sees real gold dust in a miners pan, he can be fooled by anything. He thinks mica, bright rocks, fool’s gold, anything is gold. Then you show him real gold and never afterwards does he fail to recognize it. Can’t be fooled at all. It’s that way about a list of actual valuable final products. Once you see what sort of they are for a department, div or org you can’t ever be fooled.” — The Commodore, December 13, 1970
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“Is the Galactic Federation behind Trump (covering his back), Communists being the Marcab side, what do you think? This news is interesting because it’s mainstream, and the timing of it. ‘This is going to be BIBLICAL’ was Powell’s words about the massive voter fraud now being unwinded. We will also have the ‘Star of Bethlehem’ in the sky for the first time in 800 years. Can this get more interesting than it already is?”
1999: Bob Minton posted to a.r.s this week a Mission Statement and Statement of Objectives for the newly formed Lisa McPherson Trust. “To carry out the final wishes of Lisa McPherson’s mother, Fannie, which were to expose the abusive and deceptive practices of Scientology and to help those who have been victimized by it. We will expose Scientology’s abuses of the human, civil and privacy rights of its members and critics. We will reveal its deceptive advertising practices that border on consumer fraud. We will disclose its ‘religious practices’ and conduct that violate civil and criminal law. We will assist former Scientologists to recover from their unique personal experience with the abusive and deceptive practices of Scientology. We will offer counsel to current Scientologists who choose to learn the truth about how Scientology uses deceptive mind control techniques to capture their hearts and minds. Our dedicated staff of counselors will provide the information, compassion and support to current Scientologists that will enable them to release the bonds of cult mind control. Finally, all of the people involved in the Lisa McPherson Trust will respect the dignity and innate human goodness of all current, former and recovering Scientologists.”
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“Future membership growth for the Church of Scientology has been effectively terminated by the Internet and Anonymous and the old guard critics. Its name is MUD. It’s definitely headed for Shakerdom and that was the original goal. As far as bringing DM to justice and the government doing anything about that, I wouldn’t hold my breath.”
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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:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal.
— 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] Judge: Jane Doe 1 can have ‘limited discovery’ before arbitration showdown
[TWO years ago] Kirstie Alley: Forgotten by the Scientology Hollywood Celebrity Centre?
[THREE years ago] Why does Scientology lie about founder L. Ron Hubbard’s supposed war wounds?
[FOUR years ago] More Scientology orgs boarded up, our readers report: What’s going on?
[FIVE years ago] Scientology will try to force Danny Masterson accusers into its internal ‘arbitration’
[SIX years ago] Scientology reveals it has a secret donor with an NFL connection giving millions
[SEVEN years ago] Defeated in court, L. Ron Hubbard’s son boasted about spreading lies in new FBI document
[EIGHT years ago] LEAH REMINI TO LAPD: COUGH UP PROOF THAT YOU CHECKED ON SHELLY MISCAVIGE
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s latest filing in the Trout Run zoning fight: We bleed for all religions
[TEN years ago] Jonny Jacobsen: New Scientology legal setbacks in Belgium, France, and Holland
[ELEVEN years ago] Monique Rathbun back in court today: DAVID MISCAVIGE WILL BE DEPOSED, JUDGE DECIDES
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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 3,112 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,607 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,122 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,672 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,662 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,048 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,543 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,847 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,718 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,270 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,611 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,178 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,097 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,265 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,847 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,107 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,143 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,859 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,423 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,738 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,913 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,595 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,932 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,786 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,901 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,263 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,566 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,672 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,070 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,946 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,511 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,022 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,278 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,386 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 13, 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
