TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: You thought Scientology was going through a rough time? Think again, you doubter. We nearly overlooked it, but in the new issue of Impact magazine, there’s a bold recounting of the IAS’s history, and how Scientology has vanquished all of its foes. You have to see this thing. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“There is an amusing story of a Scientologist who attended a social meeting of Psychiatrists and Psychologists and listened to them for a while as they moaned about their patients and their own cases and then, being compassionate, began to explain to them in a sort of technical baby talk the nature and resolution of these ‘vast’ ‘unsolvable’ ‘problems.’ As he took no offense at their ignorant arrogance which first greeted him and as he did seem to have a grasp of their troubles, they kept him up until four AM going over their ‘problems’ in detail and gave him more and more absorbed attention and began to cognite. They were very tame and very respectful when he left, certain they had heard the guru of all time: and this is amusing because he was not a trained auditor in any sense of the word and had only read a few Scientology books! Yet to them he was their dean as a professional by comparative and sensible knowledge.” — 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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“I was up there at Oak Knoll for about a year, Oak Knoll Naval Hospital. And I used to walk around — all I had to do — I was a line officer and all I had to do was take off one collar ornament, and I became a doctor….And a little doctor up there by the name of Yankewitz, I used to prowl around there once in a while, Yankewitz was a pretty good guy. And he came, he headed this project, and it had to do with endocrine system. They were trying to do something for people released from Japanese prison camps. These people couldn’t eat. And if they did eat it went immediately into fat. They couldn’t absorb any protein. And I had discovered that there was an immediate index between protein and healing tissue. I used to talk to Yankewitz about it, and he’d listen tolerantly, because he didn’t think I was doing anything, see….And it was out of that year’s study that I concluded rather conclusively, on a very large series of tests, that the body cannot be monitored by what we call structure. And by monitored, I meant healed. It can be changed by structure, but only deteriorated. It’s a one-way route….I’m sorry that I don’t have the records. I’m sure they’re still at Oak Knoll, because I know nobody in the government ever read any records, they just make them.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 15, 1953
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“We have 2 or 3 fellows who are trying to run away from it all to escape to some fancied bliss. Now and then I try to tell someone, ‘don’t go diving off that cliff’ and now and then they say cheerily ‘But I’ve GOT to, you see…’; and away they go. I just don’t like that dwindling scream followed by the thud.” — The Commodore, December 15, 1969
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“Max Sandor, real name Joachim Steingrubner, dropped his body around 2 AM local time Dec 4, 2020 in São Paulo, Brasil. Anyone who knew Max from his involvement in various self development groups (Psycho Energy Auro Technology, Ifa, Scientology) should understand he has not entered the between-lives/Bardo, and will reincarnate without being wiped. Max was a charming fellow, and powerful magician/OT, and will be missed by all who knew him. I wish him the best in his next set of adventures.”
2001: Taz reported that Scientology has lost an attempt to have Ursula Caberta, of the Hamburg Working Group on Scientology, fired. “Yesterday the Scientology organization failed in its attempt before the Hamburg administrative court to have Ursula Caberta, the sect commissioner of the Interior Ministry, relieved of her duties. Scientology’s application was rejected as impermissible. Because the decision concerned homeland security, the Scientologists have no right to appeal.” The German government announced that it will support Ms. Caberta in a lawsuit brought by Scientologists in Florida. “The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany communicated to the US State Department its recommendations concerning the basis of the lawsuit filed by Mr. Hubert Heller, against Mrs. Ursula Caberta, in the US Federal District Court, district of central Florida. The Embassy directed attention to the fact that Caberta, a member of the German state, holds a position with the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, a state of the Federal Republic of Germany. “The subject of the complaint is devoted entirely to the activities of Mrs. Caberta or her staff in Germany in their official capacities as staff of the Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. Based on the fact that the complaint may only be validly directed to the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, the Federal Republic of Germany, representing the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg in accordance with international law, invokes state immunity and requests immediate withdrawal of the complaint. A court in the United States does not have jurisdiction in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg in the Federal Republic of Germany, and is not in the position to institute court proceedings there.”
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“The irony is that a supposed spiritual technology that is claimed to be based in science and logic to some degree is actually the most fundamentalist ‘religion’ ever created. The Westboro Baptist Church and the Taliban have nothing on Scientology when it comes to fundamentalist dogma.”
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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] Scientology knows things are bad, so they’re selling nostalgia for their golden age
[TWO years ago] Valeska Paris asks court: Declare Scientology leader David Miscavige served, finally
[THREE years ago] Confirmed: Danny Masterson adds OJ Dream Team lawyer to his defense
[FOUR years ago] Tom Cruise rant: Sensible Covid frustration, or insane Scientology screed?
[FIVE years ago] Scientology trying to use its UN connections to fight its favorite bogeyman, psychiatry
[SIX years ago] Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman: Spied on by Scientology until it ripped them apart
[SEVEN years ago] Louis Theroux’s showdown with Scientology over a public road: The nutty new chapter
[EIGHT years ago] CLAIM: ‘Frail’ looking Shelly Miscavige spotted near Scientology compound in California
[NINE years ago] Today in L.A.: Can Scientology kill a forced-abortion lawsuit in the name of religion?
[TEN years ago] More about the goons Scientology sent to intimidate Marty Rathbun and Louis Theroux
[ELEVEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Scientology celebrates the holidays!
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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 3,114 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,609 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,124 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,674 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,664 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,050 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,545 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,849 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,720 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,272 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,613 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,180 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,099 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,267 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,849 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,109 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,145 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,861 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,425 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,740 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,915 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,597 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,934 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,788 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,903 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,265 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,568 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,674 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,072 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,948 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,513 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,024 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,280 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,388 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 15, 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
