TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Danny Masterson’s appellate attorneys turned in their appeal brief a couple of days early, and we knew you’d want to dig into it and give us your thoughts. So here’s the whole enchilada. It’s too big to fit in an email, so please come to tonyortega.substack.com to see the whole thing. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“It is quite legal to heal by spiritual means and even part of the law of most states and countries and, indeed, was the sole province of religion for thousands of years before the medical doctor came along. But this is no reason why Scientology would make any effort to replace the medical doctor since he has considerable value in the mechanics of bones and structural matters. The only place he falls down is in handling general illnesses, especially of a chronic nature.” — 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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“There’s a fellow by the name of Einstein passed some laws relating to the speed of light. And you get up to the speed of light, I understand, and you stop right there. And I hope that they don’t hear about this out in the outer planets there, because they’d have to drop those speedometers off. Because these boys going two or three times the speed of light there, as they just start to travel, would be embarrassed if they knew they couldn’t do that. And so somebody’d better inform them before they’re embarrassed by having this discovered about themselves.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 19, 1953
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“The Port Anchor Chain was not washed and mud is reported in the chain locker. This should be run out and cleaned up properly.” — The Commodore, December 19, 1969
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“OT II was like prying-crowbar work yanking me out of the case, loosening and shaking things up quite well. OT III resulted in exteriorization and holding my own space no longer anchored to the body. Regges at AOs way back when used to tell me you don’t want to go out of this life without having reached at least OT III, and I consider that to be quite true. In my book, a very important point on the Bridge to reach for. LRH is indeed pure genius to discover this tech.”
1998: ABC News program 20/20 aired a show on Scientology this week. From the ABC web site: “The Church of Scientology, which claims a membership of 8 million worldwide, inspires a passion in its members as strong as any other faith. Yet a number of critics call the church’s practices extreme and, in some cases, dangerous. Two years ago, the controversy turned into a criminal investigation after the sudden death of Scientologist Lisa McPherson at the age of 34. McPherson’s family claims Scientologists held her captive – without food and water – and watched her die of dehydration. Exclusive video of a Scientologist ‘auditing’ session – the practice where church members relive painful events, sometimes from previous lives hundreds or even thousands of years ago Rare interviews with celebrity church members John Travolta and Kirstie Alley Interviews with five former church members who claim they were held captive by Scientologists in what they call prison camps An interview with Frank Oliver, a former member of Scientology’s internal security force, who says he personally took part in campaigns to harass, intimidate and threaten those regarded as enemies of the church. Frank Oliver, former Scientologist internal security official: ‘They can send private investigators out to your home or to your place of work, talk to your neighbors – they will illicitly try and obtain copies of your phone bills or credit rating – they will try and create problems for you at your place of employment. They will try and sue you. They’ll do everything they can try and do to stop you or to silence you.’ Stacy Young, former church member: “At 4 in the morning one night – Vaughn and I were asleep, and there was a knock on the door, and two security guards were there, and they took me away into the prison camp. Vaughn Young, former church member: ‘You go through interrogations, hour after hour, day after day, week after week, month after month. Breaking you down. Breaking you down, breaking you down.'”
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“The comments sections on the CCHR vids on YouTube are this uber weird mix of Scientologists and the mentally ill who gravitate to this bullshit because it justifies them not taking their meds. It makes for some very unusual reading.”
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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] How a police raid in Detroit prompted the creation of the Church of Scientology
[TWO years ago] VIDEO: If Danny Masterson had testified about ‘DJ Donkey Punch’
[THREE years ago] Reactions to our insider’s claim Scientology in pandemic chaos: It rings true, experts say
[FOUR years ago] Secrets of Scientology ‘Super Power’: The best testimonial we’ve seen yet
[FIVE years ago] ‘Have you got a head?’ — Listen in to Scientology as a wacky group experience
[SIX years ago] Scientology threatened to sue over last night’s episode, settled for sliming Leah & Mike instead
[SEVEN years ago] KID CORPS: Scientology wanted cadets as young as 6 dealing out justice to each other
[EIGHT years ago] Live-blogging Leah Remini’s special episode tonight: Get a load of these miscreants!
[NINE years ago] Witness: Compton scam rehab was a special Scientology project — how high does it go?
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s Craigslist expert issues new instructions after so much ad flagging
[ELEVEN years ago] How Scientology ‘ethics’ creates your very own Truman Show
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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 3,118 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,613 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,128 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,678 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,668 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,054 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,549 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,853 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,724 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,276 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,617 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,184 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,103 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,271 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,853 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,113 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,149 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,865 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,429 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,744 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,919 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,601 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,938 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,792 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,907 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,269 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,572 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,678 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,076 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,952 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,517 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,028 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,284 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,392 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 19, 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
