TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: On Christmas Day each year we review what we know about the whereabouts of Shelly Miscavige, and wonder, why won’t Scientology let her see her family on this of all days? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“It has been difficult working in a confused and, yes, even primitive society that is starved for workable knowledge in the humanities. The very condition that made it vital to seek out and release the material also made it difficult to do the job in the first place. Scientology now has more than enough data and technology to handle even the broad problems in the humanities. The main task now is getting it fully used, and along this line there are hundreds of thousands working every day around the world.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1972
——————–
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.
——————–
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
——————–
“1980 draws to a close and we enter 1981. I just wanted to say ‘hello.’ They say a man is known by the high quality of his friends. So I must be very well known. I think I am very fortunate to have such a friend as you. One owes a friend some accounting of himself. You may be wondering what I’ve been up to lately. Would you like to know? I am as well as can be expected for anyone several trillion years old. I’m not doing any motorcycling nor much driving. I miss the good old days of sailing around in the Apollo. Sitting on a mountain top looking at the distant sea is no substitute for being on it.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 25, 1980
——————–
“Thank you for all your presents. This Christmas I was completely out-created — I received very many more presents than I gave — and all very lovely ones. Our poor AOs, SHs, ships and bases did not receive many greetings from Flag this year. We were so concerned about them that we didn’t use the last Couriers to send them our last minute Christmas greetings. We did send cards earlier. We’ll have to make it up to them. AOUK and AOLA sent lovely big cards. AOSH DK sent presents. Their best present was greatly raised AOLA and ASHO stats. We heaved an awful sigh of relief over that. Three cheers for our upstat cooks, stewards and engineers and QMs who made the Christmas for the rest. That was a terrific dinner. What a nice day!” — The Commodore, December 25, 1969
——————–
“As I see things at the moment there are three major categories that act against the creation of sane Independent Scientology alliances and co-operation. The first is those who assert their own superiority and consider that they have the right to dominate others based on their certificates usually gained in a highly dubious organization which has crashed International Scientology. They assert complete adherence to LRH in theory but in practice often produce shoddy results covered up with PR. The second is those who compulsively alter-is Scientology and promote practices wildly in violation of LRH fundamentals. The third is those who use Scientology groups to promote their own weird conspiracy theories. Keeping those three under control is a major undertaking.”
1997: The St. Petersburg Times this week compared Bob Minton’s contributions to the Lisa McPherson case to the funding of suits against the Cult Awareness Network by Scientology. “Scientology has blasted Robert S. Minton Jr. for donating more than $1.25-million to its critics, calling his actions ‘nefarious’ and underhanded. The church contends he is illegally interfering with lawsuits involving Scientology. But earlier this decade, Scientology officials themselves backed several lawsuits against one of the church’s own adversaries, the Cult Awareness Network. In an effort to get more information about Minton, the church is using a bankruptcy case involving a church critic to subpoena records of Minton’s donations. At a hearing scheduled today in Tampa, Dandar is expected to argue against the church’s effort. Dandar said he never heard of Minton until church lawyers asked about him this summer. He said he inquired about Minton over the Internet and Minton responded, offering financial aid in the McPherson case. But Minton’s contributions are a fraction of the money and effort Scientology poured into lawsuits that bankrupted CAN, according to a lawyer who has defended the group. Attorney Daniel Leipold puts CAN’s legal expenses at roughly $2-million, and ‘for every nickel we spent, they spent at least a dollar.’ Brian Hart, one of the first Scientologists to file a suit against CAN in December 1992, said he did not see the lawsuit until 10 months later — three days before he testified in a deposition. Hart told lawyers he could not remember how he got the name and addresses of CAN officials. Nor could he remember many other circumstances that led to the lawsuit, including who asked him to write to CAN. Another plaintiff, Jonathan L. Nordquist of Chicago, fired his attorney and asked a judge to dismiss his lawsuit. He said Eugene Ingram, a private investigator for the Church of Scientology, paid him $300 to have lunch, and he agreed to be a plaintiff. Nordquist said he signed a blank page for Scientology attorneys. ‘Scientology planned, instigated, coordinated and sponsored a plan to subject CAN to multiple lawsuits in multiple jurisdictions in order to overwhelm and eliminate it or take it over and control it,’ said Leipold.”
——————–
“Christmas in the U.S was invented by Ulysses S. Grant, Macy’s, and Sears & Roebuck after the Civil War to help jump-start the economy and pay for the war. The Pilgrims banned Christmas. Christmas in Europe was a drunken eat-till-you-puke orgy.”
——————–
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.
——————–
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?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Does Shelly Miscavige know it’s Christmas 2023?
[TWO years ago] Does Shelly Miscavige know it’s Christmas 2022?
[THREE years ago] Does Shelly Miscavige know it’s Christmas 2021?
[FOUR years ago] Does Shelly Miscavige know it’s Christmas 2020?
[FIVE years ago] https://tonyortega.org/2019/12/25/does-shelly-miscavige-know-its-christmas-2019/
[SIX years ago] Does Shelly Miscavige know it’s Christmas?
[SEVEN years ago] Thetans roasting on an open fire: It’s Christmas in the Bunker, and we’re full of cheer
[EIGHT years ago] From those who left, a special Christmas message for Scientology’s remaining members
[NINE years ago] Merry Christmas 2015: Here’s your Scientology present under the tree
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s 2014 in review: May your days be merry and bright!
[ELEVEN years ago] Merry Christmas, and here’s your present! From the Underground Bunker, with feeling
——————–
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 3,124 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,619 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,134 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,684 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,674 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,060 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,555 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,859 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,730 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,282 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,623 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,190 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,109 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,277 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,859 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,119 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,155 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,871 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,435 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,750 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,925 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,607 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,944 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,798 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,913 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,275 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,578 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,684 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,082 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,958 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,523 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,034 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,290 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,398 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on December 25, 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
