TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: At its UK October gala, Scientology premiered 3 new TV ads. And it’s becoming clear that leader David Miscavige is putting a big effort behind them. The church now says they will be broadcast in 30 countries over the next several weeks. Is this the campaign that breaks through? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Scientology is the fastest growing Religion on the planet by actual surveys and statements by sociologists. And this is the more remarkable as in this period orthodox Religions have shrunk before the materialistic onslaught of our times. The materials of Scientology are the result of forty-three years of search, coordination and application to millions. The organizations of Scientology have been building and expanding for nineteen years (despite the fears and hates and jealousies of this civilization) on five continents and making it all the way, thanks to the magnificent people of Scientology.” — 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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“A good manager or executive works hard hour by hour to keep the show on the road but always with a long-term view as well. And he intends that org and staff will prosper. The auditor in Post Purpose Clearing will get a lot of glib answers. The stats, the honest ones, and the true long-term performance of the executive, measured by the health of his zone of responsibility, tell the tale and should be consulted when in doubt.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 26, 1981
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“SECOND DANGER FORMULA: (1) So that the Ship can get upgraded to EMERGENCY the following actions are to be done as indicated: (1:1) All Divisional Heads are requested to do a full star-rate check-out with the STO on the ‘Second DANGER Formula,’ (HCO PL 07 Feb 70, steps A-G). Time Machine Order 48 hours. (STO to inform FMAA at the end of 48 hrs of those who have checked-out.) (1:2) All Divisional Heads are requested to submit a complete and realistic application of the ‘Second DANGER Formula’ for their Division in writing to 3rd Mate, (CC). Time Machine Order of one week. (2) The intention is that the ship will be upgraded to EMERGENCY for the New Year, (AD 21).” — R.S. Prior, FMAA, December 26, 1970
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“OT Inelia Benz is already working with her OT Committee to create the reality for a new civilization. She calls them ‘First Instant Manifestators.’ LRH created in the 60’s the goal for OT Committees to make Planet Earth an OT base. Bill Robertson’s Ron’s Org OT Committee created the New Civilization Game in the mid 80’s, to create the new reality. Where are the Independent Scientology OT Committees on this regard?”
1998: A Scientologist and dentist in Providence, Rhode Island has been sued by his former receptionist for forcing her to study Scientology. From the Associated Press: “Dentist Roger Carlsten was promoting religion in the workplace when he asked his receptionist to take a statistics course written by the founder of Scientology, according to a complaint filed in Superior Court. Susan Elizabeth Morgan, a Catholic, said she is suing her former boss because she was fired after she refused to take the course written by L. Ron Hubbard, the late science fiction writer and founder of the controversial Scientology religion. Morgan asserts that material in ‘Hubbard Management Technology,’ is based in Scientology, not statistics. Carlsten, 52, said although he practices Scientology, he did not try to impose his beliefs on his employees, and religion had nothing to do with firing 32-year-old Morgan of Johnston. ‘There is no religious issue here,’ said Carlsten’s lawyer, Sandra Lanni. ‘There’s a perception that this is a lawsuit against Scientology and it’s not. These courses are strictly business courses.’ The complaint, brought under the Rhode Island Fair Employment Practices Act, alleges that Carlsten failed to accommodate Morgan’s beliefs as a Catholic and the Carlsten fired her based on religion.”
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“You’re better off trying to kick dope or booze at home than going to a Narconon. It would be safer and a hell of a lot cheaper. For 100 bucks you could get some benzos, Imodium, and prilosec and you’d be better off and safer than going to a Narconon cold turkey death camp.”
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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] That time the Church of Scientology proved that it should never, ever be trusted
[TWO years ago] What it was like to be an operative in Scientology’s massive spy apparatus
[THREE years ago] INSIDER: What the pandemic and its protocols have looked like from inside Scientology
[FOUR years ago] Is David Miscavige boarding up orgs in anticipation of inauguration riots?
[FIVE years ago] Scientology has its dukes up for Boxing Day, but we’re still thinking of warmer days
[SIX years ago] Nation of Islam takes a bigoted swipe at Leah Remini and the ‘Jews’ behind her show
[SEVEN years ago] In June, Rathbun became Scientology’s attack dog, but we got mile high in Denver
[EIGHT years ago] Why would an academic speak up for Scientology? Dr. Stephen Kent has an answer.
[NINE years ago] On Boxing Day, we remember the last time Scientology tried to knock out the press
[TEN years ago] Give Scientology $1,000 and all you’ll get is this lousy T-shirt
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s 2013 in review: Madness set in as spring arrived!
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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 3,125 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,620 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,135 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,685 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,675 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,061 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,556 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,860 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,731 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,283 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,624 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,191 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,110 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,278 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,860 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,120 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,156 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,872 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,436 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,751 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,926 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,608 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,945 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,799 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,914 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,276 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,579 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,685 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,083 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,959 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,524 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,035 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,291 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,399 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 26, 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
