TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: It’s already been 2025 for an hour for our readers in New Zealand. And Happy New Year, Kiwis! For most Scientology watchers, however, we’re still several hours away from the party getting started, and we have a special treat for you to help your shindig really rock. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“What is this thing called ‘stress’? It is more than the medico defines it — he usually says it comes from operational or physical shock and in this he has too limited a view. A person under stress is actually under a suppression on one or more dynamics. If that suppression is located and the person handles or disconnects, the condition diminishes. If he also has all the engrams and ARC Breaks, problems, overts and withholds audited out triple flow and if ALL such areas of suppression are thus handled, the person would recover from anything caused by “stress”.” — 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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“Sixty-three was the year I had to do all the research work. I’ve sacrificed everything now. The other day, the other day, not too long ago, I was outside taking a look at the dawn and it was a great relief. The Van Allen belt is nice and warm and you can sit in the Van Allen belt amongst the radiation that’s supposed to be so harmful. It’s nice that it’s there. It holds in the warm air, you know, and you can put out your beams and warm your hands. And rain clouds are absolutely beautiful there. They’re almost as good as a drink of Coca-Cola. And you can get into the ice crystals of a rain cloud and it’s very nice. It’s very nice. It’s cooling, refreshing, you know, like taking a cold shower on a hot summer day. And all of a sudden you’re not stricken by these fantastic temperature reactions. See, you’re in a body, you see, you get a temperature difference of ten degrees up or ten degrees down and you’re kind of miserable, you know? And outside, you get a temperature differential of two hundred degrees centigrade up and two hundred degrees centigrade down — it makes a nice change!” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 31, 1963
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“DIV VI: Win! Al Bornstein now head of Div VI has turned out the basic first step of a PR division — its different publics — and issued the test FSO on them. What a nice thing to see. Standard Div actions!” — The Commodore, December 31, 1970
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“I think one of the things that got us in trouble way back was to make Scientology ‘Mainstream’ or by trying to gain ‘acceptance,’ which I believe is one of the reasons so many are buying into this ‘Ideal Org’ money laundering scam. They think by putting up these ostentatious edifices it will attract the ‘right’ kind of people to Scientology. What it’s basically attracted are a bunch of elitists who look at Scientology as a tax write off and the deluded types who believe that if they Solo enough NOTs that the world will somehow magically change before their eyes. ‘Led’ by some guy who couldn’t find his way to the rest room….I’m not saying miracles can’t occur, I do believe that the release of OT VIII definitely had something to do with the fall of the Berlin Wall. That said the fact is that many if not most of the first OT VIIIs were in fact auditor trained. Unlike the current bunch of untrained status-hungry by-passed cases who are now in the Church these days endlessly ‘auditing’ ‘the level’ who couldn’t even get a chameleon to change color in. Many of these ‘False Threes’ do more to discredit Scientology then all the bad press and media combined.”
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1996: Anonymous poster Emerald made available a list of the award-winning auditors at many of Scientology’s North American orgs from The Auditor magazine. Reformatted to save space. “* Albuquerque; Org Auditor – Andrea Easton; Field Auditor – Theo Grant; Co-Audit Team – David Conradie & Lawrence Medina * Ann Arbor; Org Auditor – Sue Fairchild; Book One Auditor – Dave Bonnell * Atlanta; Org Auditor – Scott Wisemer; Field Auditor – Diane Seidule; Co-Audit Team – Bill & Richard LeBaron * Austin Day & Fdn; Org Auditor – Linda Potter; Field Auditor – Pam Patterson; Book One – Gareth Ellzey; Co-Audit Team – John Mooney & Madda Uozzo * Boston Day & Fdn; Org Auditor – Perry Yeldham; Field Auditor – Jay Fernandes; Book One Auditor – Kyle O’Connell; Co-Audit Team – Yvette Croteau & Andy Cowenhoven; Mission Auditor – Yvette Croteau * Buffalo; Org Auditor – Colin Gould; Book One Auditor – Carlos Ojeda * Chicago; Auditor – Jesse Wells; Top Org Auditor – Pam McKinnis; Field Auditor – Bill Penninger; Book One Auditor – Emelda Martinez; Co-Audit Team – Chris & Toni Olsen; Mission Auditor – Zack Widup * Cincinatti; Org Auditor – (tie) John Harrill & Al Phlips; Field Auditor – Tim Murphy; Book One Auditor – Linda Brin; Co-Audit Team – Patricia Southerland & Tim Gallagher * Columbus; Org Auditor – Frank Taddeo; Field Auditor – Pat Oxman * Dallas; Org Auditor – Cheri Rogers * Denver; Org Auditor – Wayne Valesques; Field Auditor – Tony Bledsoe; Co-Audit Team – Anthony Buonocore & Bill Yanda; Mission Auditor – Susan Anderson * Detroit; Org Auditor – Alan Twietmeyer; Field Auditor – Julie Ferguson; Mission Auditor – Jan Reaver * Edmonton; Org Auditor – Ginnie Ammais; Field Auditor – Dave Ferguson; Book One Auditor – Andre Jurt * FCDC Day; Org Auditor – Tracy Nepvoda; Field Auditor – Charney Bledsoe; Mission Auditor – Lyn Wood Pace * FCDC Fdn; Org Auditor – Bruce Wertz; Field Auditor – Bobbi Woods; Book One Auditor – Ron Unsworth; Mission Auditor – Gary Camp * Hawaii D & Fdn; Org Auditor – Sheila Pemberton; Field Auditor – (tie) Paul Dolan & Al Ratterman * Kansas City; Org Auditor – David Sullivan; Book One Auditor – Tom Harry; Co-Audit Team – Barbara & Dan Danuser; Book One Co-Audit Team – Lindsay & Scott Gottfried * Las Vegas Day; Org Auditor – Weldon Caldwell; Field Auditor – Doug Dannelow * Las Vegas Fdn; Org Auditor – Derin Danlinger * Long Island; Org Auditor – Jim Gilberti; Field Auditor – Charles Von Himmel * Los Gatos; Org Auditor – Allison Allessandrini * Miami; Org Auditor – Nancy Gurliaccio; Field Auditor – Lyn Peters; Book One Auditor – Robert Addis; Co-Audit Team – Bill Kagle & Carol Pirone * Mountain View; Org Auditor – Diana Williams; Field Auditor – Ted Sullivan; Mission Auditor – Carl Grantham * Montreal; Org Auditor – Daral Sclertch * New Haven; Org Auditor – Joann Taylor; Field Auditor – Rob Carr; Co-Audit Team – John Kayser & Carol Yingling * New York Day; Org Auditor – Jeff Milano * New York Fdn; Org Auditor – Laurie Jacobi * Orlando; Org Auditor – Athena Anderson; Field Auditor – Dan Conforti; Book One Auditor – Connie Bell * Philadelphia; Org Auditor – Rob Rossi * Phoenix; Org Auditor – Joan Ryan; Co-Audit Team – Shannon Rundquist & Burwin Bishop * Portland D & Fdn; Org Auditor – (tie) Mike Ewing & Dan Anderson; Field Auditor – Jory Sullivan * CC Portland; Org Auditor – Bev Johns * Quebec; Org Auditor – Helene Dion; Field Auditor – Chris Yarwood * Sacramento; Org Auditor – Doug Cauthen; Field Auditor – Byron Vaughn * San Francisco; Org Auditor – David Keller; Field Auditor – Bob Lauffer; Book One Auditor – Pat Bundock; Mission Auditor – Sue Mueller * Salt Lake City; Org Auditor – Bob Smith * Seattle; Org Auditor – Tom Sprayberry; Co-Audit Team – Justin & Jolyn Massena; Mission Auditors – Pat Tjepkes, Julie Lowe & Frank Paulson * Stevens Creek; Org Auditor – Joe Skoke; Field Auditor – Karen Russell; Book One Auditor – Matt McCovery; Co-Audit Team – Stuart Rosenbaum & Dick Taylor * Tampa; Org Auditor – Leslie Throgs; Book One Auditor – Susan Mogley * Toronto; Org Auditor – Bridgit Taylor; Field Auditor – Nick McKoy; Book One Auditor – Mike Crellon * Vancouver Day; Org Auditor – Kathy Smith; Field Auditor – Diane Froese * Vancouver Fdn; Org Auditor – Bruce Conner * Winnipeg; Org Auditor – John Kristalovich; Field Auditor – Dan Boomer”
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“Well Sherbert, it doesn’t look like this tired ole punk is going to make it to midnight, so a ‘HAPPY NEW YEAR’ to you and the the rest of the Degenerates and a ‘Big, Big Love’.”
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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:
— 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’s 2023: Another year is in the books at the Underground Bunker!
[TWO years ago] Scientology’s 2022: Another year is in the books at the Underground Bunker!
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s 2021: Another year is in the books at the Underground Bunker!
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s 2020: Another year is in the books at the Underground Bunker!
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s 2019: Another year is in the books at the Underground Bunker!
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s 2018: Another year is in the books at the Underground Bunker!
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s 2017: Another year is in the books at the Underground Bunker!
[EIGHT years ago] LEAKED AUDIO — Scientology’s New Year’s event 2017: ‘Welcome to Scientology forever!’
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s 2015: Another year is in the books at the Underground Bunker!
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s 2014 in review: So long to another great year in the Bunker!
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s 2013 in review: The Super Power-ful finish to an eventful year
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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 3,130 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,625 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,140 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,690 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,680 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,066 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,561 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,865 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,736 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,288 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,629 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,196 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,115 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,283 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,865 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,125 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,161 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,877 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,441 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,756 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,931 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,613 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,950 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,804 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,919 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,281 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,584 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,690 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,088 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,964 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,529 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,040 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,296 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,404 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 31, 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
