TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’re watching in horror as our hometown goes up in flames. Numerous people we know have had to flee as wildfires are destroying entire neighborhoods. We want everyone there to be safe, including Scientology members, who live in L.A. at their greatest concentration in the world. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“You have in your hands the tool to take over mental therapy in full. You need not fear the insane or the psychotic break any longer. Here also is the cure for the continual self-auditing pc who is dug into his bank. It works on all pcs in fact with rave results. Do it flawlessly and we all win. THIS PLANET IS OURS.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1974
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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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“This FBI man wanted his fortune told. So I waxed up my mustaches and readjusted the bath towel, said, ‘I see you working on a case.’ A very intelligent remark to an FBI man. Said, a case which is very, very confidential. Case number 132678.’ I said, ‘The man you want isn’t there.’ I said, ‘That’s all. Next.’ This guy goes off, and he starts figuring this out. And you could see this, you know; trying to clear this up. How did I know the number of a confidential case? Because it was the right number. Naturally it was the right number; he had the case card right in front of his face in a facsimile, and all you did was read the numbers in the upper left-hand corner.” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 9, 1957
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“Orgs should be warned. The Le Moate affair was rough on Paris and DK only because they weren”t fully warned she was a psychotic. Although why they reached for it is a bit of a mystery. There’s an old principle involved — experiential track. I have nothing against these people. Orgs are in the pc business, not Flag. We are in the management and OT business. Handling purely pcs here in these high velocity areas of top command introduces the flow at the wrong point. The purely pc flow enters at lower org levels. It is our job to put orgs there that can handle such cases. Sooner or later orgs will have to acquire and start running an institutional annex. It is too hard on them handling psychotics without these facilities. A psychotic is in a Condition of Treason on the first dynamic and extends it to the third and fourth with covert destruction. This isn’t because anyone else declared the condition. It just happens to be a fact. Being in treason on the first dynamic doesn’t always mean covert destruction on the other dynamics. Unhappy people, unhappy subject.” — The Commodore, January 9, 1971
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“You are right on the threshold casewise to undertake what in my book is the greatest adventure yet, Solo NOTs. When are you starting? Based on the gains, spiritual betterments as well as new abilities, especially in handling what appear to be impossible tasks, I consider this level more important than my immediate physical life. Merely the fact that I KNOW I cannot be planted back into any area, body, identity or autorun activities any longer is beyond anything I could ever have bargained for when I came into Scientology.”
1999: The Los Angeles Daily News published an article this week on Scientology celebrity Nancy Cartwright. “The longtime voice of Bart has a life-size statue of a black-and-white cow on the lawn of her Northridge home. As you walk through the multi-colored gates of her one-acre homestead, it doesn’t take long to realize that Cartwright has at least one thing in common with the eternally 10-year old Bart – a sense of playfulness. Cartwright, a Scientologist for the past decade, has adopted L. Ron Hubbard’s administrative techniques, and points are accessed for any forward motion. For instance, booking an on-camera acting job is worth 1,000 points. ‘It is misunderstood like all new religions,’ Cartwright said of Scientology. ‘Critics just need to read a book to find out what it really is. I wanted something very practical to give me stability. Certainly being an artist in Hollywood is an unstable profession,’ she said. ‘Scientology gives me a basis for which to operate.'”
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“I’ve never ever really been worried about a Scientology Jonestown. There’s no apocalyptic scripture and it’s too much about the money, and the participants are way too yuppie white bread for something like that.”
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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] English councillors squirm over question about Scientology abuses
[TWO years ago] David Miscavige says 4 new Scientology ‘Ideal Orgs’ are coming soon — but where?
[THREE years ago] Is Scientology clown prince Grant Cardone slagging on super-richie Bob Duggan now?
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s tough marketing sell, from the man who sold Dianetics to the masses
[FIVE years ago] MASTERSON: Scientology wants Bobette Riales dismissed, others forced into arbitration
[SIX years ago] Scientology slimes ‘Aftermath’ guest with its favorite tactic: The P.O.W. video
[SEVEN years ago] ‘It was my job to get Mike Rinder’s trash’ — A former Scientology spy begins to spill her guts
[EIGHT years ago] L. Ron Hubbard’s writing about women that Scientology DOES want you to see!
[NINE years ago] ‘Archetypical newshound’ Paulette Cooper described in ‘thrilling account’ — Kirkus
[TEN years ago] Full Forrest Ackerman interview from 1997 ‘Secret Lives’ film released for first time
[ELEVEN years ago] Jeff Hawkins: How Scientology’s ‘Third Party Law’ explains anything they want it to
[TWELVE years ago] Excerpts of Lawrence Wright’s Book on Scientology are Predictably Awesome
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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 3,139 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,634 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,149 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,699 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,689 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,075 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,570 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,874 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,745 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,297 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,638 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,205 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,124 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,292 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,874 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,134 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,170 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,886 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,450 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,765 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,940 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,622 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,959 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,813 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,928 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,290 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,593 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,699 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,097 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,973 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,538 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,049 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,305 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,413 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on January 9, 2025 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
