TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: At Scientology’s New Year’s event in LA, church leader David Miscavige boasted about a new Narconon drug rehab in South Africa, where he probably figured there would be lax oversight. But now a local newspaper is accusing the new rehab of not paying its workers. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The pc who cannot run engrams has misunderstoods on the commands and terms of R3R and Dianetics, or it’s drugs. The pc will be able to run drugs because that’s what he’s stuck in. He’ll run those automatically as long as you’ve done the necessary Word Clearing. Pcs who won’t go backtrack are druggies or in recent shock of having died. This is handled by a thorough Drug RD and if necessary the usual Dianetic backtrack remedies As and Es double-assessed. Ss and Ps could be checked as well.” — 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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“Authorship of the universe is something which has been in question for many years. People have been arguing about this for a long time. Even in ancient times the Christian argument with the conservative, status quo religion of Rome involved the creation of the universe. Who created the universe? In the early days of Greece, you found the various factions fighting over this fact of the actual creator of the universe. People have a tendency to run it backwards and try to find an earlier creator or a master creator, or this and that. What are they looking for? They’re looking for you! You’re hunted! To that degree, you’re hunted. Fascinating.” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 22, 1957
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“SMERSH: We have heard directly from the head of Smersh ‘Ban the Bomb Carstairs’ whose contempt for anyone else’s intelligence leads him to state he knows nothing about any attacks on Scientology. Ding, ding, ding, here comes the wagon! Plans for Ship Operation. I haven’t got any. Have you? Nice warm sun.” — The Commodore, January 22, 1970
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“Idiots. Apparently the vaccine manufacturers didn’t know (or perhaps they do), that glycol was used on injections on the R6 Bank engram 75 million years ago. Now the idiots are wondering if polyethylene glycol is causing the gruesome Covid 19 vaccine adverse reactions.”
1998: Us magazine carried an article on Scientologist Jenna Elfman this week. “It’s another late afternoon on Fox Stage 21, home of the hit show Dharma and Greg. Elfman is remarkably unsurprised at her own success. She’s genuinely warm, but you know instantly not to mess with her. It’s the quiet confidence of someone who sits in a charmed circle, or in her case, a square – and at the four corners are her husband, her parents who come to every taping of the show, her acting teacher & mentor, Milton Katselas, and the Church of Scientology, of which Elfman has been a member since 1991. It’s clear that Scientology is important to Elfman, and she’s perhaps it’s best representative. While Tom Cruise, John Travolta and indeed, Kirstie Alley, field questions about their religion with weary defensiveness. Elfman chats away happily about it. ‘I think the people that misunderstand the church have a button on flowing support,’ says Elfman, puffing on a cigarette, her last vice. ‘I’m not hostile or critical of anything until I have picked it up myself. I don’t let people talk shit to me about other people. Read a book if you want to know what it is, and if you’re not going to read the book, keep your mouth shut.’ Elfman fields concerns about Scientology with the ease of a world-class goalie. Its cost? ‘You get counseling. You pay for it. If you want to see a therapist, you pay for it.’ It’s appearance as a cult? ‘Hubbard was just a man; he never claimed to be godlike.’ The perception that people can’t leave the church of their own free will? ‘I’ve never tried to leave the church, so I don’t know'”
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“Scientology doesn’t have to murder people. It just drives them crazy and they end up murdering others or they kill themselves. Scientology may have murdered someone in the past, but there’s no conclusive proof — and critics talking like it’s a fact just makes them look kinda obsessed and a little bit nuts to outsiders.”
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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 February 24, 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] More new Scientology harassment detail in the lawsuit from Danny Masterson’s victims
[TWO years ago] Grant Cardone selling superhuman med beds to the wealthy sounds very Scientological
[THREE years ago] Scientology is begging members to download the new Freewinds app, and we’re green with envy
[FOUR years ago] As Kevin Trudeau’s prison stint nears end, his pitch sounds more like Scientology than ever
[FIVE years ago] Cedric Bixler-Zavala blames Scientology for poisoned dog he had to put down yesterday
[SIX years ago] Tonight, Leah Remini takes us into the incredible story of Scientology’s Clearwater takeover
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology relies heavily on Russian immigrants — and ‘disconnection’ doesn’t spare them
[EIGHT years ago] National civil rights museum knows it’s harboring Scientology front group, shrugs it off
[NINE years ago] Here’s your chance to meet the Sea Org at Scientology’s open house next week
[TEN years ago] Las Vegas attorney files 27th suit against Scientology rehab, Michigan attorney files 2nd
[ELEVEN years ago] Monique Rathbun seeks sanctions, Scientology tries to kill Miscavige deposition in court today
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Scrambling to Deal with Bad Publicity
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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.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,152 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,647 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,162 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,712 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,702 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,088 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,583 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,887 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,758 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,310 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,651 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,218 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,137 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,305 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,887 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,146 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,183 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,899 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,463 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,778 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,953 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,635 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,972 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,826 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,941 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,303 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,712 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,110 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,986 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,551 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,062 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,318 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,426 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on January 22, 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
