TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“A performer DOMINATES an audience: (a) By his comm, (b) By his art, (c) By his technical perfection, (d) By his Stage Manners. None of this means that one cannot clown, joke, act superior or even seem austere. these are the arts of presence. But even in doing these, Stage Manners are observed. If as a small child one was always cautioned about his manners and resented it one should get a clear idea of what manners are: In a culture manners are the lubrication that ease the frictions of social contacts.” — 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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“Parents are supposed to raise children so that children can grow up and become parents; there is a basic law in operation. So one day this little kid is standing there and his parent turns around, picks him up by the heels and bashes his brains out against a tree. This is unexpected, unusual. If you don’t think that incident is on record — anybody here want a headache? You have had your brains dashed out one way or the other. But we don’t necessarily have to turn these things on, because you are handling that. After all, what is getting one’s brains dashed out? But getting one’s brains dashed out by a parent would be some kind of a problem; that would be a bit of a problem, wouldn’t it? A parent is supposed to raise you and take care of you; you are supposed to be nice to the parent and yet the parent kills you. Well, it would be very upsetting. But of course, the funny part of it was the parent thought you were a wild animal and you rushed out from behind the rock, and you never got this equation at all because your brains were dashed out at the time. Sounds pretty wild, doesn’t it?” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 28, 1952
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“The only trouble with Scn orgs is that they are not promoting, selling and delivering. Seems so elementary. Possibly they think we are asking for something strange or fantastic when we say ‘Raise your GDSes.’ Possibly org boarding and hatting does not seem complicated enough to produce a result. Possibly raising GDSes does not seem to be the result of recruiting, org boarding and hatting. Whatever it is the task is so simple that one gapes when it is not done. Although New York is doing better, its troubles are just failures to recruit, org bd and hat and then promote, sell and deliver. In NY they actually think they have an HGC but are only selling ‘Interiorization Rundowns and Life Repairs.’ That’s like walking up to a candy bar and asking to buy some candy and being told ‘Oh, we just sell the wrappers.’ Student training is going better. But I never was able to run an academy where students were co-auditing without selling and delivering an awful lot of Reviews and grades. It’s best to stress training in an org but not to the extent of not running a busy HGC. NY has ‘low pay.’ They probably lose about $20,000 a week in unpromoted unsold undelivered potential. That’s the loss in an org, not the wasted paper clips. The answer is recruiting org boarding hatting and thus promoting selling and delivering. I trust our FEBCs going back there learn this lesson well. That’s why they’re here.” — The Commodore, January 28, 1971
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“Scientology is for people that want to increase their IQ, decrease mental impediments, increase their understanding of the world or universe. These do not necessarily result in agreements as to how things are or should be. Even people at the top may not agree as to how this universe was created.”
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1997: Newspaper coverage of the Germany controversy continued this week, much of it initiated by the State Department report. From the front page of the Washington Post. “The report, to be issued Wednesday, will chastise Germany for what a senior administration official called ‘a campaign of harassment and intimidation’ against the controversial church. He said the United States, seeking to protect religious freedom, has urged Germany through diplomatic channels ‘not to prosecute people for wrong thinking’ but has been rebuffed. The German response is, ‘We won’t change our policy, no matter what you say,’ a German diplomat here said. ‘You are a big country. You can afford to have militias and cults. We can’t.’ He said Germany with 80 million people in a Montana-size country and a unique sensitivity to the dangers of ‘extremism’ because of its Nazi past, is obliged to limit activities of groups perceived as threats to national well-being. The U.S.-German disagreement over Scientology is a rare irritant in America’s generally excellent relations with a key European ally. Although both sides agree it is hardly a major source of friction, the issue has a high decibel level because of the involvement of high-profile Scientologists such as actor Tom Cruise. To the German government, Scientology is not a legitimate religion, but a greedy, cult-like organization built on ‘pseudo-science,’ in which ‘membership can lead to psychological and physical dependency, to financial ruin and even to suicide,’ according to a position paper distributed by the German Embassy here.”
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“Sometimes people in official positions ask me if I have any living relatives and I’m yeah, but…then I feel sad.”
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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:
— 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] 38 years ago: The eerie Hollywood Palladium sendoff for Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard
[TWO years ago] Podcast: Mark Bunker explains that David Miscavige is not ‘missing,’ he’s HIDING
[THREE years ago] Is this the greatest (and most disturbing) Scientology recruitment video ever?
[FOUR years ago] Scientology in Russia, a series by historian Chris Owen, part 2: The Putin years
[FIVE years ago] Scientology TV premieres episode about legendary Saint Hill Manor to… total silence
[SIX years ago] Scientology wants you to bring your kids to its creepy ‘mecca’ in Florida — it’s an adventure!
[SEVEN years ago] Sunday Scientology sermon: L. Ron Hubbard on freeing kids from their bodies
[EIGHT years ago] Move over, Xenu: Scientology’s other great space opera figure, the Duke of Chug
[NINE years ago] Scientology, in forced-abortion case: We treat people no worse than the Catholic Church does
[TEN years ago] Scientology secrets in government docs: Did the feds have a chance to stop ‘Snow White’?
[ELEVEN years ago] Drug flashbacks from one million years B.C.? It’s time for Scientology’s New OT 4!
[TWELVE years ago] Lawrence Wright’s Scientology Book Gets Some Thrashing from Cult Expert Steven Hassan
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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 3,158 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,653 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,168 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,718 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,708 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,094 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,589 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,893 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,764 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,316 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,657 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,224 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,143 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,311 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,893 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,152 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,189 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,905 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,469 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,784 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,959 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,641 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,978 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,832 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,947 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,309 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,718 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,116 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,992 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,557 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,068 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,324 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,432 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on January 28, 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
