TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: It was interesting to see social media responses to Joy Villa’s return to the Grammys last night. As in, Who is this woman and what the hell is she wearing? We have a long history observing Joy’s publicity grabs, which echo Scientology’s own tendency to use music as a grift. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“It is often not enough just to correct a Why and do no further handling in Cramming. Most Cramming Cycles reveal a broader area of situation which must also be handled. An example is the Auditor who flubs on an L4BR and during the Cramming reveals he never really listened to the key SHSBC L&N tapes. The Cramming Officer who does not also program the Auditor for a review of those tapes would not have fully corrected that Auditor. You could accurately predict future L&N flubs and pc upsets. A subsequent program such as the one above would count as an additional Cramming Cycle for the Cramming Officer, or a Retread if lengthy and would count as additional points. Therefore the maxim of Cramming is: HANDLE THE HELL OUT OF IT.” — 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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“If I walked into an org at any given instant, I would look the place over, I would probably move all the executives out of the service space. And that’s usually my first action in an org. I’m not kidding you. I move all the executives out of the service space, and that’s my first day. And work with their creditor set up so that there won’t be foreclosed on the second day. And by that time I have looked over enough of the situation, and I get a big idea as to what we can offer right now, and we offer it very promptly on any open communication line that is. And you have a special project number one, which you will be given, which is, that’s a special project. That doesn’t include with the FEBC pack; it’s with your pack, but it’s the big idea that you can do right now. And it’s already under a bit of flight, this particular one, and we haven’t got the full results on this yet. But apparently it’s producing people, and they walk in and they actually do start moving through the org lines. So you’ve got a special dissem project number one, which is a good idea.” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 3, 1971
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“Planning is to organize the Greek University of Philosophy for Corfu. They had one and in the war it was bombed out, then taken over to and by Athens. Greek VIPs of Corfu would be the Trustees. It would teach all philosophies, use Greek professors. It would have a Scn Dept. We would put an OA here and leave the UK one running. No Class VIII in this AO. Operation and Transport Services would run the AO and also procure students from Universities over the world, like professors and instructors from other universities to take courses in Corfu. The University would publish a Journal where other university professors couuld publish papers. The Greek Trustees would organize it, incorporate it. OTS would pay a % of the Scn Dept. The university would pay a percent to OTS for procuring students. Students will come to Corfu and live ashore, register and get courses on ATHENA. This is until our own Greek incorporation comes through and we could then use offices ashore, 2 of which are already rented and waiting but can’t be used until we are registered in Greece.” — The Commodore, February 3, 1969
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“For the last 11 years I have been conducting a structured, methodical examination of my past. I do some positive gain work as well, but it is primarily discovering what has happened. I have about 11,000 hours of work done so far. I’m now down to 5 minutes to 2 hours a day, 3 to 4 times a week. For about 2 years, approx 1/4 of my work was toward overts and motivators. There are a few things I have found that work for me. This is deep whole track research. Once I find a believed basic on a chain of overts, I look for the prior confusion. That is well known.”
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1996: Controversy this week concerning Tom Marcellus, prominent Scientology member and director of the Institute for Historical Review (IHR). IHR maintains that the Holocaust never happened. Evidence of this link was posted by Tilman Hausherr. Cory Brennan, spokesperson for Scientology, has denied that Tom Marcellus is a holocaust revisionist. Tilman quotes an IHR web page: “‘From McCalden’s departure in 1981 until 1982, Tom Marcellus served as editor. Marcellus started at the bottom at the IHR and worked his way up to become director, a position he assumed in 1981 and holds today.’ I don’t know what ‘today’ is. The HTML document is from 28.10.1995. On the other hand, I have read in the IHR FAQ that Marcellus left the IHR to pursue his scieno plans. The German edition of ‘Freedom’, scientology’s propaganda paper, brings the bizarre theory that Marcellus ‘discovered’ that the IHR was denying the Holocaust and then ousted Carto. They even printed 2,000,000 copies of that lie. ‘On his own initiative scientologist Tom Marcellus organised a movement against Willis Carto and threw this extremist out of an organisation named Institute for Historical Review, after he had discovered that this institute, that claimed to have been founded to correct historical mistakes, was in fact being used by Carto to propagate the Auschwitz-lie. But Carto is still controlling the Liberty Lobby and The Spotlight.’ We know of course that this is complete bullshit, but why not prove it with Marcellus own words? ‘2.The IHR did not accept or in any way agree with Judge Johnson’s ridiculous 1981 ‘judicial notice’ that Jews were ‘in fact’ exterminated in ‘gas chambers’ at Auschwitz. 3.The IHR has not retreated one inch from its well-known position that there is no credible evidence to support the theory that Germans allegedly used homicidal poison gas chambers to exterminate the Jews of Europe.'”
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“Scientology/Dianetics was originally intended to END with going Clear. And then LRH realized the short con of that was going to run dry, so he came up with the LONG CON of the OT levels. It’s that simple.”
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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] PODCAST: Emails show which local politician was trying to stop IAS protest for Scientology
[TWO years ago] VIDEO: Finally, mathematical proof that Scientology’s body thetans can’t exist!
[THREE years ago] Scientology may be struggling, but the push for your cash is still on, thetans!
[FOUR years ago] Is ‘Balance of Nature’ actually Scientology? Well, they have a Hubbard College in their HQ.
[FIVE years ago] Scientology builds tiny new drug rehab, marking Narconon’s dwindling US fortunes
[SIX years ago] After critical ‘Aftermath’ episodes, Clearwater police chief denies favoring Scientology
[SEVEN years ago] What L. Ron Hubbard said about religion — before Scientology became a ‘church’
[EIGHT years ago] Leah Remini books the Bill Maher show, gets swung at by Giovanni Ribisi
[NINE years ago] Ray Jeffrey fends off Scientology’s attempt to get him in hot water with the California Bar
[TEN years ago] When Richard Nixon ordered the Secret Service to investigate Scientology
[ELEVEN years ago] Monique Rathbun tries to slap down Scientology’s ‘anti-SLAPP’ motion in court today
[TWELVE years ago] Super Sunday Funnies: Live-Blogging Scientology’s Super Bowl Ad!
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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 3,164 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,659 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,174 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,724 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,714 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,100 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,595 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,899 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,770 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,322 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,663 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,230 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,149 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,317 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,899 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,158 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,195 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,911 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,475 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,790 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,965 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,647 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,984 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,838 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,953 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,315 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,724 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,122 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,998 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,563 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,074 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,330 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,438 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 3, 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
