TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Cece was a former Scientology employee who spent more than 20 years at AOLA until she was kicked out in a bizarre incident, but we knew her as a free spirit who spent her later years on the road, and reporting back to us from desert campgrounds and other beautiful places. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“COMBINED TERMINAL = An item or identity the pc has both been and opposed produces therefore both pain and sensation when it is “late on the track,” which is to say, after the fact of many terminals and opposition terminals. The combination terminal is the closure between terminal and opposition terminal lines which possesses attributes of both and the clarity of neither. It signifies a period toward the end of a game. It is found most commonly when the pc’s case is only shallowly entered. They exist on all cases but are fewer than terminals and opposition terminals. Symbol COTERM.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
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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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“The reactive bank is a thing. It’s got sort of mushy looking electronic masses and it’s got pictures and locks and other things associated with this, it is a thing. Well, the physical universe and the remaining dynamics, of course, are themselves a thing. And that’s what we mean when we say our universe and the other fellow’s universe and everybody’s universe. There were three universes, if you can remember rightly. Well, that apparently is very true, there are apparently three universes, but we were speaking of the reactive bank as meaning one of those universes where, as a matter of fact, that’s a little bit of a curve in the line. It turns out that there was his universe, you know, his brick walls, and we’re not sure right now whether or not they’re his brick walls and everybody’s brick walls or only his brick walls, or exactly what’s the status of these brick walls, because we’re right up a bunch, right up against the ability to disintegrate matter, all these various phenomena that — a yogi has been known as a good yogi if he could, you know, something or other, if he could levitate, you know, you’ve heard all these tricks and nonsense pieces and that sort of thing. Kid game stuff. This is the level you’re looking at. You see?” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 23, 1965
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“RECRUITS: We appreciate all the new recruits. You are very valuable to us. It permits older hands to move up. In your turn if you do a good job, you will also be moving up in your time. You are expected to do the job assigned well and raise its stats. You are expected to complete your AB, SS I, SS II and Mission School during your study time, which should be about 2.5 hours a day during one or another of your study periods.” — The Commodore, February 23, 1971
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“According to L. Ron Hubbard, the Marcabians would have arrived to Earth in 1983. The first thing the Marcabians would have done is to take over the Church of Scientology. Captain Bill Robertson described later how this was done with the help of the Government of the United States of America.”
2002: A Scientology press release promoted the work of celebrity Ann Archer against Psychiatry. “Actress Anne Archer joined the growing list of celebrity mothers who are speaking out against the psychiatric labeling and drugging of school children, by releasing a new Web site at the 33rd annual celebration of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights International, a psychiatric watchdog organization. The Web site, www.FightForKids.com, is designed to educate parents about the labeling and drugging of children, and inform them about the necessary reform of Congress’s next major educational project, Special Education. Helping to release the new Web site with Anne Archer, was CCHR 2002 Human Rights Award winner, Sheila Matthews. Matthews, a Connecticut mother, was awarded for her year long battle to get psychiatry out of the public school systems.”
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“‘Ness is More.’ It’s Hubbard’s version of his favorite book ‘1984.’ Reduce the language down to its most base level and you can control what people think and it also separates them from the rest of society. Hubbard was already fairly knowledgeable about mind control techniques and hypnotism before he wrote Dianetics, so I don’t know why anyone would think his specific control techniques were by accident.”
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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. DA’s response to appeal brief due April 15.
— ‘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.
— 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] Shelly Miscavige: More about the place where she registered to vote, but is she still there?
[TWO years ago] REPORT: Scientology loses captain of its Florida ‘spiritual mecca,’ a fundraising marvel
[THREE years ago] Shekter: A trial by storm for Scientology’s most dedicated still resonates today
[FOUR years ago] Gary Beeny, 1949-2020: Scientology figure in notorious takeover of anti-cult group
[FIVE years ago] For once Scientology gives up on Ideal Org, settles for a fancy ‘mission’ instead
[SIX years ago] Leah Remini pays for vexing Tom Cruise with Scientology’s ‘Truth Rundown’
[SEVEN years ago] Laura DeCrescenzo fires back at Scientology’s desperate new federal court gambit
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s Celebrity Whisperer: An inside account of life in the fame-obsessed church
[NINE years ago] Scientology tried to suppress this video, and that’s why you’re seeing it here today
[TEN years ago] Scientology Australia spills its guts, and you can thank Bryan Seymour and Nick Xenophon
[ELEVEN years ago] Five things to watch for in today’s first Scientology wedding in the UK
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Mythbusting with Jon Atack: Fair Game!
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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 3,184 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,679 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,194 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,744 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,734 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,120 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,615 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,919 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,790 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,342 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,683 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,250 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,169 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,337 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,919 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,178 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,215 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,931 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,495 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,810 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,985 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,667 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,004 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,858 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,973 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,335 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,744 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,142 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,018 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,583 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,094 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,350 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,458 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 23, 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
