TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’ve been telling you lately about the surprising connections between the second Trump administration and high-level Scientology donors. But as an old Tom Cruise interview goes viral, could the church’s longtime goals against psychiatry and ‘psych meds’ also get a boost? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Failing to find and utilize an R/S on List One is the most common (but not the most destructive to the pc’s health) error in Routine 2. Example: Auditor has three dead horses. Abandons case. Another auditor assesses List One, Tiger Drills the R/Ses out, represents a tick. Gets another dead horse. Abandons case. Pc now known as a ‘tough pc.’ A third auditor gets cunning, looks over the original assessment, sees ‘auditor’ R/Sed once long ago. It doesn’t now, having been Tiger Drilled to death. Opposes it. Gets a beautiful R/Sing list. Case starts to fly. This error has been done over, and over and over and is the source of all dead horses.” — 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 gross divisional statistic of HCO is letters out and letters in. Why? Because the Existence of an org is real to the public mainly by writing in and getting answered. The volume of letters out and letters in is wholly in the ability of HCO to control. After all, it is the HUBBARD COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE. When letters don’t go out in volume, the public and field don’t know the org is there. When letters come in and aren’t answered then the public jolly well knows the org isn’t there and gets ARC Broke about it as well! You can advertise. You must send out mags and these also say the org is there. But that personal communication to Joe, Joe’s reply and answering Joe is vital vital vital for Joe now knows you’re there.” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 24, 1966
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“ANCHOR: We will be at anchor until we leave Thursday evening. We will cut short our stay in the next port, arriving there the 26th and departing the 1st of March, giving us only 4 days there. This lets us take part in some celebrations in the port after next. Webspread will be very pleased — if he ever comes back.” — The Commodore, February 24, 1971
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“I have to say at this point I am wondering what a clean 10-year run of the Bridge as LRH intended and particularly the OT Levels might do for this planet and Scientology’s reputation. Imagine no quickie grades, allowing the PC to have his wins, correctly calling F/N’s, Ethics used to help rather than control or punish, attention to people rather than stats, OT levels where you don’t return home broke or ill, willing to take calls in the evening because you know it’s your Reg and friend down at the Org who is looking out for you and you know it. In the background of my mind the song ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon is playing. Imagine theta too.”
1996: Peter Lucey reported this week concerning the Jive Aces, a bar band preaching cult propaganda at gigs in the U.K. “I was in the ‘Bier Keller’, a bar under the Coppid Beach Hotel, Bracknell, UK on Friday, 16th Feb and the band booked was called the ‘Jive Aces’. [T]hey were ‘sponsored’ by Dianetics and there was much more ‘buy Dianetics’ adverts on the flyers than band info. Scn was not mentioned but the band’s booking address was Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead. I talked to the leader – he described Jon Atack as a ‘w*nker’ and said he was expelled from the CoS for drug dealing; my retort, that the ‘unconvicted drug dealing’ was a confession taken from his PC-folders after he left, fell on stony ground.”
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“I seem to recall that a fear of heights is an engram caused by the thetan-occupied clam remembering being dropped by a seagull.”
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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] Lawrence Wright weighs in on Scientology opening Austin ‘Ideal Org’ in his town
[TWO years ago] TESTAMENT: When a celeb faced a nasty divorce, and Scientology kept it all under wraps
[THREE years ago] What the Dutch Coast Guard really thinks about Scientology and its ship the Freewinds
[FOUR years ago] MASTERSON ACCUSERS PETITION APPELLATE COURT: Seeking to overturn ‘arbitration’ ruling
[FIVE years ago] DRONE FLYOVER: Saturday’s Scientology ‘Ideal Org’ opening in Ventura, California
[SIX years ago] In Scientology, every dollar you own is under constant attack
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology fires back at the Garcias, but reveals absolutely bonkers ‘arbitration’ instructions
[EIGHT years ago] Whale watching, 2017 edition: Who’s keeping Scientology from sinking?
[NINE years ago] Monique Rathbun is on the clock at the Texas Supreme Court, and more in our legal roundup
[TEN years ago] New government release contains a surprise: L. Ron Hubbard flunked out of high school, too!
[ELEVEN years ago] Monique Rathbun files motion for contempt against Scientology defendants
[TWELVE years ago] OSCAR NIGHT LIVE-BLOGGING: Scientology on the Hot Seat with John Travolta and ‘The Master’
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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 3,185 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,680 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,195 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,745 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,735 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,121 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,616 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,920 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,791 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,343 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,684 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,251 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,170 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,338 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,920 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,179 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,216 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,932 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,496 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,811 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,986 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,668 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,005 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,859 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,974 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,336 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,745 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,143 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,019 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,584 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,095 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,351 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,459 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 24, 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
