TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We love Scientology hype videos, so it’s kind of a thrill to get a copy of this new promotion, which tries to convince Scientologists to come to LA and to go OT. Los Angeles! Hollywood! Movie Stars! And Scientology! How could anyone resist? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Don’t try to null a list until you’ve seen a clean flowing needle for a lot of items, maybe 50. Then get in fast mid ruds on the list and do it without cleaning any cleans. Then start nulling. If the needle dirties up after 30-40 items, skip mid ruds, just show the pc the page and have him spot any big thoughts he had on it. Then immediately get back to nulling. If the needle is dirty still, resume listing until it’s clean. Just do those actions and (given error-free Routine 2 as per this HCO Bulletin) you’ll have a smooth, smooth happy time of it in nulling.” — 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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“One of the things that is going to happen in the next few months: You will probably see, increasingly, the word ‘Scientology’ occurring. And that is in order to give doctors of medicine and psychiatrists and psychologists an out. It is pretty hard, after a man has made a pronunciamento about which he knows nothing, to convince him that he ought to say something else about it now that he knows something about it, because he will lose face with the people he has said this to. So if we just give him another word for a similar package and we say ‘Now it’s Scientology, and Scientology embraces the Axioms,’ why, then, two things will happen: He can say, ‘Well, Dianetics was no good and Hubbard was really crazy when he threw that one. But Scientology — now, that’s different. scientifically done. It has a great many things to recommend it. Well organized, and it works! (Dianetics didn’t!)’ And as the students who are going to graduate out of Hubbard College will discover, their degrees are in Scientology, not in Dianetics. It says that they are professional Scientologists and that they are capable of understanding mental and physical stress and are eligible for further degree work in Scientology. So I hope these graduates will feel themselves capable of understanding physical and mental stress!” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 25, 1952
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“In LA and now on Flag someone is justifying reserves and prices charged by saying ‘Ron needs it’ or ‘it goes to repay Ron.’ It isn’t true. I’ve received no 10 percents for ages. An audit of monies owed me by orgs showed about 13.5 million pounds some years ago. I long since forgave the 13.5 million. Other more recent sums aren’t included. It takes money to run things and keep the show on the road. A lot of money. Particularly in our expanding scene. It’s all for a worthwhile cause. The actual cost of L10ing someone and giving all grades is close to the price charged. A hundred million would be a low down payment for our org tech. So realise the value of what’s being bought and sold. What’s the value of health to a suffering man? What’s the value of immortality to an Earthbound eclipsed being? You’re right. It would be priceless. There isn’t that much money. It doesn’t go to me. So let’s keep the scene real in all selling and pricing. It’s for priceless results. For the pc. Not for me. I am in a relaxed frame of mind of owing no one anything and not being worried about what I’m owed. Let’s keep it cool. (And by the way did you know the psychoanalyst and psychiatrist charge ten times our total fees for delivering a long and agonizing death?)” — The Commodore, February 25, 1971
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“Once I heard of a college mathematics professor who was teaching his students that it was impossible to divide by zero. Based on what I had learned from LRH about the nature of zero I said to him, ‘Sure you can, and in all cases the answer is infinity.’ He started to say ‘No, no, no,’ but then his eyes opened wide and he said, ‘Wait a minute. You’re right! How did you know that? I never heard anyone say that before!’ He thought I was a genius. But it was LRH.”
1997: Otmar Lendl summarized a press release from the German government concerning Scientology. “Bavaria’s minister for internal affairs Beckstein noted with satisfaction that the NY-based Jewish World Congress distanced itself clearly from the recent propaganda action of Hollywood-stars if favor of CoS. Beckstein regards the JWC as uniquely legitimized to speak up against despotism, violence, and cynical human rights violations. In a letter he thanks JWC’s president Edgar Bronfman for his courageous words and calls for all well-meaning and sensible persons in the USA to follow Bronfman’s example. Comparison to holocaust is an insult to holocaust victims. Thanks for voices who defend Germany. Germany has to protect its citizens, regardless whether the danger calls itself ‘religion’ or not. CoS couldn’t prove a singe human right violation CoS is a danger to individuals and the community as whole. CAN takeover, hate-campaign vs Germany shows CoS intentions thus we need to oppose CoS with a all legal means This is possible in the US, too, as some court ruling show.”
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“When you tell vaLLarrr that LRH had no degrees or academic training, s/he replies that science hasn’t caught up to LRH yet and that Newton was insane and Einstein was a high school dropout. Rathbun was doing the same thing when he was trying to compare the quantum theory that nothing really exists unless you’re looking at it with Hubbard’s bullshit about subjective reality.”
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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] David Miscavige went to ‘Crazy Town’ at Scientology’s Austin Ideal Org opening!
[TWO years ago] PODCAST: Karen Pressley on Scientology’s radicalizing of Tom Cruise
[THREE years ago] Latest Capitol rioters arrested: Florida TV chef and poker player — and OT Scientologists
[FOUR years ago] Scientology celeb family the Mastersons selling houses: Getting out of Dodge?
[FIVE years ago] Is David Miscavige winning? Scientology seems to be on a roll, but is the law about to step in?
[SIX years ago] No, the National Enquirer has not ‘found’ Scientology’s Shelly Miscavige
[SEVEN years ago] Orlando, you’re next! Scientology makes an ‘Ideal’ move on the magic kingdom
[EIGHT years ago] More federal charges for Scientology family that sold rhino horn products
[NINE years ago] Laura DeCrescenzo, on eve of crucial hearing, explains Scientology for new judge
[TEN years ago] Now it’s Scientology UK that opens its books, and we have the numbers
[ELEVEN years ago] Telepathic space-age exorcism — Let’s do Scientology’s New Operating Thetan Level Six!
[TWELVE years ago] Anne Archer, Terry Jastrow, and…Could It Be…Tommy Davis, At Film Reception Tonight?
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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 3,186 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,681 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,196 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,746 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,736 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,122 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,617 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,921 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,792 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,344 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,685 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,252 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,171 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,339 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,921 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,180 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,217 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,933 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,497 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,812 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,987 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,669 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,006 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,860 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,975 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,337 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,746 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,144 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,020 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,585 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,096 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,352 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,460 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 25, 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
