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 thetan’s first real mistake is to consider his own pictures and their recorded events important, and his second mistake is in not obliterating entrapment activities in such a way as not to become entrapped or aberrated in doing so, all of which can be done and should be. Engram running is a step necessary to get at the more fundamental causes of a time track and handle them. So it is a skill which must be done and done well.” — 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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“NEW DEVELOPMENTS: Quad Dianetics, Quad Power, Quad R6EW are all going like a bomb. Four Times the result! Opens the door to Quad Grades. Really gives a booster shot. It is the result of taking a discovery in upper level tech and applying it to the lower levels. OUR HGC: Our Flag Auditors are going truly great. The new line works very well. UPSTAT UNITS: The FB (excepting in Action which is in Danger due to necessary by-pass) is doing very well. Including Mimeo. The E/R FSO is great. The HU is doing well. HCI FAO is doing its job well. Qual FAO is picking up. Reg Dept FAO is doing Reg. Income Dept FAO is doing great. Ship’s Rep FSO is doing very well. Other divisions are cordially invited to join this upstat parade by getting organized and into full production.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 13, 1971
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“We, the Officers and crew of the Apollo, Athena, AO Greece, SH Greece, Nkambi and Diana wish you a very happy birthday. Each and every one of us consider it a great honor to serve under you and we vow to honour the trust you have placed in us by backing you up and in every way and fully wearing our hats. You have personally helped each and every one of us to be strong and we will grow stronger and stronger as the days go by. We acknowledge you as the source of Power in Scientology and on this planet and in this Universe. We will do everything we can to ease your burden, to defend you, to give you more ease and provide active contribution to the achievement of our targets. You have, without reservation, our unlimited devotion and loyalty.” — Deputy Captain, Officers and Crew of Apollo; Captain, Officers and Crew AO/SH Greece; Captain, Nkambi; Captain, Officers and Crew of “Diana”; Captain, Officers and Crew of “Athena,” March 13, 1969
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“The Independent field is still spending far more time on its own circular comm cycles and infighting that we’ve totally lost the point of why we’re all here. The actual VFP — spiritual freedom for ourselves and others — has just been almost dismissed as an irrelevance. Why can’t we swallow that gnat of our respective games conditions, which frankly are circular and pointless games of chasing overts and motivators, and look at the war zone that surrounds us and just do what we can? How could individuals ever think that there’s anything to be gained in the long term from a narrow-minded 1D introverted view, when ultimately it is themselves they are destroying? I have lurked in the shadows of the Independent field for perhaps a decade and a half now, not really wanting to stick my head too far up the parapet having witnessed the ongoing bizarreness. I think now more than ever, people desperately need our help. We’ve got so much suffering and so much misery that we need to get busy, even if we have disagreements. We need to stop being stuck in Be and start doing a bit of Do and Have. We are clear to the touchline to make a fundamental and unique difference to the planet right now and there are literally no actual barriers stopping us from doing so other than those which we’ve mocked up for ourselves.”
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1999: The Tampa Tribune published an article describing the relationship between Scientology and the city of Clearwater, Florida, and the new Super Power building. “A 10,000-pound hammer drove another 40-foot-long sheet of metal into the ground across the street – the site of a planned 324,000-square-foot Scientology training and counseling center in downtown. The six-story complex will be one of the largest buildings in Pinellas County. Work on the foundation, which began in early February, confirms what some Clearwater residents and downtown merchants consider anathema and others accept without emotion: The church is growing. From a large video screen in the hotel mezzanine, parishioners are guided on a computer-generated tour of the new complex. The center will mirror the hotel’s Mediterranean style, with a 150-foot decorative tower on its west side. Sculptures depicting the fundamentals of Scientology will greet guests as they enter a three-story atrium. City officials and Scientology representatives held meetings last summer and fall after Roberto unveiled a long-term redevelopment strategy for key areas of the city, including downtown. Observers say the church and city are trying to be better neighbors. About a year ago, the church replaced its staff’s blue uniforms with more casual clothing. It also sponsors a variety of community events. Scientology officials also agreed to a city suggestion to move their staff dining facility from a building on downtown’s main drag to the new training complex. Church staffers and parishioners will be able to access the new facility from the hotel and the future auditorium via overhead pedestrian walkways. Glenn Warren, chairman of the Clearwater Downtown Development Board, says merchants hold mixed views about the new church facility despite additional tourists and more property taxes. ‘Many of my friends are dead-set against them,’ says Warren, whose father started the family business downtown in 1930. ‘But damn if I can tell the difference between a Scientologist’s dollar and a Baptist dollar or a Presbyterian’s dollar. And that’s the point. My personal feeling is that anything that large is going to have a positive impact within the community.'”
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“So they regulate brothels in Nevada but not drug rehabs?”
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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 March 31.
— 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] Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard is 113 today: Let’s celebrate with his own words!
[TWO years ago] Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s 112th birthday: What’s your favorite tall tale of his?
[THREE years ago] It’s Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s eleventy-first birthday! And we have guests!
[FOUR years ago] L. Ron Hubbard is 110 years old, and Scientology is ready for its close-up!
[FIVE years ago] For Scientology on L. Ron Hubbard’s birthday: A sworn declaration from Mike Rinder!
[SIX years ago] Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard is celebrating another birthday, and it’s a party!
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology TV kicks off with Miscavige monologue, settles into familiar propaganda
[EIGHT years ago] Danny Masterson turns 41 today, and we have a gift from his cast and crew at ‘The Ranch’
[NINE years ago] John Travolta and his ancient galactic friends celebrate Scientology’s holiest day of year
[TEN years ago] L. Ron Hubbard and ‘Going Clear’ — a reading list to celebrate Scientology’s birthday boy!
[ELEVEN years ago] ‘BARE-FACED MESSIAH’ back in print: Our interview with author Russell Miller
[TWELVE years ago] What Could L. Ron Hubbard Use on His 102nd Birthday? How About a Little SUPER POWER!
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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 3,202 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,697 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,212 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,762 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,752 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,138 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,633 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,937 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,808 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,360 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,701 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,268 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,187 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,355 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,937 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,196 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,233 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,949 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,513 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,828 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,003 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,685 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,022 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,876 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,991 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,353 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,762 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,160 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,036 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,601 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,112 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,368 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,476 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 13, 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
