TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We got our hands on a contract Scientology’s Sea Org workers sign, promising to keep their mouths shut about all of the horrendous things they’re going to be seeing as billion-year slaves in David Miscavige’s ersatz navy. Keep your traps shut, swabbies! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“It is very much easier to train a Dianetic auditor than a Scientology auditor. It requires only about a month to make a Dianetic auditor who is sufficiently conversant with the subject to get results. This too was used against Dianetics as the psychiatrist of that day claimed he himself needed twelve years of study to do psychiatry. Of course when the public found out that the product of these twelve years of study was killing the ‘insane’ and increasing their number the argument became silly. The spectacular personal gains which were available in Scientology were so great they tended to obscure the very real use and value of Dianetics. Further, a Scientology executive trained and processed beyond the need of body help tended to forget that much of the public out there first had to be helped out of their physical misery before they could attempt anything like personal gain.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
——————–
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.
——————–
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
——————–
“Let’s take CCH 1, ‘Give me that hand.’ It could have possibly also — I am not saying you should run it with this command, but you — ‘Reach me. Reach me. Reach me.’ You get the similarity here? See, PC really is at cause, see? You could just say, ‘Reach me.’ And make sure that he did and it would be quite interesting. I don’t advocate that you fellows do this, although once in a while, some squirrel auditor develops some technology by which he can use Scientology to make a girl more accessible. Now personally, I find it difficult to understand this, because I myself, you see, have never needed Scientology! I don’t waste a brag, but I just want to point this out. Here you have a situation where that’s a poor show. But you actually could take a girl and have her reach your right knee and your left knee and your right shoulder and your left shoulder and your nose and the top of your head and your right hand and left hand. And every now and then, ask her how she feels about you. And if you don’t flatten the process, just about the time this thing goes into the plus state, she’ll tell you she’s mad about you, she thinks you’re wonderful. That’s right.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 29, 1962
——————–
“There is not one person aboard, swabbie, snipe or clerk who is not vital to maintaining our presence on Int lines either by keeping the ship running or safe or actually pushing comm pkgs or admin actions. To the several million Scientologists in the world our presence is felt even when it is only quietly acting within orgs over the world. There’s an awful lot of lightning and thetan power in this theta line and everyone on board is contributing to it. Whatever the grease on your nose or the callouses on your ball point finger you are helping to keep this line in existence and contributing your energy and actions to pushing it through. Next time you’re tired or upset — remember that.” — The Commodore, March 29, 1970
——————–
“Max Plank indicated the area of research by stating that in quantum physics it is consciousness that is found underlying all of that physical phenomena. L. Ron Hubbard was trained not only in atomic and molecular phenomena (nuclear physics) and engineering, but also in magic, the Veda and all that stuff dealing with life and consciousness. This indicates the character of the real 21st century scientist, one knowledgeable in quantum physics as well as magic, the Veda and oriental knowledge, including — oh gosh! — the work of Aleister Crowley, anathema and excommunicateable offence! There’s a bright side to all of this for me. This shows what kind of people is excluded from making critiques to Scientology and 21st century real science. Those excluded from making critiques are all the atheist matter-is-all-that-exists scientists in universities, exhibiting their degrees in the wall and running in their squirrel cages. This also excludes (and this is most satisfying) all the masters and doctors in all top universities who are not trained in physics and atomic and molecular phenomena! My advice for them is to get out of their squirrel cages and start walking a real path on those subjects, including civil engineering.”
——————–
2001: The New York Times reported on an ABC television special which included a segment on Scientology celebrities John Travolta and Kelly Preston. “On Barbara Walters’ preshow special there was one revealing moment when John Travolta and his wife, Kelly Preston, tried to explain why they are enamored of Scientology. Ms. Preston said, ‘Scientology rocks!’ Obviously what rocks in Hollywood is different from what rocks anywhere else.”
——————–
“I rarely ever downvote comments. I do downvote rude comments and drive-by comments by Scientologists (or people pretending to be) who are too chicken to hang around and argue their beliefs. If a real Scientologist showed up here and seriously debated their beliefs with someone, I wouldn’t downvote them.”
——————–
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, sentencing scheduled for April 4.
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. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
——————–
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?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Leah Remini files notice: Let Judge Kalra handle BOTH Scientology harass cases
[TWO years ago] Judge Olmedo rules: Here are the details from the rulings on Danny Masterson’s retrial
[THREE years ago] How Danny Masterson’s criminal judge has iced out Scientology leader David Miscavige
[FOUR years ago] Jokes aside, there is quite a bit of crossover between QAnon and Scientology
[FIVE years ago] ‘PROTECT THE ORG’ is Scientology’s highest purpose says new edict
[SIX years ago] Scientology ‘body-routing’: When no one wants what you’re selling
[SEVEN years ago] Leah Remini on Scientology’s stalking — nothing is going to stop her third season of ‘Aftermath’
[EIGHT years ago] SCIENTOLOGY TV: It’s really happening! Spectrum blocks out a channel for Miscavige
[NINE years ago] Scientology pampered some of its big donors with a trip back in time to Phoenix in 1954
[TEN years ago] LIVE-BLOG: Watch Alex Gibney’s HBO documentary ‘Going Clear’ and comment with us
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology answers the Garcias — And turns over a trove of internal documents
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology’s Job One: Saving the Whales
——————–
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 3,218 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,713 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,228 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,778 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,768 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,154 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,649 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,953 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,824 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,376 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,717 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,284 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,203 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,371 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,953 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,212 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,249 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,965 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,529 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,844 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,019 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,701 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,038 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,892 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,007 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,369 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,778 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,176 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,052 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,617 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,128 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,384 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,492 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on March 29, 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
