TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Tom De Vocht let us know he was stunned by the Scientology Sea Org confidentiality agreement that we posted yesterday, and sent over his line-by-line critique! It is really great to have Tom back making waves. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“You use Dianetics much the way you would use any remedy. When a fellow is burned you audit out the burn. When a woman loses a loved one you audit out the loss. When a young man can’t finish his schooling you audit out his unhappy school experiences. Dianetics is for USE. There is not a lot of admin about it. It isn’t something you use after bowing down three times to Chicago. You just USE it. A Dianetic auditor who sees someone sick and who doesn’t get him treatment and then audit him is just not humane. Woman going to have a baby—get out the meter and audit her into shape for it. When she’s had it, run out the delivery. Fellow burns his hand, break out the meter. Dianetics is the answer to human suffering. USE it.” — 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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“I don’t think ever in my life I even ever held out my hand for a fee. I don’t ever mention it. I’ve even acted sometimes as Registrar for an organization that didn’t have anything to do with money and people would walk in occasionally and throw some money on the desk and I’d invoice it so they could have a receipt. I gave it to them so they could have a receipt, not so I could have any money. Now, that’s about the wildest look you ever saw! I remember auditing some people in the early days and we never talked about money and they got embarrassed after a while and they gave me several thousand dollars. That’s a reverse look, isn’t it?” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 30, 1965
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“The hot water on A deck is tepid.” — The Commodore, March 30, 1970
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“I see two main kinds of critics. Those that critique Scientology and want a reform, and those that critique Scientology and want to disappear it, or agree with disappearing it. I think it’s time to examine the systems on this planet, because Scientology is a system, and the real government running this planet is another system, and there are other systems like the pretended political systems governing ‘democratic’ countries. LRH stated that Scientology was the most ethical system on Earth. This statement only makes sense if it is compared with the other systems: Critics wanting to unmock (destroy) Scientology but fail to analyze the other systems in the same framework. So far, my analysis of the other systems (including the one running this planet) has shown that Scientology is the most ethical system of them all. The others fall far from being ethical at all.”
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2002: The Los Angeles Times published an article in the Sterling Management and the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises. “The ‘Battlefield Earth’ videos, ‘I am a Scientologist’ poster and numerous pictures of L. Ron Hubbard make it clear that Sterling Management isn’t a typical consulting firm. The company is one of about 100 in Glendale, Montrose, La Crescenta and La Canada Flintridge that practice the organizational principles of Scientology. In fact, Sterling Management’s business is to promote and teach the organizational principles of the church to small business owners across the country. Hubbard, founder of Scientology and a science fiction writer and philosopher, developed what is referred to as his ‘management technology’ for the religion’s expansion. Sterling Management owner Kevin Wilson and the other owners of local companies use the management practices as members of the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises – WISE. WISE licenses and promotes Hubbard’s work to businesses for the Church of Scientology, WISE President Don Drader said. About 3,200 WISE members around the world pay anywhere from $250 to $36,000 per year for membership. Most WISE members are Scientologists, but it’s not required, Drader said. James Ryan, an EEOC public affairs specialist, said he wasn’t aware of WISE, but organizations are entitled to use religious principles in the workplace, as long as employees have the option to object and be excused. Wilson said he is aware of employee discrimination law and that he stays within its bounds. ‘This job has nothing to do with Scientology,’ Wilson said. ‘In no way can I dictate anyone’s job with Scientology.’ Wilson makes sure his company’s clients are aware of the relationship between his business and Scientology, too. All Sterling Management clients sign a waiver before entering into the consulting relationship, Wilson said. The waiver states that the Hubbard management materials imply ‘no religious affiliation whatsoever.’ It also states a Sterling consultant may recommend a client see a Scientology practitioner, if the client has personal problems beyond the scope of Sterling Management.”
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“The first time I heard about people having to pay for being sec checked I was gobsmacked. OT 7’s have to get sec checked every 6 months to the tune of twenty grand or thereabouts. Imagine if the cops started charging people to be interrogated? Without a lawyer!”
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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, 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.
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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 will appeal ruling in Leah Remini lawsuit that preserved most of her claims
[TWO years ago] Life as a Scientology ‘Flag auditor,’ bending the minds of Neil Gaiman and others
[THREE years ago] Scientology is unhappy the Danny Masterson accusers are sticking up for Valerie Haney
[FOUR years ago] Another Scientology success story: Real Water liver failure lawsuits proliferate
[FIVE years ago] Scientology tries desperately to keep members from letting reality sink in during pandemic
[SIX years ago] Leaving Scientology’s ‘Sea Org’ isn’t easy, and some turn to desperate measures
[SEVEN years ago] Georgia police department closes its case on Arnie Lerma attempted murder-suicide
[EIGHT years ago] Dungeons & Dragons and Scientology collide: Can we get a saving throw on that engram?
[NINE years ago] Scientology leader David Miscavige in Atlanta on Saturday: Can you feel the excitement?
[TEN years ago] AUDIO LEAK: Hear a Scientologist being declared suppressive and facing the loss of her family
[ELEVEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: These fliers should convince you to give all your cash to Scientology!
[TWELVE years ago] Independent Scientology: The Ballad of Captain Bill
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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 3,219 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,714 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,229 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,779 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,769 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,155 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,650 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,954 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,825 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,377 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,718 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,285 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,204 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,372 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,954 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,213 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,250 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,966 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,530 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,845 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,020 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,702 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,039 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,893 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,008 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,370 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,779 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,177 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,053 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,618 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,129 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,385 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,493 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 30, 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
