TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Proving our doubts unfounded, Scientology’s David Miscavige did attend the grand opening of his newest ‘Ideal Org,’ the Church of Scientology of Eastern Cape in South Africa. We know this because a few people who attended the event yesterday posted photos, which we have for you. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Almost any failure you have ever had with an auditor or in auditing came from auditor comm lags or errors. This is a vital datum. It came to light from applying the rule — ask the pc what the auditor did after any failed session and get it corrected in the auditor. SPEED is the main factor behind the mystery of a failed session. The better an auditor knows his TRs, his processes, his meter and admin the faster he can operate.” — 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 think California has laws that nobody can cure cancer. And they’ve just disobeyed that law in England because a doctor up there, who is a Dianetic Auditor, has just cured somebody of totally proven cancer. Has taken him over to the medical association and a big conference and so on, and displayed him complete with the X-rays and so forth. So, gee it’s a good thing he didn’t do that in California. We had an auditor, in 1950s, who was actually arrested for the fact of — proven conclusively, because he’d audited somebody and they had gotten well and it was against the law to cure that disease. He got off, there wasn’t anything happened to him at all, somebody was just making a push on it locally. Pretty crazy, huh? Proved it conclusively. Against the law to heal it and he’d done it.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 7, 1972
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“COMMENDED: Quentin Hubbard is assigned a Condition of Affluence and commended for a long time performance of high volume and high quality sessions. He is a very popular auditor and I am sure his many pcs will agree.” — The Commodore, April 7, 1970
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“Does anyone know around 50 years ago what people thought about the dinosaur extinction? Like when they thought it happened. Nowadays we think it happened 66 million years ago. I heard back then they thought it happened 75 million years ago. It’s very important, the validity of Scientology’s OT3 depends on it.”
1996: Grady Ward had a preliminary hearing this week. Grady is accused by the cult of being the author of the Scamizdat series of anonymous posts containing confidential processing levels. Shelley Thomson reported the proceedings in her Biased Journalism newsletter. “Thomas R. Hogan undertook to speak for the plaintiffs. Grady Ward presented himself pro se. He wore a tweed sport jacket and a red tie, the type of thing a country businessman might wear; this contrasted sharply with the smoothly tailored RTC lawyers, who seemed to have bought their gear at Spare No Expense, Inc. Judge Whyte asks if he has any connection to SCAMIZDAT. Grady Ward firmly denies that he is behind SCAMIZDAT. ‘Do you know who is doing it?’ the Judge asks. ‘No, I do not,’ Grady replies. A discussion of the TRO ensues. Grady does not mind being enjoined from doing things he had not planned to do anyway, but he is unsure of the scope of the proposed order. Judge Whyte states that he wants to enter a Preliminary Injunction, enjoining Grady Ward and anyone acting in concert with him from the publication of the Exhibit C documents listed in the Order on the net. The RTC (Whyte says) can take Ward’s deposition at a mutually convenient time within ten days, for a time not to exceed, say, four hours. ‘But if you want counsel before I make it a final decree, or want to file something further, let me know.’ ‘That sounds eminently fair, Your Honor,’ Ward replies. Grady continues. Church attorney Helena K. Kobrin has been threatening people on the net. She has been using your order [he tells the Judge] to intimidate. ‘That’s typical,’ Judge Whyte says calmly. She should not be able to intimidate other people, Grady states. ‘The Order doesn’t apply to persons not acting in concert with Grady Ward,’ the Judge says firmly. Grady won’t give it up. ‘Fear of litigation has infringed free speech on the net.’ Judge Whyte: ‘I will see that is taken care of.’ Hogan has a request. With reference to the proposed order on discovery, six hours is not enough. He wants Grady to submit records and documents in advance. Grady Ward responds that this ‘may be the prelude to a very abusive discovery process. I deny possessing any SCAMIZDAT material.’ The judge limits the deposition to one day. He informs Ward that the Plaintiffs can ask him to bring specified records to the deposition. Then if [during the deposition] you feel it is abusive, say ‘I think this is abusive’ and stop it. Call the magistrate, whose number I will give you [and ask for a protective order].”
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“‘Revolt in the Stars’ should be a new reality show where Scientology celebs are put into the Sea Org and the viewers watch as one by one they quit in anguish and leave stupid Scientology.”
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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 April 25.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud. Pre-sentencing conference was held April 4. Next hearing scheduled for April 14.
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. Leah’s appeal brief due June 3.
— 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] David Miscavige a no-show as Scientology opens ‘Ideal Org’ in dreary corner of Paris
[TWO years ago] Danny Masterson wanted to delay trial to August: See how Judge Olmedo responded
[THREE years ago] YouTube king, chiropractor Eric Berg, sued for forcing Scientology on employee
[FOUR years ago] Leaked audio: Proof that government officials know about Scientology’s crimes
[FIVE years ago] In the pandemic epicenter, Scientology’s New York Org puts on a fab virtual ‘Sunday Service’
[SIX years ago] Foreign ‘expansion,’ thanks to US Scientologists forking over the millions
[SEVEN years ago] On Day One, 2018’s Writers of the Future party betrays its connection to Scientology’s abuses
[EIGHT years ago] XENU VICTORIOUS: Scientology bamboozles USA Today to help it fight the ‘evil psychs’
[NINE years ago] Phil Jones reflects on the media frenzy at the dedication of his anti-Scientology billboard
[TEN years ago] 25 of the biggest lies told by L. Ron Hubbard and the Church of Scientology
[ELEVEN years ago] SHOCK DOX: Scientology’s 2011 book value for just two of its entities is $1.2 billion
[TWELVE years ago] Narconon Tackles NFL Legend Jim Brown, Anne Archer Snags a Kennedy
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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 3,227 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,722 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,237 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,787 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,777 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,163 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,658 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,962 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,833 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,385 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,726 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,293 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,212 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,380 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,962 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,221 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,258 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,974 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,538 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,853 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,028 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,710 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,047 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,901 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,016 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,378 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,787 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,185 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,061 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,626 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,137 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,393 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,501 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 7, 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
