TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: On Tuesday we told you that Scientology turned in its appeal brief in the civil suit against the Church and Danny Masterson. We know this stuff is complex, and so once again we’ve turned to an appellate attorney who provides really interesting analysis we knew you’d want to see. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“I have just made a real breakthrough on the action of pain-killers (known as aspirin, tranquilizers, hypnotics, soporifics). It has never been known in chemistry or medicine exactly how or why these things worked. Such compositions are derived by accidental discoveries that ‘such and so depresses pain.’ The effects of existing compounds are not uniform in result and often have very bad side effects. As the reason they worked was unknown very little advance has been made in biochemistry. If the reason they worked were known and accepted possibly chemists could develop some actual ones which had minimal side effects. We will leave the fact that this could be the medical biochemical discovery of the century and let the Nobel Prizes continue to go to the inventors of nose drops and new ways to kill and simply ourselves use it. Biochemical tech is not up to the point at this time that it can utilize it. Pain or discomfort of a psychosomatic nature comes from mental image pictures. These are created by the thetan or living beings and impinge or press against the body. By actual clinical test, the actions of aspirin and other pain depressants are to: A. INHIBIT THE ABILITY OF THE THETAN TO CREATE MENTAL IMAGE PICTURES and also B. TO IMPEDE THE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY OF NERVE CHANNELS. Both of these facts have a vital effect on processing.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1969
——————–
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
——————–
“Under this particular zone in Scientology right now, we have, oddly enough, culminated — and this is hard to believe, because it is such a wildly embracive figure — we have culminated in anything that was desirable in the fields of religion, mysticism, spiritualism, or mental sciences. Anything desirable in those particular fields have been discovered and culminated in the field of Scientology right now. That’s why I say it’s rather hard to believe, but you look at it, that’s true. So we do have valuable subject materials. Now, that job is complete. And so, number one of these, course management, as far as we’re concerned, on a Scientology course, that is complete. We’re even throwing away material now which would have been enough to have made a complete science and revolutionized middle Europe, you know, two hundred years ago.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 10, 1959
——————–
“WOG WORLD: If you were puzzled about my ‘now in the WOG world’ jokes in yesterdays OOD — that was the way certain people were 3rd partying us. Making a horrible false impression between us and elsewhere. ‘Now in the Wog world — ” Or how great the beach is compared to the ship. At least we’re trying to get it to survive and that’s more than you can say for the ‘Wog World’.” — The Commodore, April 10, 1969
——————–
“Hubbardian Scientological-like tricks to trap, contain, and eliminate or ameliorate the developing infidel-illogicals of humanity while promoting an advancing ‘expanding’ HS-elite gradient of Theta Clears going forward has been part of Man’s social engineering constructivities since the Golden Dawn of Civilizations. We can do better. And I suspect Hubbard thought so too with a KSW: always, eternally and forevermore.”
1999: Cinescape reports that casting has begun on the upcoming movie Battlefield Earth, based on a book by L. Ron Hubbard. “Reports that Saving Private Ryan standout Barry Pepper has signed on to John Travolta’s upcoming sci-fi epic Battlefield Earth are premature. The Insider followed up on the buzz only to hear from Pepper’s management that the actor has simply read for the part — he’s not signed. Whether he will end up starring in the movie’s the lead role of Jonnie Goodboy Tyler remains still up in the air.”
——————–
“I wear shorts and combat boots to the beach. Who am I kidding, I never go to the beach even though I live right near it. It’s full of gangbangers, junkies, alkies and crackheads.”
——————–
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.
——————–
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 lawsuit will get a new judge after David Miscavige challenge
[TWO years ago] Former Scientology private eye wants to haul us into court in rape lawsuit
[THREE years ago] Mark Bunker reminds us that there are actually Scientology physicians out there
[FOUR years ago] Recent Scientology defector: ‘I did the Purif with SNL’s Chloe Fineman’
[FIVE years ago] Eleventh Circuit will hear oral arguments in key Scientology ‘religious arbitration’ case
[SIX years ago] LEAKED: Scientology’s secret playbook for world domination!
[SEVEN years ago] Before Scientology was a ‘church,’ L. Ron Hubbard said religion controlled people with lies
[EIGHT years ago] Why Scientology’s Erika Christensen can play a Christian convert on the big screen
[NINE years ago] Spider-Man goes drug-free for Scientology, and more in our weekly social media review!
[TEN years ago] L. Ron Hubbard’s Navy record: Chris Owen critiques the ‘Business Insider’ story
[ELEVEN years ago] Is a Scientology front group among those fighting a European effort against ‘sects’?
[TWELVE years ago] Brit Writer’s 27 Years in Scientology is Suddenly News in France — Our Man in Paris Explains Why
——————–
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 3,230 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,725 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,240 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,790 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,780 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,166 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,661 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,965 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,836 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,388 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,729 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,296 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,215 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,383 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,965 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,224 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,261 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,977 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,541 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,856 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,031 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,713 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,050 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,904 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,019 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,381 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,790 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,188 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,064 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,629 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,140 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,396 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,504 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on April 10, 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
