TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Here they are, the newest super beings to complete Scientology’s OT 8, the top step on the Bridge. They are now ’cause over matter, energy, space and time,’ and also probably a million or two lighter in their bank accounts. But how are they feeling about their new near-godhood? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The basic WHY of the majority of cases of post nonperformance of a staff member and OUT TECH in an org stems from misunderstood words. The primary point that has to be gotten in is study tech. This is also our bridge to society. Yet study tech is the tech that includes misunderstood word tech. Thus if study tech is not in, people on staffs see nothing wrong with hearing or reading orders containing words they do not understand and have no urge to look them up. Further they often feel they do know words that they in fact do not know.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1975
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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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“‘If I put in one more galaxy,’ a fellow said to me one day, ‘I’m going to sink straight through the crust of Earth.’ I don’t think he would have although the crust is only 40 miles thick and below that is nothing but molten lava. But anyway, he was getting too heavy.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 29, 1954
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“David Mayo is assigned as an Ad Course Auditor assisting Bob Guilford. This is in addition to his Flag Interneship. This post does the incidental auditing and minor repairs and rud flying needed by Ad Courses. Full checkout on these actions should be done at once. This includes HCO B 26 Apr 71.” — The Commodore, April 29, 1971
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“Psychic auditing is where the auditor audits a person over Skype but the auditor holds the cans of the E-meter and also sends spiritual entities to monitor the PC. Given that the sending of entities to monitor the person is the method of choice for implanters, I think this psychic auditing deserves a warning.”
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1996: Jeff Jacobsen posted some research concerning the basement of the Ft. Harrison Hotel, the cult’s headquarters in Clearwater, Florida. “There is some controversy about whether the Ft. Harrison Hotel in Clearwater (which is a Scientology building) has a basement. Dennis Erlich claims he was locked in the basement as part of his RPF for doing something wrong. Brian Anderson, VP of the church in Clearwater (who is the president?) said on WMNF that Dennis is lying and there is no basement in the Ft. Harrison. I’ve heard that the latest KSW magazine also says there is no basement in the Ft. Harrison. Anyone can go over to the County Courthouse right next to the Ft. Harrison and look up property assessments for any building in Clearwater. The Ft. Harrison is listed as having a basement of 1806 square feet.”
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“In Scientology, ripping off a wog isn’t a crime, it’s a duty.”
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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 May 14.
— ‘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 May 12.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud. Pre-sentencing conference was held April 4. Sentencing hearing scheduled for May 5.
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] Common questions we get about Scientology’s court martial it calls ‘arbitration’
[TWO years ago] Mike Rinder and Jon Atack explain why you find it so difficult to leave Scientology
[THREE years ago] New trial granted in defamation case against author who exposed Scientology in Australia
[FOUR years ago] ‘Almost Andy Reid’ says he’s unhappy that Scientology used him in propaganda video
[FIVE years ago] NASA’s new spacesuit shares a name with Scientology’s legendary galactic warlord!
[SIX years ago] Scientology stepping up its promotion of chiropractic, demonizing of the AMA
[SEVEN years ago] As another tiny enclave of Scientologists digs deep for an Ideal Org — what would Ron say?
[EIGHT years ago] Garcias answer: Was Scientology not paying attention to an angry federal judge?
[NINE years ago] Ron Miscavige, his book ‘Ruthless,’ his nervous son, and Scientology Watching’s new reality
[TEN years ago] Want to go Clear? Has Scientology got a deal for you!
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s ‘Hogwarts’ doesn’t want you to think it’s connected to Scientology
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Metaphysics: After Death, Will You Go to Mars or Venus?
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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 3,249 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,744 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,259 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,809 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,799 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,185 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,680 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,984 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,853 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,407 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,748 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,315 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,234 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,402 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,984 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,243 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,280 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,996 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,560 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,875 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,050 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,732 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,069 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,923 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,038 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,400 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,809 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,207 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,083 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,648 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,159 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,415 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,523 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 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
