TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“It occasionally (rarely) happens that an HGC’s line stops and programs do not get finished and pcs go unaudited or sent to Ethics or Cramming instead of getting their programs completed. It also happens that a D of P becomes incapable of getting auditors to audit per the schedule he writes. 12 1/2 hour intensives drop out. Auditing falls back to the bit and piece game. The C/S finds all his work in programming wasted as the programs staledate or just get abandoned. Hours fall. Lines tangle. Tech Services cannot get assignments done. THE MAJOR WHY OF THIS AND MANY SUCH CONFUSIONS CAN BE TRACED TO AN ABUSE OF ‘AUDITOR’S RIGHTS’ IN PICKING AND CHOOSING PCS ON THE GROUNDS OF ‘FEELING THEY CANNOT HELP THE PC’.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1977
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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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“It’s very funny, you know: bodies have machinery laid into them from other times. It’s quite interesting. You’ll find some preclear wallowing around one time or another: ‘Well, look what I have done to this body. Look at the horrible machinery and things I have set up.’ Then he wonders why it runs much faster and gets much more solid. Well, some thetan that had the thing on the genetic line way back when has already installed a tremendous number of items. You didn’t install everything that’s wrong with your body.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 5, 1957
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“MOVIE: The top Broadway hit man, Milton Katselas, through Celebrity Centre sent me a screen play that deals with some Scientology materials. I received it as he requested, went over it. As an old screen writer I found some ways to polish it and telexed him that I would. He has just telexed back very thrilled. In one week he did Grade VI, went Clear, was taken on at Columbia Pictures to direct his Broadway hit and got my assurances I’d help work on the new screen play. To quote ‘All in One Week. Wow.’” — The Commodore, May 5, 1971
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“According to the book Science of Survival, in times of political turmoil one has to identify the subversives in covert hostility associated with politics or public office. One has to identify them and isolate them from society. I think this condition exists now in the USA and the rest of the world. A list of Scientologists and ex-Scientologists (including Sea Org and ex-Sea Org) supporting covert hostility movements (communism) would be beneficial. This in order to alert the rest of social Scientologists against the turmoil and chaos that this covert hostility individuals create in times of political unrest. A list of Scientologists and ex-scientologists, commies and supporters of Democrat commie/socialist agendas.”
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1995: Jeff Jacobsen reported a visit this week from private investigators. Here’s his description of the events. “From about 7:30am to 8:45am a private investigator sat in his car near my house. The police came by and asked them (at times it was 2 guys) what they were doing. They told the police that they were private investigators. I went and talked to them and they told me they were not private investigators. I took their license plate numbers. One guy had straggly long black hair. The other, who seemed to be in charge, had short brown hair and a long nose. They were both perhaps 35 or so. They also went through the garbage cans in the alley.” Dennis Erlich also reported that a letter from his parents had been opened before delivery.
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“No one knows what possible dirt there may be in Katie’s PC folder. Her first concern is maintaining the image of a ‘fit’ mother so Cruise doesn’t try to get custody of Suri on that accusation. If she dishes dirt I’m sure so will he.”
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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] Scientology announced protest of ‘thousands’ as APA comes to NYC, so we showed up
[TWO years ago] PODCAST: Tory Christman on visiting the Danny Masterson retrial
[THREE years ago] 1950 US Census proves Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard did indeed have a second wife
[FOUR years ago] The Scientology-QAnon connection that showed up in HBO’s ‘Q: Into the Storm’
[FIVE years ago] We’ve highlighted the parts Danny Masterson wants removed from the Scientology lawsuit
[SIX years ago] Media and authorities should focus on the real horrors of Scientology’s Freewinds
[SEVEN years ago] In the US and Australia, new Ideal Orgs are increasingly isolated and uninviting. What gives?
[EIGHT years ago] How to get yourself removed from Scientology’s legendary mailing list: A case study
[NINE years ago] How Ron Miscavige’s Scientology memoir reads to a former Scientologist
[TEN years ago] Neil Gaiman’s sister shows up in Scientology response video to Gibney film ‘Going Clear’
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology archiving magazines online? Are they nuts?
[TWELVE years ago] Cinco De Funnies: Getting Drunk on the Wisdom of Ron!
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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 3,255 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,750 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,265 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,815 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,805 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,191 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,686 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,990 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,859 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,413 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,754 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,321 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,240 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,408 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,990 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,249 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,286 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,002 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,566 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,881 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,056 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,738 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,075 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,929 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,044 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,406 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,815 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,213 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,089 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,654 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,165 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,421 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,529 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 5, 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
