TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Dianetics, which turns 75 today, is a vile book. In it, L. Ron Hubbard imagines that most of our problems are the result of unfaithful women and uncaring mothers having rough sex. Scientology doesn’t want you to know that until you buy a copy. And here’s the worst thing in it. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“A couple of years ago some auditors were solving high TA problems by putting hand cream on the pcs’ hands when they were calloused and talcum powder on a pc’s hands when they were too wet. Since no research had been done they were censured. Research has now been done on this matter of dry and wet hands. Apparently when a person has taken certain medicines or chemicals, or uses detergent soaps or is in contact with certain chemicals (such as those in some furniture polishes) the ordinary skin oils vanish. These oils are needed to make an electrical contact with the cans. When these oils are absent, there is no adequate electrical contact and the ‘TA is high.’ When a person is deficient in certain minerals or vitamins such as magnesium or B Complex, his hands can be excessively wet. Either of these two conditions in hands can produce an incorrect TA position.” — 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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“The US in a Masterpiece has officially stated it has no responsibility for its money. They can say that twice. The scoop is that genius Nixon’s Federal Reserve Board lowered bank rates in the US, causing US investment money to flee to Europe. Nazi bankers caught the ball so deftly tossed to them by their US agents and began a smash attack on the dollar. Exchange is still 3.8 francs to a dollar in Switzerland. It should be 4.3. Costing us our shirts. We don’t dare deposit and lose. Somebody in the US Federal Reserve is working very hard for his Iron Cross First Class.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 9, 1971
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“ALL CREW: Please submit to me knowledge reports on any injustices that you may know about. Injustices must be righted. Thank you.” — Lt. Cmdr. Diana Hubbard, May 9, 1969
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“LRH got to the point where he was able to perceive what is actually happening here and in the local (galactic) area and so I would not dismiss any concerns about SPs taking over here. I like to look at it from the viewpoint that sowing a seed on one planet would not be sufficient. What if it did not grow and was thwarted before it could turn into a tree? Not every acorn becomes a mighty oak. I would go out and do what every oak tree does. Sow thousands of acorns. And LRH is a lot smarter than I. And as for being welcome in other areas, Well, when you get to OT I think that is a different matter. You can go where you bloody well like. ESPECIALLY if you have training and experience in your repertoire. This planet may or may not be fucked (to coin a phrase) but the Galaxy isn’t.”
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1999: The St. Petersburg Times reported that the city of Clearwater is modifying a plan to raise donations for the public library due to concerns over Scientology. “Imagine entering the new Clearwater Public Library sometime in the future, taking a book off the shelf and settling into a chair in the L. Ron Hubbard reading room. While I made up that scenario, it is just such a fear that has perplexed the Clearwater City Commission. On the one hand, the commission would like to encourage generous contributions to its proposed public library; on the other hand, the commission fears that some of those contributions will come from the Church of Scientology, which will then demand some public recognition of its gift. Commissioner J.B. Johnson suggested ruling out a whole class of potential contributors: churches. ‘We should not be accepting money from religious organizations, whether it’s the Scientologists or the First Baptist Church,’ he said. Commissioner Bob Clark expressed concern about Scientology participation as well. ‘It’s unfortunate, but it’s a fact of life, just as in other parts of the world something else would be inflammatory.’ Hallam’s proposed policy is reasonable: Acknowledge gifts with a ‘discrete engraved plaque mounted on or near the gift.’ That way, donors would be recognized but all of the plaques would be similar and no one gift would dominate the others. She would rule out naming buildings after any donor, and she would shy away from grandiose forms of recognition. But even a plaque referring to the Church of Scientology is sure to embarrass some and anger others. Given the church’s past behavior, such reactions are understandable. City commissioners decided Thursday that they would rather collect less money for the new main library than allow controversial groups that make large donations to be recognized prominently. The Church of Scientology was not mentioned at the televised meeting, but commissioners have said they are uncomfortable with the church being named in a visible way on the library’s walls. They voted unanimously to accept money from anyone but to recognize donors only discreetly on a small plaque instead of naming rooms or areas after large contributors. A handful of Scientologists attended the meeting but did not speak and declined to comment after the vote. Pat Jones, a church spokeswoman, said in a statement Thursday night that the church did not want to comment specifically on the policy. But the statement said, ‘If the Church of Scientology itself makes a contribution to aid in its construction it will do so … without any desire for or expectancy for credit.'”
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“David Miscavige is a South Philly street punk: rude, lewd, and crude. He wants to be Vito Genovese but he’s John Gotti instead. All flash and bravado with no real depth or vision.”
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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] ‘Dianetics’ is 74: Isn’t it time L. Ron Hubbard’s hoax got pulled from libraries?
[TWO years ago] Former London staffer tells his story: ‘Abuse is fundamental to Scientology’s very nature’
[THREE years ago] How Scientology’s ardent followers prove their loyalty with blind (or near-sighted) obedience
[FOUR years ago] The Scientologist and the superstar hacker: A stock market fable for our times
[FIVE years ago] Dianetics at 70: Scientology’s bible, endorsing child molestation since May 9, 1950
[SIX years ago] Death in the Timor Sea: The darkest war secret of Scientology’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard
[SEVEN years ago] Early witness Don Rogers on Hubbard and ‘prior lives’: ‘Nothing but a parlor hypnosis trick’
[EIGHT years ago] Danny Masterson hires Michael Jackson criminal defense attorney Tom Mesereau in rape probe
[NINE years ago] 66 years ago, L. Ron Hubbard transubstantiated from pulp writer to god among men
[TEN years ago] Scientology answers Garcia motion: We are definitely a bona fide worldwide religion!
[ELEVEN years ago] Ryan Hamilton adds Colorado in new lawsuits against Scientology’s rehab network
[TWELVE years ago] Search Warrant Affidavit: Scientology’s Atlanta Drug Rehab Billed $3 Million in Insurance Fraud
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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 3,259 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,754 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,269 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,819 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,809 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,195 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,690 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,994 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,863 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,417 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,758 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,325 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,244 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,412 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,994 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,253 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,290 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,006 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,570 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,885 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,060 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,742 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,079 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,933 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,048 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,410 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,819 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,215 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,093 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,658 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,169 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,425 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,533 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 9, 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
