TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We have another fascinating document that was dug up by a team of researchers which has been helping us out. This time, we get a peek inside what it’s like when Scientology deals with uncomfortable questions from a reporter, and how to spin the news as much as possible. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“There are many remedies and considerable tech developed over the years on the subject of pcs unable to go earlier than this life. There was no full coverage bulletin which gave the full story on this. The earliest was getting the pc to locate and run imaginary incidents. This is fully covered in Science of Survival, especially Book Two, Chapter Nine, ‘Imaginary Incidents.’ The auditor clears the idea of imaginary incidents and running them, then persuades the pc to run them without forcing him. Delusion tends to run off but the real incidents move into view as well. These imaginary incidents can be run R3RA Narrative Quad.” — 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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“Let’s be some distance from the body, if possible. Some distance from the body and find some places where you are not. Some more places where you are not. Now some things from which you are not exteriorizing. Some things you’re not at this moment getting out of. And now some things that aren’t pulling you into them. And some things you are not getting out of. And now some things you’re not stuck in. Some more things you’re not stuck in. Now some energy masses that aren’t wrapping themselves around you at this moment. All right. Now some energy masses you aren’t wrapping yourself around at this moment. And now some effort you are not at this moment trying to get out of. Some effort you’re not trying to keep from expending at this moment. All right.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 12, 1954
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“RHODESIA: The anti-Scn bill in Rhodesia hit a heavy snag due to our attorney, the legal office of the government chopping down on their parliament saying its unconstitutional. The name of a notorious anti-govt psychiatrist appeared and got the govt legal dept antagonistic. Also, I had excellent PR in Rhodesia when I was there and they’re still trying to explain their actions. The Guardian Office Africa and all concerned did a fine job there. It’s all held off indefinitely.” — The Commodore, May 12, 1971
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“Back in the day there were a couple of thousand OTs auditing on OT Solo NOTs. At that same time period the world was somewhat sane (definitely as compared to now) and Church management attributed that phenomenon to the number of Solo NOTs auditors auditing. So LRH called for more and wanted 10,000 solo auditors auditing. We happen to believe that Solo NOTs being delivered in volume would tip this planet back into the direction of sanity as the theta/entheta ratio would be building back in the direction of sanity by reason of the R6 Bank getting deleted in volume. We literally are the ONLY solution to the chaos that is happening in the world. Until we get the majority of the planet clear and the SPs rounded up and handled, this planet will continue to head in the direction of destruction. So we have to shake off whatever losses we’ve had and band together and get clearing fired up again. The Church is closed down for the most part and not delivering. We need to pick up the slack.”
1995: Grady Ward reported this week a call to his publisher, Austin Code Works, by a man identifying himself as Eugene Ingram, a well-known Scientology PI. “He spoke for ten minutes, did not identify his employer (duh!), and made statements like: ‘Grady is the president of ACW, isn’t he?’ [No] ‘Did you know the FBI investigated Grady for his involvement with the NuPrometheus League [a group claiming responsibility for stealing and distributing Apple Computer Macintosh ROM code in June, 1989].’ ‘The FBI knew he did it because Grady was the only one fired [a provable lie!] from Apple in 1989.’ Ingram then begin to pump for financial information, such as ‘Does he make more than $10,000 in royalties [per annum, presumably] from MobyCrypto? Moby Lexicons? No? How about $5,000?'”
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“I wouldn’t sweat it. I’ve been doing this since 2008 and I’ve given vaLLarrr and other Scientologists more than enough clues as to who my sister is that if they wanted to dox me and come after me they could have long ago. All they got left is squirrel cams, fat sleazy P.I’s and slime sites that no one reads except other Scientologists.”
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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:
— 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] On Mother’s Day 2024, the moms who suffer and defy Scientology’s cruel ‘disconnection’ policy
[TWO years ago] Legal battle for the ages to unfold this morning at the Danny Masterson retrial
[THREE years ago] Trafficking lawsuit: In Scientology, the tables turn quickly on abusers and the abused
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s Chicago Ideal Org says it’s next to open. Is Second City ready for its closeup?
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s $20 million hole in the ground: The secret vault to nowhere
[SIX years ago] Scientology finds the dream solution to its recruiting woes — the QR Code!
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s toxic policy of ‘disconnection’ — we check in with the people who endure it
[EIGHT years ago] One of Scientology’s most secretive temples is offering a rare look inside on Monday
[NINE years ago] Monique Rathbun formally ends her lawsuit in Texas; Ken Dandar wins again in Florida
[TEN years ago] AUDIO LEAK: Scientology leader David Miscavige ‘makes L. Ron Hubbard out to be an imbecile’
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology is determined to conquer this Internet thing
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: Portland Is Now Cleared, On to the Rest of Earth!
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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 3,262 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,757 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,272 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,822 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,812 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,198 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,693 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,997 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,866 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,420 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,761 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,328 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,247 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,415 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,997 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,256 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,293 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,009 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,573 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,888 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,063 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,745 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,082 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,936 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,051 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,413 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,822 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,218 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,096 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,661 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,172 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,428 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,536 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 12, 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
