TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology’s official line is that it was founded by the most remarkable man who ever lived, but that L. Ron Hubbard was just that — a man, and not a god. But current leader David Miscavige has figured out that turning Ron’s old haunts into places of worship is good business. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The person who would falsify an auditing report is usually found to be a suppressive with abundant R/Ses and evil intentions who never should have been trained in the first place. Therefore, the penalty for knowingly falsifying an auditing report in order to make oneself seem more competent than one is or to hide departures from the C/S or to omit vital data necessary to C/Sing, resulting in upsets to a case and time spent in investigation by seniors, is actionable by a Committee of Evidence and if the matter is proven beyond reasonable doubt, a cancellation of all certificates and awards, a declare and an expulsion order are mandatory.” — 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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“It’s my belief that in a good society every child ought to be equipped with and taught to fire a sawed-off shotgun.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 20, 1952
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“BIG LEAGUE: A lot of SO people do not realize that we play in the Big League. It’s not from choice. We are apparently considered a prime threat to those who run things from behind the scenes. A new estimate based on new data of the money spent to knock us out is at least 20 million pounds. Your concept of security and concept of snap and pop on operations and actions should be scaled upward to match the Big League. We are so tiny in numbers we have to make up for it in brilliance and efficiency. No other group on the planet gets the simultaneous international attention that we do. We cave in the pressure against us by highly effective operation of orgs and ships. And it is gradually giving ground. We will win in 3 years IF we play it with Security, brilliance and efficiency on all our parts.” — The Commodore, May 20, 1970
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“Einstein in his theory of relativity made a prediction in the early 20th century that there exist gravitational waves. It wasn’t until 2016 that those waves were detected. Similarly, Scientology makes a theory, makes predictions and gets validated when those predictions are found. No need for doctors, university scholars or peer review publications agreeing or not on it.”
1996: The Los Angeles Times published an article on Earthlink, the Internet provider founded by cult member Sky Dayton. “EarthLink’s expansion, however, has so far been privately funded by an eclectic mix of investors, including El Dorado Ventures, a venture capitalist firm; Warren Musser, president of Safeguard Scientific; and National Media Corp., an infomercial production company. Discussions on Internet news groups such as la.general and alt.religion.scientology and a World Wide Web site have focused on Dayton’s affiliation with the church – and on the actions of another Earthlink employee in battling church critics on the Internet. Dayton acknowledges that at the beginning, a large portion of EarthLink employees were Scientologists. With the company’s growth, though, the proportion has fallen to a small fraction, he says. Earthlink also used Hubbard management techniques in its early days. Dayton says the Hubbard methods are secular and have nothing to do with the religion of Scientology, and that in any case they are no longer in use at the company.”
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“If you want some major lulz, google ‘David Icke forum Scientology’ and get ready to read the 12-foot shape-shifting reptilian fanboys make fun of the immortal super powered Thetans. it’s a hoot.”
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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 June 13.
— ‘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 June 16.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud. Sentenced to 7 years in prison.
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] New Scientology memoir out today: For years he led its rabid anti-psychiatry angle
[TWO years ago] Here’s our story about Nancy Cartwright that Scientology doesn’t want you to see
[THREE years ago] VIDEO: This is peak Scientology, when its big donors were going to clear the planet
[FOUR years ago] Day three of the Danny Masterson prelim: Jane Doe 3’s cross-examination continues
[FIVE years ago] Leah Remini to Jane Doe after dismissing suit against Scientology: ‘You let no one down’
[SIX years ago] A paradox of apathy and zealotry: What props up Scientology, from within and without
[SEVEN years ago] Russia’s ineffective Scientology crackdown includes smearing foreign leaders
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology forks over phone numbers to federal judge, who puts his foot down again
[NINE years ago] Scientology gets judge disqualified in forced-abortion lawsuit and wants recent order voided
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s wealthy donors play royalty in Italy while Paulette Cooper takes San Diego
[ELEVEN years ago] Marc Headley returns to Scientology and finds a whole new ballgame
[TWELVE years ago] Your Hot Scientology Event in Los Angeles Tonight
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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 3,270 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,765 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,280 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,830 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,820 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,206 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,701 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,005 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,874 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,428 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,769 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,336 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,255 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,423 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,005 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,264 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,301 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,017 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,581 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,896 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,071 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,753 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,090 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,944 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,059 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,421 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,830 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,226 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,104 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,669 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,180 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,436 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,544 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 20, 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
