TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology denies it, but the simple truth is that even today its members are asked to spend ludicrous amounts to learn founder L. Ron Hubbard’s bad sci-fi story about invisible alien souls infesting every one of us. ALSO: Is this how Scientologists got to Florida’s leaders? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The LSD apparently stays in the system and is liable to go into action again giving them unpredictable “trips.” Which could be quite fatal while driving and even walking around. A Drug Rundown which has to include LSD cannot be considered complete until he person has undergone a long period of sweating and heavy liquids and exercise. The way LSD got popular was because of Henry Luce, the head of Time Magazine, who publicized it and glorified it from mid-1950 on. He and his wife were under psychiatric care and were on LSD. Nearly as I can trace it, it was the Nazi intelligence drug developed in Switzerland and was probably intended for use in municipal water systems to paralyze the population just prior to an invasion as the invading enemy would then find them all irrational. It only takes a millionth of an ounce to produce a ‘full trip.’ When you are dealing with an LSD case or anyone who has ever taken LSD you cannot and must not consider their Drug Rundown complete until they have been sweated and given liquids and exercised for months as well as heavily audited. They can recover with auditing and this handling, but it won’t be very fast.” — 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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“One day this part of the reactive mind which has been trying to keep a doll surviving on the Galaxy Gee Whizzes, from being destroyed by gorillas, gets a whiff of a fur coat and goes into total action. Takes over, right as out of that moment. You’ve got an emergency situation, instantly. You’ve got gorillas in the vicinity and it’s better not to inspect, even. People who turn around and really inspect things are very often amongst the wounded and dead. So what are you going to do? It means, that when you speed up things in the universe to too great a degree, on the false basis that you are ‘prone to non survival,’ but in the interest of keeping something surviving, you are then going to run into this timeless reactivity of action without inspection. Infinite dedications to the survival of forms and patterns.” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 9, 1961
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“QUESTION: When are you going to dig this ship out of N/E? It will take a lot of action, not desk time. She is unbilled, undrilled and accepts rumours of my orders that aren’t true and rejects direct orders that are.” — The Commodore, June 9, 1970
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“There was the era of The Games Universes, the longest and most creative times of our existance. This lasted for trillions of what we consider years, perhaps much longer. Ron called this the Home Universe. This was a very creative and fun time. Games and adventures galore. Beautiful scenery, the physical challenges of handling different mest objects and bodies. Spook houses were quite popular for quite some time. Experiencing and enjoying other people’s creations became a big activity. Individuals and groups would go ‘universe hopping.’ It was really fantastic. The laws of MEST were codified and the knowledge of how to make stuff operate properly were worked out. MEST life was invented. The nature of time and space were agreed upon. Physics became more complex in order to make more and more different things which could interact. There were a few individuals who got very good at making complex universes. These individuals began creating most of the universes that others would visit to play and admire. They built universes that, after a time, visitors would consider their permanent home, their residence. This idea of residency was promoted and eventually pushed hard and even enforced by those who assembled these universes. This indoctrination went on for several million years, by our time, and was repeated with a few changes with each successive universe. One of the necessities of the birth-death cycle was amnesia. It was necessary to start each life with a clean slate. All was forgotten and forgiven. There were many occurrences in the past which reinforced this idea of starting clean which have been well explained by LRH.”
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1995: The Associated Press reported this week that the Chilocco Development Authority has turned over the former Indian school to the Bureau of Indian Affairs rather than continue to deal with Narconon, the Scientology detoxification program. “But Wanda Stone, chairwoman of the Kaw Tribe, said her tribal council approved the move because it was tired of dealing with Narconon Chilocco New Life Center, a substance abuse treatment facility that has a 25-year lease on the site. ‘We decided we didn’t have time to mess with them,’ Ms. Stone said. The tribes had expected to receive a total of $16 million over 25 years when they signed the lease with Narconon five years ago. But Stone said the facility has only about 75 of the expected 1,000 beds. ‘We would get checks maybe every quarter for $2,500,’ she said. ‘We decided we had more important things to do.'”
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“You need to word clear ‘whole track’ as well as ‘mass hysteria hypnotized role-playing pseudo-religious delusional Stockholm syndrome suffering suckers’.”
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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:
— 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’s Sea Org, in NEW YORK CITY? Take the survey to see if you qualify!
[TWO years ago] OT Phenomena: Ghost stories that entice Scientology members to pay millions
[THREE years ago] Joy Villa recruiting for Scientology in Brighton: The photographer’s tale
[FOUR years ago] The Scientology celebrity blues: ‘Oh, Danny boy, the banks, the banks are calling…’
[FIVE years ago] Scientology ‘Sunday service’ has always been a lazy PR ploy, and now it’s on full display
[SIX years ago] Scientology in Sweden: A telling snapshot of a failed Ideal Org under pressure
[SEVEN years ago] DENIED: Los Angeles judge rejects Scientology’s latest delay tactic in forced-abortion case
[EIGHT years ago] Thanks for the slick videos, Marty Rathbun. Here’s a not very slick one for you.
[NINE years ago] There’s nothing quite like when Scientology cancels your superhuman powers with a ‘declare’
[TEN years ago] When the FDA interviewed L. Ron Hubbard’s first family about Scientology
[ELEVEN years ago] Casey Kasem’s sordid family drama: Is Kerri’s involvement in Scientology relevant?
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies, Revolt in the Stars Edition!
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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 3,290 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,785 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,300 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,850 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,840 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,226 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,721 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,025 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,894 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,448 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,789 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,356 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,275 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,443 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,025 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,284 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,321 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,037 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,601 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,916 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,091 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,773 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,110 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,964 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,079 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,441 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,850 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,246 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,124 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,689 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,200 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,456 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,564 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 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
