TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: New documents from London police help explain why they thought it necessary to detain Alex Barnes-Ross at the May 15 ‘Mission: Impossible’ premiere which featured actor Tom Cruise in attendance. They were lied to, the records show, and Alex figures Scientology was behind it. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Now and again a pc will run Dianetics whereby they F/N on the basic incident and have VGIs but no cognition has come off. The pc has not fully viewed the postulates in the incident here to obtain full end phenomena. When this occurs and you have your F/N VGIs yet no cognition is voiced, ask the pc ‘Was there something that you postulated in that incident.’ The results will be quite astonishing and the pc will have his or her full end phenomena and that will be it for that chain. To not allow a pc to fully view the incident that is basic and get all the charge and postulates out of it will leave the case charged up and sooner or later the case will go sour on Dianetics.” — 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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“As you look back over the whole track, you’ll find that you’ve been going on a rolly-coaster. You’ve spent some time in a meat body and then the next thing you know, why, there you were, Operating Thetan, see. And then for a while, why, you’re pushing a doll body around or something like that and then boom: why, you’re Operating Thetan. And then you push a meat body around for a while, and then spend a few million or trillion years in a trap or something like that and then you come out the other end of it. And suddenly and mysteriously, why, there you are chucking planets around, or something like this, you see. This is all very difficult for a person to reconcile. And it’s ‘What am I doing? What am I doing?’ Being up, being down, being up, being down. There isn’t one of you who hasn’t been in meat bodies on the whole track many many times. Many times and places, you see. And, who didn’t succeed this action by being an OT, you see. Quite interesting.” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 20, 1963
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“POSTULATE CHECKS: Postulate Checks turn out to be just a new way to get service without paying for it and ARC Breaking the field. We are looking for who started this off pol nonsense. The real boom was burst by it — but is coming along fine despite this interruption.” — The Commodore, June 20, 1971
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“The other day I imagined eating maccas pancakes and I thought I will get them today and ask for extra butter and syrup. Well, later that day I ordered the pancakes but forgot to ask for extra butter and syrup. When I went to open the bag it had an extra syrup in it. Now that’s never happened to me before. So is it just a coincidence that I got this extra syrup in me bag the same day I fantasized about eating pancakes with extra syrup? I really don’t think so. I’ve also had other similar things like that occur in my life. I’m telling ya we can create reality with our thoughts.”
1999: Chris Owen posted new evidence that L. Ron Hubbard’s navy record has been falsified by Scientology. “This morning I received confirmation from the US Navy itself that the DD214 distributed by Scientology is not authentic: The DD214 claims that Hubbard commanded the USS Mist. The USS Mist was a motor launch converted during World War I into a guard boat. She was returned to her owner in February 1919, when Hubbard was only eight years old. She did not serve in World War II. The DD214 claims that Hubbard won two stars to his Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. One of Hubbard’s ships, the USS Algol, won two stars in the APAC theatre for 1 April-10 April 1945 and 10 July-3 August 1945. Only one star was awarded for each engagement; Hubbard would have had to have been in both battles to have been awarded both stars. However, Hubbard had left the ship on 28 September 1944 and was ineligible for the stars. The DD214 is purportedly signed by Lieutenant Commander Howard D. Thompson, US Navy Reserve. No officer of this name is listed in the 1944 Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Naval Reserve. The DD214 claims that Hubbard commanded the USS Howland. No such vessel exists in the US Naval Vessel Register. The DD214 claims that Hubbard was awarded the ‘British Victory Medal’. No such medal exists, and the British Ministry of Defence has no record of having awarded a medal to Hubbard. The DD214 claims that Hubbard was awarded the ‘Dutch Victory Medal’. No such medal exists. The DD214 claims that Hubbard was awarded the ‘European Theater’ medal (probably the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal). Hubbard never served in the EAME theatre of operations. The DD214 claims that Hubbard was awarded a Purple Heart with palm. This is awarded only for combat injuries. No such injury is recorded in his medical reports, nor is he recorded as having being in combat with the enemy at any time.”
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“I wish you would comment more often.”
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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] Scientology’s response to Whitney Mills lawsuit is to lie about suicide instruction
[TWO years ago] Scientology background helped with anti-mandate work, Seattle council candidate says
[THREE years ago] Paul Haggis arrested in Italy: More proof he’s a villain, or is Scientology behind it?
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s OT powers have survived the pandemic: Here are the miracles to prove it!
[FIVE years ago] Scientologist chiro Jay Spina’s clinic killed a patient say feds asking for 10-year sentence
[SIX years ago] HOWDYCON 2019 IS HERE — HOLLYWOOD IS CLEAR!
[SEVEN years ago] Scientologists charged with Medi-Cal insurance fraud will stand trial on August 28
[EIGHT years ago] John Brousseau: Marty Rathbun is putting words in my mouth about the FBI’s Scientology probe
[NINE years ago] Scientology is holding this Kazakh 20-year-old prisoner, says her media-grabbing mom
[TEN years ago] RFK Jr’s anti-vax activism hits lowest spot ever — with Scientology and the Nation of Islam
[ELEVEN years ago] Paul Haggis tells us his favorite Scientology stories of 2014
[TWELVE years ago] Dianetics Noir: Dangerous Women Hiding Their Womb-Secrets
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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 3,301 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,796 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,311 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,861 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,851 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,237 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,732 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,036 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,905 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,459 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,800 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,367 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,286 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,454 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,036 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,295 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,332 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,048 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,612 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,927 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,102 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,784 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,121 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,975 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,090 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,452 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,861 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,257 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,135 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,700 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,211 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,471 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,575 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 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
