TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: On May 14, Joy Villa announced publicly that she’d left Scientology and was turning her attention to exposing the organization’s abuses. She also had access to the church’s celebrities, particularly the younger ones, and has some very interesting things to tell us about them. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Given a knowledge of the composition and behavior of the time track, engram running by chains is so simple that any auditor begins by overcomplication. You almost can’t get uncomplicated enough in engram running. In teaching people to run engrams in 1949, my chief despair was summed up in one sentence to the group I was instructing: ‘All auditors talk too much.’ And that’s the first lesson. The second lesson is: ‘All auditors acknowledge too little.’ Instead of cheerily acking what the pc said and saying ‘Continue,’ auditors are always asking for more data and usually for more data than the pc could ever give. Example: Pc: ‘I see a house here.’ Auditor: ‘OK. How big is it?’ That’s not engram running, that’s just lousy ‘Q and A.’ The proper action is: Pc: ‘I see a house here.’ Auditor: ‘OK. Continue.’ The exceptions to this rule are non-existent. This isn’t a special brand of engram running. It is modern engram running. It was the first engram running and is the latest and you can put aside any complications in between.” — 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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“How would you like to go into the archives of some space opera society, all of which is delivered to your hand. And these, by the way, are quite interesting as archives. Operated one about 612 million years ago, something like that, which was quite interesting. Card-file systems were all stored in a basement. And I think the basement of that computer room was about the size of Chicago. And the machines which read that occupied an area — just the machines which read it — that’s, you know, the final results appeared on and so forth, looked like seven or eight Grand Central Stations. You know, just the banks of machines. And the reanalysis machines on that were all composed in a little hut that was about a thousand feet long by about four hundred feet wide. And everything was all done on automatic card shuttles, and pneumatic tubes and comparisons. And these IBM machines down here look something like a child’s hurdy-gurdy or something, compared to one of these other machines. These machines could get the finest, tiniest difference between a umph and a umph. And then they could get all things that had the tiniest association with umph and umph. You talk about your smallest and your largest magnitude of comparison — tremendous, see.” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 25, 1963
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“SOUTH AFRICANS: Ever since SA refused me a visa South Africans aren’t allowed to enter this country and many others. This of course is pure coincidence? Anyway, we’re routing them now to EULO which has orders to start an OEC. Why doesn’t somebody tell people we’re trying to better SA? That country needs friends, man. And so does its populace. Did you know that only in those countries where Nazis infiltrated have we had any trouble. Yes. You read that right.” — The Commodore June 25, 1971
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“The original definition of the word ‘Free Zone’ was given by Capt. Bill Robertson (CBR) in the mid 1980s. It is based on two decrees received by CBR and said to be originated by LRH, after he (LRH) had discarded his body and assumed the identity of Galactic Patrol commander Lron Lray. Many people freak out on the idea of LRH assuming the identity of a Galactic Patrol commander and communicating telepathically with CBR. But LRH himself describes how many people on Earth have in fact other identities or ‘selves’ in other parts of the universe. And those alternate identities can be contacted by a process on the e-meter.”
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1997: Reuters reported that tennis star Boris Becker has threatened legal action against Scientology for using his picture and comments on the Internet to criticize Germany’s tolerance of minorities. “The organisation, which Germany views as anti-democratic and has put under intelligence surveillance, has a picture of Becker and his black wife Barbara at the top of an article headed ‘The Trouble with Intolerance.’ A Scientology spokesman said it had not reported anything more than Becker himself said in an interview last year when he said he planned to move to the United States when his son reached school age. The article, with the sub-heading ‘For many minorities, living in Germany means living in fear,’ cited Becker as an example of someone who had suffered ‘years of intolerance and abuse, apparently owing to the fact that his wife is black.’ Becker’s Munich-based lawyers demanded Scientology withdraw all reference to the former Wimbledon champion and pledge not to use his picture again. ‘Boris Becker is in no way prepared to promote the aims of your organisation in any manner,’ the lawyers said in a letter addressed to the Church of Scientology International in London. Scientology spokesman Georg Stoffel said it had used the reference to Becker because it wanted to draw attention to examples of alleged discrimination in Germany — both against its own members and other people. ‘We campaign for the rights of all minorities,’ he said. ‘This was just one example.’ Becker’s lawyers said they hoped their letter to Scientology would have a positive outcome. ‘We would note now, however, that we reserve the right to take the necessary legal steps if this case is repeated,’ they said. Stoffel said he had not yet been informed about the letter and could not speculate whether Scientology would cooperate with Becker’s request. He said he thought the story had been blown out of proportion, adding: ‘It’s been raining for days in Wimbledon and I think the journalists are desperately looking for something to write about.'”
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“I understand where you’re coming from, but the bottom line is that Scientology is a con, and conning people is illegal regardless of whether the victims are dupes and 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 latest price list: How much will it cost you to fly, space cadet?
[TWO years ago] Secrets of Scientology’s most secretive branch: CST and its strange vaults
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s own publication shows how much David Miscavige worship is growing
[FOUR years ago] Scientology 50 & 21 years ago today: The strange deaths of Susan Meister & Stacy Moxon
[FIVE years ago] Danny Masterson finds himself in a changed era, but his victims came forward before #MeToo
[SIX years ago] Scientology is desperate to get its clutches on your children. Here’s proof.
[SEVEN years ago] Did a little sunlight send Scientologists scattering for cover? An international update.
[EIGHT years ago] Claire Headley on growing up in Scientology, and other HowdyCon highlights
[NINE years ago] Megan Shields, the physician Scientology used to vouch for its drug rehabs, dies of cancer
[TEN years ago] MIKE RINDER AND REPORTER: MAN CONVICTED OF HACKING WAS WORKING FOR SCIENTOLOGY
[ELEVEN years ago] Mike Rinder takes on Scientology’s uneven ‘Disconnection’ rules
[TWELVE years ago] SCIENTOLOGY ASKS U.S. SUPREME COURT FOR EMERGENCY STAY IN FORCED-ABORTION CASE
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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 3,306 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,810 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,316 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,866 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,856 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,242 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,737 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,041 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,910 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,464 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,805 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,372 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,291 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,459 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,041 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,300 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,337 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,053 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,617 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,932 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,107 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,789 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,126 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,980 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,095 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,457 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,866 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,262 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,140 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,705 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,216 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,476 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,580 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 25, 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
