TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Wednesday, Claire Headley and Tom DeVocht marked the 25th anniversary of a grim event in Scientology history: The death of Stacy Moxon Meyer. There’s a strange coda to this terrible story we learned covering the Danny Masterson criminal case that we wanted not to be forgotten. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Sometimes a pc cannot confront the actual incidents that are keyed-in by life or auditing. Such a pc will not go backtrack. In this case the running of imaginary incidents is quite productive. Sometimes the preclear will run them, quite astonishingly, with somatics. But he is not being required to face any reality about them and the auditor is not insisting that any reality exists concerning them. In a surprisingly high percentage of times, however, he will be running actual incidents. So long as he does not have to admit that these incidents are actual he can do something about them.” — 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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“Science plays a lively tune and they play it with very glossy photographs. They play it with very good advertisements. They play it with great big, imposing universities, huge facades built out of gorgeous marble, imported from South Dubuque. They’ve got themselves a pretty good face, see? Big stuff. People’s cars go whiz-whiz down the streets and the petrol that goes into the engine will make it run at vast expense. They’ve got it up to a point where an engine can actually utilize over a thousandth of the potential power in a gallon of gasoline. They’ve got it fixed up so they can color your health bread by certain breeds of mold, and so they can get appropriation from other breeds of mold called ‘Congress.’ You’ve got yourself quite a game going here. It’s called science, and you yourself are not totally aware of the fact how that cuts your personal throat.” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 30, 1964
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“The shark picked up a lot of paper that was thrown over and wants to take the DAC. He’s got a former therapy thing going though. Used to be partners with an electric eel in a psychiatric racket. I told him if we didn’t get some auditors soon I’d discuss his application further. He went off singing an odd song that went ‘Most courteous fish in the ocean, with temper forgiving and mild. Though his record is dark, he’s a Man-eating shark who would eat neither woman or child.’ Good luck to full time DAC on your exams.” — June 30, 1969
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“I have no problem, but you won’t confront that the products you deliver are full of flaws. The NOTs material is based on the work of David Mayo who himself no longer believed in it. I’m really not in Confusion with L. Ron Hubbard and his teachings. All I want is that the Independent Field goes back to deliver real LRH Tech. And by the way, I’m critical of the whole field that delivers NOTS, NED and all the fake stuff that was invented after 1978. Until you don’t deliver the results of the early 1970 OT Levels, you are not producing real results.”
1995: MTV this week aired a special news broadcast about cults, and included some discussion of Scientology. Stacy Young and Scientology PR person Leisa Goodman were interviewed. A transcript was posted to a.r.s, anonymously. Some excerpts: “Loder: But according to former scientologists, members aren’t given the church’s full liturgy until after taking many expensive courses. Although scientology executives deny it, former longtime members say that eventually followers are told that some of these ‘engrams’ are the remnants of space aliens called “body thetans” who are placed there by the galactic overlord ‘Xenu.’ Stacy Young: It’s a very science-fiction world, um, it has a, galactic confederacy … it’s a very romantic … view of the world. Loder: I don’t understand, there’s like a galactic overlord ‘Xenu’… is there a whole staff of characters… or is that not true? Goodman: Ohh uhh… I don’t think … I don’t really know what you mean. What you’re talking about. Loder: At one point, eleven scientologists, including Hubbard’s wife, were convicted of conspiracy and burglary, of IRS offices. Goodman: Actually the people who did that, were booted out of the church. It’s got _nothing_ to do with scientology. And, um… Loder: In the end, the IRS granted scientology the tax exempt religious status it wanted. A move IRS spokesman now decline to discuss.”
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“Scientology is in the same category as Christian Science and the Jehovah’s Witnesses as far as being a ‘spiritual’ practice that has caused the deaths of its adherents in the past through the denial of legitimate medical treatment. These crimes need to be stopped.”
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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 July 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 July 7.
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 Does’ response to Scientology’s appeal brief is due July 3.
— 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] VIDEO: Scientology is now targeting your patriotic fervor, pilgrim!
[TWO years ago] German government once again proves it has no illusions about Scientology: What’s up, US?
[THREE years ago] Today: Danny Masterson’s last chance to avoid criminal trial in October?
[FOUR years ago] First, do harm: Scientology’s secret war on mental health
[FIVE years ago] That time Laura Prepon helped silence a Danny Masterson victim for Scientology
[SIX years ago] Scientology continues to use the United Nations as a prop for its propaganda
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology scam: ‘It hadn’t occurred to me I was getting appalling advice from Church execs’
[EIGHT years ago] We have the letter Scientologists are receiving from a federal judge!
[NINE years ago] Scientology produces miracles — but you only get to hear about them in one place
[TEN years ago] Scientology leader’s father signs a book deal, for ‘IF HE DIES, HE DIES’
[ELEVEN years ago] That time L. Ron Hubbard was hit by lightning while wearing full armor: It’s science!
[TWELVE years ago] Tampa Bay Times Portrays Twin Sister of Scientology Leader as Dope-Smoking Slumlord
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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 3,311 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,815 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,321 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,871 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,861 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,247 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,742 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,046 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,915 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,469 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,810 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,377 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,296 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,464 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,046 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,305 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,342 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,058 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,622 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,937 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,112 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,794 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,131 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,985 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,100 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,462 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,871 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,261 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,145 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,710 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,221 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,481 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,585 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 30, 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
