TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: As usual, we mark Independence Day here at the Underground Bunker by asking readers to tell us about their own declarations of freedom from Scientology indoctrination. What led you to dissolve the political bands which connected you to David Miscavige and his tyrannical cabal? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“A pc’s Havingness Process can change as the pc changes with auditing. If at some point in the auditing the Havingness Process which has been being used fails to get the desired result, simply re-test for a new Havingness Process, find one that works and use it. Even the right Havingness Process, if run too much at one time (more than 10 or 20 commands) will start running the bank. It doesn’t harm the preclear but that isn’t its use, as there are other processes that run the bank better. The purpose of a Havingness Process is to get the preclear stabilized in his environment.” — 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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“Moral codes are solutions to problems which aren’t announced. And you can therefore define a moral code, technically. A moral code is a series of solutions to problems which have not been confronted or analyzed. And you get upset about moral codes. ‘Thou shalt not drink pitchers of milk after three P.M. before thy parents,’ or something like this. Do you realize that almost all of those commandments which are in the Bible at this particular time, that we call the Ten Commandments, are prompted by some obsessive crimes that existed at that state of the game, and that several of these commandments are solutions to venereal disease? Isn’t that interesting? I think it’s fascinating.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 4, 1961
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“RADIO NEWS: I don’t know what happened to our daily radio news and ALSO why we use radio news. There’s nothing much on it. Recent radio news was carefully censored of all major actions. US news magazines and Herald Tribune headlines are available daily in the port. (By the way, the Manson trial prosecutor says Manson said nothing about Scn and was worlds away from it and BBC is sweating to find out WHO said it on their pgm! Fair shook them. Our PR people are all over them and our legal is sharpening up an axe. BBC has stuck its neck out a half mile.)” — The Commodore, July 4, 1971
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“Exterior with full perception may be a false goal. Consider that it takes agreement with the physical universe to see and feel it. As we go up the bridge we have less and less agreement with the physical universe and more and more we are in a creative band, creating something in the physical universe, or just for others to see. While it is delightful, while exterior to ‘feel’ a wall as it feeds its solidity back to you, I just do not understand why the goal of exterior with full perception was so important to LRH. Does anyone besides me really care if I am exterior with full perception, or not? Not really. They care about who I am and maybe what I am doing. Being exterior with full perception, does that really help clear the planet, or is it just a first dynamic ego trip?”
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1999: Jeff Jacobsen reported that Scientology has not yet completed funding the new Super Power building in Clearwater. “I got a letter dated June 1, 1999 and signed by Adrien Gaal, Director of Income for the Super Power Building project in Clearwater. ‘With groundbreaking, the first phase of funding our building was completed – to put the shell and the core of the building up. The next phase is to complete the rest of the funding this year so we can open the doors of the new Flag Mecca and deliver Super Power in the early part of the new millennium.’ Now doesn’t that mean that they’ve only got enough money for the *shell* of the building? They started a $40 million project with only enough money to put up the shell?”
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“There aren’t enough Scientologists left in the world to fill a sports arena, let alone a stadium.”
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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:
— 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 was filed June 3. Oral arguments are probably next.
— 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] It’s Independence Day: Tell us about your own fight for freedom from Scientology
[TWO years ago] On this day of declaring independence, we want to hear about your own fight for freedom
[THREE years ago] As Scientology’s struggles continue, it’s time to declare your independence!
[FOUR years ago] Jon Atack and Mike Rinder on Scientology’s wackiest book: ‘A History of Man’
[FIVE years ago] On this day of declaring independence, we want to hear about your own fight for freedom
[SIX years ago] On this day of declaring independence, we want to hear about your own fight for freedom
[SEVEN years ago] It’s ‘Declare your Independence of Scientology Day’ here again at the Underground Bunker
[EIGHT years ago] Images from spy camera show Clearwater bar owner not only target
[NINE years ago] Tell us how you declared your independence of Scientology on this glorious Independence Day
[TEN years ago] Jon Atack: Looking back on a week of Scientology enturbulation in Toronto
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s ‘Disconnection’ policy foiled as Jeremy Powers reunites with his family
[TWELVE years ago] The Declaration of Independence: When Did You Join the Sons of Liberty?
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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 3,315 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,819 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,325 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,875 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,865 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,251 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,746 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,050 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,919 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,473 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,814 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,381 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,300 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,468 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,050 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,309 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,346 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,062 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,626 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,941 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,116 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,798 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,135 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,989 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,104 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,466 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,875 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,265 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,149 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,714 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,225 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,485 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,589 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 4, 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
