TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology completed its triple-play of grand openings it planned this year for new holy shrines to its god, er, founder L. Ron Hubbard. This time a house in a country (which no longer exists) that Hubbard had plans of taking over and turning into the first Scientology country. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“A service facsimile is a brother to R/Ses and evil intentions. This is easily seen when one understands the anatomy of the service fac and the right/wrong, dominate and survive computations that enter into it. And when one understands that an R/S always means a hidden, evil intention and that the total reason for an R/S is to make wrong. In order to get someone to succumb they have to be wrong. Way back up there the idea preceding the service fac was right, really right. Then it came down a bit and was a method of survival and then it was a method of dominating and then it was a method of being right in order to make others wrong. And in that contest one got enough overts so that the communication line took a switcheroo. What was right about it is now wrong about it and what was once wrong is now right. A=A=A enters into the situation where rightness becomes wrongness. All of his overts get piled up on one of these fixed ideas, or what we call a service facsimile.” — 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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“Let’s take the smaller goal of what to eat. The person will sit down and look at a menu. What he himself wants to eat is very definitely modified by engrams concerning food, what he should eat and so on. You will find people who would become very upset indeed if you mentioned pickles and ice cream to them. ‘You can’t eat pickles and ice cream. It will make you sick.’ Actually pickles and ice cream mix, but there is a social aberration to the effect that they don’t. So he gets into a state of confusion. He has the goal of wanting to eat pickles and ice cream, but the engram says, ‘No, pickles and ice cream will make you sick,’ so he goes down the line and sees sauerbraten. Sauerbraten is one of those foreign foods, according to the engram in the bank, and ‘You shouldn’t eat this fancy foreign food stuff.’ He can get very confused on this whole line. He is trying to make a minor decision and his mind will go around, and finally rather unhappily he will say, ‘Bring me ham and eggs.’ He doesn’t want ham and eggs, but the engrams don’t forbid ham and eggs so he has got a compromise solution.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 6, 1950
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“Hey that Rockefeller sure got plastered in Latin America. His foundation finances these ‘National’ (which are private but only use the name) mental ‘health’ groups. He is some of the money back of attacks on us. Wish I knew what groups roughed up his visits to Latin America. They’re our pals! Our enemies don’t have very good luck lately.” — The Commodore, July 6, 1969
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“What is on my mind is getting OTs auditing. I consider it essential that every solo auditor on this planet should be auditing, because that is what it will take to change the planet’s condition around. Not every OT has the ability yet to audit the planet directly, but every step on the way helps…I just recently cognited that if a solo auditor isn’t auditing, his Ethics are out! Plain as the nose on my face, and why does Ethics exist, to get tech in! Why do we have to get tech in? Because it is the theta way, the theta approach to improving conditions on this planet…There are few that have the original Ron Hubbard’s ability to look. He did all that work of running implants, with all their commands and phrases in sequences. That is one heck of a lot of knowingness. We struggle, most of us, to keep up. So it is very essential that we don’t quit and rest on our laurels, we need to apply what we know.”
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2001: The Los Angeles Times published an article warning investors against the advice of friends as financial advisors like Scientologist Reed Slatkin. “A retired Tarzana businessman said he handed over $6 million to Slatkin based on a friend’s recommendation and a single
meeting. ‘I just figured [the friend] is a brighter fella than I am, and he had money with Reed,’ said the retiree, who recently had sold a successful construction-related business and who asked not to be named. ‘That’s kind of a dumb reason, isn’t it?’ Many of the investors were multimillionaires who met Slatkin through their equally rich friends – proving that the wealthy can be just as capable of being duped as those with less money at stake, experts said. Gathering business cards at a neighborhood party or picking up names through the grapevine at work can be problematic if that’s the end of the selection process, attorneys and regulators say. ‘We tell people to get referrals, but how good are the referrals?’ asked Charles Rettig, a Beverly Hills attorney representing several of Slatkin’s investors. ‘Not very,’ if the person making the recommendation hasn’t checked out an advisor’s background. Slatkin started his investment management business in 1985 by accepting money from fellow members of the Church of Scientology. But many of his wealthiest clients came after his 1994 investment in EarthLink Inc., which went on to become one of the nation’s three largest Internet service providers. He invested for Internet executives, socialites and Hollywood celebrities. Investors’ attorneys say Slatkin got a foothold in each group, which led to more clients who simply took the word of their friends without doing any background checks. Bankruptcy officials say investor claims could reach $600 million. A phone call or two to regulators would have revealed to any of Slatkin’s investors that the Santa Barbara man was not registered to invest other people’s money, as required by law.”
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“I went ‘exterior’ after I’d been up for four days on meth. I’m sure that was a genuine paranormal experience.”
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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] L. Ron Hubbard 2.0 makes huge breakthrough: Scientology finally finds ‘the route out!’
[TWO years ago] Our mission, that we chose to accept: Watching Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt become a cult leader
[THREE years ago] In court today: Scientology responds to Valerie Haney naming Elisabeth Moss as an arbitrator
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s cruise ship isn’t going anywhere, but the new hype video is here anyway!Scientology’s cruise ship isn’t going anywhere, but the new hype video is here anyway!
[FIVE years ago] Brian Statler’s sister reveals new details in shooting death at Scientology org
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s ‘disconnection’ policy plays out in unbelievable scenes in a Florida hospital
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s homophobia and its disconnection policy — still producing refugees today
[EIGHT years ago] Jon Atack: Scientology has a history of flip-floppers, including the founder’s son
[NINE years ago] What happened when one of our readers got into a Scientology ‘Flag World Tour’ event
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s trophy problem: Did David Miscavige lie, or did the IAS?
[ELEVEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Scientology finally starts making its members superheroes!
[TWELVE years ago] Best Account of Life in Scientology? Jon Atack Makes the Case for Counterfeit Dreams
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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 3,317 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,821 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,327 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,877 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,867 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,253 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,748 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,052 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,921 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,475 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,816 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,383 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,302 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,470 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,052 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,311 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,348 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,064 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,628 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,943 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,118 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,800 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,137 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,991 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,106 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,468 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,877 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,267 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,151 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,716 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,227 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,487 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,591 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 6, 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
