TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Laura Loomer is so angry with Pam Bondi over the Epstein mess, she targeted President Trump’s attorney general yesterday with perhaps the ultimate diss. Loomer resorted to the S word. And we can’t help wondering, will Scientology become an issue among Trump’s most ardent fans? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Before you can run flows on a service facsimile you must first find it. You want the pc’s service facsimile. You don’t find a service facsimile by listing for it on flows. You find the pc’s service facsimile and run it on the flows. The sequence is: You list for the pc’s service fac, find it, run the automaticities off it; then you run the service fac itself on R3RA, engram running by chains. It is run to basic and full Dianetic end phenomena. You don’t leave a service fac until you have taken it apart and blown it at its very roots. Then you list for another service fac, using a different listing question, and handle it fully. And another, and another. A pc can have many, many service facsimiles. You peel them off until you find the main service fac at the core of the case. And you handle that one fully, as you do the others, per the steps above. Needless to say, you are going to see some remarkable results.” — 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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“When you take bodies which have been mocked up and thetans who have been indoctrinated in very definite lines — to fight, to do this, to have certain types of societies; to do this, to do that, to do the other thing — and then they get scooped up from this galaxy and that system and this star and here and there and the other place and are dumped in on one system as unwanted merchandise, you have these tremendous impulses which are at work, one against another. And it works up a lot of heat of friction. You have such a society here at this particular time. This society belongs nominally to the Espinol United Stars. This is Sun 12, and it is one little tiny pinpoint. Their whole title is Espinol United Stars, pardon me, Espinol United Moons, Planets and Asteroids, this part of the Universe is ours, Hup!” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 9, 1963
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“A very warm welcome aboard to Jane Kember The Guardian WW, on behalf of The Commodore, myself, Aides Council, The Captain and all officers and crew of the ‘Apollo’. All who have kept up-to-date with the news and events posted on my board in CIC will know what a great task the Guardian’s Office has performed for Scientology, Scientology Orgs and Scientologists throughout the world. It is an honor and a privilege to have you with us, Jane, and may your stay be most enjoyable.” — With love, Capt Mary Sue Hubbard, July 9, 1970
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“The field is almost dead. It is well possible that the Scientology third dynamic dies by the next generation. It could be saved, but there’s no reason to believe it might occur. I’ve written and wondered about what’s needed to prevent this from happening. It’s gotten old. People have gotten tired. Too many disappointments. Many survivors have huge egos that prevent them from agreeing with others. It’s low-toned. Funnily, this is the best possible time for the Scientology third-dynamic to thrive. There’s Internet and it’s cheap. The Church has ceased to exist as a threat. There’s a friendly and interested world that is willing to see what we have to offer. But it’s arrived too late. There’s too much unhealed pain. Too much shouting that hasn’t been fully listened to. Expectations of major spiritual breakthroughs that never occurred. Bankruptcy. I’ve made proposals — Magick rituals, PR campaigns — But what I deem is really-really-really important is more simple. And it’s been overlooked: Diagnosis. Simply diagnosis. A simply thorough looking of the area to see what is really going on. How are we doing. How do we feel. Maybe we can at least die as saints?”
1997: The St. Petersburg Times carried an article this week on TradeNet, a Scientologist-run multilevel marketing company setting up headquarters in Dunedin, Florida, near Clearwater. “The property, assessed for tax purposes at $909,000, is located at 380 Main St. has been purchased by TradeNet, an 18 month old company that is a network marketer (sort of like Amway), selling environmentally safe products. It’s biggest seller is a 3″ plastic ball filled with a blue liquid that is supposed to replace soap in washing machines by emitting a ‘Negative charge,’ causing the water to clean your clothes. It is good for about 1,000 loads and sells for about $75.00. TradeNet employs about 150 people. The company also leases the former Yakie Lumber Yard on Alt. US 19 in Palm Harbor where 40 others work. This situation has put the squeeze on downtown parking which is of concern to other businesses in the area although the city has recently started enforcing the three hour parking limit. ‘Just so the blue shirts stay in Clearwater,’ said a local restaurant owner, ‘That’s all I care about because it scares people.’ ‘They’re going to take over the whole town,’ said another business owner. And yet another said, ‘I’m still afraid that Dunedin’s going to end up looking like downtown Clearwater.'”
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“Scientology….the Renaissance Faire meets the ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’.”
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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] Scientology invites pilgrims to visit the holy of holies — LRH’s Saint Hill office
[TWO years ago] Secrets of Scientology’s most secretive branch, part 3: CST’s people
[THREE years ago] Podcast: It’s Scientology’s move in several court cases, and we try to keep it all straight
[FOUR years ago] My family followed Scientology from the start, and here’s how I managed to escape
[FIVE years ago] Internal LAPD emails show the department’s cozy relationship with Scientology
[SIX years ago] To be fair, we went by a Scientology ‘Ideal Org’ on its biggest day of the week
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s blatant social media fraud fuels attacks on Leah Remini and Mike Rinder
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology trying to salvage its derelict Narconon flagship as new training center
[NINE years ago] Atack: Which of Scientology’s thought-stopping clichés has stayed with you the longest?
[TEN years ago] How Scientology’s 1970s infiltration scandal led to the creation of its IAS slush fund
[ELEVEN years ago] Jon Atack: The abandoned ideas that L. Ron Hubbard turned into Dianetics
[TWELVE years ago] Claire Headley Shows Us That in Scientology, You Just Can’t Shout at Ashtrays Enough
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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 3,320 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,824 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,330 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,880 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,870 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,256 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,751 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,055 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,924 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,478 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,819 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,386 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,305 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,473 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,055 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,314 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,351 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,067 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,631 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,946 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,121 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,803 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,140 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,994 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,109 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,471 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,880 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,270 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,154 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,719 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,230 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,490 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,594 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 9, 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
