TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: A month from today, a well-known Haunted House complex north of Tampa will open for its 2025 season. And Florida Halloween fans may not know it, but their scare dollars will be helping Scientology build its massive new shrine to founder L. Ron Hubbard in Clearwater! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Recall a time you were being someone else. Recall a time you caused another to be someone else. Recall a time others caused others to be someone else. Recall a time you caused yourself to be someone else. Locate a time containing pain and unconsciousness when you were being someone else. Locate a time containing pain and unconsciousness of your causing another to be someone else. Locate a time containing pain and unconsciousness of others causing others to be someone else. Locate a time containing pain and unconsciousness of you causing yourself to be someone else.” — 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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“You don’t have to know anything about electronics. You don’t have to be able to do one of these things, or make one, you just have to be able to run one….A retractor beam is used somewhat on the order that you bulldog a calf or rope a steer, or something of the sort. It’s to grab hold of something and hold it and pull it in….Why do men stay on Earth? Have you ever had a pc that gave you the idea that he was held down and was going to take root and grow? Have you ever had the idea that you’re sort of anchored in one spot? Did you ever feel heavy? Did you ever get up in the morning and feel tired? You get out of bed, you’re feeling all right, but the second you stand up you feel kind of tired. All you’re doing is kicking in one of these darn retractor somatics.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 24, 1952
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“I think you’ll find the water tastes better. The contaminated water (defiled by a decayed hose being used to take it aboard probably) has been taken out of No. 4 tanks and pumped into Deep Tank forward. Clean water is reported as now in the lines.” — The Commodore, July 24, 1970
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“The biggest room in the world is room for improvement. Standard tech is only about 20 percent of what it needs to be. And much of it is false and limiting data, and has lots of mistakes. Knowledge is not static. What was true yesterday, is not necessarily true today. Anyone who thinks that standard tech is completed, a closed system is 0.05. KSW is a lie. I have seen no evidence that standard tech works. The goal of Scientology is to make a homo novis. I have seen no evidence of a homo novis. Not even close. In fact, the very large percentage of scios are very poor quality people. They set a very poor example for the workability of Scientology. Most of them are very unstable bipolar psychotics.”
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1998: Bob Minton was picketed at his New Hampshire home this week, leading to a confrontation when Scientologists entered his property. “2 Scientologists picketed my NH house this evening and tresspassed to photograph me and Stacy Young while we were swimming in the pool. They also yelled obscenities from 200 feet away. After the shots over the heads of OSA boys, somebody called the police to have them checkout the shooting incident in NH. I was called by police and told there were 4 police cars in front of my house and I should walk out of the house, hands above my head and surrender to the police. I was handcuffed and held in my driveway for 20 minutes while the police decided what was going on. Now I am free again and I urge everyone to read my post tonight entitled ‘Scientology versus Democracy Redux.'”
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“Just like with Esmeralda the Gypsy fortune teller proclaiming that her powers won’t work if non-believers are present, the same cautions exist within Scientology, as well as the rule that demonstrating OT powers to those on a lower gradient is an out-tech high crime. Ron knew the tricks on the spiritual bunco trade.”
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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] Scientology does have a tax-exemption fight on its hands: But not in the US
[TWO years ago] Archival gems: When Scientology was on the hot seat in swinging London
[THREE years ago] Danny Masterson done with appeals before Oct 11 trial? Can Scientology allow it to happen?
[FOUR years ago] Scientology is known for stalking people years after their involvement. Here’s how they do it.
[FIVE years ago] Weeks after the protests, Scientology in LA remains boarded up and abandoned. What gives?
[SIX years ago] Inside Scientology’s emergency San Fernando Valley confab, planning for US takeover
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology used an ice cream ‘date’ to run up $20,000 on senior’s credit cards
[EIGHT years ago] RAY JEFFREY TO JUDGE: ORDER RATHBUNS TO TURN OVER FINANCIAL RECORDS AND TESTIFY
[NINE years ago] A billboard sprouts in Florida, and other Scientology chaos in our social media review
[TEN years ago] Long before Xenu: Scientology’s actual origin story, as told by a former member
[ELEVEN years ago] A lawsuit over counseling credentials now aims at the essence of Scientology
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Continues to “Handle” the “Black PR” of Leah Remini’s Defection
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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 3,334 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,838 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,344 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,894 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,884 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,270 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,765 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,069 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,938 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,492 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,833 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,400 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,319 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,487 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,069 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,328 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,365 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,081 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,645 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,960 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,135 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,817 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,154 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,008 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,123 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,485 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,894 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,284 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,168 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,733 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,244 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,504 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,608 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 24, 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
