TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: There was a time when John Alex Wood was the main online attack dog for Scientology, fighting daily at places like Twitter against church critics. Long an Underground Bunker favorite, he’s now turned up in a UK success story as he finally, after more than 30 years, goes OT! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“New Era Dianetics is so powerful and exact that when correctly applied it is successful on pcs, one for one. If an auditor is not getting good results it is important to get the situation handled early on, for the sake of his pcs, the auditor himself, and to protect this vital, workable tech against invalidation through misuse. A C/S should order an auditor to have a NED Auditor Analysis Checklist when that auditor’s pcs are not making good gains or when the Auditor’s Reports show indicators of misunderstoods or misapplications, or when the auditor is goofing and does not correct with ordinary cramming.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
——————–
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.
——————–
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
——————–
“The Rock has such terrific significances connected with it: violations, survival, not to survive, thisa, thata, the other thing, identifications, cross-references, see file B, see file A 1,002,642, cross-reference Navy Department, you get the idea. Bulletin of War, Space Command, planet Exnoo, figure-figure-figure-figure, think-think-think-think-think-think, figure-figure-figure-figure, thought-thought-thought-thought, thought, significance-significance-significance-significance… And when he looks at this particular piece of matter, energy, space and time which is all it’s conceived of, he doesn’t conceive of matter, energy, space and time. He thinks, Cross-reference: Space Command, 8,000,000,682, general order to all torpedo-men. Following: pursuant to the orders of the admiral… See? Now, this unfortunately cross-references with Order of the Day, Monastery Platitude, Mount Xenu. There shall be peace. Which conflicts with, Dear, I know you are dedicated to holy orders, but I need a new pair of shoes. Which in itself is very vastly in conflict with Order of the Mount: Honor thy father and thy mother. Wait a minute, how’d that get in there? And that’s why the preclear’s so baffled.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 25, 1958
——————–
“LOCAL MONEY: Be sure you turn in your local wallpaper. I sure hope it’s cooler at sea!” — The Commodore, July 25, 1969
——————–
“Why have we lost so many of our powers after coming to this planet? I mean, I remember shortly before and I was a giant disembodied Thetan that new ALL of the sciences that make up everything and I also had enormous magical creation of ability, and I use to sweep across enormous gigantic masses of planets and instantly create groundcover foliage. I met a guy in Scientology that I used to know when we are on a spaceship just before coming to this planet. He didn’t go through the implant station like I did, and he was extremely OT, more than I. I lost most of my powers, but he was not or could not go exterior to his body and create anything magical and neither could LRH, either. These bodies just soak up a Thetan like a sponge since with all their automaticities they are 100 percent effect and a Thetan is 100 percent cause, so the two just snap terminals like a magnet.”
——————–
1999: Toronto’s NOW magazine published an article on Scientology’s harassment campaign against Gregg Hagglund, a frequent protester at the Toronto org. “Truth be told, Greg Hagglund has been a right pain in the ass for the Church of Scientology. From the regular demos in front of the church’s Yonge Street offices to the photographing of church members and posting of their mugs on the Internet, Hagglund has been relentless in his attempts to expose the ‘truth’ about the curious practice of Scientology. The church has returned the favour with demos in front of Hagglund’s Oakville home, but more recently upped the ante by paying an unannounced visit to his elderly parents’ home in Ottawa and sending a letter to his brother, also in Ottawa, warning Hagglund to cease and desist, or else. Church member Peter Ramsay, who fired off the missive to Hagglund’s brother, didn’t return calls. But church spokesperson Al Buttnor says Scientology’s actions are not intended to intimidate, although that seems to have been the result. ‘We were hoping to get some assistance,’ says Buttnor. ‘They did not wish to be involved and we left. It’s as simple as that.'”
——————–
“I prefer to think of D.M. as Theon Greyjoy.”
——————–
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.
——————–
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?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Scientology asks for more time to talk Whitney Mills’ mom out of wrongful-death lawsuit
[TWO years ago] Why growing up in Scientology can be so damaging, even years after leaving
[THREE years ago] Jon Atack escaped Scientology, but then he got himself into much deeper trouble
[FOUR years ago] More proof Scientology’s ‘Fresh Start’ clinics going belly up: San Diego County site for sale
[FIVE years ago] Scientology to the rescue: After losing son and wife, Johnny Lewis’s dad is happier than ever
[SIX years ago] For once, a target of Scientology gladhanding did his homework and said no thanks
[SEVEN years ago] 50 years ago today, Scientology was banned in the UK — Here’s why it was a bad move
[EIGHT years ago] The Rathbuns hire a lawyer, and Ray Jeffrey answers questions about his legal salvo
[NINE years ago] Why does Scientology have no sense of humor? Because seriousness is a sacrament
[TEN years ago] A video response to Scientology’s crass celebrities, Jenna and Bodhi Elfman
[ELEVEN years ago] Garcia federal fraud lawsuit survives another challenge by Scientology
[TWELVE years ago] Scientologists Warned about Facebook “Entheta” After Leah Remini’s Departure
——————–
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 3,335 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,839 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,345 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,895 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,885 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,271 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,766 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,070 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,939 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,493 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,834 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,401 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,320 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,488 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,070 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,329 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,366 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,082 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,646 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,961 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,136 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,818 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,155 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,009 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,124 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,486 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,895 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,285 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,169 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,734 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,245 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,505 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,609 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on July 25, 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
