TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Once again, Patty Moher takes us into her time as a Scientology spy, and explains the surprisingly complex ‘tech’ of stealing the trash of people the church wanted kept under watch! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“When you assess over into the Secondary Scale of the level you found, you do exactly the same as above. You read them all off once, then only those that reacted, eliminate them and you’ve got it. (And, by the way, if you go over the Secondary Scale, you then don’t only run levels on that Secondary forever; in each new assessment you use the Primary Scale again to find a new Secondary Level to assess.) This is also true of a Joburg. If you’re going to get a reaction on the needle, it will come fast. No waiting. If you get a reaction you clear that reaction, not the pc’s whole
life. The moment the needle is null, you go on to the next question. Of course, in a Joburg, the pc talks. He better! All auditing actions except the CCHs are now done in Model Session. And all auditing actions and questions are done effectively, neither frantically rushed nor slowly. So it boils down to this. Weeks can be added to Joburgs and assessments if you think you have to wait for a needle response. What are you waiting for? The whole action only requires a second. Don’t wait for the E-Meter to play Dixie. It was made in the Nawth.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979
——————–
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
——————–
“I know it’s fashionable for the newspapers to say I never went to college and there are several colleges at this particular time that are wishing that I hadn’t gone there. But I can also assure you that you give them another decade or so, those colleges I haven’t even done more than go to a prom at will have some plates on ’em. You know? Man is silly, you see?” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 28, 1966
——————–
“SAILING: We sail at 1600 today regardless of barometer (which is falling) waves (which are rising) and restraint of Rulers and Princes (there are no restraints) Perils of the Sea (which are only too real) and Acts of God (means things you can’t figure out how you goofed). Standby to take on Dramamine (called so because it keeps one from ‘drama’-tizing). Secure everything and tie down everything except the watch. In short let’s get the blue blazes out of here!” — The Commodore, July 28, 1971
——————–
“The leader of the Church of Scientology basically came out and said Covid is a hoax. He called it ‘planetary bullbait,’ which Scientologists will know what that means. Among other things he said it’s ‘hysteria.’ I am so proud of him. I’m no longer in the church because it’s kinda dodgy, but it’s so good that he actually told Scientologists the truth about Covid. We get so many presidents and politicians lying to us all the time that it’s just so nice to hear someone in a leadership role come out and tell it how it is. This is why the mainstream media attacks Scientology all the time. In fact it’s great to see lots of religions resisting the Covid propaganda: Christian TV, the Muslims, etc. This is why the leftists have been trying to destroy religion for the past 100 years, because they want the people only following them. Scientology doesn’t go along with the world socialist government and its programs, like this whole Covid hoax, and the world socialists freaking hate that. It also teaches people how to read excellently, a thing the leftists hate. They want dumb masses that are easy to manipulate.”
1995: Helena Kobrin, lawyer in charge of harassment for Scientology, was busy this week sending threatening letters to a.r.s posters for quoting five lines from the OT7 document. New recipients this week include Bruce J. Bell, Blind Carlos, Maggie Council, ‘Jesse Garon’, James J. Lippard, Old Salt, Doctorb Science, Tony Sidaway, Tim Skirvin, Keith Spurgeon, Steve, Donna Stuckert, and TarlaStar. Letters were also sent to several Internet Service Providers. Henry posted: “After the threat to me was extended to my sysadmin, I have canceled all messages which contain ‘fair use’ reproduction of the six lines of OT VII which I have quoted.” Andrew Burt, sysadmin of Henry’s site explains his response: “I also explained to her that, if she could supply me with absolute proof that you violated the law, I would revoke your account (per standard Nyx terms). I did explain that the proof needed to be convincing, not just her word against yours. Toward that end, I indicated that a court judgment against you would be an example of such convincing proof.”
——————–
“Someone please find the e-mail they sent out telling the clams how to go to the dentist and get their gold fillings extracted for cash to donate. That is the ultimate example of what Scientology really is for me.”
——————–
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.
——————–
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’s top-down control of its Narconon rehabs? I was part of it.
[TWO years ago] Scientology has a toxic effect on family: A testimonial
[THREE years ago] VIDEO: Katie Holmes in the front row at a 2007 Scientology event with Tom Cruise
[FOUR years ago] More Scientology euphoria: What it looks like to finish Grade 3!
[FIVE years ago] Leah Remini: In Scientology, all sickness comes from enemies of the church
[SIX years ago] Scientology uses actor Jason Dohring as bait in what ends up as a false imprisonment case
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology in Europe: ‘A scapegoat always had to be found when something went wrong’
[EIGHT years ago] Bryan Seymour takes a Scientology field trip, and we’re the better for it
[NINE years ago] As Stacy Murphy lawsuit heads to crucial hearing, two Scientology entities settle
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s fight with Ryan Hamilton delivers dox: The Eric Tenorio affidavit and more
[TWELVE years ago] With Leah Remini Under Attack on Twitter, TV Actor Christian Stolte Was a First Responder
——————–
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 3,338 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,842 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,348 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,898 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,888 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,274 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,769 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,073 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,942 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,496 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,837 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,404 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,324 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,491 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,073 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,332 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,369 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,085 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,649 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,964 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,139 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,821 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,158 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,012 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,127 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,489 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,898 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,288 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,172 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,737 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,248 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,508 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,612 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on July 28, 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
