TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: In February, Brigitte Kruse told us she had some bombshells coming about Priscilla Presley after the two had become locked in litigation. This week, she followed through on that with a nuclear blast. We have the actual language from her new lawsuit for you to consider. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“People who have been on drugs are sometimes afraid of running engrams. In fact, it is almost a way to detect a ‘druggie.’ The drugs, particularly LSD and even sometimes antibiotics or other medicines to which the person has an allergy, can turn on whole track pictures violently. These tend to overwhelm the person and make him feel crazy. Some of these people are afraid to confront the bank again. If a person ‘doesn’t like Dianetics’ and doesn’t want to be run on engrams, it is necessary to put him through the Hard TRs Course and Objectives. If Dianetics has been run but poorly, it should of course be repaired fully with an L3RF (list used to correct Dianetic errors). But if the person still flinches. the Hard TRs Course and Objectives successfully completed will handle.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979
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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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“The primary difference between Scientology and psychiatry is that psychiatry is authoritarian and tells the person what’s wrong with him, often introducing a new lie. Scientology finds out what’s wrong with the person from the person. And then knows more about it than the person, but listens anyway. Listening is the badge of superior knowledge. He who has superior knowledge is privileged to listen. It’s only he who has no superior knowledge that talks all the time — Confucius. Now you got these maxims, and pearls of wisdom? In actual fact, with that data you could go straight out and evolve all of Scientology, just like that. It’s remarkable, isn’t it? But, you mustn’t in actual fact discount — just because it’s discounted to the PC — you mustn’t discount the backbone and body of knowledge of Scientology. Soon as you tell somebody that he’s lived for the last thirty trillion years — of course, thirty trillion years is a drop in the bucket — soon as you tell somebody he’s lived the last thirty trillion years, and so on, he’s liable to be hit with a feeling of unreality.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 14, 1963
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“There is some evidence that the ‘World Bank’ is using nationalism to seize the assets of the world. The cycle is evidently promoted riots, a currency scare, a huge saving loan from the WB or its branches and then that country gradually nationalizing private assets to meet interest and payments. It’s quite the drill. Their support of psychiatry gives their activities a flavour of attempted world dominion by mental-political-financial control. Easy seizure of anyone and his disablement or death would take care of all objectors, national dependency takes care of political control and puts a control on all assets of the world. Sounds crazy and of course it is. But this is Smersh at work. The only real danger is that the World Bank considers itself also senior to God.” — The Commodore, August 14, 1969
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“The doppelgänger just looked like LRH. He was not the source of ‘new Tech.’ David Mayo (RTC-cofounder and self declared Snr C/S Int) and his team did that. The whole takeover was done by a team. Not by single persons: not by Miscavige, not by Mayo, not the doppelgänger, not by the butler. A big team and the history makers created the narrative we have to believe.”
1998: Thad Beier reported that Scientology complained to his Internet provider to complain over the high use of Scientology’s web site. “The system administrator got a call from ‘Ron’ at the Church of Scientology International, complaining that I had been accessing their Scientology on-line pages too much. My ISP heard him out, as he recognizes their litigiousness, but thankfully called me to find out what was going on. I called ‘Ron’ back at the number specified (it was the Church of Scientology International main number) and explained that I was interested in researching Scientology, and that I found the pages useful. He said ‘oh, okay. I was just concerned that you seemed be accessing them so much’. He said that his name was Ron Edison. I told him that he could find my name in the net-nanny list. I don’t like them calling my ISP to complain, but it was a fairly harmless call in the end.”
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“I believe that Miscavige is as much into it for the sadism as he is for the money. He’s a little man who hates the world and wants revenge on those who snickered behind his back and called him ‘asthmatic dwarf.’ He’ll stick around as long as he has a few punching bags left.”
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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 August 13.
— ‘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 December 1.
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 submitted July 30. Scientology’s reply due October 20.
— 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] Rebecca Minkoff says ‘No comment’ to Scientology questions in RHONY trailer
[TWO years ago] Scientology’s plan to take over Battle Creek, Michigan is going according to plan!
[THREE years ago] Scientology scores major success with powerful new publicity effort
[FOUR years ago] Tom Cruise’s Scientology superpowers, No. 10: Drying out from space coke
[FIVE years ago] Faces of the Sea Org: Rare look at Scientology workers indentured for a billion years
[SIX years ago] RAPE ACCUSERS SUE DANNY MASTERSON, CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY, AND ITS LEADER
[SEVEN years ago] Whale watching: Your 2018 mid-year guide to who’s keeping Scientology alive
[EIGHT years ago] Fair Play: Before Leah Remini takes another whack, here’s a word from Scientology itself
[NINE years ago] Got a Purple Heart? Scientology wants to exploit you
[TEN years ago] Florida rejects complaint over Scientology ‘disconnection,’ but Brian Sheen unbowed
[ELEVEN years ago] Kate Bornstein kicks cancer’s ass
[TWELVE years ago] Episcopal Church Objects to Being Included in Supreme Court Brief Supporting Scientology
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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 3,355 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,859 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,365 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,915 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,905 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,291 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,786 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,090 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,959 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,513 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,854 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,425 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,341 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,508 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,090 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,349 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,386 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,102 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,666 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,981 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,156 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,838 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,175 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,029 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,144 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,506 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,915 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,305 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,189 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,754 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,265 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,525 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,629 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 14, 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
