TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Late last year Danny Masterson’s attempt to reverse the conviction that has him serving 30-years-to-life blasted the court for allowing so much testimony about Scientology. We’ve been looking forward to a response from the state, and now we have it, all 41,916 words of it. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Almost all the errors in an Interiorization Rundown are Dianetic errors. Most are very ordinary, even corny. IT IS VITAL TO CORRECT AN INT RD ERROR AS A FIRST ACTION. There is one Int RD error that is not a purely Dianetic error and that is the error of doing anything else at all before an Int RD is done properly or an Int RD error is fully corrected.” — 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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“Some prenatal engrams (you find this out when you are clearing a case) will have slumbered 20 or 30 years with no reactivation, yet will be vicious engrams. For instance, in one case there must have been about 110 engrams, each one of which called for an enormously powerful migraine headache, and not one of them reactivated until the person was 22 years of age. Then, chain fashion, they all reactivated. The mysterious cause of the migraine headache was evidently an airplane crash where the person got a headache. Actually there was not even a head injury in the airplane crash, but there were about three words spoken while the person was unconscious which reactivated the chain.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 15, 1950
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“The recovery of personnel sent out is a primary duty of the Action Bureau. It is not true that the US and Europe are full of unrecalled missionaires but they sure leave their missions out long enough. Now our Brian Charlton is trying to set an all time record. A 2 day hat check out of Athena on PR became weeks. Recall at once and assign Mission Ineligible.” — The Commodore, August 15, 1970
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“This planet was created for the reason to control thetans in meat bodies. If you listen through the tapes especially in the good old 50’s you’ll get the idea about the big picture. ‘Thetans were convinced a long time ago to pick up a body,’ LRH said in a lecture. If you would go to the ‘end of all things’ as I would call it, and you assumed the critical mass of the population would go up the Tone Scale and would be really stable, we would all agree to get rid of the ‘need of body’ thing and would just ‘go home’ in our native Universe where we don’t have feelings like hunger or the need to make money to survive.”
1999: Scientology’s Gold Base near Hemet, California was host to the opening of a new movie studio, according to an article in the Press-Enterprise. “The promise of a free dinner in an estate-like atmosphere, plus live entertainment, were enough to entice Barbara Moke to spend her Saturday evening behind the gates of Church of Scientology’s newest film studio. Moke, a volunteer at the Hemet Police Department, said her office received an invitation to the opening of The Castle, the sprawling film studio operated by Golden Era Productions in Gilman Hot Springs. ‘This is the perfect place for a party,’ she said, while partaking of the buffet dinner on The Castle grounds. To celebrate the opening of the $7 million studio, Golden Era threw a party, and invited roughly 900 area leaders and members of the public to attend. The exterior of the 35mm film studio is designed to resemble a Scottish castle, complete with turrets and battlements. Political leaders from the San Jacinto Valley joined Michael Rinder, a board member of the Church of Scientology International, in cutting the bright red ribbon tied across the stage at the front of the Castle. Several local officials praised the church for its involvement in community activities. ‘I would like to say on behalf of the city of Hemet, Golden Era Productions has really been a partner of ours,’ said Hemet City Councilwoman Robin Lowe. Films with titles like ‘The Solo Auditor’ and ‘The History of the E-Meter,’ are designed to teach members how to apply the principles of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Tour guides escorted people into the audition and dressing rooms, and into the massive soundstage. After the tour, guests were invited to mingle on the grounds, and be entertained by Celtic Gold, an Irish dance troupe, and the Golden Era Musicians.”
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“Oops, sounds like Marty had what they call in A.A. a ‘slip.’ Hopefully it doesn’t turn into a full blown relapse.”
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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 September 8.
— 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] When Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard offered Polaroid his genius
[TWO years ago] Scientology attacked us with new social media ads, and the reactions are hilarious
[THREE years ago] Pete Goes to Hollywood: The grim reality of Scientology servitude in La-La-Land
[FOUR years ago] Underground Bunker readers assemble, and Scientology spies freak out
[FIVE years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 22: Graham Norton and other celebrity strokers
[SIX years ago] ‘Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath’ will end with a 2-hour special August 26
[SEVEN years ago] A life connected to some of our biggest Scientology stories ends in a terrible way
[EIGHT years ago] Leah Remini goes there: Child molestation in Scientology for tonight’s ‘Aftermath’ premiere
[NINE years ago] Former Scientology mouthpiece Tommy Davis is settling into his new role as Hollywood exec
[TEN years ago] Why no one should ever join Scientology’s ‘Sea Org’
[ELEVEN years ago] Ryan Hamilton files 19th lawsuit against Scientology’s drug rehab network
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology is Obsessed with Getting Books in Libraries — Here Are the Real Stats!
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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 3,356 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,860 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,366 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,916 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,906 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,292 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,787 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,091 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,960 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,514 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,855 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,426 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,342 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,509 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,091 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,350 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,387 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,103 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,667 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,982 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,157 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,839 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,176 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,030 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,145 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,507 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,916 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,306 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,190 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,755 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,266 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,526 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,630 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 15, 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
