TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’ve pointed out numerous times that Scientology has slowed lawsuits by filing appeals of preliminary matters, and asking for filing extensions. Well, this week Leah Remini apparently decided that she’d had enough of her lawsuit being slow-rolled by David Miscavige. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Some auditors have been known to ‘rabbit’ from auditing sessions or from certain session actions. This is wholly due to out-TRs or shaky metering and the auditor not knowing how to use his tools. Rabbiting shows up in various ways — not getting the pc through the engram and not taking a Dianetic chain to full EP, or calling an F/N when it’s an ARC break needle, or simply ending off when the going gets rough, etc. It’s running away from the action rather than completing it.” — 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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“We come along to this bird and we say, ‘Hey, bud, you’re a convict. You live on a planet called Earth; it’s part of the Marcab Confederacy….Now, is there some other planetary system, is there some other empire system which is deeper in to the heart of this galaxy which is going to backfire against this one? I would say probably yes. Probably yes. There, probably this is coming right up over the hill. I mean it probably is not long. Maybe this confederacy or this activity right now is in trouble. But conquerors nearly always spare the jails. Did you realize that? The Allied troops going in — Auschwitz, Belsen, places like that — they didn’t knock those apart. They knocked apart the belligerents’ property, but they didn’t knock apart their jails. All kinds of political situations complicate this picture.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 22, 1963
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“I’ve just okayed the recommendation to sell the Commodore Queen as unsuitable and too costly to repair. They need the Apollo and we need a new ship.” — The Commodore, August 22, 1971
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“LRH made it very clear many times that the goal is to have responsible OTs who are no longer producing Overt actions. Yes, there must be OTs that are evil but use OT abilities — in the Star Wars Universe they are called ‘Sith’ — those guys who trapped us all and overwhelmed us with an intense force like LRH said.”
1999: Scientology attorney Kendrick Moxon is suing the state of Maryland for a task force to investigate cults on college campuses. From the Associated Press: “The suit, filed Monday, alleges that the state General Assembly has ‘determined that it is both unnecessary and harmful for students to think for themselves.’ The plaintiffs, which include the International Coalition for Religious Freedom, funded primarily by Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church, claim the Task Force to Study the Effects of Cult Activities on Public Senior Higher Education Institutions is violating the establishment and free-exercise clauses of the First Amendment. ‘The government cannot, absolutely cannot, get involved in adjudicating what’s a right religion and what’s a wrong religion,’ said Kendrick Moxon, a Los Angeles civil rights attorney representing the plaintiffs. The suit seeks an injunction against the task force, as well as a declaration that the inquiry is unconstitutional.”
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“You should have seen me on stage. I could move, baby!”
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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] Alex Barnes-Ross on his win for East Grinstead records regarding Scientology
[TWO years ago] The delightful result when Scientology was infiltrated by a reporter — in Hawaii
[THREE years ago] Academics line up to help Scientology gaslight the US Supreme Court
[FOUR years ago] Tom Cruise’s Scientology superpowers, No. 8: Recovering unspeakable acts from the past
[FIVE years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 20: Gensler
[SIX years ago] The FBI wants recent cases of Scientology fraud? We’ve got them right here, for crissakes
[SEVEN years ago] Colombian senator cites Xenu, ‘the Hole,’ in wild televised hearing about Scientology scandal
[EIGHT years ago] Tonight on ‘Aftermath’: Suicide in Scientology, where sympathy and compassion are outlawed
[NINE years ago] Trump is drawing comparisons to L. Ron, but will Hillary favor Scientology as much as Bill did?
[TEN years ago] A revealing look inside the warped ‘kingdom’ of Scientology leader David Miscavige
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology skates (so far) as OK grand jury says “keep investigating” Narconon Arrowhead
[TWELVE years ago] Report From the Fringe: Underground Bunker Night at The TomKat Project
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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 3,363 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,867 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,373 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,923 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,913 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,299 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,794 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,098 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,749 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,967 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,521 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,862 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,433 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,349 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,516 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,098 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,357 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,394 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,110 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,674 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,989 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,164 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,846 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,183 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,037 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,152 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,514 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,923 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,313 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,197 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,762 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,273 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,533 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,637 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 22, 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
