TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We talked with Jon Atack about his new book that dives head first into the weird side of L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology, reaching back more than a century to trace the disturbing ideas that can also be seen in the occultism of the Nazi movement. It’s Atack at his best! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The state of Clear can be achieved on Dianetics. I have now determined there is no such thing as Keyed-Out Clear. There is only a Dianetic Clear and he is a Clear. The state of Dianetic Clear means the pc has erased his Dianetic case or mental image pictures; he has attained the ability to be at cause over mental matter, energy, space and time on the First Dynamic. When this happens the person is not run further on Dianetics. He can be given Touch or Contact Assists (as can Scn Clears and OTs), and can be given NED for OTs once he is OT III. He is not to be given any Dianetic Auditing Assist nor any Dianetic auditing. (He can, of course, receive any actions on the Assist Summary bulletin, excluding R3RA.)” — 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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“Back about 1605, something like that, I was set up, I won’t go into the story in any great degree. But it took a warship and a company of marines and a broadside to kill one girl. She was protected by four redcoats and me. And of course, we caught it in the first three seconds of play. Don’t you see, that was the end of us. But it was such a terrific ferocity against this girl, who by the way, was blind. And her face was so disfigured through a bomb assassination attempt, when she was a child at seven, that she had to wear a mask. A whole man-of-war and a company of marines landing in boats and a full broadside to kill this one girl. She was the last of the family of Charles V. She was the granddaughter aspirant of the old Holy Roman Empire, and one of the innumerable French that lived down here about sixty miles had decided she was a great menace to the throne. Well, I was being audited one day. I found myself sitting around with a picture of a girl on a rock, apparently about 1870. Didn’t compare with any track I had. Nice exterior view. It just didn’t make sense. Here was a girl, sitting on a rock in exactly the same location, in exactly the same place, and I knew what happened to the girl and I knew all about it and so forth, but I hadn’t ever known the girl. Fascinating. Apparently I’d kept a spot of attention on this person as a thetan for the next couple of hundred years. It was very intriguing. Funny part of it is that this girl, picking up another body after that, had gone along for a very long time and had then happened accidentally to be taken by her parents to exactly the same rock that she was killed on in 1605. And she became very ill and she sickened and she died! Just keyed her in complete. You possibly know the place. It’s right across from Gibraltar, and the Hotel Reina Christina is on the Spanish coast side. And it’s one of those rocks right close to the Reina Christina Hotel. And of course, it’s a tourist resort and her parents had taken her back there. What a dirty trick. That must have been some vacation, man!” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 6, 1961
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“ATTENTION, ATTENTION: For this afternoon at 1500 when the Newsreel cameraman will come board to film the ship, please be sure to not war the clear bracelet, otherwise it could be noticed in the film. Thank you!” — Love, Jone, PRO I/T, September 6, 1971
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“That awkward moment when you do an OCA to somebody and discover she’s crazy.”
2000: Christianity Today published articles this week on Scientology and its attempt to dominate Clearwater. “Some Christians in Clearwater call Scientology a pushy, money-driven cult that preys on the vulnerable. Others avoid confrontation, striving to tolerate or even welcome Scientology as a member of the religious community. Bill Anderson, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Clearwater for the past 25 years, says it has been difficult to treat Scientologists with love while countering their teachings with biblical truth. ‘This has really sharpened my focus about the exclusivity of the gospel,’ Anderson told Christianity Today. ‘Part of my challenge as a pastor has been trying to help my people live not only as good people but to live as good witnesses. Too often, I’m afraid, Christians are afraid to stand on the fact that only Jesus can save you.’ Scientologists have made persistent and persuasive efforts to win the favor of key officials and municipal leaders in Clearwater. Scientology members clean vacant lots, plant sea oats to stop beach erosion, and hang holiday decorations in December. They led volunteer citizen councils to prepare the city for Y2K and created their own Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops. Scientologists hold annual parties for local orphans, support anti-drug education in community schools, and sponsor Winter Wonderland, a children’s carnival, every Christmas season. Scientologists say they were welcomed by some religious leaders, including Otis and Barbara Green of Everybody’s Tabernacle, the rabbinic leaders of Congregation of Beth Shalom, and the United Church of Christ’s hospice director, Doyce Wise. Largely unwelcome in most of Clearwater’s religious circles, Scientologists created their own interfaith council and launched ministry projects for the community. Scientologists also actively engaged in community service, outchurching Clearwater’s Christians. But some residents question their desire to serve. ‘Their true agenda is control,’ Anderson says. ‘They don’t really want to be known. They want to get along like a tiger wants to get along with a rabbit.’ Ben Puckett, dean of enrollment at Clearwater Christian College adds that some Scientology outreach in Clearwater is not openly affiliated with the church. ‘They have a great deal of good-will programs that are so general and euphemistic that unless you ask, you wouldn’t know they are Scientology-run,’ Puckett says, citing Narconon, Criminon, and the True School, a Scientology elementary school, as examples. ‘It’s generally believed that fewer people visit the downtown area because of the hundreds of uniformed Scientologists walking the streets,’ says Marshall Van Dine, minister of First United Methodist Church of Clearwater. ‘But most people have accepted their presence in the community.’ ‘A lot of what they have done downtown has been seen as positive and community-building,’ Pastor C. Philip Whitener of Grace Lutheran Church told CT. But, he wonders, ‘How much control will they exert?’ Craig Branch of the Apologetics Resource Institute and former Scientologist Brian Haney visited Clearwater in April to encourage and educate church members. Branch says he senses a new urgency in local pastors to stand up in a spirit of Christian love against Scientology. ‘We’re concerned about the balance between educating people on Scientology’s false claims and yet still urging them to act with love and compassion toward Scientologists,’ he says. ‘These churches are committed to forming a prayer front and developing a heart for people who are really suffering spiritually.’ Brian Haney labored to give his life fulfillment in many ways. The 37-year-old entrepreneur had been through two marriages, built a $100 million corporation, and attained the coveted state of ‘clear’ as a Scientologist, meaning he had achieved the high level of freedom, personal control, and independence Scientology promises its followers. But none of these triumphs allayed his spiritual emptiness and dissatisfaction. ‘They tell you that you’ve made it, that you’re in, and you just keep walking around thinking: Shouldn’t I feel different?’ Haney told Christianity Today. In 1994, Haney and his wife left the Church of Scientology, though they faced great resistance. At one point they contacted local police with concerns about their safety. He began attending St. John’s African Methodist Episcopal Church with his wife and children. ‘I must have listened to about 50 sermons of Spirit-filled, Word-based teaching before I realized that I needed to give my life to Christ,’ Haney said. ‘I was worried. I had joined a cult in the past, so I wanted to know how to discern the truth.’ As Haney’s faith grew, his disappointment toward Scientology softened. ‘At first I was really mad. I mean they ripped me off,’ Haney says, estimating that he gave more than $1 million to the church. ‘But as I grew in my walk with God, I realized that I just feel sorry for the people trapped in that mindset. It makes me want to weep now, not fight them.'”
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“The church that never forgives and never forgets. The Scientologists always pay their debts.”
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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] Uncovering Scientology schemers: A tale of journalistic perseverance
[TWO years ago] Indie Scientologists go on the attack: Victoria Palmer plans Sep 23 protest at Big Blue
[THREE years ago] How Scientology churchified itself to capitalize on its IRS tax exemption
[FOUR years ago] On this Labor Day, some insane stories of labor in Scientology’s ‘Sea Org’
[FIVE years ago] New letter about Scientology by J. Edgar Hoover shows up in FBI records search
[SIX years ago] Elisabeth Moss snows another reporter about Scientology, but this one really hurts
[SEVEN years ago] Finally, Captain David Miscavige’s faux-military Scientology ribbons, described and decoded!
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s ultimate prize: For the first time online, the current ‘OT 8’ materials laid bare
[NINE years ago] As Louis Theroux’s Scientology movie hits theaters, its main subject accuses it of deception
[TEN years ago] VIDEO LEAK: Rare look at Captain David Miscavige giving shipboard Scientology briefing
target=”_blank”>[ELEVEN years ago] Deputy ambassador of a small African nation? Scientology wants to buy you lunch![TWELVE years ago] VIDEO: Scientology Leader David Miscavige’s Weird Explanation for the IRS Victory
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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 3,378 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,882 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,388 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,938 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,928 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,314 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,809 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,113 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,764 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,982 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,536 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,877 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,448 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,364 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,531 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,113 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,372 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,409 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,125 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,689 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,004 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,179 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,861 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,198 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,051 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,167 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,529 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,940 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,328 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,212 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,777 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,288 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,548 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,652 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on September 6, 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
