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 Scientology leader David Miscavige has had a giant tent put up at the church’s UK headquarters for next month’s IAS gala. So today, we’re celebrating Dave’s circus coming to town the best way we know how: With a song from former Scientology celebrity Geoff Levin! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“A person can have a wrong date for an incident, or he might have a date totally occluded. He might have a confusion on two incidents, thinking one happened before the other when it is actually vice versa. He could have two incidents collapsed into one, time-wise. Or, more severely, he can be stuck in the time of an incident which acts as present time for him. In other words, that time is still in existence for him in PT. He is seeing things from that point in time. By dating it exactly you blow the stuck viewpoint in time. You see it as a blowdown on the meter and the pc will feel the sudden dissipation of mass.” — 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
——————–
“As you look over the history of Dianetics and Scientology you’ll see a cycle is in operation. We get more and more complicated, more and more complicated, more and more complicated and then suddenly we get to a new, higher level of simplicity. And then this simplicity gets complicated and more complicated and more complicated and then we get to a new, higher level of simplicity. That’s just a history of me outguessing you.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 12, 1961
——————–
“DAVID MURDOCK McBRIDE is assigned to Div IV as deckhand. He is to be grooved in on his post by John Wilson. His buddy is Arthur Hubbard. DAVID LEE FARRELL is assigned to Division III as to be Stores In Training. He is to be grooved in by Jay Hurwitz. His buddy is Paul Preston. DEKKI LE MOATE is assigned to Org Bureau Mimeo Files to be grooved in by Mimeo I/C R. Stone. Her buddy is Liz Ausley. HUGH HARRISON is assigned to Div III, Steward. He is to be grooved in by Linda Cusworth. His buddy is Bertie van Hoecke. ROBERT WILLIAMSON is assigned to Org Bu Mimeo Files. He is to be grooved in by Mimeo I/C R. Stone. His buddy is changed to David Ziff. RON STRAUS is assigned to Mimeo Files. He is to be grooved in by Mimeo I/C R. STone. His buddy is Ens. Des Popham.” — The Commodore, September 12, 1970
——————–
“Many things have happened throughout time which have landed us here, many civilizations have crashed and been condensed, implanters are here on Earth implanting people every day. The way out is to handle Earth. Many people feel that there has to be a techno-space expansion for things to go right, but statistically on the track these civilizations are very degraded and they collapse, only ethical expansion is correct.”
1999: Karin Spaink reported this week that Scientology has appealed a court decision that allows her to keep advanced Scientology materials on her web site. “Yesterday night, upon arriving home after a rather adventurous and time-warped day, I found a huge fax. A 29-page appeal against the June 9, 1999 ruling. RTC etc appeal on all possible counts, and against all parties. That means that my page will again be the subject of a court case.”
——————–
“The trick for recognizing an Aussie accent is that they always sound like they’re asking a question.”
——————–
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.
——————–
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] David Minkoff, Scientology doctor: The expert’s report on his failure to care for Whitney Mills
[TWO years ago] The Jane Doe victim statements at Danny Masterson’s sentencing: The transcript
[THREE years ago] Court agrees to issue summons for Scientology leader David Miscavige in trafficking lawsuit
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s new campaign to get you to sign its billion-year contract is here!
[FIVE years ago] RIFFER: David Miscavige too busy saving Scientology from Covid to be served lawsuit
[SIX years ago] Hey, kids! It’s open mic night at your local Scientology spaceport!
[SEVEN years ago] FLORIDA IS IDEAL: Scientology ushers in glorious new civilization in country’s wang
[EIGHT years ago] Tonight on ‘Leah Remini’: Two witnesses detail David Miscavige’s ruthless Scientology takeover
[NINE years ago] Steve Cannane’s Oz-flavored Scientology history ‘Fair Game’ gets a UK-US-Canada publisher
[TEN years ago] ‘Going Clear’ wins Outstanding Documentary Emmy, also for writing, directing
[ELEVEN years ago] Escaping from a Scientology drug rehab center: A transcript
[TWELVE years ago] MONIQUE RATHBUN’S TESTIMONY: Day One Finishes in Her Temporary Injunction Hearing
——————–
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 3,384 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,888 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,394 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,944 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,934 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,320 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,815 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,119 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,770 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,988 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,542 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,883 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,454 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,370 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,537 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,119 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,378 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,415 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,131 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,695 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,010 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,185 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,867 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,204 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,057 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,173 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,535 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,946 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,334 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,218 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,783 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,294 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,554 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,658 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on September 12, 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
