TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Just what the Danny Masterson victims did NOT need. Their attorneys at prestigious Boies Schiller Flexner have admitted their ’embarrassing’ mistake after Scientology caught them including bogus AI-generated citations in an appeal briefing. Will the court accept a do-over? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“As one of the most destructive things an auditor can do is miss a withhold on a pc and as missing a withhold stems exactly from being inexpert, out-metering, out-TRs, or mutual out-ruds, and as pcs and staff can blow and cause a great deal of trouble when withholds have been missed in Sec Checking or Confessionals, the penalty for missing a withhold on a pc is as follows: Comm Ev, and if found guilty, suspension of certificates until retrained. This penalty has been issued in the past but was omitted in modern compilations. It is no light thing to mess up Sec Checking on a pc.” — 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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“Today we’re processing the present. We’re processing energy flow — live energy flow — in present time. We’re processing ‘right now.’ And ‘right now’ gets affected by ‘then,’ just as you learned in the first book and just as you learned in subsequent publications, and all you’ve been practicing to date. ‘Then’ affects ‘now.’ But all you will have to process, really, to get rid of ‘then,’ is ‘now.’ So you can process ‘now.’” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 21, 1952
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“The WHY we face now is absence of recruiting, lack of full hats with checksheets and packs. The why of that was failure to make the materials filed accessibly and collateable. So it’s a snake eats its tail. No hats then brought a condition of no data available in files. A true dwindling spiral. And no hats traces to the introduction of Ethics into HCOs and that it is easier to assign a condition than to compile or checkout a hat. Hats went out when Ethics came strongly in. Without Ethics in HCO, HCO can only make stats recover by org form and hats. Ethics has a role — after all else fails. But hats and Ethics can’t belong in the same Division.” — The Commodore, September 21, 1970
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“American independents were indoctrinated into believing that the Galactic Confederacy is fairy tales. And that Galactic Patrol stories are as dangerous as Ebola.”
2001: Mark Plummer reported a protest in Austin, Texas this week. “For approximately one hour and fifteen minutes yesterday I engaged in an information campaign near the University of Texas at Austin. I arrived on Guadalupe Street around 1PM. I had been joined shortly before by ‘Icee’ and ‘Roscoe’, who offered to help leaflet as well as document my activities with a Hi-8 video camera and a digital camera. After a few minutes, a young, pimpled fellow, perhaps around 5’4′, with blonde hair and a wrinkled blue shirt approached me asking, ‘Why are you doing this?’ I inquired whether he was a Scientologist, to which he stated, ‘No; I’m just curious.’ Sensing that he was lying to me, I handed him a flier with ‘www.xenu.net’ printed on it, and I told him to read the web site, saying, ‘The information is all there.’ A little while later I noticed Cathy Norman, Director of Special Affairs of the Austin Org, standing outside of her cult’s building. In the 75 minutes we were there, ‘Icee’ managed to pass out approximately 125 fliers, all with ‘www.xenu.net’ on them. I continued walking back and forth on Guadalupe Street with my two signs, occasionally stopping to answer questions from some of the curious wogs. An Austin policeman approached me asking whether he could speak to me. He was accompanied by another cop who just stood by and listened. Cathy Norman began taking photos of me talking with the police. I asked the first policeman if I had been accused of having committed a crime, to which he responded, ‘Yes, she says that around a year and a half ago you put graffiti on their building.’ I assured him that I had not, to which his response was, ‘Do you know who did?’ I told him that I do not know, and in fact that I hadn’t even seen the graffiti alleged to have been put on their building. I explained ‘FAIR GAME’ to the policemen, and told them why the culties were harassing me by making false allegations in an attempt to get me arrested. The first policeman assured me that I was completely within my rights to engage in my information campaign, and I thanked him while handing him a ‘www.xenu.net’ flier.”
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“I wish that the OSA or their private dickheads would show up were I live because I live in the toughest building on the toughest street in my city. The cops are afraid to come in here. Also, I am much beloved by the denizens.”
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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] Scientology celebrates 20 ‘Ideal’ years in Madrid — but leaves out Tom Cruise!
[TWO years ago] When Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard tried for the 2nd time to become a bigamist
[THREE years ago] What is this ‘Substack’ thing anyway, and what’s going on at the Underground Bunker?
[FOUR years ago] A very brief note on Tom Cruise and his daughter Suri
[FIVE years ago] SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS, Episode 6: Dirty tricks are a sacrament in this ‘church’
[SIX years ago] The new ‘Freewinds’: Founder L. Ron Hubbard says Scientology is ‘supermagic’!
[SEVEN years ago] Is David Miscavige making changes to Scientology to fend off media glare?
[EIGHT years ago] Federal judge says he has the Scientologists for a justice panel, but Garcias say, ‘not so fast’
[NINE years ago] DRONE FLYOVER: Scientology’s secret ranch where L. Ron Hubbard departed this Earth
[TEN years ago] United Kingdom sees Scientology documentary ‘Going Clear’ tonight on Sky Atlantic
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: Turning begging for cash into an art form
[TWELVE years ago] FEAR: Jon Atack on Scientology’s Essential Ingredient
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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 3,393 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,897 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,403 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,953 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,943 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,329 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,824 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,128 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,779 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,997 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,551 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,892 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,463 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,379 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,546 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,128 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,387 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,424 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,140 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,704 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,019 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,194 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,876 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,213 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,066 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,182 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,544 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,955 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,343 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,227 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,792 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,303 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,563 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,667 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on September 21, 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
