TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Sunday, we reported the shocking news that Scientology had caught the attorneys for the Danny Masterson victims using bogus AI-generated case citations in in the ‘Bixler’ civil lawsuit. We asked appellate attorney TX Lawyer for his thoughts on just how bad this situation is. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Some people didn’t believe one had lived before this life. Also some people wondered what happened to old Dianeticists and Scientologists who had died. But others used to have the phrase ‘Well, we’ll pick them up in the next lifetime,’ or ‘the next time around.’ Well it seems like the former shouldn’t have wondered and the latter were right. We are coming up with quite a few pcs who had gone Clear in their last lifetime during Book One auditing, Goals Processing, etc. This is something that the pc originates or something he has been “wondering about” but invalidated.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
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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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“And by the way, anybody who had sexual relationships with a little boy ought to be killed! The idea! Horrible! Why that’s the most disgusting thought he’s ever heard. What? Sexual relationships with a little boy? Oh, no. Except in the DED you find him taking a little boy and driving the little boy up to sexual enthusiasm, up, up, up, up, up and the little boy just can’t give any more, and so forth, and on the last jolt of demand on the part of the thetan, the little boy who actually did have a thetan in him anyhow, goes PANG. And it goes straight down to 0.0. BzzzUm. And that’s why being a body is death of a body, is thetan into the body. That’s 0.0. Death of the body is being the body. And you’ll find him having his most enjoyable times thereafter as a little boy. He, he’s doing a super life continuum for this little boy. And this little boy bit the dust and was chewed up and spat out maybe 70, 60, 30 trillion years ago.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 23, 1952
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“COURTESY: Usually on Flag we are very polite to everyone. It is a standard of courtesy and an example we should work to maintain.” — The Commodore, September 23, 1970
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“I found studying remote viewing and the data they discover really helps me to understand Hubbard’s philosophy, you really understand that time and the physical universe are not what it seems.”
1996: The Scientology org in Portland, Oregon was attacked this week by a gunman who shot four people and started a fire with a can of gasoline. The Associated Press reported: “Jairus C. Godeka, 38, who was under court order not to have any contact with the church, surrendered after walking out with a female hostage who was heard shouting: ‘Don’t do anything. He’s got a gun to my head.’ Police talked Godeka into releasing the woman unharmed and dropping his gun. Another woman, who is at least four months pregnant, was shot in the shoulder and hospitalized in critical condition. Firefighters found church worker Helen Burke, 44, hiding in a stairwell. The center’s executive director was in fair condition with a wound to his right side and another man was in serious condition with a wound to his chest. The fourth victim was treated for a wound to his buttocks and released. Firefighters quickly put out the blaze, which did not cause serious damage. The man had carried a 1-gallon can of gas and ignited the floor near a reception desk. Godeka was arrested on charges of attempted aggravated murder, arson, kidnapping, assault and burglary. The church, however, denounced it as a hate crime. ‘There’s a lesson here, and the lesson is about the damage religious hate mongers cause,’ said a statement issued by the church’s Los Angeles office.”
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“How many Scientologists are left in the world who would stand up and say ‘I’m proud to be a Scientologist!’”
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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] Testimonial: Waking up your Scientology space cooties with Neil Gaiman’s nephew!
[TWO years ago] Look who’s running for re-election in Clearwater: Mark Bunker wants your support!
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s Flag Land Base lost money in 2020? We beg to differ.
[FOUR years ago] Scientology donor and promoter, OT 8 Greg Winteregg, fails his postulate
[FIVE years ago] Now that Scientology mega-donor Trish Duggan is famous, will the ditched-kid story blow up?
[SIX years ago] Leah Remini mourns the estranged father who denounced her on behalf of Scientology
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s private cruise ship had a fitful history before becoming a floating cathedral
[EIGHT years ago] Director Paul Haggis pens an open letter to Marty Rathbun after Scientology’s latest smear
[NINE years ago] Beware, protesters: Scientology has been training attack dogs at a Clearwater warehouse
[TEN years ago] We’re in Cleveland today to talk about Scientology and you’re invited
[ELEVEN years ago] David Miscavige, you’ve been served: Leader of Scientology will need to respond to NAFC suit
[TWELVE years ago] LEAH REMINI: Scientology Wants Me to Fail on Dancing With The Stars
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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 3,395 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,899 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,405 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,955 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,945 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,331 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,826 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,130 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,781 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,999 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,553 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,894 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,465 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,381 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,548 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,130 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,389 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,426 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,142 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,706 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,021 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,196 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,878 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,215 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,068 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,184 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,546 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,957 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,345 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,229 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,794 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,305 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,565 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,669 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on September 23, 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
