TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: More bad news for Scientology as it waits to see whether it will get permission for a car park it wants to build and also its giant tent that it puts up every year for its IAS gala. Alex Barnes-Ross alerted us to this latest stumbling block, and shared his thoughts with us. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“If the pc is not in session you won’t get the withholds. TRs play a large part in the pc being willing to talk to the auditor. A wrong or challenging auditor attitude can throw the scene off as there is a destroyed comm cycle. If TRs are rough or choppy the pc feels he’s being accused. A poor or comm lag TR 2, hidden from the view of the C/S, can also mess up a person in a Confessional. It invalidates his answers and makes him feel he hasn’t gotten it off. If suspected, this could be checked by D of P interview or person to the Examiner for: ‘What did the auditor do?’ So TRs must be polished and the auditor, while maintaining good ethics presence, takes the role of confessor when handling the pc’s answers and makes it safe for the pc to get off his overts and withholds. Similarly, an auditor who is certain of his tech and does not miss withholds will build the pc’s confidence in him.” — 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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“The zygote is very easily injured. Every abdominal pressure affects it. However, an auditor should run the ovum-sperm series three or four days before conception. Although this hasn’t been checked objectively, cases respond much better if you get that series. The time up to before the first missed menstrual period has been checked objectively, because somebody else has this material too, but it is not easy to check conception objectively. Conception is a specific moment and you are not quite sure when it arrives. However, until the time this data is checked objectively, the reality of it is strong.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 27, 1950
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“A last minute despatch from Neptune as he left the ship follows: Commodore: I have the honor, Sir, to report that your crew has been (1) Instructed (2) Examined (3) Passed. They are now fully initiated, qualified, called, designated, dubbed, christened, titled and entitled SEA DOGS by my stamp and seal. All sharks, porpoises, whales, fish, squids, minnows, and polywogs must now salute them as brothers of the Sea. (Signed) Neptunis Rex, GOD OF THE SEAS AND OCEANS” — The Commodore, September 27, 1971
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“Another idea that I remember some people talked about was that a cleared planet would occur if there were enough Clears that the amount of their theta would, by the laws of theta, disenturbulate the entheta of the other (not Clear) thetans on the planet. This is supported by the first chapter in Science of Survival, with regard to theta in enough quantity causing disenturbulation of entheta.”
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2000: Keith Henson reported this week on his hearing for charges that he has threatened Scientology’s Gold Base with bombings and nuclear missiles. “The judge set a date for a jury trial, Oct 30, trial readiness conference on Oct 27, and pretrial conference on Oct. 11. He maintained the 300 yards standoff distance and would not let me clarify if that is from the buildings at gold base or from the property edge. Graham argued that the picketing restriction should be lifted because the case was about messages and not missiles and it did not pass constitutional muster, prosecutorial muster or any other kind of muster. The judge disputed Graham’s characterization stating it was the usual condition for bail (not to communicate with or harass the ‘victims’) and it would stand unless Henson wanted his bail revoked. Hoden was sitting in the court and Graham introduced him for those of our party who did not know him. After the rest of us were out in the hall, he must have talked the bailiff into escorting him out of the courthouse and keeping our party (Ida, Arel, Graham and me) in the courthouse till he was
gone from the parking lot. Afterwards Arel and Graham went out to picket gold for an hour. The process server made a production by getting campus security to
accompany him while serving my daughter with a subpoena. They want to depose her at the offices of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP in LA on Oct. 24. As a guess, they would use (pit bull) Rosen who has been sanctioned for deposition abuse in the past. The point, of course, is not getting information for bankruptcy proceedings but to get at me by abusing my daughter in deposition. We will attempt to quash the subpoena. Frank Petty and Edwin Richardson made it really clear (on tape) what kind of abuse she would be subjected to in a deposition.”
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“If you leave or get kicked out they have a big ray gun device called the Hubbard Engram Re-Stimulator that can locate you anywhere on the planet and zap you with a beam that re-implants all the charge you blew.”
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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:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief was filed June 3. Respondent briefs are due September 2.
— 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] Historic flooding from Hurricane Helene hits Scientology-heavy Tampa Bay
[TWO years ago] Read Danny Masterson’s probation report that recommended state prison
[THREE years ago] In Los Angeles, shilling for Scientology becomes issue in mayor’s race
[FOUR years ago] Where is Scientology in 2021? Outside the US, it’s largely in Taiwan and Mexico
[FIVE years ago] SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS, Episode 7: Celebrities who seek godhood through David Miscavige
[SIX years ago] The rise and fall of a Scientology mogul just took another mysterious twist
[SEVEN years ago] What a train wreck: The ignominious fate of Scientology’s original flagship, the ‘Apollo’
[EIGHT years ago] Bernie Feshbach, 1923-2017: A man who fought against Scientology in his own way
[NINE years ago] ‘Horrifying’ autism ‘cure’ exposed by BBC turns out to be Scientology: Now, the inventor speaks
[TEN years ago] Our Pacific Northwest adventure begins this afternoon with a stop in Portland
[ELEVEN years ago] Ryan Hamilton files lawsuit number 21 against Scientology’s drug rehab network
[TWELVE years ago] Federal Judge Orders Evidence Preservation Based on Narconon Georgia’s “Misconduct”
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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 3,399 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,903 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,409 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,959 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,949 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,335 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,830 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,134 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,785 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,003 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,557 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,898 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,469 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,385 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,552 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,134 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,393 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,430 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,146 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,710 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,025 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,200 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,882 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,219 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,072 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,188 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,550 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,961 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,349 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,233 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,798 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,309 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,569 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,673 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on September 27, 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, 1995-2024 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2024), 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
