TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Could the ex-con who legally changed his name to L. Ronald Hubbard while convincing some he’s the reincarnated Scientology founder, and who has been sitting in a Tennessee jail since 2021, really be about to see freedom again? That’s what he’s telling his followers this week. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Man is a complex being, far more complex than he ever conceived. And he possesses abilities and potentials that neither he nor any of the wise men of the ages
ever dreamed of. In 1978, a great many new insights and revelations about life were disclosed, many of them discovered in my research at very upper levels. These then were used to speed up the lower and more fundamental grades. Without discarding any of the tech we already had, all of which remains very valid, the time and cost for a given result was greatly reduced.” — 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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“Anderson, Q.C., Melbourne inquiry. Complete gibbering psychotic idiot. Up to the gills with R-6. ‘Scientology must be wrong, because we cannot explain where all the new bodies come from. All the new spirits. Where would all the new spirits come from if everybody had a spirit, why, where would all the new spirits come from, huh?’ Actually, what he didn’t realize, this silly ass — he was disproving Catholicism. Catholicism claims there’s one spirit per body, so he was asking some silly little kid question that is asked of his own religion, Catholicism. And yet he was busy hanging Scientology because it couldn’t… You get the irrationality of it? The man occupies a perfectly valid position. He’s looked on. He’s a Queens’ consulate. Actually he’s just a gibbering idiot. You probably couldn’t even catch him to get a straight jacket on him.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 9, 1968
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“SECURE THE PORT: We are very popular in this port. Were publicized heavily before arrival. Snap up the PR. Get out your white uniforms for watches and good clothes for the beach. Make a splash here. We’ll be here 3-4 days and will push to make it heavy PR.” — The Commodore, October 9, 1970
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“I live in Perth Australia which including myself has a grand total of 3 independents that are actually doing anything and no organisation to speak of. One day I’ll be the Captain of this city but not today.”
1998: Bob Minton reported on additional harassment by Scientology of his former business partners. “A 14-page DA pack was delivered to my former partner, Jeff Schmidt, and the Nigerian Minister of Finance in Washington, D.C., this week during the IMF meeting. The DA pack was sent by Peter Franks, a private investigator for the Church of Scientology working out of England, and was no doubt hand-delivered by OSA personnel at the DC org. A leaflet [was] handed out
during pickets at the home of Selwyn Lewis, my other former partner in Capetown, South Africa. In this latest ‘Trash the Critics’ operation, the Church of Scientology has said that the mere act of not providing them with information about me makes Mr. Lewis a dishonest businessman who lacks principles. It is interesting to note that the Scientologists have decided to completely trash the Nigerians. The purpose of this is clearly to drive a wedge between Jeff and the Nigerian government in order to disrupt his business with them. Further, Jeff will in turn put pressure on me, they hope, to get the Scientologists off his back. In fact, this morning, Jeff told me, ‘You are really making my life miserable.’ With titillation galore, for some reason Scientology thinks the Nigerian government is interested in their usual scurrilous statements about Vaughn and Stacy. Probably in a concessionary moment to the Moslem faith of the Nigerian delegation, Scientology sought to soften their trashing of Vaughn and Stacy by making such patently absurd statements as the following: ‘This story is not an attempt to just trash the Youngs, but to provide an accurate perspective from which to understand how they arrived at the point where they abandoned their own spiritual enlightenment and turned to evil, where they now find themselves in the pay of an extremely unscrupulous attorney (who has been accused by a former associate of having sex with minor boys).’ Peter Franks, the English PI working for Scientology, called a New Hampshire company in which I have a substantial investment a couple of days ago. Jeff, who is also a partner in this New Hampshire company, told me about this in Washington, D.C., this week. It seems that the company involved is extremely concerned about being brought into this ruckus with Scientology, and has informed Jeff that they must find a way to buy out my interest in the company. John Hockenberry, Dateline producer Sharon Isaak, and their crews of sound and camera people interviewed me today in New Hampshire to follow up on the June ‘Crusader’ story involving our favorite cult. John Hockenberry, as you may remember, can be an aggressive interviewer. Today he pulled out his Rayco machine to ask me about shotguns, pickets, and other personal matters.”
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“This place is nuts, but not half as nuts as YouTube. It’s just a little bit more serious and astute and friendly.”
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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] All the Scientology allowed by Riley Keough in her mother Lisa Marie Presley’s ‘memoir’
[TWO years ago] It’s spooky season, and Scientology doesn’t want to miss out on the recruiting opportunity!
[THREE years ago] How a major Scientology donor family is caught up in the Danny Masterson case
[FOUR years ago] He was Scientology ‘I/C’ — ‘in charge’ — of Paulette Cooper’s harassment. And now he’s dead.
[FIVE years ago] SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS, Episode 10: Bryan Seymour wraps up his series axed by Seven News
[SIX years ago] CLEARWATER APOCALYPSE! No, not really. But let’s help Scientology run its new board
[SEVEN years ago] What it was like last night at Scientology’s Los Angeles TV ‘season’ premiere party
[EIGHT years ago] BLOCKBUSTER EXCLUSIVE: It turns out the National Enquirer is blowing smoke again
[NINE years ago] EXCLUSIVE: Recent deaths of Scientology rehab staffers points to ongoing problem
[TEN years ago] The Scientology-Ireland connection that propelled Cathriona White to Hollywood
[ELEVEN years ago] Ryan Hamilton files two more federal lawsuits against Scientology’s drug rehab network
[TWELVE years ago] Anonymous and Craigslist: Proof that Scientology Knows It’s Under Attack
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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 3,411 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,915 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,421 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,971 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,961 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,347 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,842 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,146 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,797 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,015 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,569 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,910 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,481 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,397 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,564 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,146 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,405 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,442 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,158 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,722 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,037 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,212 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,894 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,231 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,084 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,200 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,562 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,973 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,361 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,245 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,810 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,321 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,581 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,685 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on October 9, 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
