TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Now that the IAS gala is set for Halloween at Scientology’s UK headquarters, we have a reminder that not only has this event been held at different times, but also outside of Great Britain. Patty Moher sent us this account of when the party was held on Scientology’s cruise ship. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“In ‘78 a lot of time was spent in developing the new Mark VI E-Meter. It was needed as OTs were going off the top of the Mark V. The New World Corps is equipped with the specially built Mark VI. This beautiful and far more sensitive meter will be available to general auditors around February ‘79 from Pubs Orgs. The Mark V will continue to be valid and sold as it’s a good meter and less expensive. The Mark VI is just a Rolls Royce. Needless to say, I was very busy this year! It sure is a lot of work to dig out a planet!” — 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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“I was asked to study the physical universe. I was being asked to study nuclear physics, atomic, and molecular phenomena, all sorts of odds and ends and incomprehensibles, and they had not basically resolved the most fundamental things they had to resolve, which are: space, energy and time — what are these things? They’re psychological phenomena. That’s all they are. And the whole science of physics, then, is entirely dependent upon the mind. You want to know why, then, did a nuclear physicist ever go into the field of the mind? Why did we ever get Dianetics and Scientology? Why did I become interested in it? Well, I became definitely interested in it because the smallest unit of energy I could find must be a mental unit of energy.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 13, 1954
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“I have an annual stat of major programs (C/S Course, Target Packs, Data Series, Personnel Series, Expanded Lower Grades to name some of those of 1970). This stat is shooting into affluence this year since 1967. Having gotten Power redone into ‘New Power’ as a Tech Advance and developed tested (by Flag Qual) and issued OT VII I am now working out OT VIII and have made several breakthroughs on it in the last 10 days. If comparable work on Flag Income and production and Flag Org on GDSes and Bureaux on operation will now follow in we can book this rather quickly. Orgs are teams and all of Scientology is a team. It takes team work and back up to make things go right and stay right.” — The Commodore, October 13, 1970
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“I’ll say this: any time you think you’ve got a better idea than the Old Man, think again.”
1995: Dennis Erlich posted an update on his case. “This week MoFo produced a strong filing for Judge Whyte which requested that the scienos be held in contempt of court for failing to return all my personal property illegally seized in the (now vacated) unconstitutional raid in February. If I get around to it, I’ll post some of the lovely language. The scienos have filed requesting an impoundment of all the materials they shouldn’t have ever taken from me during the raid that shouldn’t have ever happened. They base this filing on my earlier posted intention to do fair use critique of all the materials, once I get them back. Another hearing (or ruling) will be forthcoming November 3.”
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“I’m not here to change anybody’s mind. I’m a soldier.”
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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] Parents learn the hard way how bad Scientology is for their kids
[TWO years ago] Report: Scientology Sea Org women forced to get IUD inserted before they can marry
[THREE years ago] Confirmed: Lisa Marie Presley, Marty Singer on witness list in Danny Masterson trial
[FOUR years ago] 13,046 DAYS: David Miscavige goes ahead of L. Ron Hubbard as leader of Scientology
[FIVE years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 12: The city of Clearwater, Florida
[SIX years ago] Just what Panama City needed, a new Scientology ‘Ideal Mission’!
[SEVEN years ago] A queer story about Scientology, gender, and L. Ron Hubbard’s sweet pile of Swiss cash
[NINE years ago] Attempted murder, a fancy lawyer, and the long path to healing: A Scientology life, exposed
[TEN years ago] Back in London for the next Scientology summit, featuring Russell Miller!
[ELEVEN years ago] Kelly Preston finally blows away the last of her Scientology space cooties!
[TWELVE years ago] Sunday Special: Remembering Some People Who Mattered
[THIRTEEN years ago] L. Ron Hubbard Whines (Again) About His Scientology Workload
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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 3,415 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,919 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,425 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,975 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,965 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,351 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,846 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,150 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,801 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,019 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,573 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,914 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,485 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,401 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,568 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,150 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,409 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,446 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,162 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,726 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,041 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,216 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,898 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,235 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,088 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,204 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,566 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,977 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,365 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,249 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,814 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,325 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,585 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,689 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on October 13, 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, 20 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
