TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Even if Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s vision of taking over the planet is even less likely now than when he was alive, people signing billion-year contracts today dedicate themselves just as ardently as the recruits of yesteryear. We have a great example for you today. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Any C/S C/Sing for a level for which he has not been trained is subject to the suspension of all certificates and deprivation of all bonuses. He is subject also to refund of all bonuses ever obtained while C/Sing as a C/S levels for which he has not been trained above or below his class. This does not limit the penalties which can be applied which can include declare and expulsion.” — 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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“Everybody is a southpaw earlier on the track, and they’ve shifted over in desperation to the right hand. Well, this southpaw in space opera came about — para-Scientology — came about where the individual carried his gun on the left-hand side of the body and drew it and used it with the left hand (the blaster and so forth). And you’ll find that people are very, very unwilling to use their left hands. They just don’t want to — don’t want to use that left hand and — because it kills people. Just as simple as that. And when people get killed their emotional kickback and so forth, is telegraphed through on the back blast and it makes one feel bad and one goes on down Tone Scale on a — on the overt act-motivator mechanism.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 17, 1953
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“The barometer in this area is known to go from very low to very high within 5 days. Hurricanes seldom come here and usually reach only 60 to 85 mph winds. We are in a “moving depression” that isn’t moving. The ship is quite safe where she is. Only ‘Moderate to fresh winds gusting strong’ and ‘Rain’ is forecast for where we are. Golly that glass got low!” — The Commodore, October 17, 1970
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“The Time psy-ops are numerous and depend for their full force on implants which are intended more than anything else to disrupt a beings sense of Time. They are how a being’s reality is destabilized so that further implanting can even take hold at all. The dark occultists (the whole track implanters) have always known this and they have always used this. They are definitely using it now, and this century’s movies and books are far more geared to disrupt your innate sense of Time itself, than you may realize.”
1999: Reuters reported that France is speaking out against a U.S. State Department report on religious freedom. “The French position was outlined by foreign ministry officials to visiting United States Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom Robert Seiple, author of a report published last month containing criticism of Paris on the issue. ‘This report contained regrettable accusations against France’s official Mission for the Fight Against Sects,’ ministry spokesman
Francois Rivasseau told reporters. Rivasseau said Seiple ‘recognised the unfortunate character of the accusations and took note of the strong French protests on the subject,’ Rivasseau said. French Justice Minister Elisabeth Guigou last month raised the prospect of banning the Church of Scientology in France. Officials here view the body with extreme suspicion after three cases where legal documents that could have been used as evidence against the movement in trials for fraud and other offences vanished from courts. The Church of Scientology has denied any responsibility. It said its opponents were waging a slander campaign by trying to blame administrative blunders on the Church.”
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“I’m still amazed considering the subject of this forum when I read folks wondering about the efficacy of homeopathy, naturopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic medicine etc. People, assume everything’s a scam or magical thinking and work it back from there.”
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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] Scientology breakthrough: Finally, after 74 years, a solution for clamminess
[TWO years ago] This guy was so upset after Scientology, he spilled the OT 3 secrets in a 1974 classified ad!
[THREE years ago] Scientology goes Xtreme! With the pandemic lifted, time to go straight up and vertical!
[FOUR years ago] New allegation: Woman says she was raped by Danny Masterson at ‘Dracula 2000’ cast party
[FIVE years ago] SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tommy Davis threatens to sue Aussie network over axed series
[SIX years ago] He freed key documents from Scientology’s rehabs, and now he can talk about it
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology tried to ruin her. Now, Sylvia DeWall has a message for her former friends and family.
[EIGHT years ago] On tonight’s ‘Leah Remini,’ reality star Mimi Faust takes on Scientology’s harm to family
[NINE years ago] Scientology finally uses trillions of years of wisdom for something useful: The perfect burger
[TEN years ago] When Scientology makes you a villain, you understand that it rules its members by fear
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology leader David Miscavige gets in just under the wire in NAFC lawsuit
[TWELVE years ago] Starting Today: Jefferson Hawkins Helps Us Get Our Scientology Ethics In!
[THIRTEEN years ago] Texas Blues: David Miscavige Forsakes The Largest State in the Lower 48
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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 3,419 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,923 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,429 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,979 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,969 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,355 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,850 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,154 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,805 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,023 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,577 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,918 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,489 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,405 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,572 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,154 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,413 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,450 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,166 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,730 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,045 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,220 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,902 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,239 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,092 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,208 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,570 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,981 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,369 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,253 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,818 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,329 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,589 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,693 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on October 17, 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
