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Scientology mega-donor explains why you must attend the big thetan meetup of 2025

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: When Scientology reveals at the last minute the date of its big annual event Tom Cruise actually goes to, it has to scramble to get people to drop everything and attend! Helping out is none other than megadonor Tom Cummins. You tell us: Does he knock it out of the park or what? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
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Technology Cocktail

“50 Foot Mood Drills can be used to cure a fixed mood that doesn’t seem to budge with regular Mood Drills. Student and coach go to an area where they can do some
shouting without disturbance. The coach and student are at least 50 feet apart and the Mood Drill is done at this distance. Mood Drills are not only fun to do, but also enable an auditor to be at cause over how he sounds in a session, without strain and without his own feelings interfering with the session and thus to get maximum gain for the pc.” — 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

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— 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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Source Code

“Before we developed a good port PRO [Public Relations Officer] actions and good local area PRO actions, were very often in trouble. We were in trouble in the most remarkable ways. But it wasn’t really Scientologists that got us into trouble. The biggest amount of trouble that happened in Spain was a commercial licensed engineer who turned homo and was that way with hired Spanish hands who then went to the police and complained about this English engineer. And he was dismissed and the whole thing was handled. But it still sits in the office of information in Spain. See? Not as a handled situation but that there’s something, you know? And they’re having a lot of trouble lately with hippies. They aren’t counting the communists that they’ve got in their midst — Minister of Defense, Minister of Shipping, Franco’s first adjutant, second aide, Chamberlain — they aren’t counting these guys, they’ve gotta get these hippies. You see it has no political sense at all. If you knocked off every hippie in Spain you would not have strengthened its political position a minute.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 21, 1969

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“Lack of use of Auditing to handle physical troubles has greatly extended our MO list. The practice of not auditing pcs who did not F/N at Exam and introducing ‘remedies’ has shown us which way not to go. Medicine and drugs reach back into the history of the witchcraft, Satanism, infanticide love potions and handling inter personal relations with arsenic. Born of abominations drugs and medicine continue their career in modern times. The only improvement has been to cut the throat of the patient instead of a sacrificial goat’s. I’m fed up with medicine and the lunatics in the drug business. We should pass a law they must wear the clothing of their trade — conical hats with stars and moons on them and black robes. Our recent stat on MO lines proves it. We are the wave of the future. We should get our feet out of the contaminated past.” — The Commodore, October 20, 1970

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“There is nothing better than Scientology, because through it the dynamics make sense, everything becomes clear and obvious. Yet amazingly, we run straight into counter-intention. There’s a lot of people who have staked an incredible amount on perpetuating and strengthening the grip of apparency on us.”

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Past is Prologue

1995: Dennis Erlich reports on the latest harassment from the cult. “I was just informed that overnight someone threw acid on my parent’s brand new car which was parked in front of Priscilla and Ed Coates’ house where I am staying as a guest. The paint job on the car (which has less than 3000 miles on it) has been ruined.”

 
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Random Howdy

“Hubbard was like 12 when he was in Asia. The only thing he was studying was jerking off.”

 
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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.

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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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SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

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 gets the jump on the holidays (that it believes are an alien plot)
[TWO years ago] Jane Doe 1 attempts to serve David Miscavige in multiple places: Will court deem it enough?
[THREE years ago] Scientology concepts were plentiful on 2nd day of testimony in Danny Masterson trial
[FOUR years ago] Crazy fun on Scientology’s private cruise ship in the Caribbean, still tied to the dock
[FIVE years ago] What Danny Masterson’s prosecutor revealed about the case in yesterday’s hearing
[SIX years ago] Scientologist anti-vaxx group fundraises on the idea its big California loss was a win
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s astounding pre-history in a new book you really need to read
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s Flag Building brain injury: In Clearwater, it’s déjà vu all over again
[NINE years ago] Chris Shelton: What Louis Theroux missed about the Scientology experience in his film
[TEN years ago] Two years after Scientology’s ‘Super Power’ debuted, it’s still a flop
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology is turning Larry Hagman’s house into a drunk tank for celebs
[TWELVE years ago] Next in the Garcia Fraud Lawsuit: Scientology Is Asked to Explain Its Arbitration System
[THIRTEEN years ago] 35-Year Scientologist Steve Poore Says Church Leader David Miscavige is “Scared to His Core”

 
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Scientology disconnection, a reminder

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 3,422 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,926 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,432 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,982 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,972 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,358 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,853 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,157 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,808 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,026 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,580 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,921 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,492 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,408 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,575 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,157 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,416 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,453 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,169 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,733 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,048 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,223 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,905 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,242 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,095 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,211 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,573 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,984 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,372 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,256 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,821 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,332 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,592 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,696 days.

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on October 20, 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

 

Tony Ortega at Rolling Stone

 

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