TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology has opened another new ‘Ideal Mission,’ this time in Sacramento, and less than a month after a similar celebration just down the freeway in San Jose. Scientology will hope this gives the impression that it’s on something of a roll. But let’s take a closer look. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“The inability to confront is basically caused by withholds and where a person cannot be drilled into confronting, he has to have his withholds pulled. That he has committed overts and doesn’t want them exposed apparently causes him to withhold his attention and the result is his ability to confront is lessened. Also where a person has overts on a subject and is withholding, he has a tendency to complicate that subject and cannot get down to its basic simplicities. The world looks very complicated to him, probably because his attention is wrapped up in his withholds instead of on his real problems or the subject. The new discovery here is that a person who has overts and withholds on a subject cannot perform in that area and introduces complexities, for of course they can’t confront it.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979
——————–
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.
——————–
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
——————–
“You want to know what is wrong with the fellow? Let’s say that when he is very young somebody decides to take his tonsils out….Later on he meets some doctor who says, ‘Well, the reason you have ulcers is because … ?’ Actually, it was because one of the doctors during the tonsillectomy — this fellow’s earlier colleague — had an elbow in the patient’s stomach. I think doctors knew this all the time, by the way. I am sure they had this all worked out. The doctor leans his elbow on this young would-be writer’s stomach, and he grinds this elbow down while he is holding the patient. Later on the fellow has to be operated on for ulcers. You can make more money this way and send your children to better colleges.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 22, 1951
——————–
“Sea Org members are highly acceptable to one another. Where evidence seems to be to the contrary it is an urgency to uphold the standards of the group which after all has a very arduous and important job to do.” — The Commodore, October 22, 1970
——————–
“Ron’s invention of auditing: quite probably the single greatest advance in the history of mankind. And it works because life comes before, and is senior to, the physical universe; auditing confirms this. Life errs when thinking the physical universe has domain over it. Auditing undoes this fallacy.”
1996: Scientology this week purchased the assets of the Cult Awareness Network at an auction in federal court. The mailing lists and other sensitive files were apparently not sold. “On October 23, 1996 the Cult Awareness Network, Inc.’s service mark and trademark rights, including rights to the use of the CAN stylized logo, were sold as part of a $20,000.00 purchase of CAN assets in the federal bankruptcy court. Steven Hayes, of the law firm of Bowles & Hayes, bought the assets. The purchase becomes final in seven days. Mr. Hayes will control the service mark and trademark rights at that time. It not clear yet whether Mr. Hayes, or others associated with him, could take action against organizations using the words ‘Cult Awareness Network’ in their name without his permission, or merely for the stylized CAN/Cult Awareness Network logo that appeared in the past on CAN’s literature.”
——————–
“So when your certificates get canceled, whose job is it to track down all those engrams and body thetans and tell them they need to re-implant and re-attach themselves?”
——————–
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.
——————–
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?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] A drone’s-eye view of Scientology’s UK headquarters before this week’s gala!
[TWO years ago] Scientology reveals its long-range strategy against the Jane Doe 1 forced marriage lawsuit
[THREE years ago] Danny Masterson attorney crosses Jane Doe 1 while avoiding the ‘Scientology elephant’
[FOUR years ago] How Scientology broke my spirit with its insidious methods of thought reform
[FIVE years ago] SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Aussies bow to Tommy Davis, but he can’t kill ‘dirt file’ story
[SIX years ago] David Miscavige at Scientology’s IAS event: What he claims, and what’s really going on
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology and hurricanes: Providing storms of comic relief in one disaster after another
[EIGHT years ago] KID CORPS: Scientology’s internal documents lay out its disturbing ideas about children
[NINE years ago] TOM CRUISE PENTHOUSE IN SCIENTOLOGY’S SPIRITUAL MECCA? WE HAVE THE PLANS
[TEN years ago] Laura DeCrescenzo answers Scientology ‘religion’ gambit on eve of key hearing
[ELEVEN years ago] Vance Woodward files motion to reconsider his dismissed lawsuit against Scientology
[TWELVE years ago] The Flaw In Scientology’s Religious Outrage Theory: A Man Named Steven Gregory Sloat
[THIRTEEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Let’s Put Scientology Kids to Work!
——————–
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 3,423 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,927 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,433 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,983 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,973 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,359 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,854 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,158 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,809 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,027 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,581 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,922 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,493 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,409 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,576 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,158 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,417 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,454 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,170 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,734 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,049 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,224 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,906 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,243 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,096 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,212 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,574 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,985 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,373 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,257 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,822 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,333 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,593 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,697 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on October 21, 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
