TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: While we wait to see which of Scientology’s big donors were bestowed new trophies this past Saturday at the IAS Patrons Ball, it turns out the church put out a new Impact magazine recently with a whole new set of space cadets whose donations are propping up this wacky cabal! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“You’ll find people whose estimate of the environment is totally perverted to the point they’re walking around literally in a fog. The guy looks at a tree and the reality of the tree is blurred by the ‘fact’ that ‘trees are made by God’ so he won’t take care of the tree because he is convinced. What we’re trying to cure in people is the inability to think with data. This was traced by me to false data as a phenomenon additional to misunderstood words, although the misunderstood word plays a role in it and will have to be allowed for.” — 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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“We’re not trying to make superman here, because after you’ve done that is when you start to work to really make superman. Now you really have to get clever. Of course, a thetan in real good operating condition can make himself visible. It would be the shock of somebody’s life to suddenly realize that he was visible. And it would ruin this whole society and put us squarely in the hands of Bishop Shenanigan if you were to start doing this. Because you as a MEST body would never be able to explain fast enough to tell him you really weren’t Christ. They’ve been looking for him to come back — with blood in their eyes. You know, they only got a few nails in that guy last time.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 4, 1953
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“WINDS OF CHANGE: Advance indicators from the UK point to a change of government attitude and a better future for Scn there.” — The Commodore, November 4, 1970
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“Outside of Dianetics and Scientology, there’s no actual tech capable of as-ising mental mass and shedding our own ball-chains and handcuffs. It is just fantastic to me that people on this planet have fallen for the falsehood of material existence, what they call Reality; and any slightest clue that there is anything else triggers a vast field of booby-traps — all of which are self-imposed. Who would believe that?”
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1996: Golden Era Productions set off a bomb this week during the shooting of their new movie “Man the Unfathomable”. From the San Bernardino Sun:
“The Church of Scientology blew up a replica of a downtown Los Angeles building early Tuesday at the former Norton Air Force Base, shaking people awake as far away as Redlands and Highland. “The movie is about misunderstandings between people that ultimately turn violent, said Hilary Dezotell, a Golden Era spokeswoman. The scene with the explosion is about an agent who infiltrates a group and winds up blowing up a building. The explosion occurred just after 1 A.M. Tuesday, several hours after it was scheduled, said city fire Inspector Laurie Sawhill, who was overseeing the explosion for the Fire Department.”
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“The way things are going evidence-wise and if DM is required to appear in court, I think Monique could demand an 8-figure deal without an NDA, without any contention.”
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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] Mike Rinder steps down from Aftermath Foundation board amid cancer battle
[TWO years ago] Scientology protest goes off without a hitch, and Tom Cruise made the scene
[THREE years ago] WHOA: Jane Doe 2 and Jane Doe 3 now represented by David Boies firm for their ‘rights’
[FOUR years ago] A new group comes forward, saying it’s going to spill secrets of Scientology’s abuses
[FIVE years ago] L. Ron Hubbard’s stolen valor: A new breakdown of his bogus medals by a military veteran
[SIX years ago] David Miscavige and a slate of local shills welcomed the new Kansas City ‘Ideal Org’
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology is pulling out all the stops for its next gleaming Clearwater landmark
[EIGHT years ago] Read the police report for the 17-year-old injured at Scientology’s ‘Flag’ building
[NINE years ago] Trouble for Scientology in 1966: When the Daily Mail called L. Ron Hubbard’s degrees ‘bogus’
[TEN years ago] Hey, Mark Bunker, what’s taking that film of yours — ‘Knowledge Report’ — so long?
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s own plans show it paid $37 million for a building to serve only 87 people
[TWELVE years ago] Claire Headley Takes Us OT! Here We Go with Scientology’s Operating Thetan Level ONE!
[THIRTEEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: The Road to Clear!
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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 3,437 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,941 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,447 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,997 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,987 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,373 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,868 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,172 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,823 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,041 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,595 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,936 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,507 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,423 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,590 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,172 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,431 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,468 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,183 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,748 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,063 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,238 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,920 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,257 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,110 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,226 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,588 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,999 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,387 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,271 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,836 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,347 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,607 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,711 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 4, 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
