TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: The new Scientology ‘OT Phenomena’ are here, continuing a trend that this once-vaunted feature may be turning a corner! For years, we’ve enjoyed reading these ghost stories passed off as evidence that Scientologists gain superpowers after tons of cash down the drain. Dig in! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“False Data Stripping should be used extensively in all hatting and training activities. Current society is riddled with false data and these must be cleared away so that we can hat and train people. Then they will be able to learn useful data which will enable them to understand things and produce valuable products in life. False Data Stripping can be done on or off the meter. It can be done by an auditor in session, by a Supervisor, Cramming Officer or Word Clearer or by an exec, Esto or any administrator. Students and staff can be trained to do it on each other.” — 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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“Just this morning I am in correspondence with the Atomic Energy Commission on some material and have been for the last year and a half. We have some answers in mathematics in which they’re very interested, and so forth…If a man is burned today, he’s going to suffer because of it. There isn’t much going to interrupt the course of that fission burn except Scientology…Atomic radiation isn’t actually too hard to handle on an alleviation basis — on an assist basis — if your boy is not in too bad condition, if preclear is not too bad condition.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 5, 1956
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“No need to get too excited about ‘la grippe.’ It is about a 36 hour malady if correctly treated with Kemacetin. Kemicetin (or any anti-biotic) is given to get the temperature sub-normal and kept sub-normal until the temperature can’t be depressed any longer. Then the person is well. M.D.s don’t know this. It’s the secret of using anti-biotics. YOGHERT must be given for several days to anyone who has been on oral anti-biotics. It restores the natural colonic bacteria. This is killed (along with bad germs) by oral anti-biotics and must be restored. I think the consul’s cancellation of the big-wig reception and the ‘reporter’ made people a bit PTS. It’s unusual for Scns to get ill unless they’re PTS.” — The Commodore, November 5, 1969
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“We are incredibly lucky to be here on this planet at this time, so as to take advantage of this original opportunity to be freed. It hasn’t existed anywhere else ever. From time to time, you can see our ideas reflected in modern culture as time goes forward. And the basic ideas may infiltrate our culture for a long time. But ultimately, Scientology, to be fully effective, requires trained auditors and administrators. There’s just no way around it. That’s where we come in. We are, in effect, the ‘shepherds’ of a new civilization.”
1997: The New York Times reported that a German Scientologist has been granted asylum in the United States. “A federal immigration court judge has granted asylum to a German member of the Church of Scientology who claimed that she would be subjected to religious persecution had she been required to return to her homeland, the woman’s lawyer and a Scientology official said Friday. While few details of the case were available, it is believed to be the first time the United States has given asylum protection to a Scientologist. The Church of Scientology has been waging a highly public international campaign against what it considers discrimination against its members by the German government. Officials at the German Embassy in Washington said Friday that they had not heard of the asylum decision and would have no reaction until it was confirmed. An immigration court judge decided to approve the woman’s application to remain in this country after a hearing last February. Officials at the State Department and the Immigration and Naturalization Service in Washington said they were unaware of the case. John Lund, an immigration lawyer in Tampa who represents the German woman, said his client was in the United States legally. ‘She voluntarily applied for asylum,’ Lund said, ‘and the matter was referred to the immigration court by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The court made the decision, based on her individual facts, that she should be granted asylum.’ Lund said the woman’s case was not part of any orchestrated effort by the Church of Scientology to publicize its claims of discrimination. ‘Our matter was totally outside of any campaign by the church,’ Lund said. ‘This individual was acting solely on her own.’ To protect relatives still in Germany, Lund and Scientology officials refused to disclose the woman’s name or where she lived. Kurt Weiland, an official with the Church of Scientology International, said a dozen German witnesses testified at the immigration hearing that the woman faced severe persecution in her homeland. ‘She proved her suffering, the damage she experienced emotionally and economically, and how she was ostracized from society, all for no other reason than her religion,’ Weiland said. A State Department spokesman, James Rubin, said he was unaware of the Scientology asylum case. But Rubin said the treatment of Scientologists in Germany was discussed on Wednesday by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in a meeting in Washington with Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel of Germany.”
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“Goodnight everyone and get your rest because tomorrow we travel further up the McSavage River into the Heart Of Darkness.”
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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] Scientology ruins everything — even a massive onion farm in England
[TWO years ago] Jane Doe 1 asks for emergency hearing and Scientology is not happy about it
[THREE years ago] PODCAST: Looking back at the third week of testimony in the Danny Masterson trial
[FOUR years ago] Finally, a (mostly) full and accurate transcript from one of Scientology’s darkest days
[FIVE years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 9: The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office
[SIX years ago] AUDIO LEAK: You’re invited to a Scientology TV watch party at the Portland org!
[SEVEN years ago] Jada Pinkett Smith reconciles with Leah Remini and puts herself in Scientology’s crosshairs
[EIGHT years ago] Shakeup at Narconon Arrowhead: Former worker dishes fresh intel on Scientology’s rehab flagship
[NINE years ago] An enduring myth in Scientology — that L. Ron Hubbard actually read your letters
[TEN years ago] Can the tabloids ignore this photo of Tom Cruise getting his Scientology on?
[ELEVEN years ago] Ken Dandar files another court appeal to get out of Scientology’s million-dollar noose
[TWELVE years ago] Luis Garcia Responds: We Don’t Trust Scientology’s Trustee Ploy
[THIRTEEN years ago] Dianetics Read Aloud: Let Ron’s Wisdom Wash Over You
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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 3,438 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,942 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,448 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,998 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,988 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,374 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,869 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,173 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,824 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,042 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,596 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,937 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,508 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,424 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,591 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,173 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,432 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,469 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,184 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,749 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,064 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,239 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,921 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,258 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,111 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,227 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,589 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,000 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,388 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,272 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,837 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,348 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,608 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,712 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 5, 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
