TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology is getting some outside help with a ‘friend of the court’ letter to an appeals court weighing what to do about the AI blunder we’ve been telling you about in the lawsuit that Danny Masterson’s victims filed against the imprisoned That ‘70s Show actor and the church. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“False data buries itself as the person may firmly believe that it is true. Sometimes the person will have such faith in a particular person, book, etc. that he cannot conceive that any data from that particular source might be false. One artist being false data stripped had received some false data from a very famous painter. Even though the data didn’t really add up and actually caused the artist tremendous problems, he tended to believe it because of where it came from. It took persistence on the part of the person administering the False Data Stripping to eventually blow this false datum with a resulting freeing up of the artist’s ability to think and produce in the area.” — 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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“Down in Arizona they put an H-bomb nine feet below the ground and blew it up. Why? To find out if it’d lift dust? Well, it certainly did!….In 1947 it was very easy to run an engram. Even in early 1950 it was still fairly easy to run an engram, but it was a little harder. By the end of ’50 it was getting difficult to run engrams. In 1951 we had to beef up our processes like mad in order to run an engram cleanly. By 1952 we were beginning to run into nothing but whole track. 1953, we just had to look for other processes than engram running. And we had to look hard, and we looked into exteriorization. In ’54, in ’55 and in ’56 we have actually been researching further and further, into more and more powerful techniques. Why?….People haven’t changed, have they? Not at all. We even see a difference of techniques which, run two or three years ago, don’t work very well today. This fascinating panorama has just unfolded before my view as a distinct possibility. And it may or may not be true, but it is certainly a distinct possibility, and there is a coordination here between the amount of radiation in the atmosphere and the difficulty of auditing a preclear.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 8, 1956
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“BEEF: Not all the meat on a haunch of beef can be used for steak. If you want steak you have to have two or three haunches and plan what to do with the rest. Roundsteak has to be floured and pounded, peppered and salted before frying. If not pounded it will be tough.” — The Commodore, November 8, 1969
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“No wonder advance beings don’t say who they were after they reincarnate; so many of us are such extreme doubters; we very much want to hold onto our cushy positions as opinion leaders. To these kind, in their secretly held needs, their very self survival depends upon not having spiritual leaders other than themselves and their friends. This is how PTSs and SPs treat people who do good deeds. I say leave this Lafayette Hubbard alone, becoming silent in your doubts, unless you actually have evidence of tech fraud. Hubbard could have returned WITHOUT reveal but so many of us very much needed and wanted him to return, if for no other reason than we Scientologists are the scientists of the Science of Reincarnation and we ought to be able to publicly demonstrate a successful return that continues where he left off.”
2000: Gerry Armstrong posted a letter he received from Scientology lawyer Andy Wilson, showing an attempt to have the court hold Gerry in contempt for speaking about Scientology. “Plaintiff/Judgment Creditor Church of Scientology International hereby applies ex parte for an order directing Defendant/Judgment Debtor Gerald Armstrong to show cause why he should not be held in contempt of this Court for Armstrong’s willful defiance of this Court’s October 17, 1995 Order of Permanent Injunction. This application is made on the grounds that, in violation of the Order, Armstrong – who has twice previously been found in contempt of the Injunction – has continued to openly flaunt the authority of this Court, violating the Injunction issued by this Court in numerous respects. During the period February 20, 1998 to July 10, 2000, Armstrong made a total of 131 postings on the Internet, each of which violated one or more provisions of the Injunction. Armstrong traveled to Clearwater, Florida and on December 5, 1999 spoke before a public gathering sponsored by the Lisa McPherson Trust, a for-profit corporation, the purpose of which is to bring about the destruction of the Scientology religion. Armstrong traveled to Tampa, Florida and on December 10, 1999 gave an interview on radio station WMNF-AM, during which he again violated the terms of the Injunction. Armstrong has willfully treated this Court’s authority with such callous disregard that he should be criminally sanctioned by fine and imprisonment.”
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“Monsanto made everybody fat, TV made everybody stupid, and the Internet made everybody crazy.”
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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] Is Scientology having second thoughts about destroying families?
[TWO years ago] Now this is the kind of celebrity endorsement Scientology desperately needs
[THREE years ago] Danny Masterson sis-in-law Chynna Phillips after watching trial: Seeing the light?
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s magic and mysticism, as told by L. Ron Hubbard’s blogging son Arthur
[FIVE years ago] John Travolta crashes the Scientology social media feed as we dip back in for a look
[SIX years ago] Columbus going Ideal! David Miscavige to open 2nd Scientology cathedral in a week
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s weirdly detailed shrine to L. Ron Hubbard in Florida even has ocean sounds
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology plan to shut road through its secretive ‘Int Base’ in California foiled again
[NINE years ago] It’s Election Day, but screw that — Chick Corea is finally superhuman thanks to Scientology!
[TEN years ago] Up next for Scientology: Sending out Tom Cruise to put on a grand performance?
[ELEVEN years ago] The Heinlein Letters: What L. Ron Hubbard’s close friends really thought of him
[TWELVE years ago] The Tom Cruise Smear Machine: Accusations From His Deposition You Haven’t Heard
[THIRTEEN years ago] Scientology Excommunication: Documents the Church Usually Keeps Under Wraps
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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 3,441 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,945 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,451 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,001 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,991 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,377 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,872 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,176 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,827 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,045 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,599 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,940 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,511 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,427 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,594 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,176 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,435 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,472 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,187 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,752 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,067 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,242 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,924 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,261 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,114 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,230 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,592 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,003 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,391 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,275 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,840 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,351 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,611 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,715 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 8, 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
