TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Through Dec 5, the 30th anniversary of Lisa McPherson’s tragic death, we’re going to be remembering in real time the many unusual and distressing details of her story, which remains today Scientology’s most awful scandal and a reminder of how this organization still operates. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“Students, particularly when they are new, sometimes get into an exchange of verbal data or opinion while they are twinning. A Supervisor must be on the alert for this and step in to handle at once when he observes it happening. He uses study tech to straighten the scene out and always refers the students to the above mentioned HCOBs on verbal tech. Twinned students, of course, bear a responsibility for not spreading verbal tech, neither between themselves nor to anyone else, for that matter. A twin always refers his fellow student to source materials.” — 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
——————–
“It is interesting that the Tagalogs weren’t ever told that you were supposed to stop when you were hit by a bullet. So they would get hit with three or four bullets through the heart and one through the head and then run seventy-five yards and take a machete and whack off an American soldier’s head. This was disconcerting to our troops during the Philippine insurrection. So we sent a lot of people in and convinced them that when you were hit by a bullet you were supposed to die. They have never repeated this performance. That is an interesting datum. And yet there were lots of Tagalogs running around getting shot at during World War II and none of them put on this kind of a performance. What actually happened to them was mechanical.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 12, 1951
——————–
“Radical sweeping changes based on the wrong why can crash an org or area. When stats are awful or near zero it doesn’t much matter what you do. But when they’re on a nice steady week after week rise DON’T CHANGE ANYTHING! As one’s pay and morale and Scientology advance depends on this know-how, it is very very important!” — The Commodore, November 12, 1970
——————–
“Many gods rule the Matrix. They are the same ones since the Egyptians but names were changed for the Greek and Roman gods. There is one head God, many lesser gods, the watcher gods are in the millions and ultimately the ones that are here in charge of the prison planet and take human form.”
——————–
1997: The upcoming Channel 4 documentary on L. Ron Hubbard continues to make news as Scientology harasses the creators of the piece with private investigator Eugene Ingram. Chris Owen reported that the police are now looking for Eugene in the UK. “I’m told that the police have now issued a warrant for Ingram’s arrest. The offence, I presume, is criminal harassment which now – following Michael Howard’s infamous Criminal Justice Act – carries a stiff jail sentence. Because we don’t have regional jurisdictions in this country, the warrant means that any police force in England and Wales is now required to arrest Ingram on sight. If anyone sees Ingram while he’s still in the UK, call Tunbridge Wells police; they’ll be interested to hear from you! The Channel 4 documentary on Hubbard (19th Nov, 9pm) has resulted in further sustained bad publicity for Scientology. Following John Travolta’s attempt to bully C4 into dropping the programme and the Independent on Sunday’s expose of Scientology PI Eugene Ingram’s harassment of the film’s authors, virtually every newspaper and TV listings guide has selected the programme as their ‘pick of the day’.” From the Guardian: “Having gained instant fame as the film John Travolta doesn’t want you to see, Jill Robinson’s expose of L. Ron Hubbard, sci-fi fantasist turned self-proclaimed messiah, goes ahead as planned. Of course, accusations of fraudulent behaviour are hardly a recent phenomenon. Hubbard spent half his life on the run from charges of being a gold-digging charlatan – at one point escaping to the high seas, and countering investigation by the US authorities with Operation Snow White, a military-styled exercise to infiltrate high office. What’s so damning is the personal recollections by Hubbard’s former associates: the man who wanted out when L. Ron’s son – under the influence of speed – recounted his past life as a primordial clam. Or the woman who watched aghast as Hubbard, by this time suffering from a paranoia of almost Stalinist proportions, imprisoned a young boy for two days for some minor misdemeanor. Church of the poisoned mind, indeed.”
——————–
“I’m bemused that ex-Scientologists still actively engage in magical thinking, not realizing that the number one reason that they got sucked into Scientology in the first place is because they were already engaged in magical thinking through a belief and interest in the supernatural and the paranormal which had already placed them on the slippery slope to cult hell.”
——————–
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:
— 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.
— 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] Danny Masterson’s attorney is helping Priscilla Presley play hardball in court
[TWO years ago] Gottfried Helnwein: The celebrated artist and his loud silence on Scientology
[THREE years ago] LAPD responds to Leah Remini tweets about Shelly Miscavige, gets stuff wrong
[FOUR years ago] Lest we forget: Scientology started out as quack cure-all, selling electronic snake oil
[FIVE years ago] Valerie Haney takes fight against Scientology ‘arbitration’ to California Supreme Court
[SIX years ago] Woman who fled Scientology after being lured in by Jason Dohring acting class goes public
[SEVEN years ago] AUDIO: Scientology fundraising throws in a little conspiracy-mongering for effect
[EIGHT years ago] Tonight on ‘Leah Remini’: Scientology’s front groups, including Narconon, get a special look
[NINE years ago] Leah Remini schools us on what motivates Scientologists to toe the line
[TEN years ago] Countdown to Room 174: Remembering, in real time, Scientology’s grimmest scandal
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Photoshopping: Erasing L. Ron Hubbard’s second wife from ‘The RON Series’
[TWELVE years ago] Bruce Hines Joins Us As Claire Headley Keeps Us Moving Through Scientology’s OT Levels!
[THIRTEEN years ago] Scientology Desperately Wants Your Children: The Cruise Ship Come-On
——————–
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 3,445 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,949 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,455 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,005 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,995 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,381 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,876 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,180 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,831 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,049 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,603 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,944 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,515 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,431 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,598 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,180 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,439 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,476 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,191 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,756 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,071 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,246 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,928 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,265 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,118 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,234 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,596 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,007 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,395 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,279 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,844 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,355 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,615 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,719 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on November 12, 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
