TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Bad enough that the Boies Schiller firm blundered with AI errors in a filing that Scientology pounced on in the Danny Masterson civil lawsuit, but now the court has rejected a make-up brief that was intended to fix those errors. ALSO: Brooks Gibbs on the Clearwater council clash [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Permissive, namby-pamby, pat-a-cake TRs have no place in the training of an auditor or on a bona fide TRs Course. A student who hasn’t mastered his TRs won’t master any of the training that follows them. The way to master TRs is to drill them the hard way. It is Hard TRs that make an auditor. (A more gradient approach to TRs would be taken on the HAS Course where the new Scientologist is getting his first taste of how to handle communication in his everyday life and livingness.)” — 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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“You will normally find that semen and money cause the biggest commotion on a meter dial.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 23, 1953
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“EPIZOOTICS: A 48 to 64 hour illness is around. The number is decreasing. The last port of students brought it. High temperature, chills, aches in lower back and legs, strong headache, diarrhea are the symptoms. It hasn’t been named as to what it is. Probably some type of Flu that got loose from a Roche bacteriological warfare project to raise their dividends on anti-biotics sales. We get a lower percentage than other groups. But that it hits at all shows the need of stepped up auditing action. We have far too few auditors in Qual. Group numbers doubled but Qual auditors didn’t. Student and public lines increased in delivery hour potential didn’t. I have now speeded up tech results which should help.” — The Commodore, November 23, 1970
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“In our role as Scientologists and opinion leaders, some of us know that the use of thetans as actual non-material thetans, those who don’t depend on MEST to accomplish their goals, is the way to go and the way towards spiritual freedom. Whereas others clearly want to buy into MEST extension, development, and advances at the expense of our innate theta abilities and our own thetan usefulness, which is far above MEST activities, and so my position is that we thetans should or only need to accept MEST solutions at an even decreasing amount. We must beat MEST and MEST lovers at their own game. I am using my smartphone to comm with you but we must not let AI and 5G self-coordinate and run our society automatically — the direction already begun.”
2001: AAP reported that Scientology celebrity Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman have settled their divorce without a court battle. “Under the settlement, struck to avoid a courtroom showdown, Kidman, 34, and Cruise, 39, agreed to joint custody of their adopted children, Isabella, eight, and six-year-old Conor. She will keep their $US10 million five-bedroom mansion in Pacific Palisades, near Los Angeles, and their $US5 million eight-bedroom, three-storey villa on the Sydney harbour front. Cruise got their $US5 million 110-hectare estate in Telluride, Colorado’s best skiing area, and kept control of his three aeroplanes. The couple have agreed that they can continue to be educated in a private school in Australia, at home in Los Angeles, and with tutors when Cruise or Kidman are filming on location. Both parents will make joint decisions about their education and religious upbringing. There had been claims the couple had disagreed on whether the children should be brought up in Cruise’s religion of Scientology or follow Kidman’s Catholic upbringing.”
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“All along the Bridge, in the lectures mainly, LRH drops all sorts of clues, inferences, asides that the whole thing was a game and that there was an inside joke. Unfortunately a certain percentage of the faithful failed to pick up on this.”
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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] The evidence is in: Alex Barnes-Ross reflects on Scientology’s effort to ban protests
[TWO years ago] Judge removes some allegations from lawsuit by Danny Masterson victims
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s richest in 2022: Where have all the whales gone?
[FOUR years ago] Court finds schizophrenic teen not responsible for killing at Aussie Scientology HQ
[FIVE years ago] More former Church of Scientology members describe life after Miscavige
[SIX years ago] In Touch sold out to Enquirer’s parent, so now it starts up with the Tom-foolery
[SEVEN years ago] Here is what’s in the documents that are prompting a new look at Casey Kasem’s death
[EIGHT years ago] We’ve cooked up for you a special Scientology Thanksgiving — so pass the Source!
[NINE years ago] Before Leah Remini burns it to the ground, here’s Scientology’s side of the story
[TEN years ago] Another Scientology rehab death — and why this one is particularly bad for David Miscavige
[ELEVEN years ago] VIDEO: Watch a Scientology spy get busted by Marc Headley in Las Vegas last night
[TWELVE years ago] Jon Atack: Why do Scientologists Find it So Difficult to Apologize?
[THIRTEEN years ago] Scientology Interviews John Travolta: Oddly, Massage Therapy Not Discussed
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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 3,456 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,960 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,466 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,016 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,006 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,392 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,887 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,191 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,842 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,060 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,614 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,955 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,526 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,442 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,609 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,191 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,450 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,487 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,202 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,767 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,082 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,257 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,939 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,276 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,129 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,245 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,607 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,018 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,406 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,290 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,855 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,366 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,626 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,730 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 23, 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
