TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Only days into a 7-year sentence, convicted fraudster and longtime Scientology donor David Gentile was freed from custody Wednesday. The White House didn’t grant clemency to Gentile’s non-Scientologist crime partner, the latest sign of Scientology’s in with this president. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The pc is continually searching for the significance of a mass or force – what is it, why is it. The C/S is easily led astray by this. All forces in the bank contain significances. All forces can be unburdened and lightened up by the various procedures of auditing. The search of the pc is for significance. The action of the C/S is reduction of forces.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1980
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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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“Clearing, actually, is not nice. And if you’re looking for some nice, sweet procedure, why, you know, be an art critic and don’t get audited. Spend all your time in the galleries where it’s quiet and serene and nothing ever happens.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 30, 1961
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“Good News: ASHO, AOSH DK and AOLA all have higher stats. Clarice Jackson is reported to be doing absolutely fantastically and one of the most respected people in the whole area known widely in the US for her first actions. She issued ‘writs of expulsion from the church’ on Berez, Taunton, Deitsch and Bernie Green and things are cooling off. Big factors in the upsurge are said to be sending Fred Hare, the new stable datum materials and new OT III results. Guardian lines show us fighting on enemy terrain for the first time, not our own. She had loads of good news and is overjoyed with her Gdn offices.” — The Commodore, November 30, 1969
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“The majority of stuff above OT 2 is mostly false and limiting data. AKA: bullshit. It causes psychosis. No exception. I know many people who are psychotic after doing the bridge past OT 2. I was warned 22 yrs ago, not to go past OT 2.”
2001: The Riverside Press-Enterprise reported that Scientology is shooting a movie at Gold Base, near Hemet, California. “A booming cannon shoots toward a row of cottonwood trees on the lush, grassy fields of 17th-century France. Fifteen minutes later, the fire lands among a cluster of charging soldiers wearing goatees, creamy white cravats and feathers in their hats. Three of them drop. Then they get up and try it again. When it’s finished, Golden Era Productions will have an educational video showing how war never solves mankind’s real problems. Golden Era Productions, located in Gilman Hot Springs northwest of San Jacinto, makes educational and training films for the Church of Scientology. Staff members who work on the 520-acre site do everything from sewing costumes to acting and filming. The film will be used for educational purposes in Scientology churches all over the world.”
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“Professors Kent and Touretzky are the go-to guys in the academic study of Scientology and cults in general.”
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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] Mark Bunker as you’ve never seen him, taking on Scientology with ‘Bunkology’!
[TWO years ago] David Miscavige’s nod to John Travolta debunks another tabloid ‘leaving Scientology’ fantasy
[THREE years ago] As jury looks at Jane Doe 3, let’s keep in mind Cohen’s statement about unconscious rape
[FOUR years ago] Scientology ‘honors’ veterans by lying about founder L. Ron Hubbard’s war record
[FIVE years ago] Kirstie Alley is wrong on Leah Remini & Shelly Miscavige. We know because we broke the story.
[SIX years ago] Guy White opens his big mouth: The former Hubbard family member spills on Scientology!
[SEVEN years ago] LEAH REMINI: Los Angeles DA Jackie Lacey, do your job already
[EIGHT years ago] The new list of Scientology donors is out early this year — and the biggest whale is missing!
[NINE years ago] Amy Scobee: ‘Even on her deathbed, my mom was fighting Scientology and disconnection’
[TEN years ago] Where it all began for us: Rick Ross, David Koresh, and the Church of Scientology
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: An oily and super powered edition of our weekly feature!
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Celebrates its Legal Defense Slush Fund, and What a Party!
[THIRTEEN years ago] Miscavige Gets His Wish: Marty Rathbun Pulling Up Stakes?
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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 3,463 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,967 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,473 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,023 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,013 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,399 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,894 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,198 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,849 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,067 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,621 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,962 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,533 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,449 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,616 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,198 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,457 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,494 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,209 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,774 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,089 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,264 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,946 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,283 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,136 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,252 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,614 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,025 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,413 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,297 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,862 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,373 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,633 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,737 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 30, 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
