TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Day after day, Scientology’s ‘caretakers’ stood by and watched Lisa McPherson deteriorate. How could they do that and not get her real care? Just a day before the 30th anniversary of her tragic end, we look back at the underlying Scientology concepts that created this horror. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“I have seen Mary Sue take over an HGC that had tons of unsolved cases and too few auditors and have watched her solve one case at a time and within 2 weeks have
35 auditors and no backlogs and in six weeks no unsolved cases! She was using the ‘old’, ‘historical’, ‘background’, ‘we don’t use them anymore’ processes! So it not only can be done, it is the thing to do. That org’s stats soared. It became solvent. It ran at a high run and was a happy org.” — 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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“It’s very simple to take a thetan and knock him into a state of somnolence and make him believe he is someplace else and then actually operate with him at that new place. You could, for instance, take a, go down the street here and find a lady of easy virtue and put her into a super trance and then tell her very convincingly while she’s in this super trance that you’re going to take care of her body, but you simply want her to go down and uh, be Mrs. Eisenhower. The darndest things would happen to Mrs. Eisenhower. This is one of the oldest political gimmicks in this universe. This is so old and so worn out as a political gimmick that nearly everybody has done it and he is now guilty of an overt act every time he thinks of it.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 4, 1952
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“We have obtained permission from local authorities to burn paper on the dock. An incinerator is being constructed and will be used to burn confidential papers. So — paper hoarders, get your trash ready and work out how and when you will burn the trash at the end of the dock.” — Lt. N.F. Starkey, Captain, December 4, 1971
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“While most of history’s philosophers were blinded by deductive logic, Ron stuck out his neck and proved that intuition can be right, and millions of success stories back him up. If Dianetics and Scientology didn’t work they would never have got off the ground to start with. Religions and atheism offer only aphorisms, mundane morality, and megatons of pomposity. ‘Do unto others…’ is about the best the world has come up with – but no actual tech….The suicide rate in the UK is at an all-time high. Marriages don’t last, and social ills just get worse and worse: the dire economy, terrorism, drug, alcohol abuse and crime won’t go away, on and on and on. But wait, there is a solution! ‘a tiny group of data’ has come to the rescue!”
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1998: Scientology pled not guilty to the criminal charges brought by the State of Florida in the Lisa McPherson case. From Reuters: “The Church of Scientology entered a ‘not guilty’ plea Monday to two criminal charges in the 1995 death of a woman member who was being cared for at the church’s regional headquarters in Clearwater. Attorneys for the group filed a written plea of not guilty to the charges in the 1995 death of Lisa McPherson with Pinellas County Circuit Court Judge Timothy Peters, his clerk said. The felony charges of abuse or neglect of a disabled adult and practicing medicine without a license in connection with McPherson’s death had been filed Nov. 13 by State Attorney Bernie McCabe. The criminal charges do not name any individuals, so if the church were found guilty it could only be fined. A pretrial conference on the charges is expected to be held next month, the clerk said.”
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“David Miscavige is the Sarah Winchester of cult leaders. He just keeps building and building, trying to keep the ghosts of his and Hubbard’s victims at bay.”
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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:
— 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.
— 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] She’ll keep your kids busy while you make your pilgrimage to Scientology’s ‘mecca’!
[TWO years ago] Leah Remini spells out Scientology’s abuses in stunning new court declaration
[THREE years ago] Scientology leader David Miscavige unloads epic rant about Leah Remini after mistrial
[FOUR years ago] Scientology wants your feedback, thetan: ‘Who would you like to hear from?’
[FIVE years ago] WHOA! Scientology to Judge Kleifield: Wrecking human lives IS our ‘commerce’
[SIX years ago] Danny Masterson is served rape lawsuit in papers delivered to his wife Bijou Phillips
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology is known for its use of spies — and tonight, you’ll hear from one
[EIGHT years ago] Yes, L. Ron Hubbard wrote even more about children and sex, and we need to talk about it
[NINE years ago] A new technology shows promise for treating depression, so Scientology wants to kill it
[TEN years ago] How Scientology ‘caretakers’ could stand by and watch Lisa McPherson deteriorate
[ELEVEN years ago] ‘Chicago Fire’ actor Christian Stolte sets off an alarm about Scientology and the actors’ union
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology’s Shiny New Mark Ultra VIII E-Meter
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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 3,467 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,971 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,477 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,027 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,017 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,403 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,898 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,202 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,853 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,071 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,625 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,966 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,537 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,453 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,620 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,202 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,461 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,498 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,213 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,778 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,093 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,268 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,950 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,287 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,140 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,256 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,618 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,029 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,417 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,301 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,866 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,377 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,637 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,741 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 4, 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
