TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: A brave publication in Mexico that takes risks writing about things like drug cartels has also taken on coverage of Scientology. Church leader David Miscavige was very unhappy it, and had his personal attack dog, Jeffrey Riffer, send in a fiery letter. We have it for you! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“IS THE PC WEARING TIGHT SHOES? Handling: Remove them. IS THE PC WEARING TIGHT CLOTHES? Handling: If it turns out that tight clothing is affecting the TA ensure that the pc doesn’t wear tight clothes in future sessions. If possible have the pc remove the tight clothing and see what the effect was that it had on the TA and make sure no more tight clothes are worn in future sessions.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1980
——————–
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
——————–
“By the way, professional football is nowhere near as successful as college football; that is to say, people go to see college games. Well, actually I won’t go see a college game because I know most of those players are on the payroll. I was, by the way, the first boy in America to bust that story to the print, to the newspapers: professional paid football players on college teams. I didn’t get expelled for it, my fellow editor got expelled. But he didn’t really get expelled, he just simply got disgusted. And he is now one of the top sports editors of America. But the two of us found that college, the college — our own college — was paying considerable salary under the name of scholarships and bonuses and things like that, to good football players in order to make a good football team. And they were getting in more money at the stadium for every game than they were getting in through the tuition window. And this was an interesting story, we thought. So we broke it in the college paper and broke it over the Scripps-Howard newschain, which I was associate editor of the paper and my pal was also a sports reporter, as well as a student, on the paper.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 17, 1954
——————–
“B. BEREZ: Goodbye Mr. Berez. You who used ethics most wrongly were found with a huge tin of marijuana to be the most out-ethics person aboard. B. Berez, you were the longest aboard in all the out ethics days of the old RSM. We can blow some charge on that. So goodbye Mr. Berez. I trust you will soon go up in smoke.” — The Commodore, December 17, 1968
——————–
“Ron after 1972 was not himself anymore. Whatever happened to him, he was destroyed. Game over for him. He was either a clone or a heavily PDHed messed up shadow of his former self. I can say that I consider Ron as the best genius on this planet. But in my view, clearly after 1972 he is not that anymore. He’s fake after that. Whoever got him, be it CIA/FBI or Aliens, Marcabs, matter less. He was being used by others to destroy Scientology from within.”
1997: Bob Minton has received additional harassment from Scientology and press publicity from his efforts to fund Scientology-reform causes. One piece of harassment arrived at his New Hampshire home. “My wife arrived at our house in NH a few moments ago to find a dead, but otherwise healthy looking, cat on our doorstep. Who do you suppose deposited this cat there?” Bob has agreed to become a memeber of the FACTNet board. “Bob became concerned with the activities of cult groups through the Internet, and has become increasingly active in exposing cults’ tactics. FACTNet hopes to provide Bob ample opportunity to continue these activities by joining efforts with us, and welcomes him as an exceptional addition to the organization!”
——————–
“After Waco the political will to do anything about cults vanished. The main reason they finally did something about Warren Jeffs and the FLDS was because it was a pedo factory. America is a very religious country and it’s also a celebrity-obsessed country. When you have names like Cruise and Travolta running interference for you, you can run a long way.”
——————–
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. Appeal now fully briefed, waiting for 2nd Appellate District court to set a hearing date. Masterson has also submitted a habeas corpus petition.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Pleaded guilty on Nov 10 to a 17-year prison sentence (eligible for parole in two to three more years). Awaiting transfer to state prison.
— Aaron Matthes charged for SA of child under 12 years old: OT Scientologist facing multiple mandatory life sentences. Next pretrial court hearing set for Feb 2.
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 respondent’s brief is due January 12.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ 15 days of arbitration completed, Val waiting for further word from the IJC.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Appeal fully briefed. Motion to replace Jane Does’ AI-tainted brief denied by court. Awaiting a court hearing date.
— 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] Why Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard isn’t coming back to Earth
[TWO years ago] Life in Scientology: Saving the planet and lining your pockets at the same time!
[THREE years ago] Florida Bar past president hired to stop court from serving lawsuit on David Miscavige
[FOUR years ago] Growing up in Scientology’s Sea Org, and encountering David Miscavige: A look back
[FIVE years ago] Scientology hopes to benefit from Michael Jackson estate’s arbitration win against HBO
[SIX years ago] The Scientology spy who wants desperately to come in from the cold
[SEVEN years ago] Finally, Scientology spells out its crazy ideas in a video you weren’t supposed to see
[EIGHT years ago] Mexico officially recognizes Scientology as a religion, Miscavige claims at New Year’s event
[NINE years ago] Scientology is totally reading your comments here — and you’re scaring them senseless
[TEN years ago] FELONY RAPS FOR SCIENTOLOGISTS RUNNING L.A. REHAB SCAM WITH CORRUPT EDUCATORS
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s Clark Carr: Those letters after my name were no good and I didn’t know it
[TWELVE years ago] At OT 3, you learn you have space cooties — how do you get rid of them? Scientology exorcism!
[THIRTEEN years ago] Did Scientology Kill Joel Sappell’s Dog?
——————–
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 3,480 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,984 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,490 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,040 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,030 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,416 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,911 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,215 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,866 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,084 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,638 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,979 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,550 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,466 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,633 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,215 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,474 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,226 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,791 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,106 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,281 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,963 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,300 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,153 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,269 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,631 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,042 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,430 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,314 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,879 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,390 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,650 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,754 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on December 17, 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
