TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’re pleased to bring you a message from Michael J. Rinder Aftermath Foundation executive director Phil Jones: The Foundation is having a fundraiser in Denver this March featuring stand-up comic John Novosad. Join the laughs and help this group aid people leaving Scientology! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“An individual’s survival depends to a large degree on his ability to put order into things and produce a valuable product. Without this, the individual is out exchange with his environment and other people. An individual who is not producing is not surviving and in fact becomes mentally or physically ill. He is incompetent. His morale is out the bottom and he is not expanding. An individual who can bring about order and who can produce a valuable product has high morale. He is in exchange with his environment and other people, and it is exchange which maintains the inflow and outflow that gives a person space around him and keeps the bank off of him. Such an individual has a high survival potential, indeed!” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1980
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“The technology we have, without any thought at all we can make the sane saner and the insane sane, and the breakthrough which exists here technically is so strong that it actually cuts though the normal protective mechanisms of the mind, wham, wham. And that the use of this material by any but a well organized, well disciplined group would be very fatal, quite lethal. And therefore we’re in the peculiar position now of not being able to export all the technology we have, because the areas into which we would export it, and the orgs into which we export it are insufficiently organized to be able to handle and control it.” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 18, 1971
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“‘CHILDREN’: By FO No. 301 a Condition of non-existence is assigned to any member of the ships company that obstructs a child from doing his or her work, deprives the child of his possessions or his job. This applies to all cadets and Middies as well.” — The Commodore, January 18, 1971
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“LRH said that the release of OT9 and above required a large group of people through OT8 and many orgs the size of old Saint Hill. If OT9 were first dynamic levels then such would not be necessary. The Church of Scientology and the Sea Org are not real groups as they operate on inverted third dynamics to the detriment of the individual first dynamics. True groups involve the interactions of individuals who are surviving on the first and second dynamic. The authoritarian hierarchical structure of Scientology organizations makes that impossible. We have a long way to go.”
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2002: Scientology critic Roger Gonnet is on trial in Villefranche, France for allegedly making Internet-posted threats against Scientology attorney Kendrick Moxon. From Le Progres: “For targeting on the net an American attorney defending the cult, Roger Gonnet was before the penal Court of Villefranche sur Saone for ‘provocation to commit a crime’ or misdemeanor of insult. ‘Le Secticide’ is the title of the website created in 1997 by Roger Gonnet. This man shows a remarkable energy to denounce the practices of the cult. M. Gonnet says he has the largest world-wide website against Scientology in French language. A member of this movement from 1974 to 1982, he created the Lyon Scientology organization. ‘I have helped the Scientology church with a good faith. I’ve always had doubts and have criticized the cult when I was a member,’ did said in a ‘Le Monde’ column in June 2001. Yesterday, before the penal Court in Villefranche sur Saone, Roger Gonnet was charged of ‘incitation to a crime not having been followed of a result,’ and of ‘public insult.’ ‘Why don’t you kill Moxon?’ asked Roger Gonnet on a
newsgroup. Moxon is the American attorney of the ‘Church of Scientology.’ Nobody could take it as anything but a joke, replies Roger Gonnet. T The Parisian counsel of Mister Moxon established some comparison between the American anti-abortion leagues and the threats suffered by doctors. The attorney says that ‘someone unbalanced could take this message seriously. M. Gonnet can’t guarantee that those reading this message will be as wise as himself or have his humor.’ He ask 10000 F damages. For the defense, attorney Michel Delmas shall demonstrate some doubts about the incriminating words. He’ll explain in detail the purpose of his
client. Waiting at the doors of the Justice Court, a Parisian responsible of the church of Scientology has traveled to Villefranche. He’s waiting journalists. Jean-Louis Gagnot explains why the words of Roger Gonnet are dangerous and why the man is, according to him, not credible. ‘No problems if he criticizes us, but threats, no! We won’t let that be done,’ says the Scientologist.”
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“I’ve already exteriorized three times today…without coffee!”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: 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 February 11.
— 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.
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Other links: The prosecution of Danny Masterson. Leah Remini’s Fair Game Podcast. Leah Remini’s A&E Series. Scientology’s Celebrities, from A to Z. Bryan Seymour’s suppressed series, 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] Anonymous fought ‘disconnection’ — but Scientology never stops destroying families
[TWO years ago] VIDEO: Apostate Alex’s MP calls for government investigation of Scientology!
[THREE years ago] ‘WHOA’: Scientology selling ‘Total Immortality’ in slick new video!
[FOUR years ago] Leah Remini interviews one of the original online troublemakers: Andreas Heldal-Lund
[FIVE years ago] Scientology nostalgia: Never-before-seen photos from a 2001 celebrity wankfest
[SIX years ago] Narconon whistleblower Lucas Catton puts out a new memoir about his Scientology nightmare
[SEVEN years ago] Filmmakers tell us why they decided to help Scientology with its new TV network
[EIGHT years ago] A new chapter for one of the best Scientology books of all time? Yes, and we have it!
[NINE years ago] Leah Remini has changed Scientology forever — which episode was your favorite?
[TEN years ago] Stalked in New Orleans cemetery: Scientology’s secretive defectors getting more open
[ELEVEN years ago] VIDEO LEAK: See former Scientology official Marty Rathbun interrogated under oath
[TWELVE years ago] Jon Atack on Scientology’s fundamental feature: the thousand-yard stare
[THIRTEEN years ago] Blogging Dianetics, Part 3: The Meaning of Life!
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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 3,512 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,016 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,522 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,072 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,062 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,448 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,943 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,247 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,898 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,116 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,670 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,011 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,582 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,498 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,665 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,247 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,506 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,258 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,823 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,138 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,313 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,995 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,332 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,185 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,301 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,663 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,074 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,462 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,346 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,911 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,422 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,682 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,786 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on January 18, 2026 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter.
Our book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is 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)
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Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
