TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Alex Barnes-Ross reminds us that Scientology’s real cost isn’t counted in dollars or pounds, but in human lives. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“Probably the reason why the Purification Rundown works is that it handles the one side of it and thus fixes the person up so that the other side, the bank facsimile
side of it, is no longer restimulative or in constant restimulation. It’s as simple as that. What, amongst other things, is happening on the Purification Rundown is that you cause an upset of this perfect balance and suddenly this balance goes b-z-z-z-t! The balance isn’t there anymore so you don’t get the cross reaction anymore. But it takes auditing to totally erase the bank. In other words, while the balance has been upset, all of the bank facsimiles are not gone. They’re not keying in and they’re not being reinforced by the presence of drug residuals but they’re not necessarily blown. A thetan can mock up anything. Thus, as the person is coming down off the Rundown on gradient Niacin and other vitamin dosages, he can hit an area where some factor in the environment can cause the facsimile to go into restimulation again. You can get a bank reaction which, so far as anyone could tell, would be absolutely identical to what the physiological reaction would be.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1980
——————–
“The entirety of physics and the natural sciences pursues from a degradation of the mind. Awfully broad statement, but a very true one. If every place you’ve ever been is related to where you are, you’ve had it. It says at once you never could have had, and promises that you never can have, another universe — which I think is very cute; it’s a total trap.” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 29, 1957
——————–
“All semblance of anything that could be called ‘Hippiness’ must be eradicated for the next month. Better get started now on haircuts and beard off or trim. Be sure you haven’t only got miniskirts. The PRO mock up for your next month is very proper personal appearance. Clean cloths, clean braid, clean shirts for the officers. Lots of baths. Sleek personal appearance is the watch word for the next month. It fits in with why you are going on this cruise.” — The Commodore, January 29, 1970
——————–
“Dear New Era Scientologists, I am feeling very festive at the start of this 2020. 20-20 is the year everyone’s eyesight opens up! The Commodore’s technical advancements deserve a big party. Better yet, I think we should have a big party every month just to celebrate how great a bunch of people we all are. I could easily organize a big party to mark 2020 as the best ever New Era milestone. New Era individuals could be encouraged to celebrate on an appointed date in all of the principal areas where we reside. How say you?”
——————–
1999: Time Magazine published an article on John Travolta’s movie project Battlefield Earth, based on an L. Ron Hubbard novel. “JONATHAN KRANE says the new deal calls for small indie Franchise Pictures, run by L.A. club owner and actress Tia Carrere’s husband Elie Samaha, to finance the production. Travolta, a Scientology adherent, will produce and star as a space villain named Terl. Hollywood insiders had gossiped that major studios shied away from the project because of the connection to Hubbard, but Krane insists the production is completely unrelated to the group. ‘I’ve never even dealt with or talked to the church on this,’ says Krane, who is not a member. ‘This is an action-adventure, science-fiction story. Period. The movie has nothing to do with Scientology.'”
——————–
“Does anyone else here understand how hard it is to explain to a complete stranger that your relative is a Scientologist?”
——————–
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.
——————–
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?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] For you doubters, a new batch of totally true Scientology miracles!
[TWO years ago] Court showdown over Scientology leader David Miscavige evading service coming next week
[THREE years ago] Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, spiritual father of the Fair Tax bill in Congress
[FOUR years ago] He shilled for Scientology’s Covid ‘Stay Well’ program — and now he’s dead of the disease
[FIVE years ago] Scientology anti-masker Leigh Dundas absconds to Mexico, Jan 6 video of her turns up
[SIX years ago] Tom Cruise’s sister Cass the real superhero in the family, now with Scientology SUPER POWER
[SEVEN years ago] Accused rapist Danny Masterson hangs out with pal Ashton Kutcher at Scientology wedding
[EIGHT years ago] Joy Villa’s ex-manager on the ‘pro-life’ Grammys dress: We’re not fooled this time
[NINE years ago] Scientology recruits a new ally — a real life ‘Forrest Gump’
[TEN years ago] Scientology puts out a new ‘media guide’ that is as honest as you would imagine
[ELEVEN years ago] How Scientologists are dealing with the buzz around Alex Gibney’s ‘Going Clear’
[TWELVE years ago] The best parts of Steven Mango’s ‘documentary’ on Scientology’s Celebrity Centre
[THIRTEEN years ago] More Signs of Scientology’s Armageddon as the Media Take Aim
——————–
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 3,523 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,027 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,533 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,083 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,073 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,459 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,954 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,258 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,909 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,127 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,681 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,022 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,593 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,509 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,676 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,258 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,517 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,269 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,834 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,149 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,324 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,006 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,343 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,196 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,312 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,674 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,085 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,473 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,357 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,922 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,433 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,693 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,797 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on January 29, 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)
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates.
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
