TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: The recently departed Jefferson Hawkins was known for his accounts of being assaulted by Scientology leader David Miscavige. A reader tipped us there’s a connection to Grant Cardone in that tale, and suggested we ask Marc Headley about it. And wow, are we sure glad that we did! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The introduction of the Purification Rundown has brought thousands flocking into orgs and missions around the world and from the wins being reported on this very
basic action we can be assured that, with standard handling, this flow will continue. Already we have a vast public fresh from the purification Rundown and ready for
all the gain awaiting them on their next steps on the Bridge. We have entire staffs through purification and poised at the starting line for their next enhancement action. With so many now prepared for and in vital need of the technical levels that follow purification, how do we get all of this tech delivered? The answer: CO-AUDITS.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1980
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“Our problem at this time probably doesn’t have anything to do with making anybody better. Our problem, probably from here on out, is a problem of another hue and color. It is probably ‘Now having cracked the confounded thing, how do we keep this universe here?’ That’s probably a much more interesting problem.” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 31, 1957
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“It is of interest to Scientologists that the clamor raised over the years by Smersh about me and all the hard names called have not even faintly affected my membership in various and numerous high level associations and scientific societies and clubs. The list of these are quite long and all of them are a big ‘high and mighty’ in the arts, sciences and social stratas. I was just looking at my influx of magazines and notices of meetings and it struck me as rather funny that the highest of our detractors would give his back molars to be accepted into some of these groups. I also hadn’t realized the list was so long. Most of them black ball first and think about it afterwards. Yet for twenty years they have been very serene. So don’t get into the notion that the ‘power of the press’ has any real bearing on the world. According to this testimony of personal repute, the opposition might as well have spent their time yelling into a well. Thought it would be of some interest to you. US and UK press and TV have been quite favorable lately. So year by year the stats rise and reputation grows. And during all this time my own personal repute has remained very high in the places that matter. In the long view we are doing a very good job. Our only complaint is that we could do better and do it faster. But remember, it IS getting done.” — The Commodore, January 31, 1971
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“The subject here is the Covert Hostility 1.1 tone level. Disregard of this data (on excuses of politics, religion or human rights) has destroyed the 2nd Dynamic in the USA and the world. Disregard of this data is causing American millenials to vote for Karl Marx’s candidate Bernie Sanders. Sanders’ agenda is for the creation of US Gulags for those stupid millenials in Alaska.”
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2001: The St. Petersburg Times reported that Scientology has been identified as the owner of an apartment complex adjacent to the Hacienda Gardens, in which many Sea Org staff are housed. “The Church of Scientology has purchased a 120-unit apartment complex just north of its sprawling Hacienda Gardens staff housing on Saturn Avenue. Few people have heard about the church’s $4-million purchase of Sherwood Gardens Apartments in 1999 — the church bought it under a corporate name. No Scientology staff members live there now, but church spokesman Ben Shaw said Sherwood Gardens was purchased with an eye to the future. In coming years, the Church of Scientology plans to nearly double the number of staff members in Clearwater when the massive ‘Super Power’ building is completed downtown. When the church’s expansion is complete, the Clearwater staff will go from its existing 1,300 to at least 2,000 — and those additional 700 people will need somewhere to live. ‘That’s why Sherwood was gotten, as a stopgap for the future,’ said church spokesman Ben Shaw. ‘We wanted to make sure we had something.’ Shaw said most of the church’s existing housing in Clearwater, including Hacienda Gardens, already is full. The focus is on several major ongoing projects downtown, mainly the seven-story building going up across the street from the church’s Fort Harrison Hotel. In addition, renovations are continuing on the Osceola Inn, a vacant retirement center across from the church’s Sandcastle property. It is being renovated to accommodate parishioners who visit Sandcastle for advanced Scientology counseling. No tenants have been asked to leave, although longtime residents say it appears no effort has been made to fill apartments when they are vacated. About half the apartments are empty, said Jack Turk, 75, who has lived at Sherwood Gardens since 1977 and said he will wait and see what happens. Many tenants told the Times they no longer have leases. Those interviewed also said rents have not increased since the church purchased the complex. Shaw said the church won’t make any decisions about Sherwood Gardens for six months to a year. In the meantime, Shaw said, ‘nobody is going to ask them (the tenants) to go anywhere.'”
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“My father didn’t even want to go to Korea. He considered himself a socialist and he had already served in WWII and he had this incredibly cush job as Chief Steward on a luxury liner The Lorlene that sailed from S.F to Hawaii, so when he got his draft notice he threw it in the trash. They came aboard the ship and arrested him, sent him to the stockade for a few months and asked him if he wanted to stay there for the next 10 years or go to Korea. He went to Korea, became a tank sergeant and won a Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart…and he killed a Chinese soldier with his bayonet. That’s the thing he really brought home.”
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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] Mark Bunker scores again, with a pristine 4K restoration of Scientology at sea!
[TWO years ago] Report: Elisabeth Moss’s father still trying to get back in Scientology’s graces when he died
[THREE years ago] After Cruise, Moss, and Shelly noms, Valerie Haney called ‘obstructionist’ by Scientology
[FOUR years ago] And now for this word from Scientology about how great everything is!
[FIVE years ago] Scientology social media: Body thetans just don’t stand a chance as this planet is cleared!
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s 2020 Super Bowl ad is just like all the others: A mystery sandwich
[SEVEN years ago] Former members of the Lisa McPherson Trust reflect on Tuesday’s ‘Aftermath’ episode
[EIGHT years ago] A mini-trove of early Scientology materials has some gems for us today
[NINE years ago] For 30 grand or so, Scientology will let you into its shrine to L. Ron Hubbard. Here’s a peek.
[TEN years ago] Scientology attorney Bert Deixler writes a threat letter to Karen de la Carriere over TV show
[ELEVEN years ago] Jon Atack: Scientology’s elusive ‘Clears’ and ‘Operating Thetans’ — where have they been?
[TWELVE years ago] Leah Remini is still thumbing her nose at Scientology leader David Miscavige
[THIRTEEN years ago] Ursula Caberta Retiring: Her Thoughts On Fighting Scientology in Germany for 20 Years
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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 3,525 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,029 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,535 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,085 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,075 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,461 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,956 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,260 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,911 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,129 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,683 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,024 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,595 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,511 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,678 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,260 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,519 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,271 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,836 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,151 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,326 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,008 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,345 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,198 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,314 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,676 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,087 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,475 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,359 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,924 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,435 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,695 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,799 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on January 31, 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
