TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Appellate court justices asked pointed questions of both sides at yesterday’s oral arguments hearing in the civil lawsuit between Danny Masterson’s victims and the Church of Scientology. ALSO: Even after opening its gleaming new cathedral the Puerto Rico ‘org’ begs for cash [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“We now have a method for handling drugs on a person with unhandled drugs who, because he has gone Clear, should not be run on engrams. It is essential to handle drugs as covered in this issue. Otherwise one is placing the Pre-OT in jeopardy of waiting his auditing on the Grades as it will have been done over the bypassed charge of unhandled drug incidents. Once the pre-OT has attained OT III any remaining effects from drugs can be terminatedly handled on the OT Drug Rundown. Using this simple procedure we can ensure that the Dianetic Clear attains all the gains possible in his Grade Chart auditing, quite in addition to the relief and expansion
one experiences when freed from drug influences, as will occur on this new rundown. We now have the means by which the effects of drugs can be effectively handled for anyone at any position on the Bridge.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1980
——————–
“Theta doesn’t have space or time. And therefore it’s very simple: Theta can just as well be in Milwaukee as Paris, simultaneously. And the only reason why you are this size conceptually and not the size of the galaxy conceptually is because you find it handier to conceive yourselves to be this size. And you’re actually looking at a piece of the physical universe — you, your body. But as far as your mind is concerned, there is no reason why it can’t only stretch through this galaxy but could go through all the island universes. You see how that could be? There is no limit, then, on how wide a mind can expand or how small it can contract, because it’s not size and it’s not time or space. Also, there is no reason why I can’t think something today and have you pick it up six months ago.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 4, 1952
——————–
“ACTION BRIEFING: An FO-CBO on Action’s Responsibility for Briefing is issued in the wake of the first weeks stat reduction of Jbg, Celebrity Center and possibly London. The foremost WHY is that these were ‘loners,’ only sent one person to the FEBC who then went home and got his hard. Morale — 2 minimum FEBCs must be sent. In short, Hades broke loose here when the stats didn’t go up at once there in two instances. Those lone guys better get a 2nd FEBC here in a hurry. It takes a team. Lovely stat boosts in all the rest we sent out.” — The Commodore, March 4, 1971
——————–
“The current world situation is a conflict of powerful beings without individual identities but who operate as group identities and control first and second dynamic oriented beings. Scientology has barely touched these beings. They do not run individual bodies. I am just scraping the surface of the charge involved. There are probably only a few who will read this and become aware of the higher dynamic beings that they are attached to. Once one has freed oneself of the beings who have been BTs attached to oneself then it is time to look at who has one been a BT to and detach oneself from them. That will require a massive leap in responsibility. How to audit this is not easy to look into. LRH went into this in Class 8 tape one but I have only recently realized what he really meant. OT3 and NOTs are about freeing oneself from one’s BTs. After that one has to realize who one has been a BT to and free yourself.”
——————–
1998: Graham Berry announced that he has formed a new law firm to continue his practice and his cases against Scientology. “Since late 1991, I have been engaged almost continuously in the handling of numerous large cases filed by the Scientology organization. During those seven years, various major insurance carriers have invested nearly $5 million in developing my experience, skills and education in matters involving cults, coercive indoctrination and psycho-terror groups. I have decided to establish my own law firm to aggressively handle demanding and dangerous litigation. The Law Offices of Graham E. Berry, at least initially, will be a general litigation boutique available to handle last-minute trials and emphasizing matters involving cults, coercive indoctrination, psycho-terror groups and other dangerous and difficult opponents.”
——————–
“Bob, no offense, but thoughts don’t have mass.”
——————–
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 March 9.
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, which is now fully briefed. Awaiting the setting of an oral arguments hearing.
— 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. Oral arguments hearing on March 3.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration. 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] When the government comes down hard on Scientology grifters
[TWO years ago] David Miscavige and his shills open Scientology ‘Ideal Org’ in Chicago
[THREE years ago] PODCAST: Steve Cannane checks in after reporting from the war in Ukraine
[FOUR years ago] Scientology: Valerie Haney can’t rely on a court ruling that hasn’t been published!
[FIVE years ago] Read the brief filed by constitutional scholars supporting Danny Masterson’s accusers
[SIX years ago] Los Angeles District Attorney: Jackie Lacey leading as slow vote tally continues
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology made him suicidal, but that was only the beginning of his problems
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology laying on the ‘religious freedom’ act thicker than ever as its TV channel nears
[NINE years ago] In Scientology, you get to blame everything on your trillion-year-old mental booby traps
[TEN years ago] Scientology officials panicked about overdose death of star Narconon pupil: Boyfriend
[ELEVEN years ago] Scenes from the ‘Going Clear’ publicity caravan in midtown Manhattan
[TWELVE years ago] Bruce Hines takes us through Scientology’s Original Operating Thetan Level Seven!
[THIRTEEN years ago] Document Leak: Scientology Sexual Histories
——————–
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 3,557 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,061 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,567 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,117 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,107 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,493 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,988 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,292 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,943 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,161 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,715 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,056 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,627 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,543 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,710 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,292 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,551 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,303 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,868 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,183 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,358 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,040 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,377 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,230 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,346 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,708 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,119 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,507 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,391 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,955 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,467 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,727 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,831 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on March 4, 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
