TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology’s expansion plans for its UK headquarters keep running into opposition from various local groups. But one neighbor it could always count on was a sports club down the road. Now, that club has submitted new plans that suggest a rift. Alex Barnes-Ross explains! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Mental mass is the mass contained in the mental image pictures (facsimiles) in the reactive mind. It has weight; very tiny, but it has weight, and it actually has size and shape and so forth. Its proportionate weight would be terribly slight compared to the real object which the person is making a picture of.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1981
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“I might as well tell you why the foundation at 211 West Douglas just went out of the processing business entirely and is teaching as few students as possible and at this late date is going into research. I’m not quite sure what they’re going to research, but they’re just going into research and so I, this leaves as official entities in the field the HDAs in the field, the affiliates, that is to say the college associates, a professional school in Wichita, and whatever unit is here as far as the lineups are concerned, and of course this foundation. OK? This by the way is a big load off my mind because I’ve been wondering which way those people were going to jump, and sometimes suicides jump the wrong way. And all they seem to have gotten me for so far is to tell the income tax people that I’m vastly out of order on my income tax, so the income tax people are coming down. Do we have anybody around town who’s awfully good on income tax? Well, they wouldn’t let me look at any of the ’51 books, so I don’t know what income they’ve got written down. And they wiped out all my income just before income tax time, so I don’t know, I mean, I wrote the collector of internal revenue about a year ago and I said, ‘God, I’m confused.’ And he never replied, so I guess he is too….What do you know? Well we’ve got to make a couple of theta clears quick and wreck these income tax people right quick.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 11, 1952
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“MATA HARI: LISA O’KRACKEL, ‘the Mata Hari of our times,’ came aboard as the wife of Bill O’Krackel, made trouble, blew, was seen ashore hanging around for a week in Corfu, got $1,600 from her mother and left the area. Turns out she was married before to a Greek in Greece, was not divorced before she ‘married’ Bill. In the meantime she worked as a ‘pros’ in Las Vegas. She has six aliases (different names) and possibly 3 passports, one in her maiden name, one as the Greek’s wife and one as Bill’s ‘wife.’ We guess that Bill found out about her former marriage and no divorce and possibly that’s why she blew. We don’t know that she was here for info but for sure some wild left wing characters in the press are trying to talk about a disappeared ‘girl’ and had the crust to ask the Deputy Prime Minister of Greece about the ‘disappeared girl’ and ‘that ship in Corfu.’ The DPM said our ship was OK and he’d ‘look into the girl matter.’ Well, we’re also looking into it. We mean her no harm. But her blow is causing Dev T. Looks like another ‘Linda Smith’ plant.” — The Commodore, March 11, 1969
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“For all practical intents and purposes, we are the only Creator there is to be found in any known space or non-space. I take pride to know that we, collectively and individually, are our own known working masters and it is we that are learning to exert positive control over all of life and matter, and otherwise, I don’t see anything else happening any time soon if ever….You want a new planet, build it. You want a new star, build one. You want peace on Earth, make it happen.”
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1998: A German news crew flew a helicopter over Scientology’s Hemet, California base. From the Presse-Enterprise: “Federal aviation officials are investigating a complaint filed by the Church of Scientology alleging that a helicopter hired by two Germans flew too close to its school behind the Soboba Indian Reservation. The Germans, who authorities said were television reporters, later were involved in a confrontation with Scientology officials outside the school in which both sides arrested each other. Ken Hoden, general manager of the church’s Golden Era Productions, said Monday’s incident was related to the problems Scientologists have in Germany. He described the helicopter’s action as ‘a total disregard’ for the privacy and safety of the children who attend the Castile Canyon School. Scientologists believe two passengers in the helicopter were the same people who posed as German vacationers during a public tour of the church’s complex in Gilman Hot Springs on Sunday, Hoden said. They left after Hoden said he started questioning their motives because they matched the description of a couple who earlier had been ‘harassing’ the church’s headquarters in Los Angeles. Pilot Steve DeJesus said the Germans originally said they wanted to rent the helicopter to take photographs of the Soboba Indian Reservation east of San Jacinto. He said he flew within a safe distance of 300 to 500 feet above the school, disputing Scientologists’ claims that he came within 50 to 150 feet. ‘We didn’t fly over any people or over any buildings,’ DeJesus said. The children went into the buildings as soon as the helicopter appeared, he said. Arrested on trespassing charges were Ina Brockmann, 33, and Peter Reichelt, 40, both of Mannheim, Germany. Arrested on false imprisonment charges were Hoden, 51, Scientologist cameraman Francois Dejust, 35, school security guard Uwe Stuckenbrock, 34, and church employee Henry Batterton, 39.”
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“You people’s humanity is rubbing off on me and it’s making me unstable.”
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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 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.
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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] Piling on: Scientology’s RTC adds to appeal in Leah Remini lawsuit
[TWO years ago] They’ve done it again! Billboard goes up adjacent to Scientology HQ in Los Angeles
[THREE years ago] PODCAST: HBO ‘Q Into the Storm’ star Fredrick Brennan on Scientology and QAnon
[FOUR years ago] Confused by Scientology’s latest moves? L. Ron Hubbard can explain everything
[FIVE years ago] New Scientology magazine boasts that David Miscavige is now a Florida fixture
[SIX years ago] Masterson: Judge unimpressed by Scientology whining, denies request for sanctions
[SEVEN years ago] New government docs show Scientology trying to snow the Justice Dept after Snow White
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology TV goes live tomorrow at 8 pm Eastern on app, DirecTV
[NINE years ago] Source: Scientology made Danny Masterson’s Victim B search past lives to explain being raped
[TEN years ago] Belgian judge throws entire case against Scientology out of court on technicality
[ELEVEN years ago] The ‘Going Clear’ screening in Austin, featuring Marty Rathbun and other familiar faces
[TWELVE years ago] Judge in Laura DeCrescenzo’s case retires, Scientology objects to his replacement
[THIRTEEN years ago] LEAKED: Scripts Spell Out How Scientology Directs the Unsuspecting to Its Rehab Network
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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 3,564 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,068 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,574 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,124 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,114 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,500 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,995 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,299 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,950 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,168 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,722 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,063 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,634 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,550 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,717 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,299 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,558 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,310 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,875 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,190 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,365 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,047 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,384 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,237 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,353 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,715 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,126 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,514 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,398 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,962 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,474 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,734 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,838 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 11, 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
