TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Thank you to Alex Barnes-Ross for spotting this call to action by Scientology. It’s an appeal for Scientologists to contribute to an effort that will attempt to convince a major chain to carry the new line of books for children revealed by leader David Miscavige on March 14. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The gains pcs have had on the Happiness Rundown are numerous and varied, but there are certain gains that are common to all cases audited on the HRD. These follow in brief: All experienced improvements in their beingness, doingness and havingness, very often making very observable changes even near the beginning of the rundown. Confusions on the subject of right and wrong handled and replaced with workable stable data that can be used in day-to-day living. A sense of security and calmness about oneself and one’s future; knowing that one is indeed on the way to happiness. A return of ARC with life across each of the dynamics and increased ability to get along well with others.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1981
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“OK, and this is the 1st of April 1954, little more on simple procedures, basics. The problem which the auditor faces is a very simple problem. That’s what makes it so difficult. He has a human being who is out of present time. Ordinarily this is the target of the auditor, although you can use auditing on cats, dogs and horses, and so forth. As a matter of fact, I was auditing a horse the other day. Got him into present time, too. It’s very easy to audit a horse. All you make him do is reach for you and you retreat until he feels good and dangerous. And his spirits will come up and he’ll be in present time enough to be rid.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 1, 1954
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“OVERTS: In the interests of more truth on board, anyone feeling nattery should write up their overts and witholds and post them on the crew’s notice board with a copy to me. Hiding the real reasons behind natter roughs it up for the rest of us. We are after all a true group. Truth is the basis of group ARC.” — The Commodore, April 1, 1970
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“Membership figures in the Freezone — just like in the Church — have been dropping for decades so that the next generation is expected to be nothing but extravagant buildings owned and controlled by US government agencies like CST and RTC in order to increase illegal earnings of controlled intelligence non-governmental organizations (NGOs)….In the west, however, a toothless Scientology — which no longer audits effectively, thus leaving the reactive mind untouched, and no longer produces real Clears and OTs, but instead studies theory (‘The BASICS’) for the most part or, as in the Freezone, replaces the auditor’s training with ‘discussions about Scientology’s aspects in news groups’ — serves a similar purpose as the Freemasons’ lodges centuries ago: a reservoir for critical spirits, free thinkers and intelligent freedom fighters controlled by secret service circles.”
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1998: The St. Petersburg Times ran a story this week on Scientology’s growing attempts to influence Washington politics. “After years of holding the U.S. government in contempt, the Church of Scientology is enlisting members of Congress, the U.S. State Department and even President Clinton to advance its agenda in foreign lands. Prodded by the Scientologists’ paid lobbyists and its cadre of sympathetic entertainers, several lawmakers and the Clinton administration have criticized the German government for allegedly discriminating against Scientology practitioners. They even got their argument against Germany to the floor of the House of Representatives last November. The lobbying push comes amid an ongoing criminal investigation into a suspicious death of one of its parishioners at Scientology’s Clearwater headquarters – the latest in a history of controversy involving the church. That history includes convictions of 11 Scientologists on charges stemming from break-ins of government offices in the 1970s. Scientology has used lobbyists in Washington in the past, but in the years since the IRS ruling the organization has stepped up its lobbying effort. Records made public last week show that Religious Technology Center, a Scientology affiliate in Los Angeles, paid almost $725,000 to a Washington-based firm to lobby Congress in 1997 and 1996. David H. Miller, the managing partner of Federal Legislative Associates, said members of Congress initially were skeptical about his client and its checkered past. ‘What I’ve said to members is, ‘That’s all bulls—. That’s all extraneous. Let’s talk about the facts,’ he recalled, though he concedes: ‘What they are trying to do is live down some of their past mistakes.’ Miller, 50, is a former congressional aide who has been a lobbyist for 18 years. He and his firm represent clients such as the American Bankers Association and American Airlines. He is not, he said, a Scientologist. Miller, the lobbyist, said he has gradually tried to build a foundation of support that gives Scientologists’ claims of discrimination credence in Washington. The biggest victory in that regard has come from the U.S. State Department, which criticized the German government for its treatment of Scientologists in its annual human-rights report.”
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“Better to be pissed off than pissed on.”
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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] Scientology doc David Minkoff tries to argue out of lawsuit, Bunker will be watching
[TWO years ago] Flying under the radar: Scientology’s unexpected reprieve in Russia
[THREE years ago] PODCAST: John Sweeney stops by to chat about Scientology’s ‘dark nonsense’
[FOUR years ago] Surviving Scientology’s Sea Org for children was a nightmare of parental abandonment
[FIVE years ago] Izzy Chait, renowned art dealer and major Scientology figure, dead at 74
[SIX years ago] Scientologists are convinced that they can rescue the planet from deadly pandemic
[SEVEN years ago] Sword-wielding, Bentley-driving man killed by police at Scientology org identified
[EIGHT years ago] Scientologists are trying to convince each other that the new TV network is a roaring success
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s spies: L. Ron Hubbard’s twisted legacy that proved his sickness
[TEN years ago] Augustine: One weird trick every Scientologist needs to learn for real ‘total freedom’
[ELEVEN years ago] CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST SCIENTOLOGY DRUG REHABS IN CALIFORNIA
[TWELVE years ago] Hey, you guys, the new Scientology E-meter is a hit!
[THIRTEEN years ago] LEAK: Narconon’s Legal Affairs Director Admits No Scientific Basis for Advertised Success Rates
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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 3,585 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,089 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,595 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,145 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,135 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,521 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,016 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,320 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,971 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,189 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,743 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,084 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,655 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,571 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,738 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,320 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,579 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,331 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,896 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,211 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,386 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,068 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,405 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,258 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,374 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,736 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,147 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,535 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,419 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,983 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,495 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,755 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,859 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 1, 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
