TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Last week we found a photo from Scientology’s L. Ron Hubbard Birthday Event that showed Tom Cruise and John Travolta cheering David Miscavige. But in other more prominent photos, they were missing. Why doesn’t Dave want the world to know they were there? We asked an expert. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The staffing of the Qual Division, with particular attention given to cramming and the standardness of its operations, is vital to an organization’s survival and expansion. Therefore it is the responsibility of the senior executives in any org to ensure that this occurs. It is very important that all staff in an organization fully understand what cramming is and what its purpose and function is in relation to themselves and the org as a whole. Without this understanding you are not likely to use cramming to get yourself corrected or to correct your juniors or fellow staff members. With this understanding you will be more receptive to correction and cramming and you will also know what to expect and demand from cramming in terms of results.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1981
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“Is there any way to lick this thing called life? Well, that’s quite a thing to undertake, really. All in a few minutes, sit down with some preclear and go bang, bang, bang, and he feels better. Remember, this individual, at least so far as we can trace on an E-Meter has been about 76 trillion years on a track. He’s had experience after experience after experience after experience. He’s been through things they wouldn’t dare film or describe anywhere. And yet, we have the total conceit of — in using a few words — of attempting to resolve his wobbliness, his inabilities, his incapacities which have resulted from these experiences.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 8, 1954
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“DEMOTION: Pending Comm Ev for muddying up port relations Mike Smith, Peter Warren, and Amos Jessup are removed from post and restricted to the ship. Ship’s Rep actions will be undertaken by the Purser and the 3rd Mate….I finally got data enough to get things handled and, with reservations, all is okay. If a problem or situation can’t be handled get it to somebody who can handle it. Don’t sit on it until the roof falls in. People only get bit for (a) not taking responsibility for their areas and for (b) failing to do their jobs or for (c) getting us in a mess through irresponsibility or stupidity.” — The Commodore, April 8, 1969
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“I finally accept responsibility (KRC) for how I’ve mis-used this body for sensational purposes against its own biochemistry and anatomy — and ineffective or too little address to the mind too — first dynamics ethics condition formula ongoing — all’s going well now that proper conditions formula is at work Soon ready to declare and work through conditions on the 2D.”
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1998: Michail Brzitwa reported that German TV aired a segment on Gabe Cazares, who led a German delegation through Clearwater, Florida. “There was a five minute report on how former Clearwater Mayor Gabe Cazares perceives the ongoing occupation of downtown Clearwater by the ‘Church of Scientology’. Mr. Cazares lead the reporters through parts of Clearwater where scientologists purchased very many premises through the last 20 years. The TV team and Mr. Cazares were followed closely all the time by scientology official Brian Anderson who, when asked, said he wanted to know everything that’s being said. Mr. Cazares mentioned the scientology secret service, the ‘Office of Special Affairs’, OSA. Then a short interview with attorney Ken Dandar and (I think) Dell Liebreich about the ongoing lawsuit against scientology concerning this suspicious incident.”
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“From what I’ve read registrars routinely tell prospective clients that Scientology can cure numerous physical aliments that the person is suffering from. That is medical fraud, is it not?”
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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 appeal in Danny Masterson civil suit attacks harassment claims
[TWO years ago] Scientology said Leah Remini inspired his ‘crime.’ Now he’s talking.
[THREE years ago] Scientology propaganda update: The Fabos Factor is back as the entire US goes Ideal!
[FOUR years ago] This time, Scientology puts up no fight as Jane Doe 1’s new attorneys join the fray
[FIVE years ago] Talk about ‘enabling’ Scientology, watch this craven plan to kick Mark Bunker off board
[SIX years ago] With Scientology largely shut down by the pandemic, the few remaining members reminisce
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology admits in planning docs it expects only 6 walk-ins daily at new facility
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology buys another derelict building in order to pretend that it’s expanding wildly
[NINE years ago] You tell us: What’s the current condition of the Church of Scientology?
[TEN years ago] Brian Sheen continues to fight Scientology’s ‘disconnection’ in unique and unusual ways
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology leader David Miscavige had private eyes watching his father, say police
[TWELVE years ago] Mike Bennitt shares with us a creepy e-mail he received after filming Scientology events
[THIRTEEN years ago] An Interview with Brandon Ogborn About His Play, The TomKat Project
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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 3,592 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,096 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,602 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,152 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,142 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,528 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,023 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,327 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,978 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,196 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,750 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,091 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,662 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,578 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,745 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,331 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,586 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,338 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,903 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,218 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,393 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,075 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,412 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,265 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,381 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,743 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,154 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,542 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,426 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,990 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,502 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,762 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,866 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 8, 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
