TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Wow! More detail has now emerged about the ‘religious arbitration’ that Scientology labor-trafficking victims were forced into by a Tampa federal court. After 15 days, the victims simply stopped showing up, and are now asking the court to intervene. We have the documents! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“While I was researching the subject of organizations I was able to trace back the demise of great civilizations and organizations on the whole track and in more recent history to the lack of a Qualifications Division. I was then able to work out the component parts that would be needed to make up the Qual Division and one of the key functions developed out of this was cramming as its exists today.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1981
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“One of the prime principles you must know about any universe to keep it in a good, messy, chaotic, solid, disordered form is to take no responsibility for ever having created it. Say, ‘God did it,’ you’ve practically got it made! And the more you say, ‘God did it,’ the more solid the universe is going to get — if you made it up. Get the idea? Listen, if God made it and that was the true ownership of it, it would disappear! Because that’s assignment of proper ownership; that’s taking a full responsibility for it. That’s understanding exactly what its source was. And it would disappear, just like that.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 9, 1959
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“When you view how far flung the SO is and how much it’s doing, I doubt there’s a group on the planet that could begin to equal it. Now in the wog world, there’s nothing but sunshine, chicken and ice cream. And H bombs and stupidity and snobs and aberration and the draft and droughts and inflation… Did you ever hear of troops fighting a comfortable war? I haven’t.” — The Commodore, April 9, 1969
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“How do you do a sort out when the man who made that game (LRH) isn’t here anymore? I will tell you. It is being done from the future. I find myself blowing huge amounts of charge and flashing through pictures so fast I can’t see them and I just know they are running something on me in the future. The way I see it we are just different timelines of the same spirit, so whatever is handled on one timeline cleans the other timelines too. I have been getting this all through my lifetime coming up with cogs of processes months before they are released and even wrote it up before the process came out like, why don’t you run the Dianetic Engrams to the thought itself that created it. Next comes out New Era Dianetics that does just that.”
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1999: Focus reported on the activities of WISE companies in Germany. “Sibylle Kramer’s career developed in promising way. When her company changed ownership and she had to transfer to Hamburg in the same working capacity, she was happy to move to her new location. Her enthusiasm disappeared on the first work day. The new management’s customs seemed too peculiar to her. Every day at nine o’clock, the employees had to gather together for roll call to hear the slogan of the day shouted out as a battle cry, and the salespeople who had been recently successful were brought to the attention of the group and applauded. Laserplus, now incorporated under the same registered trade number as Eurozerty, is a member of the WISE (World Institute of Scientology Enterprises) business association, the most important money-making machine of the psycho-sect. The corporation (30 employees, 20 million marks in annual sales) also avails itself of an internet access which brings the visitor, after two mouseclicks, to Fort Harrison Avenue, Clearwater, Florida – the most important Scientology center in the USA next to Los Angeles. The Hamburg state Work Group on Scientology also had found that ‘something is going on the the computer area.’ The department director, Ursula Caberta, is concerned that Scientology companies could get into sensitive areas in other companies with their products. Scientologist Koenig has landed a big one with his acquisition of Eurozerty. ‘Only a few providers,’ he said to other trade representatives, ‘share this market in Europe.'”
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“So Miscavige quit doing processing right around the same time he assumed power? Sounds like he read OT 3, realized it was rubbish and went for the gold instead. That’s pretty much what I’ve always assumed.”
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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] Scientologist larping as a rabbi becomes Colombia’s Director of Religious Affairs
[TWO years ago] Scientology says that David Miscavige did attend the Paris opening
[THREE years ago] Celebrity Sunday: A South American actress has us recalling David Miscavige getting a medal
[FOUR years ago] When you’re a child in Scientology’s Sea Org, the stress is meant to overwhelm you
[FIVE years ago] Aussie journo Ben Schneiders helps us grasp the fuss he’s kicked up about Scientology
[SIX years ago] Bobette Riales’ house burned? Scientology: ‘Can’t sue us. Didn’t happen in California.’
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology policy is to investigate rape victims seeking help, 1963 document reveals
[EIGHT years ago] Our prayers are answered — Freedom magazine is coming to Scientology television!
[NINE years ago] Scientology spends millions on its shiny new buildings, but its workers have to beg for food
[TEN years ago] Scientology buys ‘.org’ and ‘.net’ sites to battle anti-disconnection billboard in Los Angeles
[ELEVEN years ago] Read the police report on the spies who kept tabs on the father of Scientology’s leader
[TWELVE years ago] Appeals court: Would deposing Scientology’s leader violate Texas law?
[THIRTEEN years ago] How Scientology’s “Study Tech” Turns Schoolwork Into Conditioning
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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 3,593 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,097 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,603 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,153 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,143 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,529 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,024 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,328 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,979 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,197 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,751 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,092 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,663 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,579 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,746 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,332 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,587 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,339 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,904 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,219 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,394 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,076 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,413 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,266 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,382 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,744 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,155 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,543 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,427 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,991 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,503 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,763 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,867 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 9, 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
