TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Valeska Paris and Gawain and Laura Baxter went through 15 days of Scientology ‘religious arbitration’ in Clearwater before walking out. They are now asking a court to intervene, saying it was a sham proceeding. Today, we have the declarations by the Baxters about their ordeal. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“With a very standard Cramming Unit handling both Tech and Admin areas, the org’s lines get smoother and smoother, the tech stays pure and the public start flooding into the org for services. It is not an exaggeration to say that the organization’s future could well depend on having an excellent Cramming Unit. If your org does not have a good Cramming Unit then you had better demand of HCO and Senior Execs that one be put there. Then watch things start to go right!” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1981
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“There are three classes of universes. There’s your universe and that class of universe known as the other fellow’s universe and the physical universe — universes of the type of the physical universe. Now, these in essence are three types of universe. Now, there’s a law back of all this, and that is to say that a universe is subject to the postulates of the god of that universe. Let’s take the physical universe. Everybody agrees that there’s a God someplace and that the physical universe obeys His law, so forth. It’s an interesting aberration in itself. Now, it’s a little more important, however, when we apply it to Mama. Mama is the god of Mama’s universe. Everybody concedes this. Maybe she isn’t in her own mind but everybody concedes that she is.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 12, 1954
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“PENALTIES: Those absent from drills — no next meal. Those absent from study — 10 s per offense logged by supervisors and deducted from allowance and paid by Purser to 2 Div for facilities fund. False report — one week’s allowance. Outness or irresponsibility in admin or on post or watch — 3 days pay. REWARDS: When the ship is out of Non Existence and up to Emergency a reward schedule will be posted. MUSIC: No music while the ship is below Emergency.” — April 12, 1969
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“My Christian friends want me to stop studying Scientology. I think it’s a loyalty thing. I have to choose between Christ and L. Ron Hubbard, apparently.”
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2002: The Associated Press reported that Heber Jentzsch, the president of the Church of Scientology International, has been acquitted of conspiracy and fraud charges. “A Spanish court on Thursday acquitted the American leader of the Church of Scientology of conspiracy and other charges, ending a case that dated back to 1988. In December the Madrid Provincial Court had acquitted 15 members and employees of the Spanish branch of Scientology who had been charged along with church leader Rev. Heber Jentzsch. When Jentzsch did not appear for trial as it began in February, the court decided to try him separately. The court said in December there was no evidence to support prosecutors’ allegations that drug rehabilitation and other programs sponsored by the Church of Scientology in Spain amounted to illicit gatherings aimed at activities such as bilking people of money. In 1988 Jentzsch was arrested when he arrived in Madrid for a Scientology conference. He was held for 4 months before being released, but indicted in 1994.”
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“Believe it or not, ‘Wichita Lineman’ is one of my all time favorite songs. I’m usually in tears by the end of it.”
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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’s beef with new billboards is Mike Rinder’s use of the word ‘cult’
[TWO years ago] What awaits you at the end of Scientology’s long, arduous journey
[THREE years ago] Scientology quietly acquires $13.5 million converted church near Big Blue: But why?
[FOUR years ago] Scientology holds its ‘Writers of the Future’ awards back on schedule, same garish display
[FIVE years ago] Scientology answers Danny Masterson accusers at California Supreme Court, and it’s ugly
[SIX years ago] Scientology continues to see the pandemic as a public relations opportunity
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology deception and financial fraud spelled out in incredible legal letter
[EIGHT years ago] Why Scientology has no business pontificating on mental health — a discussion
[NINE years ago] Need a boost to your superpowers? Scientology has a (pricey) solution for that!
[TEN years ago] Astra Woodcraft, ex-Scientology kid, wants you to read a short essay
[ELEVEN years ago] How Scientology broke up Tom Cruise and Mimi Rogers: The story you haven’t heard
[TWELVE years ago] Why is Scientology’s cruise ship caught up in a lawsuit about human slavery?
[THIRTEEN years ago] Scientology’s Lavish Annual Party for Pampered Sci-Fi Writers, This Sunday!
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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 3,596 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,100 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,606 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,156 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,146 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,532 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,027 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,331 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,982 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,200 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,754 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,095 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,666 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,582 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,749 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,335 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,590 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,342 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,911 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,222 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,397 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,079 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,416 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,269 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,385 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,747 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,158 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,546 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,430 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,994 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,506 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,766 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,870 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 12, 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
