TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: People who leave Scientology can spend years studying what it was about this abusive group that conditioned and harmed them. But what was it in themselves that made them vulnerable to such a trap? Chris Shelton has a big announcement for us today about that mystery! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“For a staff member, auditor or interne to get very badly bogged, one must ask the question: Where was that person’s senior or supervisor while the person was digging himself into trouble? The fact of having a badly bogged individual to handle would usually mean that the person or persons who previously attempted to handle the badly bogged person need cramming as well. By knowing and using the gamut of our corrective technology there is no reason to have Tech or Admin personnel in an org who are bogged and unable to successfully do their jobs. It takes willingness to apply the tech with no compromise and some patience while the person works out of his tangles. But the benefits to the org and individual are well worth the efforts.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1981
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“There is a civilization a few galaxies over here that, it’s got spaceships and backpacks and infantry zerp guns, and it’s got this, and it’s got certain types of motorcycles, and it’s got that, and so forth. Probably a lot of you are from there because every time it loses a battle they ship the people over here — the enemy does. They know how to get even. So anyway, this old civilization is just about the meanest area to try to put an idea into it you ever had. You see, they worked it out for years and eons and eons. Been going for billions and trillions and trillions of years with an uninterrupted flow, which is pretty unusual in civilizations anyhow, see, and is on a complete, perfect no-Change. And you say, ‘We got an idea for spaceships.’ Their spaceships aren’t all that good. They’re as good as spaceships can be, but you could undoubtedly make a better spaceship, you see. But they blow up on occasion and they do this on occasion, they do that on occasion. They mess up one way or the other. And yet to try to get any idea across to them fills the hierarchy of that particular activity with absolute horror. Because they’ve lived with and through all of the areas of innovation, and innovation to them is dangerous on a departure from the highly workable.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 16, 1964
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“Division III where has the packaged soup come from? This is strictly against Flag Order. Where are such dishes as bean and ham soup, Irish stew, beef ragout, noodles and tuna, chicken and noodle soup, green pea soup and ham, chili con carne, fresh vegetable soup, baked beans and franks, shepherd’s pie, chicken and dumplings, lentil soup, potato soup, and chicken and rice soup. Midday meals are to be such as these — good and sustaining.” — MarySue Hubbard, Captain, April 16, 1969
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“Lafayette Hubbard, I know you’re on to something great. The simplicity of words is such a skill. I think — and I apologize for evaluating — that your last-life introduction to writing was influenced by the classics. These authors, as was the style of the time, wrote in vast prose using more words than needed to get to the point. It was necessary to prove one was not just smart but educated. You, in your this-life writing style, are throwing the old-school Scientologists for a loop. They expect vast verbiage and you deliver it in concise, to the point, easily understood form. They are confused because it isn’t the way you used to say it or write it. Good. They will come around when they understand you are eliminating the need to spend years studying what can be learned in months.”
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1999: MSNBC reported on Scientologist John Coale’s relationship with the U.S. President. “John Coale, the high-profile Washington lawyer who has been behind several big anti-tobacco cases, continues to solidify his White House ties. Coale, and his high-profile wife, CNN commentator Greta van Susteren, are high-level Scientologists. Some say Coale is taking on certain cases to get closer to Clinton in his anti-tobacco cases and to further Scientology’s various causes. ‘No one ever accused John Coale of being dumb,’ says a source who has dealt with him often as an adversary. ‘His and Greta’s ties with the Clintons certainly don’t hurt them.'”
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“I took two trazodone at least six hours ago and I woke up and it’s only an hour later. What the hell is going on? Did the Fifth Invader Force land?”
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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] Unhinged document shows how Scientology leader David Miscavige sees himself
[TWO years ago] Judge to rule that Jane Doe has proved Scientology arbitration ‘unconscionable’
[THREE years ago] Group Therapy, Ep. 16: The full gang is back, with an episode for everyone!
[FOUR years ago] Updated for 2022: Where in the world are Scientologists actually located?
[FIVE years ago] Matt Willis pressured to divorce by Scientology? Our experts back him up.
[SIX years ago] Ex-con who says he’s returned L. Ron Hubbard has an indie Scientology revolt on his hands
[SEVEN years ago] Leah Remini: Where’s the outrage about Scientology’s disappeared?
[EIGHT years ago] Scientologists, gullible? Would they fall for a felon saying he’s the returned L. Ron Hubbard?
[NINE years ago] She ‘graduated’ from Scientology’s drug rehab, which told her she was cured. Now she’s dead.
[TEN years ago] More Atlanta video: David Miscavige cuts the ribbon on Scientology’s new real estate venture!
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology spy caught trying to interview Paul Haggis as fake ‘Time’ magazine reporter
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology takes aim at the latest move by the Garcias in their federal fraud suit
[THIRTEEN years ago] Scientology Means Never Having to Tell an Ashtray You’re Sorry
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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 3,600 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,104 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,610 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,160 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,150 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,536 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,031 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,335 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,986 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,204 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,758 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,099 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,670 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,586 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,753 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,339 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,594 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,346 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,915 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,226 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,401 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,083 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,420 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,273 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,389 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,751 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,162 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,550 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,434 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,998 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,510 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,770 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,874 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 16, 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
