TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: News stories report that Scientology paid $16 million for the Mama Shelter hotel in Hollywood and its well known rooftop bar, which closed in 2025. What those stories left out: Scientology owned the place as a gritty 1970s Sea Org berth. Spanky Taylor tells us about it! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The Sunshine Rundown is a bright new rundown which adds extra shine to the State of Clear. It is the next step on the Grade Chart after the Dianetic Clear Special
Intensive and is done by Clears directly after they attest to having attained the State of Clear. It may also be done by those who have attained the State of Clear and who have previously had a DCSI. The Sunshine Rundown gives the Clear a fresh, new outlook and really orients him to present time as a Clear. The rundown is done solo, by the Clear himself, and is usually completed in one session. Solo auditor training is not needed in order to audit the Sunshine Rundown. The confidential Sunshine Rundown instructions are easily followed, even by those with no previous tech training. The Sunshine Rundown is available from Class IV orgs and higher orgs.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1981
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“That which men fear, they become. That’s a cinch. That which men resist, they become. Now, you know the Christian idea of turn the other cheek? Well, let’s get a comparable idea in Scientology. Not comparing Scientology to Christianity, but let’s get the comparable idea. The Christian idea of turn the other cheek had a little truth in it. Let’s get the comparable idea, and that is assume the other viewpoint. No more vicious and horrible person could possibly be alive than one who is willing to assume any viewpoint whatsoever. The MEST universe has rigged up more fairy tales to condemn people who would do this….You see, the MEST universe really wouldn’t be here at all unless people didn’t object to shifting viewpoints. People insist continually on a persistent viewpoint. They say you must have the same viewpoint over and over, day after day, year after year, century after century, and if they could enforce it they would put you into solid concrete and give you just the one viewpoint at the center of the solid concrete and say, ‘There you are and you had certainly better stay there or we’ll get impatient with you.’ You can’t control anybody who won’t assume the same viewpoint continuously.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 26, 1954
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“GOOD NEWS: With the return of 3 Missionaires a flood of good news was brought. The US Court of Appeals fired back and refused the FDA petition for a re-hearing in the meter case. So that is definitely ended. John McMasters has been touring with huge successes in the Western US and Hawaii and has been seeing many wigs in higher favourable interviews and has been on many national TV shows in the US all very well done. He has been highly commended and his mission ordered to be reinforced. We have a lovely new base all bought. We have been invited to participate in a beachhead. Plans are afoot from a new active group to open up Latin America. They already have a fine beachhead secured.” — The Commodore, April 26, 1969
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“There’s no one on Mars. They’re long gone. This planet isn’t worth the gas it takes to get here. At least, not more than once every few thousand years. (Mars the observation outpost was mostly automated anyway.)”
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2001: The Chicago Tribune reported on the death of Hope Hinde, one of the early supporters of the original Cult Awareness Network. “Hope Buckner Hinde, 86, who helped found an anti-cult group and led parent-teacher associations at three Highland Park schools before moving to Lake Forest, died Sunday, April 15, in Lake Forest Hospital after a stroke. Born in New York City, Mrs. Hinde earned a master’s degree from Columbia University and worked as a social worker for Catholic charities. Mrs. Hinde helped found the Cult Awareness Network in 1979 after a friend’s daughter joined a cult.”
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“If it weren’t for the celebrities, David Miscavige would have less name recognition than Marshall Applewhite or whoever is running the Raelians.”
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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 posts photos from LRH Birthday, but not what we’re used to
[TWO years ago] Valerie Haney describes 2 more days of Scientology ‘arbitration’ torment
[THREE years ago] DA led Jane Doe 3 through devastating testimony yesterday, today cross begins
[FOUR years ago] AUDIO LEAK: Scientology leader David Miscavige announces ‘Golden Age of Admin’
[FIVE years ago] Scientology is not a cult: The reasoning of an OT 3 Scientologist
[SIX years ago] Scientology shows that if government gives it even an inch, it tries to take over like a virus
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology, breaking bad: Signs of desperation here and abroad
[EIGHT years ago] Kim Poff, finally free to speak: ‘I want this story out. I want people to know what Narconon did.’
[NINE years ago] Scientology retaliates against Clearwater land deal by trying to shiv a beloved dolphin
[TEN years ago] SCIENTOLOGY LEADER DAVID MISCAVIGE THREATENS TO SUE FATHER OVER BOOK
[ELEVEN years ago] EXCLUSIVE: Secretly taped briefing uncovers precarious state of Scientology right now
[TWELVE years ago] Selling out, and other strange side-effects of Scientology watching
[THIRTEEN years ago] RAID ON SCIENTOLOGY’S DRUG REHAB CENTER IN ATLANTA
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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 3,610 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,114 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,620 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,170 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,160 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,546 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,041 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,345 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,996 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,214 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,768 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,109 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,680 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,596 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,763 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,349 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,608 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,356 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,925 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,236 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,411 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,093 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,430 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,283 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,399 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,761 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,175 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,560 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,444 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,008 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,520 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,780 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,884 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 26, 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
