TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Things are heating up on both sides of the Atlantic as David Miscavige tries to arm-wrestle a couple of cities important to Scientology’s fortunes. Alex Barnes-Ross was at a planning meeting in England, and Mark Bunker visited the new showroom in Clearwater. We hear from both! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The effectiveness of auditing, according to records and results, tests and hours in session, has increased enormously in the past thirty-four years (1947/1981). This is due to research — a casual estimate of the time I have put in on this approaches now a hundred thousand hours and half a century. In that time, as could be expected, there have been breakthroughs and breakthroughs and it can be expected that, because of these, the line-up from time to time would change. It is probably remarkable that the Grade Chart has not changed more than it has. Improvements in auditor training as well as technical revelations have contributed to these refinements.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1981
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“‘If I put in one more galaxy,’ a fellow said to me one day, ‘I’m going to sink straight through the crust of Earth.’ I don’t think he would have although the crust is only 40 miles thick and below that is nothing but molten lava. But anyway, he was getting too heavy.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 29, 1954
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“David Mayo is assigned as an Ad Course Auditor assisting Bob Guilford. This is in addition to his Flag Interneship. This post does the incidental auditing and minor repairs and rud flying needed by Ad Courses. Full checkout on these actions should be done at once. This includes HCO B 26 Apr 71.” — The Commodore, April 29, 1971
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“Millions of beings knowingly came to earth over the last few decades on a mission to raise the vibration of the planet: Starseeds. This is a small fraction compared to the billions of new beings here that came unknowingly one way or another, but millions is still a lot. Many of them know their previous planetary race (if not direct memories, at least some knowingness). These people also sometimes have knowingness on angels (beings outside the MEST universe) so I would have thought much of the technology being released by Ron currently would be well suited to them.”
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1997: A St. Petersburg Times article this week updated the investigation into the death of Scientologist Lisa McPherson in the Ft. Harrison Hotel in 1995. “More than 50 people have been questioned in what police are calling an ‘expansive’ investigation into the unexplained death of Lisa McPherson, a 36-year-old Scientologist. Although more interviews are planned, police say they expect their work on the case to end ‘soon” but refuse to be more specific. Police say they have questioned more than two dozen church staffers, all of them accompanied by lawyers. ‘Interviews are being conducted of witnesses who were responsible for Lisa’s care during her stay,’ said deputy Clearwater police Chief Paul Maser. Others interviewed by police include paramedics, doctors and hospital employees involved in McPherson’s care before and after her stay at the Fort Harrison, police spokesman Wayne Shelor said. Many of the 50 people questioned gave statements under oath, while others talked to police in less formal interviews, Shelor said.”
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“In Scientology, ripping off a wog isn’t a crime, it’s a duty.”
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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 reveals its newest masters of the universe!
[TWO years ago] Common questions we get about Scientology’s court martial it calls ‘arbitration’
[THREE years ago] Mike Rinder and Jon Atack explain why you find it so difficult to leave Scientology
[FOUR years ago] New trial granted in defamation case against author who exposed Scientology in Australia
[FIVE years ago] ‘Almost Andy Reid’ says he’s unhappy that Scientology used him in propaganda video
[SIX years ago] NASA’s new spacesuit shares a name with Scientology’s legendary galactic warlord!
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology stepping up its promotion of chiropractic, demonizing of the AMA
[EIGHT years ago] As another tiny enclave of Scientologists digs deep for an Ideal Org — what would Ron say?
[NINE years ago] Garcias answer: Was Scientology not paying attention to an angry federal judge?
[TEN years ago] Ron Miscavige, his book ‘Ruthless,’ his nervous son, and Scientology Watching’s new reality
[ELEVEN years ago] Want to go Clear? Has Scientology got a deal for you!
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology’s ‘Hogwarts’ doesn’t want you to think it’s connected to Scientology
[THIRTEEN years ago] Scientology Metaphysics: After Death, Will You Go to Mars or Venus?
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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 3,613 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,117 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,623 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,173 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,163 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,549 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,044 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,348 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,999 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,217 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,771 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,112 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,683 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,599 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,766 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,352 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,611 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,359 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,928 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,239 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,414 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,096 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,433 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,286 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,402 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,764 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,178 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,563 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,447 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,011 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,523 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,783 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,887 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 29, 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
