TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We continue the history of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard as it played out 75 years ago, and that the church hides from its members today. This time, Hubbard finally told his 2nd wife where he had absconded with their baby in a bizarre 1951 letter you have to see. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“A person hits a floating TA that simply won’t turn off, his wife and girl friend ooh and ahh on how much better he looks, he hasn’t kicked the cat for days and is no longer coughing. He says, ‘By golly, I must be Clear!’ even though he really can’t pass the test. So the technical people, seeing him glow. say, ‘I don’t want to invalidate this guy,’ and they let him declare and he goes to an SH or AO and falls on his head when he starts to climb the next ten light years to OT. He was just a RELEASE.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1981
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“Gormley Castle used to be down here. I was riding over to a tourney one day and was half-armed in a rainstorm, I had half steel armor on in a rainstorm. The rest of it slung on the back of the horse. Brother with me and a groom and they had the rest of the armor. And so ‘elp me, lightning ‘it. And you know armor on wet ground makes the most marvelous conductor. Knocked me plumb silly, it did. Plumb silly. It’s happened to me several times….It makes you flinch, and so forth. I remember at that particular instance I rode right on to the castle and the grooms went out and got the bodies and my brother was still alive, but the groom was awful dead and laid the body on the bed. I stood there, you know and thought that was OK and went back over to Europe and walked in and I fell over the old mither who was busy scrubbing the floor and of course, wet, you know, volts were coming up me like that and I step in her scrub bucket and walked through her and she gets a ‘ell of a shock, you know. she says, ‘Coo, what’s that?’ you know or words to that effect. It was about 1495, something like that. And so I pick up my fist and I start to say, ‘Godderdammerung, bring me in some mead,’ you know. And I go bang, you know and my fist goes straight through the table. And I say, ‘Wait a minute, boy. Oh, no, I’m dead.’ Bright, moonlight night and there’s a dog howling outside, so I walk out in the moonlight and decide for the next 55 years I’ll have to be a ghost. Well, it was a very shocking experience. But you could get discombobulated and upset and not know what you were doing. I didn’t. I went and picked up a baby or two, but — Anyhow, the point is, is it takes a lot more than you’re even aware of confronting in order to pick up electronic masses and then keep mocking them up because, you see, they’re so dangerous because you have to keep them mocked up, you see, because they’re so dangerous, you see? It’s very logical.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 1, 1962
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“I am waiting, not altogether patiently, for the individuals aboard to realize that they are a ships company and responsible to each other for the survival of the ship and each other. Until this company insists to one another that each do his duty and that crazy outnesses are threats to survival and must caese the ship is at risk. This ships company has not right whatever to dump on me the arduos task of catching dropped balls and single-handing this vessel over the top of wild goofs in food, fuel, security, repairs and maintenance and appearance. Until I see a distinct change of attitude and increased awareness in efficiency, 1. There will be no allowances. 2. There will not be any shore liberty. 3. There will be no leave. 4. And you will see Ethics as heavy and unpredictable as the goofs that are being handed me to handle. As long as the ships company remains this irresponsible and idle and refuses to insist on smart competence amongst themselves this ship is in grave danger of catastrophe. You better wake up before you wake up dead.”— The Commodore, May 1, 1969
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“Ron built half a bridge, but more critically he discovered the materials for construction of a bridge — auditing basics, axioms etc. Why are people worried that he is now attempting to complete a non-complete bridge? A half finished bridge should not be a stable datum for these people, but the materials of bridge construction and the purpose to build a complete bridge should be a stable datum.”
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1999: Dennis Erlich has settled his copyright infringement case brought by Scientology. From Rob Clark: “Dennis agrees to 69 counts of infringement at $1000 each. No news on whether he has to pay that. He has also agreed to an injunction, details also fuzzy. The child support case is ‘going away,’ also no details. The settlement is either confidential or portions of it are confidential–not sure about that.” From Neal Hamel: “MoFo represented him. That was their primary duty and they did a fabulous job. The constitutional case they put together as well as the counter-suit against Scientology was the best way of defending him. When the settlement was reached, MoFo no longer needed to represent Dennis. BTW the settlement was concluded between Dennis/MoFo and the Scientology attorneys before any appearance before Judge Fogel. Nothing was forced on Dennis. They reported the settlement directly to Judge White. Dennis is very happy and relieved with the settlement. For the time being until Dennis decides what direction the Informer ministry will take the website will not be active. It is obvious that its primary focus was towards Scientology. The InFormer Ministry is registered tax exempt organization which still can be used for charitable purposes. It is unknown at this time what direction that will be. Dennis said that the phase of his life where he was in Scientology and then in conflict with Scientology was over. Its been 30 years and he is moving on to do other things.”
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“Penguins and leopard seals are difficult to audit. LRH exteriorized and attempted to do this, but found it too daunting. The penguins had too many withholds, and the leopard seals had too many overts.”
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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 and court hearings: One we can watch today, another to be held in secret
[TWO years ago] Jane Doe 1 appealing David Miscavige’s stunt that removed judge and ruling
[THREE years ago] Some winners have emerged from Scientology’s most recent pilgrim shearing!
[FOUR years ago] Yo baby! Turning over your hard-earned cash to Scientology never felt so good
[FIVE years ago] IN HER OWN WORDS: Danny Masterson accuser rips LAPD miscues in 2017 letter
[SIX years ago] Apologist journal smacked down by best ever Scientology prof — and with Bunker assist
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology staffers: Putting up with chaos and hardships as they hope for promised OT powers
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology tries to get a Christian minister in trouble for helping Dee Findlay burn her past
[NINE years ago] Professor Hugh Urban takes us to task for our review of his Scientology OT 8 investigation
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s champion endorses ‘Ruthless,’ and more in our weekly social media review!
[ELEVEN years ago] Leaving Scientology: ‘I think this recovery is something I’ll be doing the rest of my life’
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology’s E-meter police, and the horse doctor of LaBelle, Florida
[THIRTEEN years ago] SCIENTOLOGY DENIED: CA Appeals Court Won’t Help Church in Forced-Abortion Lawsuit
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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 3,615 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,119 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,625 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,175 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,165 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,551 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,046 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,350 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 5,001 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,219 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,773 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,114 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,685 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,601 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,768 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,354 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,613 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,361 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,930 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,241 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,416 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,098 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,435 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,288 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,404 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,766 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,180 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,565 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,449 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,013 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,525 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,785 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,889 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 1, 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
