TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Danny Masterson’s habeas petition attorney claims there’s new evidence of a ‘Brady violation,’ meaning that a prosecutor held back information at trial that might have convinced the jury of the Scientology celebrity’s innocence. What’s the new evidence? We have the details. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“An implant is an enforced command or series of commands installed in the reactive mind below the awareness level of the individual to cause him to react or behave in a prearranged way without his ‘knowing it.’ There are several methods of implanting… PAIN – DRUG – HYPNOSIS: Using administered pain, drugs and hypnotism the psychiatrist, psychologist and other criminals such as CIA or other government agents, seek to cause victims to become robots and commit crimes or act in an irrational way. ‘PDH’ is the psychiatrists’ gift to the police state. PDH is not very effective but it is very damaging to the person. ” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1982
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“All I’m trying to do here is show you that the most hidden factors of the mind were, of course, the things that aberrated the mind, because nobody has ever freed a mind before. So therefore, they must have been the most concealed or they would have gotten as-ised. Just as simple as that, see? Almost anybody could have come along and as-ised them if they hadn’t been very hidden. ” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 12, 1961
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“RHODESIA: The anti-Scn bill in Rhodesia hit a heavy snag due to our attorney, the legal office of the government chopping down on their parliament saying its unconstitutional. The name of a notorious anti-govt psychiatrist appeared and got the govt legal dept antagonistic. Also, I had excellent PR in Rhodesia when I was there and they’re still trying to explain their actions. The Guardian Office Africa and all concerned did a fine job there. It’s all held off indefinitely.” — The Commodore, May 12, 1971
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“When media wanted me to adjust to the rules of a radical feminist society, with alcoholism and political correctness and gay propaganda — a free field for psychiatry and antidepressants — I chose to stay home and become a Scientologist.”
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1996: Karin Spaink posted an update to the lawsuits filed in The Netherlands concerning the large number of web pages containing the Fishman version of the OT documents. Following the victory in court that allows the pages to remain in place, the cult has continued its efforts. “Scientology has appealed this judgment, as they are wont to do. Their Motion of Complaints was filed earlier in April. Today, our lawyer has filed his reply. The date for the court session has been set: it’s June 18, 14.00. The case will be brought before three judges, a so-called ‘multiple court’ (meervoudige kamer). It is not known how long these three judges will take to study the file and to pronounce judgment.”
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“I wouldn’t sweat it. I’ve been doing this since 2008 and I’ve given vaLLarrr and other Scientologists more than enough clues as to who my sister is that if they wanted to dox me and come after me they could have long ago. All they got left is squirrel cams, fat sleazy P.I’s and slime sites that no one reads except other Scientologists.”
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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] Leaked document: How Scientology handled a journalist’s uncomfortable questions
[TWO years ago] On Mother’s Day 2024, the moms who suffer and defy Scientology’s cruel ‘disconnection’ policy
[THREE years ago] Legal battle for the ages to unfold this morning at the Danny Masterson retrial
[FOUR years ago] Trafficking lawsuit: In Scientology, the tables turn quickly on abusers and the abused
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s Chicago Ideal Org says it’s next to open. Is Second City ready for its closeup?
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s $20 million hole in the ground: The secret vault to nowhere
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology finds the dream solution to its recruiting woes — the QR Code!
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s toxic policy of ‘disconnection’ — we check in with the people who endure it
[NINE years ago] One of Scientology’s most secretive temples is offering a rare look inside on Monday
[TEN years ago] Monique Rathbun formally ends her lawsuit in Texas; Ken Dandar wins again in Florida
[ELEVEN years ago] AUDIO LEAK: Scientology leader David Miscavige ‘makes L. Ron Hubbard out to be an imbecile’
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology is determined to conquer this Internet thing
[THIRTEEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: Portland Is Now Cleared, On to the Rest of Earth!
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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 3,626 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,130 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,636 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,186 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,176 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,562 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,057 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,361 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 5,012 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,230 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,784 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,125 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,696 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,612 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,779 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,365 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,624 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,372 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,941 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,252 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,427 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,109 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,446 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,299 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,415 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,777 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,191 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,576 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,460 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,024 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,536 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,796 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,900 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 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
