TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Wow! After previously rejecting Scientology’s attempt to sway Danny Masterson’s appeal, this time the court has accepted the church’s 70-page ‘amicus’ brief with only three weeks to go before the oral arguments hearing. We have the document in full for you. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Living with the beasts of the jungle, caught at every hand by death and terror, early Man could not but develop brutal reactions. Murder and war were the commonplace. Man had not learned to control his environment and so he had to combat it. Every walk forth from his cave might mean death or battle. Every mischance might bring about catastrophe. Man had no choice to be anything but brutal and savage. Then came civilization. Then came law and order and the right to eat without being killed. Then came the partial control of the surroundings sufficient to call Man’s state civilized. But Man could not wholly escape his heritage. Here today, when Man supposedly can reason, murder, arson and war stalk his shaded streets and homes.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1952
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“One of the things which I am very pleased to announce immediately is that we have seldom failed in recent months to raise the intelligence quotient of any individual undergoing 25 hours of processing, at least 10 points. And for those who have undergone as much as 75 hours of processing, we have raised it as much as 35 points and consider it routine 25 points. This is something that has never happened before, and therefore it is an important thing that we take a look at this. According to psychology, this is an impossibility — completely impossible.” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 3, 1955
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“Commodore’s Transport is transferred to Div IV, Transport Section. Ship’s boats, all cars aboard are included in its activities. Des Popham and Arthur Hubbard are transferred to this Transport Section. The 1st Mate is now responsible for care and routine checks on vehicles as well as lifeboats, their lowering gear, sleds and motor handling.” — The Commodore, June 3, 1970
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“We have made it clear from the onset that we are Scientologists who are all about Ron’s brand. If people want to hear lies about the Founder, or natter about other Scientologists or staff — then this is not the place to frequent. If they do want to hear about standard delivery in the field, the training of auditors, the unsnarling of out-tech, and the resolution and debunking of technical and administrative arbitraries, then yes, we can provide information.”
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1997: The Tampa Tribune this week published an article on the worldwide attention being given to the Lisa McPherson investigation. Lisa died in the care of Scientology’s Flag Land Base in Clearwater, Florida. “Since December, people around the world have been intrigued by reports of the death of Scientologist Lisa McPherson. In Australia, Canada and England, critics of the Church of Scientology have invoked McPherson’s name during protests. Arizona critic Jeff Jacobsen designed a Web site devoted to McPherson that has been duplicated to 18 different sites around the world. He and others protested against Scientology in downtown Clearwater in March. Some in the group carried signs with McPherson’s photo or her name. Ken Dandar, the Tampa attorney for McPherson’s family, said he is ‘constantly getting e-mail’ from people around the world interested in the lawsuit. Clearwater police Detective Sgt. Wayne Andrews, who is investigating the death, has received Internet mail from Germany, Greece, England, Australia, Mexico and Switzerland from people asking about the investigation or wanting to relate tales about Scientology. Interest is particularly high in Germany, where the government has concluded Scientology is not a church but a dangerous business. ‘After having conducted thorough studies on the Scientology organization, the [German] government has come to the conclusion that the organization’s pseudo-scientific courses can seriously jeopardize individuals’ mental and physical health and that it exploits its members,’ the German government said in a statement through its embassy in Washington, D.C. In the United States, McPherson’s death has attracted the attention of the Tampa Bay media, as well as The Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and ‘Inside Edition’ and ‘Hard Copy’ television shows. In Clearwater, investigators say their efforts to gather information in the case have been slowed because all of the church-affiliated people they’ve sought to interview have attorneys. That includes McPherson’s former co-workers at AMC Publishing, which is owned by Scientologists. All in all, some 50 to 60 people who have been interviewed have been represented by up to 21 attorneys, police say. Subpoenas have been issued for 30 to 40 of those people. The clients have not disclosed who is paying for the attorneys. In response to a subpoena, the church has provided some records relating to McPherson. ‘I consider them significant,’ Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney Bernie McCabe said. Investigators will not discuss the documents. McPherson’s family members are suing the church, claiming its members are responsible for her death. Dandar, their attorney, says he also has the subpoenaed documents, which he describes as an incomplete set of church ‘medical records’ that ‘support all of our allegations.'”
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“There’s no shortage of angry disaffected white people in this country. It’s scary.”
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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 held two bonus Patrons Balls in 2025, and we have the trophy list!
[TWO years ago] Who is actually writing Scientology’s nasty online attacks turns out to be a shocker
[THREE years ago] Exclusive: Danny Masterson’s former stepdad on what the family can expect from Scientology
[FOUR years ago] What Scientology’s nutty ‘OT 3’ — the Xenu tale — taught one member about Sea Org slavery
[FIVE years ago] Not only did Scientology get PPP loans: Check out these Scientologists who got bailouts too!
[SIX years ago] Kirstie Alley lets her Scientology hang out and fans react with predictable hilarity
[SEVEN years ago] Reader, can you help this father who wants to keep his son out of Scientology?
[EIGHT years ago] The US government continues to fret over how other countries treat Scientology
[NINE years ago] Scientology to federal court: A judge calling our members directly? Are you nuts?
[TEN years ago] ‘Ross & Carrie’ conclude their Scientology investigation by calling it ‘ridiculously creepy’
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology routed: What the national press hasn’t figured out about the Trout Run defeat
[TWELVE years ago] Federal judge again declines to intervene for Ken Dandar, but leaves a door open
[THIRTEEN years ago] L. Ron Hubbard Intends to Rid You Of a 43-Trillion-Year-Old Implant. What Was That Like?
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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 3,648 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,152 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,658 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,208 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,198 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,584 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,079 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,383 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 5,034 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,252 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,806 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,147 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,718 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,634 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,801 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,387 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,646 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,394 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,963 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,274 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,449 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,131 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,468 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,321 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,437 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,799 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,213 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,598 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,482 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,046 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,558 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,818 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,922 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 3, 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
