TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: May 9 is one of the holiest days on the Scientology calendar, and it’s easy to understand why. It was May 9, 1950 that L. Ron Hubbard first published Dianetics, Scientology’s bible. This year another big party was held in Clearwater, and we’re just now getting a closer look. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“A case of malaria can be restimulated. A man has malaria in a certain environment. Now having had it he becomes far more susceptible to malaria psychosomatically in that same environment and with those people who tended him. He can become a serious drag on the party, for each new slight touch restimulates the old one and what should have been a mild case is a highly painful one, being the first case of malaria plus all the subsequent cases. Malaria is a bug. As a bug it can be handled. As a comanome it will defy cure, for there is no Atabrine for comanomes short of their removal. Almost all serious comanomes occur early in life—amazingly early. The early ones form a basic structure to which it is very simple to append later comanomes. Comanomes can wait from childhood to be “keyed in” and active at 25, 50, 70 years of age.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950
——————–
“I recall a patient encountering such a somatic where it seemed like mother had gotten the crabs. He complained about these crabs for about two weeks, and had scratched himself practically raw during that time. But he was held in that engram and had been there most of his life! That is what is known as getting crabs for 40 years.” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 17, 1950
——————–
“BIG WIN: The Adelaide Ban is to be repealed according to the Attorney General at the Adelaide Labour Convention. This is a GO victory. The A/G there Tom Minchin did it. He is being made a Kha Khan. So the tide rolls back the way it came. A lovely birthday present for Mary Sue. The Telex arrived in the first few minutes of her birthday today.” — The Commodore, June 17, 1971
——————–
“We are making an offer to our ‘Clear Package Club’ members, of which we have many, we are happy to say! The org is expanding to larger and more upscale headquarters so, starting Monday, make an additional payment of $5K plus and receive your L11 free. A $5K service normally on its own.”
——————–
1997: Court documents filed by Janice Hayward were posted this week. Janice is suing Scientology for a refund. Janice also alleges physical force used against her by staff members. “I contracted with the Church of Scientology Phoenix Organization to become a Dianetic Clear and the Special Price was $25,000. I was guaranteed results or my money back. Both written and verbal agreements were broken to extort more money beyond the agreed upon price. John DeNiro, a staff member said that I was ‘a mark’ on 24 Dec. 1991. He meant that they were just out to take my money. In February, 1995, I was told by Karen Mosher, Acting Executive director, and John DeNiro a staff member, that I could not receive the Dianetics program. My contract was broken and I was put out. My financial and counseling records were altered, and I was charged excessively, over and over again, and then kicked out with no refund. Therefore, I ask that a judgment be awarded me in the amount of $67,000 for actual financial harm, plus court costs and attorney fees. In addition, I ask that a judgment be awarded me in the amount equal to three times my actual financial losses as punitive damages for the physical and mental stress I suffered. On or about 21 Dec., 1992 I was assaulted by Wendy Keene, Ethics Officer. Mary Sugher, Secretary, tried to physically force me to stay at the Church of Scientology against my will. She called for Wendy Keen and Kathy Bennett, a Division 6 Supervisor, to attack me. Kathy ran off, but Wendy slammed me repeatedly into the wall in the back of the church for over half an hour. Finally, John DiNero, a staff member, came in and made her stop. I confronted Mary Sugher about the assault. She told me that L. Ron Hubbard’s policy states that it is all right to physically assault people. Since this assault, I have experienced disabling migraine headaches and continuous chiropractic care on my neck. I was harmed so much that my condition has caused me to miss work, and it has affected my ability to work steadily on my job. My condition has forced me to miss work. This situation has ended ultimately with the loss of my job. On or about 19 July, 1991 Jon Luc, the Academy Supervisor, showed me a silver, semi-automatic pistol, of unknown caliber, that was kept by the church to use on people. He told me that ‘people had been taken to the dessert [sic] and shot because they posed a threat to the church.’ My experience with them has made me fearful for my life.”
——————–
“People bandy about the term ‘Satanist’ in relation to L. Ron Hubbard somewhat disingenuously. Aleister Crowley didn’t consider himself a ‘Satanist’ and Hubbard was a dilettante poseur playing at what he perceived to be ‘Satanism.’ A goodly portion of the Internet sites I’ve encountered in my readings and ‘research’ in the last five or so years that try to paint LRH as some kind of serious Satanist have been Born-Again Christian sites, so they definitely have an agenda. Hubbard was about as much of a ‘real’ Satanist as Anton LaVey was. It was all part of the geek show for the rubes.”
——————–
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, oral arguments scheduled for June 25. 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. Now serving time in 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 June 19.
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. Oral arguments hearing set for July 23.
— 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 upheld on appeal. Scientology expected to file additional petitions before case can return to Kalra’s court.
— 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.
——————–
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?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Scientology’s most notorious dirty PI, and the chaos caused by his cop son
[TWO years ago] Bruce Hines: Scientology is one strange journey, sailor
[THREE years ago] PODCAST: ‘Chicago Fire’ star Christian Stolte on his Scientology experience
[FOUR years ago] Scientology is bursting with news about its aging cruise ship, which is totally not sinking
[FIVE years ago] Private investigators stalking Leah Remini and Jennifer Lopez: The complete texts
[SIX years ago] SCIENTOLOGY CELEB DANNY MASTERSON CHARGED ON MULTIPLE RAPE ALLEGATIONS
[SEVEN years ago] Mike Rinder returns to Scientology’s secretive Int Base! Well, sort of.
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology scores with political conservatives in Europe using the ‘religious freedom’ gambit
[NINE years ago] Paul Haggis: Marty Rathbun is using private info I gave him against Lawrence Wright
[TEN years ago] Maryland county explains why (don’t call it Scientology) can take a hike
[ELEVEN years ago] Another document trove on L. Ron Hubbard’s troubled son, Nibs, the Scientology flip-flopper
[TWELVE years ago] LISTEN: Rare tape reveals how L. Ron Hubbard really came up with Scientology’s space cooties
[THIRTEEN years ago] SCIENTOLOGISTS AT WAR, the Channel 4 Documentary
——————–
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 3,662 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,166 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,672 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,222 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,598 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,093 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,399 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 5,048 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,266 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,820 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,161 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,732 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,648 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,815 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,401 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,660 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,408 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,977 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,288 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,463 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,145 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,482 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,335 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,451 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,813 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,612 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,496 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,060 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,572 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,832 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,936 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on June 17, 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)
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates.
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
