TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Yes! It’s another class of Scientology super beings who have reached OT 8, the top of the ‘Bridge to Total Freedom.’ According to founder L. Ron Hubbard these folks should be able to crush a planet between thumb and forefinger! Recognize any of these geniuses? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“One who insists upon the tenet that the personality consists only of neuroses, compulsions and repressions is not only rather silly, but is extremely dangerous to those around him. In the first place he has an engram which tells him he will die or something if he “gets rid of it” and so, by reactive computation, reactively ‘desires’ to be aberrated. Or he has a sympathy engram which inclines him toward the ‘glories’ of ‘hypochondria.’ He may also be subject to that prime sheep-psychology mechanism which favors ‘adjustment’ only because people with wills of their own and force of personality are strong. A man, weak because of his engrams, seeks to keep others weak out of some idiotic hope that thus he will better survive.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950
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“Now, what’s the matter with the planet at this particular time is ethics is out. And that is proven by the fact that you are having a hard time getting tech in. With the technology which you know at this particular moment and the results which you are delivering even at lower levels, you have a total monopoly of all mental activities, all religious activities and all social activities on this planet. That is what you are entitled to at this moment. Do you have them? Well, therefore, tech is out. Obvious. So, the only thing that puts tech out is if ethics is out. The only thing that can get tech in is ethics.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 2, 1966
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“Recruits are not the answer, not the total why to no production. Lots there already. Training and hats are needed. 2.5 hours a day study time. Part time Crew Cse Super and properly programmed crew students properly enrolled and properly mustered at suitable times will improve things faster than new recruits. Recruits are longer range.” — The Commodore, August 2, 1971
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“I was born a Jew, migrated to the UK, did Scientology, got to a glorious state called Clear, was then told I am not Clear, tried to get my money back, had a little legal fight, was declared. And then I actually found my truth through Illuminati. I found a world within a world that changed what I know about the world — I found the power within me and within others which make every single atom in this world seem like a full world, and that everything has a meaning, and if searched well, you can find the meaning yourself. But then I noticed that the Illuminati was also promoting bad things, so I searched again and then I discovered NES — New Era Scientology. NES was founded by a person called Lafayette, who is the reincarnation of Ron Hubbard himself. He continues to expand the betterment of an individual, and he expands the technology that stopped evolving since the 80’s. I am thankful for him as I feel I can have a future and I can go OT and will be able to verify my Clear state. Thank you, and may the good eye of the Illuminati be with you always!”
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2001: The St. Petersburg Times reported that Dr. David Minkoff has been suspended as a doctor and fined for his treatment of Lisa McPherson, who died as a result of her care in the Fort Harrison Hotel in 1995. “Florida’s Board of Medicine has sternly sanctioned Clearwater physician David I. Minkoff, finding he improperly prescribed medicine for a patient he had never seen – Scientologist Lisa McPherson. Minkoff, also a Scientologist, prescribed Valium and the muscle relaxant chloral hydrate at the behest of unlicensed Church of Scientology staffers who were trying to nurse McPherson, 36, through a severe mental breakdown. When they failed after 17 days of isolating her, Minkoff was recruited again. This time, he pronounced McPherson dead. For his role in the 1995 episode that Minkoff himself calls a ‘fiasco,’ the 53-year-old doctor will lose his medical license for one year and then be made to practice under probation for two more years – unless he appeals and wins a reversal. He also was fined $10,000. Ken Dandar, the Tampa lawyer who represents McPherson’s family, called the sanctions too lenient. Dandar set off the inquiry that led to Friday’s action, complaining about Minkoff to state health officials in 1997. He nevertheless credited Minkoff on Friday for the candid accounts he has given in sworn statements. It was Minkoff, a Scientologist for 20 years, who told prosecutors in 1998 that McPherson’s care at Scientology’s Fort Harrison Hotel in Clearwater was seriously flawed. The doctor is a ‘public’ Scientologist, not one of the uniformed members who staff the church. Though Minkoff had never seen McPherson and didn’t know her medical history, he prescribed liquid Valium. He also wrote the prescription in the name of the Scientology staffer who was sent to pick it up – not the actions of a ‘reasonably prudent physician,’ according to a stinging document written earlier this year by the state’s Agency for Health Care Administration. Nine days later, the church staffers called again. This time, Minkoff prescribed chloral hydrate, a prescription sedative, again without examining McPherson or gleaning information about her medical situation. On Dec. 5, 1995, when Scientology staffers realized McPherson was physically ill, they again called Minkoff, who says he told them to take her to the nearest hospital. But the staffers persisted, saying they feared doctors at Morton Plant Hospital, two minutes away, would put her in the psychiatric ward. Minkoff, who worked in the emergency room at a New Port Richey hospital 45 minutes away, finally agreed to see McPherson. After pronouncing McPherson dead, Minkoff told prosecutors he screamed at church staffer Janis Johnson for bringing him someone in such ‘horrific’
shape. Johnson was an unlicensed physician. An autopsy found McPherson died of a blood clot in her left lung. Once a defendant in that lawsuit, he has settled with McPherson’s family. Minkoff has said Johnson never revealed the severity of McPherson’s psychosis. Had he known more, he would have acted differently, he told prosecutors.”
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“Massholio is 4 months of winter wasteland followed by a month of sumptuous spring followed by four months of hellish heat and humidity followed by two and half months of fabulous fall weather. There’s definitely room for improvement, Sherb.”
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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, 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.
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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 loses an ‘enforcer,’ but what work did Marion Pouw actually do?
[TWO years ago] New York Scientology donor David Gentile convicted in federal fraud case
[THREE years ago] Scientology wanted you to believe that the urge to leave was a failing. It wasn’t.
[FOUR years ago] The Scientologists doing battle with the SEC over a $1 billion pile of cash
[FIVE years ago] Escaping for the second time: Cathy Mullins on forsaking Scientology’s Florida swamp
[SIX years ago] VIDEO LEAK explains how to rope in the unsuspecting: ‘We don’t explain Scientology’
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology finds a friendly physician to help out in its attack on an effective drug
[EIGHT years ago] Colombian roast: Will Scientologists care about David Miscavige’s latest fraud?
[NINE years ago] Carol Nyburg is back, and she has a Scientology story that will rough you up
[TEN years ago] For Scientology’s most infamous dirty trickster, retirement has a happy ending
[ELEVEN years ago] Garcias’ appeal rejected; now the couple faces the real possibility of Scientology arbitration
[TWELVE years ago] Video proof that Scientology makes you a stellar communicator
[THIRTEEN years ago] Underground Bunker Night at The TomKat Project — Get Your Tickets Now!
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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 3,708 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,212 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,718 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,268 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,644 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,139 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,445 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 5,094 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,312 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,866 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,207 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,778 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,694 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,861 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,447 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,706 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,454 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 4,023 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,334 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,509 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,191 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,528 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,381 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,497 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,859 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,658 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,542 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,117 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,618 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,878 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,982 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 2, 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
