TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: The California Supreme Court denies Scientology’s petition to review a ruling that handed Danny Masterson’s victims a huge victory. Will the church go to the US Supremes next? ALSO: Bianca Latvala accuses Scientology of funding her competition for Clearwater council. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The essence of free wheeling is this: The ‘I’ will remain in present time, contacting no perceptics save as it exteriorly observes that the body occasionally hurts
here and there: the file clerk and somatic strip will knock out somatics without attention from the ‘I.’ The ‘I,’ while a person is on free wheeling, should not be called upon to contact any portion of any engram. If free wheeling stops between sessions, with the file clerk and somatic strip inactive, the preclear should be left alone until the next session of Standard Procedure. Free wheeling produces some remarkable effects. Pains turn off and on in most cases with remarkable profusion. If niacin in 100 mg doses per day is given the preclear he will run out sunburns, sometimes quite strongly. The preclear should be told what to expect so that he does not become alarmed. A preclear stuck on the track will not free-wheel. A preclear who is out of valence will get very light somatics but these may grow stronger as days pass and he drifts slightly more into his own valence.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950
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“The primary difference between Scientology and psychiatry is that psychiatry is authoritarian and tells the person what’s wrong with him, often introducing a new lie. Scientology finds out what’s wrong with the person from the person. And then knows more about it than the person, but listens anyway. Listening is the badge of superior knowledge. He who has superior knowledge is privileged to listen. It’s only he who has no superior knowledge that talks all the time — Confucius. Now you got these maxims, and pearls of wisdom? In actual fact, with that data you could go straight out and evolve all of Scientology, just like that. It’s remarkable, isn’t it? But, you mustn’t in actual fact discount — just because it’s discounted to the PC — you mustn’t discount the backbone and body of knowledge of Scientology. Soon as you tell somebody that he’s lived for the last thirty trillion years — of course, thirty trillion years is a drop in the bucket — soon as you tell somebody he’s lived the last thirty trillion years, and so on, he’s liable to be hit with a feeling of unreality.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 14, 1963
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“There is some evidence that the ‘World Bank’ is using nationalism to seize the assets of the world. The cycle is evidently promoted riots, a currency scare, a huge saving loan from the WB or its branches and then that country gradually nationalizing private assets to meet interest and payments. It’s quite the drill. Their support of psychiatry gives their activities a flavour of attempted world dominion by mental-political-financial control. Easy seizure of anyone and his disablement or death would take care of all objectors, national dependency takes care of political control and puts a control on all assets of the world. Sounds crazy and of course it is. But this is Smersh at work. The only real danger is that the World Bank considers itself also senior to God.” — The Commodore, August 14, 1969
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“In 1971 I read Science of Survival. This book appealed to me having just arrived in the United States after getting my ass kicked from one end of Vietnam to the other. I read half of the book and was in a bar one night when I noticed one young girl sitting by herself dressed in a ‘granny’ outfit. she even looked like she was 80 years old. I sat down across from her and gave her a command ‘When I snap my fingers, give me a year!’ I snapped and she blurted out 1898! ‘Give me a month!’ She said ‘February!’ ‘Give me a Date!’ She blurted again ‘The 25th’ and all of a sudden she stood up and held her face. She ran into the bathroom. She came out twenty minutes later. I almost didn’t recognize her. She came up to me and scolded me ‘What did you do to me?’ I said ‘Dianetics!’ She chilled out but spun on her foot and walked out. But she was in valence, I can tell you. I did several more of those dating actions on more people, but with their permission this time. They all went great. Some guys shook my hand and others thanked me. To this day I can Date/Locate like Michael Jordan can slam-dunk.”
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1999: Scientology’s Gold Base near Hemet, California was host to the opening of a new movie studio, according to an article in the Press-Enterprise. “The promise of a free dinner in an estate-like atmosphere, plus live entertainment, were enough to entice Barbara Moke to spend her Saturday evening behind the gates of Church of Scientology’s newest film studio. Moke, a volunteer at the Hemet Police Department, said her office received an invitation to the opening of The Castle, the sprawling film studio operated by Golden Era Productions in Gilman Hot Springs. ‘This is the perfect place for party,’ she said, while partaking of the buffet dinner on The Castle grounds. To celebrate the opening of the $7 million studio, Golden Era threw a party, and invited roughly 900 area leaders and members of the public to attend. The exterior of the 35mm film studio is designed to resemble a Scottish castle, complete with turrets and battlements. Political leaders from the San Jacinto Valley joined Michael Rinder, a board member of the Church of Scientology International, in cutting the bright red ribbon tied across the stage at the front of the Castle. Several local officials praised the church for its involvement in community activities. ‘I would like to say on behalf of the city of Hemet, Golden Era Productions has really been a partner of ours,’ said Hemet City Councilwoman Robin Lowe. Films with titles like ‘The Solo Auditor’ and ‘The History of the E-Meter,’ are designed to teach members how to apply the principles of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Tour guides escorted people into the audition and dressing rooms, and into the massive soundstage. After the tour, guests were invited to mingle on the grounds, and be entertained by Celtic Gold, an Irish dance troupe, and the Golden Era Musicians.”
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“I believe that Miscavige is as much into it for the sadism as he is for the money. He’s a little man who hates the world and wants revenge on those who snickered behind his back and called him ‘asthmatic dwarf.’ He’ll stick around as long as he has a few punching bags left.”
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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] New $50 million blast at Priscilla Presley: The lawsuit’s full summary of the case
[TWO years ago] Rebecca Minkoff says ‘No comment’ to Scientology questions in RHONY trailer
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s plan to take over Battle Creek, Michigan is going according to plan!
[FOUR years ago] Scientology scores major success with powerful new publicity effort
[FIVE years ago] Tom Cruise’s Scientology superpowers, No. 10: Drying out from space coke
[SIX years ago] Faces of the Sea Org: Rare look at Scientology workers indentured for a billion years
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s anti-drug hero is an ex-con who is coming for your school kids
[EIGHT years ago] Whale watching: Your 2018 mid-year guide to who’s keeping Scientology alive
[NINE years ago] Fair Play: Before Leah Remini takes another whack, here’s a word from Scientology itself
[TEN years ago] Got a Purple Heart? Scientology wants to exploit you
[ELEVEN years ago] Florida rejects complaint over Scientology ‘disconnection,’ but Brian Sheen unbowed
[TWELVE years ago] Kate Bornstein kicks cancer’s ass
[THIRTEEN years ago] Episcopal Church Objects to Being Included in Supreme Court Brief Supporting Scientology
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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 3,720 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,224 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,730 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,280 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,656 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,151 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,457 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 5,106 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,324 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,878 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,219 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,790 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,706 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,873 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,459 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,718 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,466 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 4,035 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,346 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,521 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,203 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,540 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,393 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,509 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,871 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,670 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,554 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,129 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,630 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,890 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,994 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 14, 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
