We waited a long time for the four-year drought to end and for Scientology leader David Miscavige to start putting on his Ideal Org dog-and-pony shows again.
But imagine how long the wait was for the poor saps who had been gouged for donations to pay for the thing as far back as 20 years ago!
We were reminded of what those Scientologists were put through when Kat, a former Austin stand-up comic, returned to remind us that a few years ago she had helped us put together footage of those wild fundraising days after her own infiltration of the Austin org in 2017.
She was curious about the Ideal Org opening last week, and when she went by she was stunned to hear David Miscavige actually making reference to that “Crazy Town” fundraising, and gave us a fun report about it.
So we asked her to come on the podcast and reflect on all of it — her infiltration of the org, the people she met there, the crazy fundraising, and Saturday’s celebration of Miscavige’s ambition.
As usual, you can listen to the podcast or watch it at our YouTube channel, below…
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Technology Cocktail
“Each Grade is now followed by a Havingness process. Processing deletes unwanted mass. Havingness restores the mass “desired” and eventually brings one up to not needing it. Each grade is complete when its Havingness processes have been run to FN after all flows of all processes here listed for that grade have been run each to FN.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1969
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman
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“It’s the inability of the Catholic Church, and the inability of the Methodist and Angelican and other faiths, to unravel the why that lay behind human-emotion-and-reaction that convinced them utterly that man was a sinful being and that was born in sin, and he was conceived in sin and born in sin and would die in sin, and that he was evil. You can see them now on the rostrum, on the platform shaking their fingers at their congregations and how they were evil sinners, and they were all sinners. That’s just all, they didn’t have the right why. So, your own future morale pursuing a line as an Establishment Officer actually is greatly dependent on your ability to penetrate a situation and discover a correct why.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 2, 1972
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“Al Bornstein is ordered to thorough daily 2 hour study on his post hat. I have already sent Org Officer FAO a full checksheet on promotion for use in his hat.” — Lt. Cmdr. Diana Hubbard, Distribution Aide, March 2, 1971
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“Able Body Bill said (in the UFO lecture) that siding with the EU and its Marcabian masters was better than siding with the USA and its gray Andromedan masters. Marcab controls the population through economics and tax, while the grays from Andromeda use brain chips and implants.”
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2001: Jeff Jacobsen spoke to the Clearwater city commission this week concerning the off-duty officers hired by Scientology. “For over a year now every day 2 uniformed off-duty police sit on Watterson Street next to the Scientology Bank building on Cleveland Street. They are there from 11am to 8pm 7 days per week, paid by Scientology. They do essentially nothing but sit in lawn chairs provided by Scientology. In a January 21, 1983 article in the Clearwater Times, a survey of Clearwater citizens showed that ‘eight out of 10 adult residents think the Church of Scientology is a problem.’ In 1995 Paul Maser of the Clearwater Police Department wrote an affidavit where the city was suing Scientology. He wrote about Scientology that ‘harassment and intimidation is authorized by the Church under the Fair Game Law, as dictated by L. Ron Hubbard founder of the Church of Scientology.’ The City of Clearwater knows about Scientology. They know Scientology’s history. And yet now I see the city officials kowtowing to Scientology. Antonio the Scientology security staffer sits all day with these 2 uniformed officers, sitting on Scientology chairs eating Scientology food enjoying Scientology company and doing essentially nothing for Scientology money. Scientologists who may think of leaving Scientology may think twice when they see city police are in the pockets of Scientology. Scientologists are no doubt told that the police are there because of the dangerous people just down the street at the Lisa McPherson Trust and they are there for Scientologists’ protection. Judge Thomas Penick in St. Petersburg ruled on February 21 of this year that the Clearwater police are ‘coming very dangerously close to being a private security force for the Church of Scientology.’ I urge the city commission to look into this matter. What has changed in Scientology’s behavior that city officials no longer view Scientology as dangerous?”
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“Even after all this time I’m still shocked at how this ‘religion’ is able to turn people into the biggest bunch of liars, bullies and amoral a-holes I’ve ever come across. I’m use to associating with junkies, prostitutes, and various other sundry shady types, but generally speaking, those people have more of a moral compass than your militant Scientologist.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing March 26, 2024.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Complaint filed August 2, motion to strike/anti-SLAPP motions by Scientology to be heard January 9, 2024.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration. Plaintiffs allowed interlocutory appeal to Eleventh Circuit.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: motion to file new complaint, hearing on March 20.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, hearing on March 26.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Ordered to mediation.
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After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: 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] Chris Shelton breaks down wild interview with current Scientologist Katie Lohmann
[TWO years ago] Rough seas? Tough cookie, sailor. In Scientology, you upchuck at your own peril
[THREE years ago] Save the date: Special ‘Cult City’ tour with Marc Headley for L. Ron Hubbard’s birthday
[FOUR years ago] DRONE FLYOVER: The Gold Country mine where Scientology stores its scriptures
[FIVE years ago] Mike Rinder on Scientology’s smears, Miscavige’s fears, and waiting for ‘Aftermath’ news
[SIX years ago] Scientology TV is now installed at the Ideal Orgs — when do the rest of us get to see it?
[SEVEN years ago] Leah Remini’s ‘Troublemaker’ finally gets a UK publisher — and you can probably guess who!
[EIGHT years ago] APPEALS COURT STRIKES SCIENTOLOGY’S $1 MILLION JUDGMENT AGAINST KEN DANDAR
[NINE years ago] NEW TODAY: Memoir with shocking claims by notorious Scientology spy, Merrell Vannier
[TEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Scientology nuttiness on Oscar Day!
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Mythbusting with Jon Atack: That L. Ron Hubbard TV Ad!
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 2,827 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,322 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,837 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,387 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,377 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,258 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,562 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,433 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,985 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,326 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,893 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,812 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,980 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,561 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,822 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,858 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,574 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,138 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,453 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,628 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,179 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,310 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,648 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,503 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,621 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,978 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,281 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,387 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,785 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,661 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,226 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,739 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,993 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,102 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 2, 2024 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now 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, 1995-2022 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2022), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
