To understand the changes that Leah Remini is proposing to add to her lawsuit against the Church of Scientology, RTC, OSA and its leader, David Miscavige (who runs these organizations and the operations that come from them) it’s important to realize that she’s fighting against a multi-billion-dollar organization.
She’s fighting to stop the activities that are intended to destroy people’s lives under the practice of Fair Game, operations that Scientology has aimed at its perceived enemies for decades.
These operations are not simply about what Scientology says about someone like Leah Remini, but what it does to her, and people associated with her — people who have never been involved in the organization, or even said anything about it. If they’re close to her, or do business with her, they too receive the same treatment.
These activities are designed to instill fear in those third parties so they will distance themselves from Scientology’s target, leaving people afraid to associate with her or do business with her. Most people are not used to being harassed by an organization calling itself a church. And this is what Scientology intends to do. This is what their policies demand they do.
So Scientology uses hundreds of social media accounts and the members of their front groups to gang-harass, stalk and intimidate their enemies as a standard practice, but it also does this to people and organizations who are merely associated with advocates and whistleblowers of Scientology. Therefore, Scientology uses all its resources against those people as well. leaving people with the feeling that they can’t fight back, and instilling fear in anyone who even thinks about going up against this organization.
A recent example is ClearChannel Outdoor, which caved after Phil Jones and the Aftermath Foundation had put up a billboard near Scientology’s Los Angeles headquarters. Scientology harassed ClearChannel enough that the company felt it was easier to take down the billboard than subject themselves, their employees, and even their families to constant around-the-clock harassment from Scientology.
This is what Scientology does and has done for decades. Most people, lacking experience with Scientology and lacking the courage to stand by what is right will just give in. And in her lawsuit, Leah is alleging that something similar is happening to her. Most entertainment organizations, knowing what they might have to experience if they hire her, will likely look elsewhere to save themselves from the inevitable attacks that would come to their production and even right at their front doors.
The failure to comprehend this has led to some less than stellar news reporting on the lawsuit, and it’s also a lesson that Judge Hammock himself should keep an eye on.
We have praised Judge Hammock for the way he’s fended off some of Scientology’s obfuscating moves, and for applying what he himself calls “common sense” to Scientology’s malice and aggression. But he’s also characterized this dispute as “a war of words” between two highly visible public figures, as if Leah Remini is on an equal playing field with Miscavige’s army of well-paid lawyers, private investigators, and less well paid Sea Org members and civilian Scientologists who volunteer and are ordered to participate in any and all OSA operations to destroy their perceived enemies.
For Judge hammock to state that Leah and Scientology are basically on the same level is like saying stepping into the ring with Mike Tyson is a fair fight. Although Leah is formidable, she is only herself without a war chest of unlimited funds and organization of 20,000 employees at her disposal. It is not in fact, a fair fight and Scientology does not play fair.
Judge Hammock’s recent ruling removed numerous defamation allegations by Leah, but left eight of her nine causes of action intact. (The only one he removed, the ninth, was her proposal that Judge Hammock himself enter a declaration censuring Scientology’s actions, which would have been unusual for him to do.)
Leah is now proposing to make several additions to her lawsuit in the wake of Hammock’s ruling.
First, she’s anticipating that Miscavige will sooner or later make a similar objection that was made by the Religious Technology Center (the subsidiary Miscavige is chairman of). RTC had complained that Leah’s lawsuit didn’t make any specific allegations against it, and Judge Hammock allowed Leah to add declarations by Mike Rinder and Claire Headley to make those specifical allegations, which proved enough to keep RTC in the lawsuit. Now, Leah is saying that she expects Miscavige will make that same objection, and so she is proposing to add allegations about him specifically.
Leah is also proposing to add more allegations of stalking and harassment to the lawsuit, including incidents that happened in 2024, and she also wants to bolster evidence about Scientology making false allegations that she had harmed her own family members, which Judge Hammock has ruled could be actionable.
As for the dismissed ninth cause of action, Leah is proposing replacing it with a tenth: Civil conspiracy against Miscavige and Scientology.
And as to the defamation claims that were dismissed because the STAND League had made their attacks long enough ago that they were time-barred, Leah’s team is replacing them with similar smears that another Scientology account, “Vetted Facts,” has made recently — in fact, not only attacking Leah since she filed her lawsuit, but even after Scientology filed its motions to strike.
You see, Scientology can’t help itself. It has proved time and again that it’s a vindictive, retaliatory machine, with hundreds of operatives and social media feeds, private eyes and lawyers, all operating from unlimited budgets, resources and staff all at the ready to receive orders from David Miscavige as to what the OSA operation is, who the target is, and what the steps of the operation are “to destroy utterly.”
This is what Leah is really fighting. She’s not fighting because she’s been called names. She’s fighting because she wants an injunction that will force Scientology to dismantle its smear machine.
This suit has never just been about Leah’s rights but too, the rights of others.
Now, here are the specific additions that Leah is proposing be added to her lawsuit…
Page 8, Line 1: 20a. A document relied on by Scientology, filed in this case on October 26, 2023, shows that a former member of Scientology, Brandon Reisdorf, accused Scientology in 2016 of engaging in “[fair] game dirty tricks” including terrorizing his pet with a “hose pipe.”
Page 8, Line 5: 20b. After the First Amended Complaint was filed, Ms. Remini learned that, on or about April 2023, Scientology tried to make a deal with a public defender to frame Remini for the defendant’s alleged attack involving a Scientology security guard. A Scientology lawyer (Kendrick Moxon, a member who works for OSA) asked the public defender to have her client lie and say that his alleged assault involving a security guard for Scientology was “inflamed” by Remini and her documentary “is responsible for his actions.” The public defender explained to the presiding judge: “If my client were to make these statements on the record, [Moxon] would then ask the D.A.’s office to reduce this to a misdemeanor or even less.”
Page 11, Line 5: 29a. One of the primary roles Mr. Miscavige plays as head of RTC is the planning and supervision of campaigns intended to silence, muzzle, and destroy anyone who violates Scientology’s policies, whether a former member of Scientology or not. Mr. Miscavige does this from his position in RTC by directing OSA to execute campaigns against such people and those who may associate with them or employ them. These campaigns are intended to “destroy utterly” or “silence” by any means necessary—through a persistent drumbeat of social media messages, stalking, and harassment designed to isolate the target, render her unemployable, and to deter others from following suit. Mr. Miscavige issues orders relating to silencing and muzzling high-profile whistleblowers who are attempting to expose criminal activities. This would include Leah Remini.
Page 11, Line 14: 29b. Mr. Miscavige personally devises, supervises, directs, and is involved in these matters because they impact public perception and thus, Scientologists believe, the survival of Scientology. This makes them “Matters of RTC Concern.” RTC’s website, https://www.rtc.org, lists Mr. Miscavige as the Chairman of the Board of RTC, and includes a list of “Matters of RTC Concern.” The first item on the list of RTC “Ethics” Concerns is: “Any suppressive act against Scientology or Scientologists as listed in HCO PLs and HCOBs,” which refers to Hubbard Communication Office Policy Letters and Bulletins. These are Scientology’s policies that direct how to deal with suppressive acts. A suppressive act is any act deemed to violate Scientology’s laws and is punishable by Scientology, for example criticizing a Scientology organization publicly is a suppressive act also known as a “High Crime.” Other Matters of RTC Concern listed on its website include:
—“Any anti-Scientology, anti-Source, anti-org or anti-Church management actions or intentions”
—Any person who is hypercritical of Scientology or the Church
—Publicly departing Scientology
—Public statements against Scientology or Scientologists but not to Committees of Evidence duly convened
—Civil suits brought against a Scientology organization or Scientologist.
Page 24, Line 4: 91a. On March 21, 2023, @VettedFacts tweeted “@leahremini denied her father $1,500 for cancer screening, he later died of cancer” and posts a link to a video of her father at “leahreminithefacts.org” which “tells the story of his daughter reneging on an emergency loan of $1,500 for a biopsy.”
Page 24, Line 8: 91b. On Nov. 10, 2022, @MediaEthicsChk, controlled by Defendants, tweeted “How Leah Remini Denied Her Father $1,500 for a Cancer Biopsy” and posts a link to the video described in paragraph 91a.
Page 24, Line 11: 91c. On August 1, 2023, @VettedFacts posted “When @LeahRemini’s sister, Stephani Remini, was dying of cancer, Remini said: “I’m not paying for it. Get Charity Care.”
Page 24, Line 14: 91d. On March 29, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted, “When @LeahRemini’s half sister was diagnosed with cancer, Remini told her to get charity care” and posts a picture of her father’s third wife with the statement “Leah did not assist.”
Page 24, Line 17: 91e. On August 16, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted, “@LeahRemini’s parents talked about Leah Remini and her sister’s behavior around the time of her grandmother’s death” and “Leah Remini . . . . ‘ransacked her dying grandmother’s apartment.’”
Page 24, Line 21: 91f. On Nov. 10, 2022, @MediaEthicsChk, controlled by Defendants, tweeted “Leah Remini’s father and his wife recall how Leah sent sister Nicole to his dying mother’s apartment, with orders to ‘take everything’—cleaning out all money, jewelry and valuables” and posts a link to the same video described in paragraph 91a.
Page 24, Line 25: 91g. On December 5 and December 19, 2023, @VettedFacts, controlled by Defendants, tweeted “in 2012, @LeahRemini’s father commented on her abusive behavior: ‘The way it is going she won’t have any friends or family … She has been a hardship on all of us.’”
Page 38, Line 15: 129a. Since the First Amended Complaint was filed, Defendants have posted multiple times on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram that Remini filed a “false” or “fraudulent” police report related to Shelly Miscavige. For example, but not limited to:
Page 38, Line 18: 129b. On September 11, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted @LeahRemini filed “false complaints” with the LAPD.
Page 38, Line 20: 129c. On September 17, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted, “Only an obsessed and disturbed person would be so rabid as to file a fraudulent missing persons report purely for harassment and publicity purposes.”
Page 38, Line 23: 129d. On September 18, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted “When @LeahRemini filed a fraudulent report with the police, LAPD had to issue two statements discrediting her claims. And an acquaintance said she told him she knew it was false.”
Page 38, Line 26: 129e. On September 28, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted “Leah Remini filed a fraudulent missing persons report.”
Page 39, Line 1: 129f. On October 1, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted “But the steady rampage of false reports didn’t stop there” about @LeahRemini.
Page 39, Line 3: 129g. On October 2, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted “Leah Remini filed a fraudulent missing persons report.”
Page 39, Line 5: 129h. On October 4, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted “@LeahRemini filed a fraudulent police report.”
Page 39, Line 7: 129i. On October 4, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted, “@LeahRemini filed a fraudulent police report, and has spent a decade harassing law enforcement when they discredited her claims.”
Page 39, Line 10: 129j. On October 4, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted about Remini and included a link to standleague.org/reminiunhinged, a webpage containing a video titled “Leah Remini Unhinged.” The video states that Remini filed a “fraudulent police report” in 2013 and claims “The report was false. There was no missing person. AND LEAH KNEW IT.” The video includes footage of Marty Rathbun, labeled “former confidant of Leah Remini,” allegedly relaying a conversation he had with Remini: “She goes, ‘I know that. I knew she wasn’t missing.’ That was cool with her. In other words, she knew it was a scam from the beginning.” Text in the video then proclaims, “Leah Remini planned her scam for one purpose: TO HARASS.”
Page 39, Line 18: 129k. Defendants have publicly stated that Marty Rathbun is “an unreliable source,” “an admitted liar,” “a self-confessed suborner of perjury and obstructer of justice.” Defendants have also said of Rathbun: “Expelled from the Church 10 years ago, Rathbun is a lunatic with a history of psychological problems, arrests and admitted criminal acts. His madness and reckless disregard for authority and for truth manifested itself when he accused a highly respected state judge in Florida of being on the take and the director of the FBI of being a ‘punk.’” Defendants know their statements are false or are in reckless disregard of whether their statements are false or not.
Page 39, Line 26: 129l. Defendants posted the same video, “Leah Remini Unhinged,” containing the defamatory statements listed above in new tweets via @standmonitor on August 30, September 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, October 1, 2, 4, 12, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, November 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, December 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, and 21, 2023, as well as January 6, 7, 8, 12, and 14, 2024.
Page 40, Line 4: 129m. Defendants also posted the same video, “Leah Remini Unhinged,” containing the defamatory statements listed above, via standmonitor on Instagram on December 6, 2023.
Page 40, Line 6: 129n. On November 5, 2023, @standmontior tweeted, “When @LeahRemini decided to file a false police report, it was simply a means of harassing an entire religion using law enforcement … the police have twice discredited her fake claims.” (Singer Decl., filed Dec. 1, 2023, Ex. 3 (emphasis in original)).
Page 40, Line 10: 129o. On November 5, 2024, @standmonitor tweeted “When @LeahRemini decided to file a false police report, it was simply a means a harassing an entire religion using law enforcement.”
Page 40, Line 13: 129p. On November 24, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted “Only @LeahRemini would file a fraudulent police report as a means of exercising her bigotry to harass an entire religion—and waste enormous police resources in the process.”
Page 40, Line 16: 129q. On November 28, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted: “What responsible person files a fraudulent missing persons report purely for harassment? No responsible person does, but @LeahRemini did…”
Page 40, Line 19: 129r. On December 1, 2023, standmonitor (created and controlled by Defendants) posted on Instagram: “What responsible person files a fraudulent missing persons report purely for harassment? No responsible person does, but @LeahRemini did…”
Page 40, Line 22: 129s. On November 6 and November 21, 2023, @VettedFacts tweeted “In August of 2013, @LeahRemini filed a fraudulent ‘missing person report’ to harass the Church of Scientology and its leader.”
Page 40, Line 25: 129t. On December 4, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted “A confidant of @LeahRemini confessed that she knew her police report was bogus. ‘I knew she wasn’t missing.’”
Page 40, Line 27: 129u. On December 19, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted “When @LeahRemini made an unfounded police report ‘she knew it was a scam from the beginning,’ according to the confidant.”
Page 41, Line 1: 129v. On December 12, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted “@LeahRemini made a false police report about a so-called missing person.”
Page 41, Line 3: 129w. It is false and defamatory that Remini filed a false police report or a fraudulent police report. It is false and defamatory that Remini “knew” the report was false. It is false and defamatory that Remini “knew” there was no missing person. It is false and defamatory that Remini filed a missing person report “purely for harassment.” While still in Scientology, Ms. Remini internally reported concerns about Shelly Miscavige’s whereabouts. Then in 2013, Remini filed a missing person report related to her long-time friend Shelly Miscavige. Remini had not seen her friend for years, did not know her whereabouts (or whether she was still alive), and was genuinely concerned for her friend’s health, safety, and security.
Page 52, Line 11: 184a. On information and belief, Defendants have made attempts to unlawfully enter her gated community. On August 28, 2023, Ms. Remini opened the gate for a friend who was visiting and arrived by Uber. The gate is clearly marked with No Trespassing signs and instructions that cars should not follow others through the gate. The car behind the friend’s Uber attempted to follow it through the gate before the gate closed completely. The Uber driver noticed this attempt and stopped his car to prevent the unknown driver from entering. The unknown driver, a man not known to Ms. Remini or her friend, then left the vehicle, aggressively confronted the Uber driver and said he was with Amazon and needed entrance through the gate. The man was in an unmarked vehicle and wore no uniform. He verbally accosted the Uber driver and demanded entrance, which was denied, at which point he spent twenty minutes punching numbers into the call box without ever calling any resident of the neighborhood. Failing this attempt, he backed into the driveway of a nearby neighbor. The Uber driver and Ms. Remini’s friend believed he had been in this driveway the whole time waiting to gain entry as they had not seen anyone come up the street behind him. After ten minutes, he sped away. These events were reported to the property manager and the Los Angeles Police Department.
Page 52, Line 26: 184b. Further, on January 16, 2024, Ms. Remini observed a white van stopped in front of the gates to her community. An individual, not in a uniform, was pushing various buttons at the call box that controlled the gate, without success. When he noticed Ms. Remini in a car behind him, he was visibly shocked, got into his van, and began to drive the vehicle in reverse. In turning around, the van hit a wall so forcefully that he broke his back reflectors and, it appeared, the back window to his van. The van remained for some time. Ms. Remini obtained a picture of his license plates but was frightened that he would see her doing so. She reported the incident at the time.
Page 53, Line 6: 184c. In January 2024, Ms. Remini began receiving regular calls and text messages from pornographic sites, which is consistent with Defendants’ Fair Game tactics.
Page 53, Line 8: 184d. Once again, in 2024, there have been thousands of dollars of fraud on Ms. Remini’s credit card.
Page 68, Line 16, ¶ 273: e. The statements that Ms. Remini filed a “false” or “fraudulent” police report, intended that report “purely for harassment,” and “knew” the report was false and that there was no missing person as stated at paragraphs 129a. to 129w. above.
Page 68, Line 19, ¶ 273: f. The statements that Ms. Remini was abusive to her family as stated at paragraphs 91a. to 91g. above.
Page 71, Line 26, ¶ 283: e. The statements that Ms. Remini filed a “false” or “fraudulent” police report, intended that report “purely for harassment,” and “knew” the report was false and that there was no missing person as stated at paragraphs 129a. to 129w. above.
Page 72, Line 1, ¶ 283: f. The statements that Ms. Remini was abusive to her family as stated at paragraphs 91a. to 91g. above.
ADD TO COUNTS:
Page 75, Lines 1-15:
COUNT X: CIVIL CONSPIRACY
311. Plaintiff incorporates and realleges all allegations contained in the foregoing paragraphs as though fully set forth herein.
312. Each Defendant agreed with each other Defendant, and other co-conspirators, to ruin and destroy the life and livelihood of Ms. Remini by subjecting Ms. Remini to a campaign of harassment and intimidation in violation of Plaintiff’s rights as described above, including in Counts One through Eight.
313. In furtherance of that agreement, Defendants, their agents, and their co-conspirators subjected Plaintiff to a campaign of harassment and intimidation as described above.
314. As a result of the campaign of harassment and intimidation, Plaintiff suffered injury to her real and chattel property and to her person, and experienced extreme emotional distress.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff, LEAH REMINI, prays for judgment against Defendants in the form of all general and special damages in a sum to be proven at trial, and exemplary and punitive damages as allowed by law and in a sum to be proven at trial.
ADD TO PRAYER FOR RELIEF: Page 76, Line 6: 6a. All general and special damages in a sum to be proven at trial, and exemplary and punitive damages as allowed by law and in a sum to be proven at trial;
CONCLUSION For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff’s Motion for Leave to Amend and Supplement the First Amended Complaint should be granted.
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Technology Cocktail
“Possibly the point which counted most against Dianetics in the early attacks on it was that it did a vast array of things. The truth was, it actually did them. When you have the answer to the human mind as in Dianetics of course anything caused by the mind can be remedied.” — 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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“Look, you know that a thetan has been sitting around here for a couple of hundred trillion years. You realize that there have been psychiatrists all over the track? I mean, you probably didn’t realize that it was a stupid universe, but it is. Been psychiatrists all over the track; they’ve been electric shocking people. Well, that certainly should have upset the GPMs, shouldn’t it have? Huh?” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 26, 1963
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“THE BEACH: Cagliari’s old town (mostly bombed out in WW II) is reputed to be more expensive and a bit ‘clip.’ The new town is over the hill and is reputed to be fairer in price. These shore people will give you bad money exchange rates if you don’t watch it.” — March 26, 1969
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“LRH did not have super OT powers. LRH did not return. Thus it is obvious that LRH tech is not perfect and that following it absolutely will not lead to a state of perfection. LRH, with the Pre-Logics, Logics and Axioms, created a foundation for a science of the mind and spirit that is unparalleled. Critics go poopoo at LRH but they are totally incapable of creating anything comparable. There is no other spiritual practice that has a foundation in logical premises. I anticipate spending many lifetimes involved in the expansion of LRH’s work.”
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1997: The Wall Street Journal printed an editorial entitled “The Scientology Problem”. Some excerpts: “Scientology is currently demanding acceptance throughout the world, mostly on the basis of a 1993 Internal Revenue Service ruling extending it 501(c)3 tax-exempt status. The State Department’s human rights report, an ad by Hollywood figures and others have berated Germany over persecution of Scientologists. Other sects have also started with odd theology and behavior; is Scientology now traveling the road to respectability? Conceivably so, though the Scientologists have more history than most to live down, most of it written in court decisions here and abroad. Scientology performs its ‘auditing’ and ‘clearing’ according to a schedule of set fees. Those who are ‘cleared’ at one level go on to the next with further training and further fees. To many authorities, not to mention alienated former Scientologists, Mr. Hubbard’s creation looks a lot like the business of personal counseling or psychiatry (to which Scientology also raises theological objection). There have been repeated reports that Mr. Hubbard told his science-fiction colleagues that the way to get rich is to found a religion. The Scientologists promote anti-drug and anti-crime efforts, but even in the post-Hubbard era have been a magnet for controversy. For one thing, they are confronting the Internet, using copyright and other laws to inhibit their critics, who gather in a discussion group called alt.religion.scientology. Scientologists have succeeded with U.S. copyright suits against the posting of secret Hubbard texts, but have angered the Internet community. The texts keep appearing, for example on a Norwegian site calling itself Operation Clambake. Further litigation is currently under way in San Jose and Denver, with the patience of presiding jurists being tested by both Scientologists and ‘netizens.’ Internet defendants are now challenging the validity of the copyrights, and seeking to depose the secretive Mr. Miscavige about the circumstances of their transfer. Finally, Scientology is also in a controversy over the death of one of its members in Clearwater, Florida, in 1995. Lisa McPherson, 36, was detained by paramedics after she took off her clothes following a minor traffic accident. In lieu of psychiatric treatment, doctors released her to fellow Scientologists; 17 days later she died en route to another hospital where the staff included a Scientologist physician. We certainly hope that the Scientologists finally win the respectability they seek, though we note that the Mormons did abandon polygamy and the Jehovah’s Witnesses no longer beseech potential converts by setting up loudspeakers on their lawns. In the meantime, we wonder why the State Department is so exercised over German statements that would be protected by U.S. libel law, indeed, over a German position that was the U.S. position until the current administration. And we certainly think the IRS should share with the rest of us whatever persuaded it that money from the disturbed seeking solace is no longer being siphoned off into bank accounts in Switzerland.”
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“So the owner of a gay bar took money from the Church of Scientology? AAAAGGHH! Now I’m really in a bad mood.”
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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: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Leah seeking to amend her complaint.
— 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 May 29.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, hearing on April 16.
— 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] Mark Bunker: Meeting an old Scientology friend on the streets of Clearwater
[TWO years ago] ‘Oh gosh’: Judge views alleged rape filmed on phone of Scientology private eye
[THREE years ago] ABC gives platform to Scientologist named one of 12 biggest sources of vaccine disinfo
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s bizarre response to the pandemic: Handing out sketchy cleaning products
[FIVE years ago] Tom Cruise’s son Connor to marry Scientology staffer in the church’s Florida mecca
[SIX years ago] Leah Remini is still being stalked, and now Scientology has turned to an ex-NYPD detective
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s gateway drug: The personality test and what it’s actually telling you
[EIGHT years ago] Talking Scientology with actor and podcaster Ethan McKinley
[NINE years ago] ‘Going Clear’: Sara Goldberg on how Scientology turned her own daughter against her
[TEN years ago] Jillian Schlesinger: How I got into Scientology, and how I got out
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s Version of Family Values: The Group is Everything
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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 2,851 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,346 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,861 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,411 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,401 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,282 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,586 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,457 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,009 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,350 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,917 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,836 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,004 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,585 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,846 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,882 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,598 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,162 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,477 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,652 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,203 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,334 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,672 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,525 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,646 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,002 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,305 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,411 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,809 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,685 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,250 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,763 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,017 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,126 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 26, 2024 at 07:00
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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
