TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’re in town to celebrate Mother’s Day with mom. And we were surprised that our trip coincided with an excursion to LA by one of our community’s most inspiring new figures, who had flown over from London. What would happen when this unlikely collision brought us together? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“The Itsa line is a report on what has been as-ised, that gives it its flow.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1963
——————–
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.
——————–
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 [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
——————–
“The FB, the FAO and the FSO presented me with an enormous KEY TO THE PLANET to celebrate 9 May, the 21st Anniversary of the publication of “Dianetics the Modern Science of Mental Health.” THANK YOU! A party was proposed but was considered too little notice and everyone too rushed. The presentation was appreciated. These fantastic stats also came up on 9 May. It was quite an anniversary.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 10, 1971
——————–
“NOTICE: We are extending our stay in this port until Wednesday 12.5.71 so that we can complete a heavy campaign to strengthen PRO Area Control. A Dinner Dance is being held at a top local hotel on Tuesday night for shore VIPs, Contractors and business associates.” — Lt. N.F. Starkey, Captain FSO, May 10, 1971
——————–
“Today I was driving to my university for my work and I was wondering why LRH 2.0 is interested in helping inorganic beings. In his previous life he was not really interested (History of Man) and suddenly my two tires went flat. There is good cause in this.”
——————–
1999: The St. Petersburg Times reported that the city of Clearwater, Florida is modifying a plan to raise donations for the public library due to concerns over Scientology. “Imagine entering the new Clearwater Public Library sometime in the future, taking a book off the shelf and settling into a chair in the L. Ron Hubbard reading room. While I made up that scenario, it is just such a fear that has perplexed the Clearwater City Commission. On the one hand, the commission would like to encourage generous contributions to its proposed public library; on the other hand, the commission fears that some of those contributions will come from the Church of Scientology, which will then demand some public recognition of its gift. Commissioner J.B. Johnson suggested ruling out a whole class of potential contributors: churches. ‘We should not be accepting money from religious organizations, whether it’s the Scientologists or the First Baptist Church,’ he said. Commissioner Bob Clark expressed concern about Scientology participation as well. ‘It’s unfortunate, but it’s a fact of life, just as in other parts of the world something else would be inflammatory.'”
——————–
“The gambling analogy for Scientology is more appropriate than the drug one. At least with drugs you actually get something real for your money — the fact it may be really bad for you is a different story. In Scientology all you get is air and worthless slips of paper, just like the lottery.”
——————–
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 May 17, 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.
——————–
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?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] What in the world is Scientology attorney Kendrick Moxon up to?
[TWO years ago] Scientology celebs in hot water: Danny’s not the only Masterson brother facing legal issues
[THREE years ago] Ahoy, thetan: Ready to fondle empty bottles on Scientology’s cruiseless cruise ship?
[FOUR years ago] On Mother’s Day, the moms who suffer and defy Scientology’s cruel ‘disconnection’ policy
[FIVE years ago] More signs that things are really going totally great for the Church of Scientology right now
[SIX years ago] How much do the Don Rogers letters shake up early Dianetics history? Two experts weigh in.
[SEVEN years ago] Nazanin Boniadi’s FBI testimony: Cast as Tom Cruise’s girlfriend by Scientology
[EIGHT years ago] Phil and Willie’s excellent adventure: Taking on Scientology’s ‘disconnection’ policy in L.A.
[NINE years ago] Ryan Hamilton files his 28th fraud lawsuit against Scientology’s drug rehab network
[TEN years ago] Jamie DeWolf: I’ve found the last memoir of the son of Scientology’s founder
[ELEVEN years ago] SCIENTOLOGY FILES TO REMOVE GARCIA ATTORNEYS FROM FRAUD LAWSUIT
——————–
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 2,896 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,391 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,906 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,456 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,446 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,327 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,631 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,502 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,054 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,395 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,962 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,881 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,049 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,630 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,891 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,927 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,643 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,207 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,522 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,697 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,248 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,379 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,717 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,570 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,691 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,047 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,350 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,456 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,854 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,730 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,295 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,808 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,062 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,170 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on May 10, 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
