TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Val Ross is back with another great look at her time in Scientology and the bizarre ways of the Sea Org, and the slavish dedication to old technology that was demanded by founder L. Ron Hubbard. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“An unconscious pc can be audited off a meter by taking his hand and having him touch nearby things like pillow, floor, etc or body without hurting an injured part. A person in a coma for months can be brought around by doing this daily. One tells them a hand signal like, ‘Press my hand twice for Yes, once for No,’ and can get through to them, asking questions and getting Yes and No hand responses. They usually respond with this, if faintly, even while unconscious. When one has the person conscious again one can do the assists.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1971
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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 [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
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“I got in a silly cycle. I don’t know, a trillion, trillennia, trillennia, trillennia ago. And every time they had a war, why, I went out. I would either be a pilot in, or commander of, or somebody connected with an interceptor squadron on the outside of the capital. Societies used to last longer than they do now. And it wasn’t anything for a society to go a billion years without much change. But, every time the society would get into trouble, usually with the same adversaries, why, that was the drop of the hat. That was the signal. The whistle had gone and you would go down and snappily report to the Seventeenth Interceptor Squadron, which had in charge of it the protection of the capital, don’t you see? And the enemy would come over and you would take off in an interceptor and you would go up to the center of the airport and you would either shoot down the attacking plane or be shot down and always at the center of the same airport — for a billion years. ” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 20, 1961
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“The ‘alarming increasing debt’ stat of the US is a negative stat. Actually it parallels almost exactly the decrease of the value of the dollar AND SO HASN’T RISEN IN 53 YEARS! Yet the ‘financial wizards’ in the world bank use it to reduce credit in the US which will bring on a depression which lets them grab the securities and properties cheaply. The eggheads in charge continually indulge in false stats or think negative stats are useful. And ignore the psychiatric negative stat of increasing insanity and crime which parallels cash received by governments and psychiatrists. But you can only prove how bad something is by negative stats. You can’t really determine production. Imagine having how many Ethics orders put on one as his stat! Negative ideal scene — One who flunks is penalized without regard to value or production. US Citizens have that stat! And any other country!” — The Commodore, July 20, 1970
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“We have auditors who see the Tech as a business, as money making machine and disagree on who is who and what is what. Which Ls are the original, which are the OT levels, etc. We have auditors who invent processes, who acknowledge usurpers, auditors who practice the Code of Silence and cover for each other, who lie. And we also see PCs sometimes who are not qualified or are illegal and are nevertheless audited for the sake of money and later we see the results. Or PCs who just wanted a status but not work hard on the level. Is that the way the independent field is supposed to operate? If so, then those who think so, deserve what they get.”
2000: Bob Minton reported developments in Scientology’s campaign to discredit him for business dealings in Nigeria in the 1980s. “From the very beginning of Scientology’s operation to destroy, discredit and jail me, OPEC’s Rilwanu Lukman, a long term Scientologists, has been the key Scientology operative/facilitator on the Nigeria side of the equation. There is no doubt that Lukman, with his Scientology handlers hand-picked John Fashanu to be their boy for the frontal assault on me The Scientology PI, David Lee/Lebow, using the alias of Robert Clarke, did the infamous Fashanu Report and wiretapped Fashanu to be sure of his loyalties. Lee recently played an audio tape in Washington D.C. of Fashanu talking on the phone with a Nigerian Senator discussing how they were going to blackmail some Nigerians whose names and offshore account details had been uncovered by David Lee. Fashanu can’t get out of the Scientology blackmail trap. There’s no where Fashanu can go to extricate himself from this quagmire. Lukman has been peeping out from behind the Scientology mask. In June he personally arranged for the Nigerian president Obasanju, during a state visit to Switzerland, to meet with David Lee to hear the Scientology spin on the Fashanu report.”
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“Seeing as how Louanne and vaLLarrr are dead in the head, that makes you the last Internet canary clam in the coal mine, Marco. How’s the 2-pack-a-day anti-cancer therapy working out?”
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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 May 31, 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.
— 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, on hold until appeal over new judge heard.
— 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] FIELD TRIP: Hey, is that a Scientology ‘Advanced Org,’ and where is everyone?
[TWO years ago] Scientology begs radical US Supreme Court to intervene and protect its ‘religious freedom’
[THREE years ago] BRIAN STATLER WAS UNARMED: Police say he grabbed their gun in Scientology org shooting
el=”noopener” target=”_blank”>[FOUR years ago] Why Scientology can worry if John Travolta and Lisa Marie Presley seek solace in each other[FIVE years ago] Scientology failed to destroy Sylvia DeWall, but its latest letter to her is simply bizarre
[SEVEN years ago] Tommy Davis’s Hollywood experiment is apparently over as he moves to Splitsville
[EIGHT years ago] BILLBOARD UP IN FLORIDA: Scientology ‘disconnection’ on view near Clearwater ‘mecca’
[NINE years ago] Stacy Murphy is still dead, but Oklahoma gives the Scientology rehab that killed her new life
[TEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Scientology has only its ‘humanitarians’ to help it refurbish eyesores
[ELEVEN years ago] Leah Remini’s Friend, TV’s Michelle Visage, Says Scientologists Are “Scattering Like Roaches”
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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 2,967 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,462 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,977 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,527 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,517 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,398 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,702 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,573 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,125 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,466 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,033 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,952 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,120 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,702 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,962 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,998 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,714 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,278 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,593 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,768 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,319 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,450 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,788 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,641 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,762 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,118 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,421 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,527 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,925 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,801 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,366 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,879 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,133 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,241 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 20, 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, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), 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
