TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Two years ago we told you that Scientology gained a big victory in the Netherlands as it ruled that David Miscavige’s organization was tax-exempt. However, new documents show that the Dutch IRS is denying 95 percent of what the church wants covered, and Dave is furious. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“If you look into Suppressive Person tech you will find an SP has to be out of valence to be SP. He does not know that he is because he is himself in a non-self valence. He is ‘somebody else’ and is denying that he himself exists, which is to say denying himself as a self. Now this doesn’t mean all persons whose graphs dropped were active SPs. But it does mean they weren’t being themselves. After some auditing they became themselves somewhat and this self isn’t the social cheery self the first graph said.” — 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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“You don’t have to know anything about electronics. You don’t have to be able to do one of these things, or make one, you just have to be able to run one….A retractor beam is used somewhat on the order that you bulldog a calf or rope a steer, or something of the sort. It’s to grab hold of something and hold it and pull it in….Why do men stay on Earth? Have you ever had a pc that gave you the idea that he was held down and was going to take root and grow? Have you ever had the idea that you’re sort of anchored in one spot? Did you ever feel heavy? Did you ever get up in the morning and feel tired? You get out of bed, you’re feeling all right, but the second you stand up you feel kind of tired. All you’re doing is kicking in one of these darn retractor somatics.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 24, 1952
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“I think you’ll find the water tastes better. The contaminated water (defiled by a decayed hose being used to take it aboard probably) has been taken out of No. 4 tanks and pumped into Deep Tank forward. Clean water is reported as now in the lines.” — The Commodore, July 24, 1970
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“Chris Shelton mainly has a voice because some higher profile ‘experts’ are supporting him. These guys have ‘important insider’ information on what happens only when the tech is squirreled and abused. Do they ever report all the successes? The one true expert on Scientology is LRH. He is the one to study and listen to.”
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1997: News this week from L. Ron Hubbard’s birthplace, Tilden, Nebraska, where local organizers have decided against creating a park in his honor. Donald Harvill posted a report. “Tilden has decided to not construct the L. Ron Hubbard Memorial Park, the money has returned from whence it came, and the local foundation that was going to oversee the project has disbanded. There was just too large of an uproar from too many of the citizens that were opposed to associating their town with the CoS.”
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“Just like with Esmeralda the Gypsy fortune teller proclaiming that her powers won’t work if non-believers are present, the same cautions exist within Scientology, as well as the rule that demonstrating OT powers to those on a lower gradient is an out-tech high crime. Ron knew the tricks on the spiritual bunco trade.”
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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] Archival gems: When Scientology was on the hot seat in swinging London
[TWO years ago] Danny Masterson done with appeals before Oct 11 trial? Can Scientology allow it to happen?
[THREE years ago] Scientology is known for stalking people years after their involvement. Here’s how they do it.
[FOUR years ago] Weeks after the protests, Scientology in LA remains boarded up and abandoned. What gives?
[FIVE years ago] Inside Scientology’s emergency San Fernando Valley confab, planning for US takeover
[SIX years ago] Scientology used an ice cream ‘date’ to run up $20,000 on senior’s credit cards
[SEVEN years ago] RAY JEFFREY TO JUDGE: ORDER RATHBUNS TO TURN OVER FINANCIAL RECORDS AND TESTIFY
[EIGHT years ago] A billboard sprouts in Florida, and other Scientology chaos in our social media review
[NINE years ago] Long before Xenu: Scientology’s actual origin story, as told by a former member
[TEN years ago] A lawsuit over counseling credentials now aims at the essence of Scientology
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Continues to “Handle” the “Black PR” of Leah Remini’s Defection
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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 2,971 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,466 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,981 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,531 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,521 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,402 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,706 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,577 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,129 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,470 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,037 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,956 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,124 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,706 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,966 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,002 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,718 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,282 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,597 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,772 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,323 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,454 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,792 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,645 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,766 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,122 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,425 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,531 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,929 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,805 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,370 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,883 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,137 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,245 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 24, 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
