TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Jeffrey Augustine has been on the story of wealthy Scientology donor David Gentile from the beginning. So we asked him to summarize yesterday’s big result in court in Brooklyn, where a jury found Gentile guilty of running a $1.7 billion ‘Ponzi-like scheme.’ [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“When a pc has not had a session for some time, or when a pc gets sessions days apart, RUDS MUST BE FLOWN. Otherwise the pc will get audited over out ruds. This can develop mental mass. Optimum session scheduling is a series of sessions or a whole program done in a block of sessions close together. This prevents the world from throwing the pc’s ruds out between sessions. Giving sessions far apart barely keeps up with life. The auditing time is absorbed in patching life up. Rapid gain gets above life’s annoyances and keeps the pc there.” — 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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“Now, what’s the matter with the planet at this particular time is ethics is out. And that is proven by the fact that you are having a hard time getting tech in. With the technology which you know at this particular moment and the results which you are delivering even at lower levels, you have a total monopoly of all mental activities, all religious activities and all social activities on this planet. That is what you are entitled to at this moment. Do you have them? Well, therefore, tech is out. Obvious. So, the only thing that puts tech out is if ethics is out. The only thing that can get tech in is ethics.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 2, 1966
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“Recruits are not the answer, not the total why to no production. Lots there already. Training and hats are needed. 2.5 hours a day study time. Part time Crew Cse Super and properly programmed crew students properly enrolled and properly mustered at suitable times will improve things faster than new recruits. Recruits are longer range.” — The Commodore, August 2, 1971
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“I was born a Jew, migrated to the UK, did Scientology, got to a glorious state called Clear, was then told I am not Clear, tried to get my money back, had a little legal fight, was declared. And then I actually found my truth through Illuminati. I found a world within a world that changed what I know about the world — I found the power within me and within others which make every single atom in this world seem like a full world, and that everything has a meaning, and if searched well, you can find the meaning yourself. But then I noticed that the Illuminati was also promoting bad things, so I searched again and then I discovered NES — New Era Scientology. NES was founded by a person called Lafayette, who is the reincarnation of Ron Hubbard himself. He continues to expand the betterment of an individual, and he expands the technology that stopped evolving since the 80’s. I am thankful for him as I feel I can have a future and I can go OT and will be able to verify my Clear state. Thank you, and may the good eye of the Illuminati be with you always!”
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1999: The Los Angeles Business Journal published a profile of Heber Jentzsch, President of the Church of Scientology International. “In 1967, Heber Jentzsch was singing in front of an unusually rowdy crowd in Las Vegas. In the middle of his set, a man stood up and began demanding that Jentzsch get off the stage and that the showgirls be brought in to replace him. It was at that very moment the then-32-year-old Jentzsch realized his life was heading in the wrong direction. He got in his car and headed west to Los Angeles. He went downtown to the Church of Scientology – an institution he had read about while in the Army – and turned over his life. Jentzsch, now 63, has become the president of the Church of Scientology International, which reportedly has 8 million members. As an ordained minister of the religion, he performs weddings and funerals and keeps up his study of Scientology’s tenets several hours each week. Jentzsch also helps to direct the church’s volunteer ministries and community outreach programs, a task that placed him on the front lines of the L.A. riots and Northridge earthquake. Jentzsch blames ongoing animosity toward the church on a fear of changing the status quo. He argues that nay new religion is going to be met with disapproval. ‘I guess I would have to say to the naysayers that if you have a better program and you can save people, then do it,’ he said. Spurred by the involvement of famous celebrities including John Travolta and Kirstie Alley, the church now claims 250,000 members in Southern California – more than any other region of the world. ‘Celebrities are more spiritual in nature,’ Jentzsch said. ‘L. Ron Hubbard said, ‘A culture is as great as its dreams, and dreams are dreamed by artists.'”
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“Massholio is 4 months of winter wasteland followed by a month of sumptuous spring followed by four months of hellish heat and humidity followed by two and half months of fabulous fall weather. There’s definitely room for improvement, Sherb.”
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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] Scientology wanted you to believe that the urge to leave was a failing. It wasn’t.
[TWO years ago] The Scientologists doing battle with the SEC over a $1 billion pile of cash
[THREE years ago] Escaping for the second time: Cathy Mullins on forsaking Scientology’s Florida swamp
[FOUR years ago] VIDEO LEAK explains how to rope in the unsuspecting: ‘We don’t explain Scientology’
[FIVE years ago] Scientology finds a friendly physician to help out in its attack on an effective drug
[SIX years ago] Colombian roast: Will Scientologists care about David Miscavige’s latest fraud?
[SEVEN years ago] Carol Nyburg is back, and she has a Scientology story that will rough you up
[EIGHT years ago] For Scientology’s most infamous dirty trickster, retirement has a happy ending
[NINE years ago] Garcias’ appeal rejected; now the couple faces the real possibility of Scientology arbitration
[TEN years ago] Video proof that Scientology makes you a stellar communicator
[ELEVEN years ago] Underground Bunker Night at The TomKat Project — Get Your Tickets Now!
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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 2,980 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,475 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,990 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,540 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,530 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,411 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,715 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,586 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,138 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,479 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,046 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,965 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,133 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,715 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,975 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,011 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,727 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,291 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,606 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,781 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,332 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,463 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,801 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,654 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,775 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,131 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,434 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,540 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,938 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,814 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,379 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,892 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,146 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,254 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 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, 1995-2023 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
