TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: No matter how challenging things have been for Scientology, it never gives up. You can always count on its sneaky front groups, for instance, to insinuate themselves no matter how many times they’ve been exposed as tentacles of the church. Let’s look at a few recent examples. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“There is a point where the pc is absolutely sure he knew the person before this life. This is NOT the EP [of the PTS Rundown]. A pc can exteriorize on this RD. That is NOT the EP (but requires an Int RD if none has been done before going on). THE EP IS A PC WHO IS GETTING AND KEEPING CASE GAINS AND NEVER AGAIN ROLLERCOASTERS.” — 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 found out very early I could bully people into having sonic, visio, and everything else. I don’t know what I was doing. I guess I was handling their engrams for them and I guess cutting down their self determinism; maybe turning them back into GEs. I swear, I look back on it, I might occasionally have turned off a thetan, put him sound asleep and turned the GE full on and the fellow was happy as a clam thereafter.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 4, 1952
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“NOTICE: Diana and I are going for three weeks leave, Sunday, September 5th. CS-G Comm, Lt. Nikki Freedman will be handling my lines while I am away. Further, the Guardian Offices WW and US are fully on post and completely capable of handling any matters which may arise. In case of extreme emergency, these Offices will also be in communication with me. Therefore, if any matter arises which has to do with Guardian Office functions and duties, place these on CS-G Comm’s Lines and such will be handled via the appropriate Guardian Office. The word is: BUSINESS AS USUAL.” — Love, Mary Sue Hubbard, Capt. CS-G, September 4, 1971
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“Just a note to say that I fully support the ban of Justin Craig’s pseudo-Scientology. LRH was quite clear in stating that after OT8 come actual OT levels, not more chasing of negative gain cosmologies. I suggested earlier that Craig could possibly be a BT from LRH’s left testicle.”
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1997: Robert Vaughn Young has been posting memoirs of his time spent in Scientology. Excerpts from his latest chapter: “The ability to throw and give a press conference was usually the last part of the training that we gave to Scientology PRs and the final drilling for it was what was called ‘Reporter TRs.’ The ‘TR’ acronym stood for ‘training routine’ or ‘training regimen’ and came from drills or exercises Hubbard had designed for auditors. When the acronym was applied to ‘Reporter TRs,’ it was a series of drills that a PR did to learn how to answer questions and to take control of the conversation and, if need be, to cave a person in. The drill consisted of a PR and a coach.
Coach: Okay, start. So tell me, what is scientology?
Student: Scientology’s a way of thinking that…
Coach: Flunk. Wrong answer. Here, read this. (Coach hands student PR the sheet with the approved replies.)
Student: Got it.
Coach: Good. Start. So I’m supposed to ask you, what is scientology?
Student: Scientology is an applied religious philosophy.
Coach: Who dreamed it up?
Student: L. Ron Hubbard.
Coach: Flunk. You didn’t correct my use of the word ‘dreamed up’ and it might appear in the story. Start. So who dreamed it up?
Student: If you mean who discovered the laws of Scientology, it was L. Ron Hubbard, an American writer and philosopher.
Coach: Wasn’t he a science fiction writer?
Student: Yes, he…
Student: Mr. Hubbard was one of America’s most prolific writers, writing millions of words in many fields and futuristic fiction was only one of many.
The last Reporter TRs’ drill was what was called ‘verbal karate.’ This is where the ‘reporter’ is arguing and the student PR has to cut him down, take control, wipe him out and dominate. The PR is told he is free to scream, curse, pound the table, do anything he wants to take command and control. When we wanted to really put the PR through the wringer, we’d pit two people against him/her and let ‘er rip! That was why it was called ‘verbal karate.’ The idea was not that one should approach all reporters that way, although we did get some who misunderstood when to do it, but that the PR was able to do it. But then no one had ever drilled holding a press conference on the day one is being raided by the FBI. It would take me years to look back and fully realize why Artie had declined to hold the press conference himself. After all, he was the head of Public Relations for the Church of Scientology and had been so identified in the media. Instead, he gave it to me. But in a few hours, I would start to learn the real reason Artie did not want to do it: he knew too much. Instead, I was about to be sacrificed to the Los Angeles Press Corps and Reporter TRs wouldn’t save me.”
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“You should watch me play Jeopardy when I’m properly medicated.”
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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] Hey, everybody, Scientology’s sneaky school front, Applied Scholastics, is hiring!
[TWO years ago] Judge in labor trafficking lawsuit refuses relief for ex-Scientology trio: Bad omen?
[THREE years ago] Liz Gale: The Scientology auditing of kids at Mace-Kingsley was my childhood
[FOUR years ago] SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Episode 2 spiked by Aussie network, ‘Witness X,’ is leaked online
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s biggest donors of 2019, so far: The whales giving millions to Miscavige
[SIX years ago] Two years after Scientology rehabbed an Australian acoustics lab, the silence is deafening
[SEVEN years ago] Tomorrow on ‘Leah Remini’: You’re going to learn what it’s like on Scientology’s ‘Bridge’
[EIGHT years ago] Florida AG Pam Bondi hosting human rights event at human rights abuser Scientology’s HQ
[NINE years ago] Actress Erika Christensen in unearthed video meant only for her fellow Scientologists
[TEN years ago] LIVE REPORTS FROM TAMPA: Scientology tests its religious freedom defense in fraud lawsuit
[ELEVEN years ago] Our Man in Paris, Jonny Jacobsen, on the Scientology Appeal in France’s Highest Court
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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 3,013 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,508 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,023 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,573 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,563 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 4,949 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,444 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,748 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,619 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,171 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,512 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,079 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,998 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,166 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,748 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,008 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,044 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,760 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,324 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,639 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,814 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,365 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,496 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,834 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,687 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,808 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,164 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,467 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,573 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,971 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,847 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,412 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,925 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,179 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,287 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on September 4, 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
