TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Our tipster who brought us the latest ‘OT Phenomena’ from Scientology’s Advance! magazine let us know that the new issue also had testimonials from members who had recently been let in on the Xenu story, and asked if we’d like to see them. Would we! Oh yeah. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Unless we want to go on living in a far nowhere some of the facts of scenes have to be confronted. An inability to confront evil leads people into disregarding it or discounting it or not seeing it at all. Reversely, there can be a type of person who, like an old-time preacher, sees nothing but evil in everything and, possibly looking into his own heart for a model, believes all men are evil. Man, however (as you can read in HCO B 28 Nov 70, C/S Series 22, ‘Psychosis’), is basically good. When going upon some evil course he attempts to restrain himself and caves himself in.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1972
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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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“Do you know that absolutely standard tech, complete, proper, hair line standard tech, used in organizations throughout the world, will at least triple the stats of each within 90 days? Couldn’t help it. And if it was really applied in a business-like fashion, and nobody messed it up in any way, shape, or form, one of our Division 5 people said we might even be able to take the planet within a year. It is hot.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 24, 1968
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“SORE ARM: ‘They take this spike, see, and they stab you and then fill you up with germs, see, and when your arm recovers then you find out it has to all be done again. And then you can go into any cholera area and not kick the bucket. And you don’t get quarantined and you can go to warm ports and not have to freeze to death all winter. So that’s why you get a sore arm.’ At least that’s how it was all explained to me.” — The Commodore September 24, 1970
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“Your Democratic friends and Democratic PCs are supporting the destruction of the USA, and with that, the rest of the world. You seem to forget LRH quotes on Marxism. Marxists today teach the children and teenagers in USA. The LGBT sodomite agenda is rampant. LRH said that the LGBT agenda had cause the destruction of the USA (he said that in the 60’s) like before with Rome, Greece etc. Finally, you don’t seem to have duplicated the LRH taped lecture The Free Being. In it LRH describes with detail how lower organized beings and entities can and have been bringing down Free Beings and OTs along the track. Those ‘lower but well organized beings’ are the Antifa and BLM communist leaders and their spiritual entities. Yes. Marxism is a spiritual movement pretending to be atheistic. Not to say of BLM and Vudu.”
1996: The Scientology org in Portland, Oregon was attacked this week by a gunman who shot four people and started a fire with a can of gasoline. The Associated Press reported: “Jairus C. Godeka, 38, who was under court order not to have any contact with the church, surrendered after walking out with a female hostage who was heard shouting: ‘Don’t do anything. He’s got a gun to my head.’ Police talked Godeka into releasing the woman unharmed and dropping his gun. Another woman, who is at least four months pregnant, was shot in the shoulder and hospitalized in critical condition. Firefighters found church worker Helen Burke, 44, hiding in a stairwell. The center’s executive director was in fair condition with a wound to his right side and another man was in serious condition with a wound to his chest. The fourth victim was treated for a wound to his buttocks and released. Firefighters quickly put out the blaze, which did not cause serious damage. The man had carried a 1-gallon can of gas and ignited the floor near a reception desk. Godeka was arrested on charges of attempted aggravated murder, arson, kidnapping, assault and burglary. The church, however, denounced it as a hate crime. ‘There’s a lesson here, and the lesson is about the damage religious hate mongers cause,’ said a statement issued by the church’s Los Angeles office.”
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“Yesterday you were merely irritating. Today you’ve placed yourself on the menu.”
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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] VIDEO: Independent Scientologists protest at Scientology HQ in Los Angeles
[TWO years ago] PODCAST: Mark Bunker on Scientology’s sabotage of progress in Clearwater
[THREE years ago] Scientology OT 8 and ‘STAND’ blogger who expressed anti-vax views dies of Covid
[FOUR years ago] VALERIE HANEY SEEKS WRIT: Victims’ rights groups show support, Scientology cries bigotry
[FIVE years ago] Another national census is in, and Scientology comes in at a mighty 0.007 percent!
[SIX years ago] A Scientology enforcer dies, and one of his former victims is the only one to eulogize him
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology got plenty of photo ops out of hurricanes in Texas and Florida. But did it help?
[EIGHT years ago] Flirt with Scientology, and its dogged letter writers will hound you forever
[NINE years ago] Leah Remini book out Nov. 3: ‘Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology’
[TEN years ago] Rathbun v. Scientology: Another appeals court hearing, this time with everything on the line
[ELEVEN years ago] JASON BEGHE ON LEAH REMINI: She’s Right, Scientology Does Want Her to Fail
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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 3,032 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,527 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,042 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,592 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,582 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 4,968 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,463 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,767 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,638 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,190 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,531 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,098 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,017 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,185 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,767 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,027 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,063 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,779 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,343 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,658 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,833 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,384 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,515 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,853 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,706 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,827 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,183 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,486 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,592 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,990 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,866 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,431 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,943 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,198 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,306 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on September 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
