TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: EXCLUSIVE: A former Hollywood madam that TMZ called ‘somewhat of a beloved pop culture icon’ quietly filed a lawsuit against Tom Cruise in 2021 that contained a bombshell allegation. But the lawsuit, and the ex-madam, both met their demise in 2022. We have the strange details. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Criminal actions proceed from such people unless checked by more duress from without not to do an evil act than they themselves have pressure from within to do it. Criminality is in most instances restrained by just such an imbalance of pressures. If you have no ethics presence in an org, then criminality shows its head. Such people lie rather than be made to confront. They false report — they even use “PR” which means Public Relations to cover up — and in our slang talk “PR” means putting up a lot of false reports to serve as a smoke screen for idleness or bad actions. Unless you get Ethics in, you will never get Tech in. If you can’t get Tech in you won’t get Admin in. So the lack of Ethics permits the criminal impulse to go unchecked.” — 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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“Somebody made a horrible mistake over at the FCDC the other day, by mentioning ‘between lives’ during the church service and learned immediately that he should have kept his mouth very shut.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 25, 1963
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“MIRACLE: In an org a man with fatal Hodkins Disease got a 25 minute touch assist, went back to the hospital and the disease was totally gone. They’d get many more if they just cut out the flubs!” — The Commodore, September 25, 1970
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“The USA Democratic supporters have got the R6 implant keyed in. And to think that some people want to skip OT III.”
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1997: The Los Angeles Times reported this week that Scientology’s textbooks were rejected by the California state review board. “State education officials on Monday rejected the latest version of a series of textbooks inspired by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, saying the books failed to properly depict disabled people and minorities. The publisher, Bridge Publications, is seeking to have five books based on Hubbard’s educational ideas approved for use in California public classrooms as supplemental texts. But in a two-page letter faxed to the publisher Monday, the state Department of Education said revisions to the original series failed to adequately address concerns raised by a 20-member citizens review panel. The panel is one of several across the state that review supplemental materials to ensure that the works comply with the state’s social content laws. The effort to include the books on the state-approved list – allowing, but not obligating, schools to buy them – has raised concerns among some educators and civil libertarians. The books were not approved by the state because they misrepresented the disabled and minorities, state officials said. For example, disabled characters were shown with canes, representative more of the aging process than of a disability, said Ruth McKenna, the state’s chief deputy superintendent of public instruction. A disabled character in the texts also was shown in a wheelchair alone, isolated from others. In addition, the books did not depict enough disabled people. Bridge Publications had originally submitted the texts to the state in May 1996, only to have them rejected later that year. The firm submitted revised versions in August. According to the state’s letter, written by McKenna, the citizens panel concluded that the revisions were too weak. In the case of minorities, for example, the state said the changes were accomplished by shading the faces of existing characters. One character ended up appearing white on certain pages but as an ethnic minority on other pages.”
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“I’m guessing the Urban Land Institute isn’t aware they’re dealing with a posse of lunatics.”
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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:
— 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 gets another journalist fired for daring to print the truth
[TWO years ago] How Scientology manufactured New York Times bestsellers for L. Ron Hubbard
[THREE years ago] Oregonian newspaper names Scientology prep school best small employer in the state
[FOUR years ago] Serve Miscavige in an ad? Scientology honcho: ‘But you haven’t tried hard enough to find me!’
[FIVE years ago] Hiding in plain sight: how Scientology nearly got away with its 1970s espionage campaign
[SIX years ago] Scientology rewards the celeb who bolted when her co-star went rogue
[SEVEN years ago] Paul Haggis: Rathbun does what I feared, and outs ex-Scientologist we vowed to keep secret
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology in Ireland is nearly dead: Here’s how Tom Cruise & the gang plan to bring it back
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s showdown in Belgium: Here’s our plan to cover an epic battle
[TEN years ago] What the Boston Globe left out of its story on Scientology yesterday
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Drug Rehab Shut Down in Georgia, Ordered to Turn Over Records in Oklahoma
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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 3,033 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,528 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,043 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,593 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,583 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 4,969 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,464 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,768 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,639 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,191 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,532 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,099 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,018 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,186 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,768 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,028 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,064 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,780 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,344 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,659 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,834 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,385 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,516 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,854 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,707 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,828 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,184 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,487 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,593 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,991 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,867 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,432 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,944 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,199 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,307 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on September 25, 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
