TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: This week, Brendan Tighe marked 13 years since he left Scientology and his job providing armed security for David Miscavige and Tom Cruise. Here is his remarkable account of what happened the night he reached his breaking point. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“A group prospers only when each member in it has his own personal ethics in. Even in a PTS (Potential Trouble Source) person there must have been out-ethics conduct toward the suppressive personality he or she is connected with for the person to have become PTS in the first place. People who are physically ill are PTS and are out-ethics toward the person or thing they are PTS to! Thus a group to be happy and well, and for the group to prosper and endure, its individual members must have their own Ethics in. It is up to the Executive or Officer to see that this is the case and to DO the actions necessary to make it come about and the group an Ethical group.” — 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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“We could bring people in off the streets and have them walk down the hall and stop in Office 1 where a little sign says, ‘Glasses removed here.’ We wouldn’t have any couches or anything cluttering the place up like that, and we could just walk them around the hall and at each station there would be another auditor and he would just ask standard questions. The people coming in would walk all the way around and then out on the street again. Of course, they would stop at the desk before they went out and write out a check for the equivalent amount of medical treatment, which would come to $8,687,962.05! There is some slight possibility that we may be at that stage. I don’t want to over evaluate anything, however.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 1, 1951
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“With only a third of the crew done Festival Stats have fallen. Immediate Emergency action was taken. A new threat is required according to the C/Ses. The three Highest Hours get a SPECIAL BONUS. The three with the Lowest Hours have to push a peanut with their nose the whole circle of the prom deck on Grand Ball Night and the one who loses the peanut race can only wear a sheet for the next 24 hours. Review Auditors are included.” — The Commodore, October 1, 1971
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“Frankly, I don’t think ‘discussions’ about history or any other topic ever produce much of any value. Debate is vastly overrated as a way to come to realistic conclusions about anything. Discussion is fun and occasionally someone says something that makes you cognite about something. But it rarely resolves anything. Online discussions also have a value in knitting together a community. In our case, we can’t all descend on the corner bar and have beers together. Now I know of a variety of trained and reliable ‘with-LRH’ people. And hopefully more will follow. Because God knows, there are few enough of us out here as it is.”
1996: The Conan O’Brian show ran a sketch introducing Johnson, the Scientology Chicken. A portion of the transcript: “Conan – I’d like to introduce a new character to the show. I’ve never met him but he’s sure to be a favorite of kids everywhere. Please welcome folks, our cartoon friend, Johnson the Chicken! Johnson – Hi, Conan. Yeah, I hope you’re having a cluckarific day! Every day can be a cluckarific day if you follow the path set down by my hero, L. Ron Hubbard. Conan – What? Johnson – L. Ron Hubbard, the visionary genius who wrote Dianetics. Conan – Yeah, I know, the Scientology guy. Johnson – The CHURCH of Scientology Conan! Conan – Look Johnson, let’s change the subject all right? You’re a cartoon happy guy. Tell the kids just how are you? Johnson – Well, kids, I was depressed, ineffective at work and only using 20% of my brain capacity. But then, I took a personality test in a storefront church and read DIANETICS! Conan – Look, don’t you have a story for the kids? C’mon! Johnson – Can it be about – SCIENTOLOGY? Conan – No! It cant’ be about Scientology! C’mon! Let’s make this fun! C’mon!”
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The only place D.M. is taking his ass if the seat gets too hot is to Tahiti or the Russian Riviera. He’s a gangster, not a fanatic.”
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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 makes an exception for ABCMouse honcho, will hold memorial for Doug Dohring
[TWO years ago] PODCAST: Jon Atack has some things to say about Mike Rinder’s new book on Scientology
[THREE years ago] New evidence that private eyes stalking Leah Remini and J-Lo were working for Scientology
[FOUR years ago] SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS, Episode 8: The secret Paul Haggis shared with the wrong person
[FIVE years ago] Valerie Haney drops ‘Jane Doe’ label in brutal amended complaint against Scientology
[SIX years ago] Dispatches from our far-flung correspondents agree: Scientology still sucks
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology celebrates its disaster response in Florida, but struggles in Puerto Rico and Mexico
[EIGHT years ago] Atack: Scientology advocates serenity, so why are so many Scientologists angry jerks?
[NINE years ago] Cathriona White’s Scientology ‘twin’ on grueling courses was an actor named Travis Case
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s drug rehab network hit with lawsuit number 22 by attorney Ryan Hamilton
[ELEVEN years ago] RAY JEFFREY 1, SCIENTOLOGY 0: Disqualify Motion Denied in Harassment Lawsuit
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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 3,039 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,534 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,049 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,599 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,589 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 4,975 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,470 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,774 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,645 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,197 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,538 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,105 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,024 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,192 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,774 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,034 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,070 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,786 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,350 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,665 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,840 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,391 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,522 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,860 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,713 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,834 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,190 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,493 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,599 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,997 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,873 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,438 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,950 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,205 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,313 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on October 1, 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
