TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: With another IAS gala on the way at Scientology’s UK headquarters, Alex Barnes-Ross wanted to know what the church and local officials were getting up to. The result is a release of emails that once again shows Scientology’s sneaky ways. ALSO: Hype videos for the gala! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“It is dangerous to a thetan to have too many wins or too many losses. Give him too many wins, and he will correct in the direction of reducing his knowingness as represented by his dexterity, his prediction, his activity. Give him too many losses and he will seek another game, even to the point where he will die and pick up another body. Because the decision is on the basis of knowingness, the decision is always downward.” — 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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“I went to a Picasso show one day with a fellow from Greenwich Village. He was wearing a turtleneck sweater and I was wearing a business suit, and everybody who was coming to the Picasso show was dressed in tails and ermine wraps and evening gowns. This was really swell, it was really upstage…I was interested in the neurosis from which Picasso was probably suffering, but more importantly, in why he was doing it. I was coming to the conclusion that it was just a big experiment, as far as he was concerned, whereby he was testing color and design lines. We were going hot and heavy. This artist would say, ‘Oh, but no! There is so much soul! There’s this! There’s that.’ And I would say, ‘No, it just merely looks to me like he’s got a libido complex or something.’ We got up to the second floor, and he and I had such a falling out about one of the paintings that we reached a static, and we were silent for a moment. We happened to look around and we had about fifty people following us along the line of pictures and listening to us. Some of them were trying hard to look very edified. So I got very interested in the people who were watching the Picasso show and took a series of notes. I wrote an article for the New Yorker on it.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 12, 1951
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“THE GLASS: Lowest barometer we’ve ever seen. Got down to 29.27. But it began to rise yesterday even steadily and did not pump (go up and down) which is good as that means HURRICANE and you don’t want to be in a port in the path of one of those. You want to be at sea following Buys Ballot’s law (see Bowditch or other texts), steering away from the center. So we apparently sail on schedule.” — The Commodore, October 12, 1970
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“When you identify someone you don’t know as a troll who is trained as a ninja, you might give thanks that you are still breathing without the assistance of paramedics.”
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2000 The Salt Lake City Tribune reported that U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch made comments in favor of Scientology’s efforts to discredit European countries for their efforts against cults. “Today, as democracies are born while people watch on worldwide television, it is important to guard religious freedom, Sen. Orrin Hatch told delegates to a symposium at BYU’s law school Sunday night. Hatch told delegates from 36 countries, including China, Mongolia and Iran, that the job of ensuring those freedoms is far from done — even in industrialized countries such as France. ‘Developments in France have been particularly troubling because one would expect France to be one of the leaders on a human-rights issue,’ Hatch said. But in ‘June of 1995, the French National Assembly established a parliamentary inquiry commission charged with ‘studying the sect phenomenon’ in the country. The French Senate will soon consider legislation that would ‘create a dangerously broad weapon for fighting unpopular religious groups,’ he said. Germany has also limited religious freedom, Hatch said. In Germany, the controversial Church of Scientology, founded by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard and embraced by a number of Hollywood celebrities, has endured discrimination by the government.”
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“I had really bad nightmares when I was young — one was a nightly reoccurring one that lasted almost a year and almost drove me insane. Something about HR Pufnstuf reminds me of those dreams. My dream would start soon as I laid down because in the dream I was still awake lying in my bed. All of the sudden reptilian hands would shoot up from underneath the end of the bed and grab my legs and pull me underneath the bed dragging me at breakneck speed down a hellish tunnel where creatures were living in the walls to meet my arch nemesis King Frog and his henchman Baby Huey. They would torture me for hours laughing and mocking me.”
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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 wants large portion of Bixler suit stricken — even before new version arrives
[TWO years ago] The Scientology spy in the hallway: The Danny Masterson trial gets underway
[THREE years ago] He was a student and teacher at Scientology’s elite boarding schools: Now he’s dishing
[FOUR years ago] Bijou Phillips on her husband Danny Masterson: A macho ‘Strong Island’ guy
[FIVE years ago] Scientology wants your children: The 1957 lecture they think will convince you
[SIX years ago] Dave’s shrinkage: Help us determine turnout for Scientology’s IAS 2018 gala
[SEVEN years ago] ‘Miss Lovely’ as you’ve never seen her — new photos of Paulette Cooper, war survivor
[EIGHT years ago] DRONE FLYOVER FINALE: Getting a close look at Scientology’s secret New Mexico compound
[NINE years ago] That time Scientology’s Sea Org grunts donned cut-offs and bikinis to fake out L. Ron Hubbard
[TEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: In valleys near and far, it’s time to stand and deliver!
[ELEVEN years ago] TOMKAT PROJECT IN LOS ANGELES: Here’s Your Chance to Help the Show Get to Tinseltown
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,050 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,545 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,060 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,610 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,600 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 4,986 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,481 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,785 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,656 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,208 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,549 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,116 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,035 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,203 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,785 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,045 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,081 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,797 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,361 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,676 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,851 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,533 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,871 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,724 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,839 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,201 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,504 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,610 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,008 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,884 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,449 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,961 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,216 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,324 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on October 12, 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
