TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: The appeal brief for ‘That ’70s Show’ actor and Scientology celeb Danny Masterson was due tomorrow, but yesterday his lawyer Cliff Gardner was granted a 30-day extension. Gardner has been very busy with other cases, including the new public interest in the Menendez brothers. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“At first one can ask a preclear to mock up one of an item and shove it into his body or throw it away, and then go, finally, when he is doing that
well, to two items, three, four, five, and six, all the same, but a greater quantity of the item. An even lower gradient on this scale would be to simply get the idea that something was there, and to progress on forward with the idea into the actual mass. An expert auditor working with this from the idea on through to the object would discover that he had no preclears who could not mock up.” — 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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“You want to know what is wrong with the fellow? Let’s say that when he is very young somebody decides to take his tonsils out….Later on he meets some doctor who says, ‘Well, the reason you have ulcers is because … ?’ Actually, it was because one of the doctors during the tonsillectomy — this fellow’s earlier colleague — had an elbow in the patient’s stomach. I think doctors knew this all the time, by the way. I am sure they had this all worked out. The doctor leans his elbow on this young would-be writer’s stomach, and he grinds this elbow down while he is holding the patient. Later on the fellow has to be operated on for ulcers. You can make more money this way and send your children to better colleges.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 22, 1951
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“Sea Org members are highly acceptable to one another. Where evidence seems to be to the contrary it is an urgency to uphold the standards of the group which after all has a very arduous and important job to do.” — The Commodore, October 22, 1970
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“There are many blogs that publish a lot bad news about ‘Scientology’ when they are not really talking about Scientology at all, but rather about the CHURCH of Scientology and its suppressive ‘leaders.’ After reading some of those, it is such a pleasure to read about the great personal wins that people are having applying actual Scientology rather than the pretend stuff, e.g., GAT. Exposing the crimes of the Church of Scientology is a very important thing to do, but the wins that people are giving and receiving using the TECH will always be the more important story in the long run. The church will die thanks to those who bring the light of truth to expose its contra-survival acts. But people helping themselves and other people with the TECH and enhancing life all over the world are also important positive forces creating a better future.”
1996: Scientology this week purchased the assets of the Cult Awareness Network at an auction in federal court. The mailing lists and other sensitive files were apparently not sold. “The Cult Awareness Network, Inc.’s service mark and trademark rights, including rights to the use of the CAN stylized logo, were sold as part of a $20,000.00 purchase of CAN assets in the federal bankruptcy court. Steven Hayes, of the law firm of Bowles & Hayes, bought the assets. The purchase becomes final in seven days. Mr. Hayes will control the service mark and trademark rights at that time. It not clear yet whether Mr. Hayes, or others associated with him, could take action against organizations using the words ‘Cult Awareness Network’ in their name without his permission, or merely for the stylized CAN/Cult Awareness Network logo that appeared in the past on CAN’s literature.”
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“So when your certificates get canceled, whose job is it to track down all those engrams and body thetans and tell them they need to re-implant and re-attach themselves?”
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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] Bruce Hines: Scientology made David Mayo out to be a villain, but I knew the real man
[TWO years ago] PODCAST: Looking back at the first week of testimony in the Danny Masterson trial
[THREE years ago] Could a Scientologist be the next governor of Nevada?
[FOUR years ago] Could Marsy’s Law foil Scientology’s attempt to force rape victims into ‘arbitration’?
[FIVE years ago] DAVID MISCAVIGE, YOU HAVE BEEN SERVED
[SIX years ago] A call to arms for Scientology voters: ‘Religious freedom’ vs. the evil psychs!
[SEVEN years ago] Wally Hanks, Scientology ranch terror recently portrayed on ‘Leah Remini,’ dies at 70
[EIGHT years ago] Who was responsible when Scientology finally paid Lawrence Wollersheim a lot of thin dimes?
[NINE years ago] A Scientology childhood: What it’s like to grow up under the Hubbard spell
[TEN years ago] Tom Cruise and his Freedom Medal of Valor: Where’s the tabloid press?
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Has No City Permit for IAS Gala or Other Events: Is It Keeping The Party Private?
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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 3,060 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,555 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,070 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,620 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,610 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 4,996 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,491 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,795 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,666 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,218 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,559 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,126 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,045 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,213 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,795 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,055 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,091 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,807 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,371 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,686 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,861 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,543 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,881 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,734 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,849 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,211 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,514 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,620 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,018 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,894 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,459 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,971 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,226 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,334 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on October 22, 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
