TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: While we wait for Priscilla Presley to respond to the bombshell allegation in an Orlando lawsuit by a former business partner that she has a previously unidentified grandkid with Elvis Presley living today in Florida, she’s hitting back in a separate elder abuse lawsuit in LA. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Wars, political upsets, organizational duress, growing crime rates, increasingly heavy ‘justice,’ growing demands for excessive welfare, economic failure and other age long and repeating conditions find a common denominator in the inability of human beings to coordinate. The current political answer, in vogue in this century and growing, is totalitarianism where the state orders the whole life of the individual. The production figures of such states are very low and their crimes against the individual are numerous. A discovery therefore of what this factor is, that makes the humanoid the victim of oppression, would be a valuable one. The opening lines of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health comment on Man’s lack of an answer for himself. The group needs such an answer in order to survive and for its individual members to be happy.” — 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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“It is interesting that the Tagalogs weren’t ever told that you were supposed to stop when you were hit by a bullet. So they would get hit with three or four bullets through the heart and one through the head and then run seventy-five yards and take a machete and whack off an American soldier’s head. This was disconcerting to our troops during the Philippine insurrection. So we sent a lot of people in and convinced them that when you were hit by a bullet you were supposed to die. They have never repeated this performance. That is an interesting datum. And yet there were lots of Tagalogs running around getting shot at during World War II and none of them put on this kind of a performance. What actually happened to them was mechanical.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 12, 1951
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“Radical sweeping changes based on the wrong why can crash an org or area. When stats are awful or near zero it doesn’t much matter what you do. But when they’re on a nice steady week after week rise DON’T CHANGE ANYTHING! As one’s pay and morale and Scientology advance depends on this know-how, it is very very important!” — The Commodore, November 12, 1970
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“I’m not sure if a soul can be a spirit guide and reincarnate, but Ron is my #1 spirit guide. Been with me since birth. I’m a medium and talk to him all the time. I’m surprised Scientologists never hired a medium to talk to him. I only became aware this past August that I have abilities which is why I’m just now searching for answers. I just asked my reader if they can reincarnate and be guides. I’ll let you know. They cannot be spirit guides and reincarnate at the same time. So he has not reincarnated but lives on in spirit. If I’m not mistaken, Scientology has connections to the spiritual realm.”
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1996: An anonymous web searcher reported that s/he was sent Scientology material after browsing their web site. Apparently, Scientology is tracking the users of the site and, in some cases, sending targeted email to users. “I was doing some research on the Church of Scientology for an English paper. I visit their web site once from my Unix Box using Netscape. Not less than a week after I did the search, I have started to receive literature from one of their front groups that wishes to ban the practice of Psychiatry (The Citizen’s Coalition for Human Rights.) The only file that I knew of that I read from the official Scientology Website was the one that contained all the trademark information. (The names of all their Gods, Teachings, and Sacraments are all copyright information.) So all I had to is visit one web site and somehow they got enough info on me to start sending me mailings. I am NOT amused as they have been reported in the news as a dangerous cult. I guess they got enough information now to get my phone number too. So, as a reminder, if you are researching something on the net that you don’t want to be involved in, be sure to blank out your name and email address. Those cookie files and Java scripts can give stuff that you don’t want out.”
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“I’m bemused that ex-Scientologists still actively engage in magical thinking, not realizing that the number one reason that they got sucked into Scientology in the first place is because they were already engaged in magical thinking through a belief and interest in the supernatural and the paranormal which had already placed them on the slippery slope to cult hell.”
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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, 2023.
— ‘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 November 15.
— 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] Gottfried Helnwein: The celebrated artist and his loud silence on Scientology
[TWO years ago] LAPD responds to Leah Remini tweets about Shelly Miscavige, gets stuff wrong
[THREE years ago] Lest we forget: Scientology started out as quack cure-all, selling electronic snake oil
[FOUR years ago] Valerie Haney takes fight against Scientology ‘arbitration’ to California Supreme Court
[FIVE years ago] Woman who fled Scientology after being lured in by Jason Dohring acting class goes public
[SIX years ago] AUDIO: Scientology fundraising throws in a little conspiracy-mongering for effect
[SEVEN years ago] Tonight on ‘Leah Remini’: Scientology’s front groups, including Narconon, get a special look
[EIGHT years ago] Leah Remini schools us on what motivates Scientologists to toe the line
[NINE years ago] Countdown to Room 174: Remembering, in real time, Scientology’s grimmest scandal
[TEN years ago] Scientology Photoshopping: Erasing L. Ron Hubbard’s second wife from ‘The RON Series’
[ELEVEN years ago] Bruce Hines Joins Us As Claire Headley Keeps Us Moving Through Scientology’s OT Levels!
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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 3,081 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,576 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,091 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,641 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,631 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,017 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,512 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,816 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,687 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,239 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,580 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,147 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,066 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,234 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,816 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,076 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,112 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,828 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,392 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,707 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,882 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,564 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,901 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,755 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,870 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,232 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,535 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,641 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,039 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,915 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,480 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,991 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,247 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,355 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 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
