TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Our tipsters have been busy, sending a number of things from inside the world of Scientology we thought you’d want to see. For example, when you’re paying to have the ability to detect the saline content of your cells upgraded at the Super Power building, who watches your kids? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“A withhold makes one feel he or she cannot reach. Therefore withholds are what cut havingness down and made runs on havingness attain unstable gains. In the presence of withholds havingness sags. As soon as a withhold is pulled, ability to reach is potentially restored but the pc often does not discover this. It requires that havingness be run to get the benefit of having pulled most withholds. Therefore havingness may be run in conjunction with Integrity Processing but may NOT be used to hide or obscure the fact of failure to F/N an Integrity Form question.” — 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’s very simple to take a thetan and knock him into a state of somnolence and make him believe he is someplace else and then actually operate with him at that new place. You could, for instance, take a, go down the street here and find a lady of easy virtue and put her into a super trance and then tell her very convincingly while she’s in this super trance that you’re going to take care of her body, but you simply want her to go down and uh, be Mrs. Eisenhower. The darndest things would happen to Mrs. Eisenhower. This is one of the oldest political gimmicks in this universe. This is so old and so worn out as a political gimmick that nearly everybody has done it and he is now guilty of an overt act every time he thinks of it.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 4, 1952
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“We have obtained permission from local authorities to burn paper on the dock. An incinerator is being constructed and will be used to burn confidential papers. So — paper hoarders, get your trash ready and work out how and when you will burn the trash at the end of the dock.” — Lt. N.F. Starkey, Captain, December 4, 1971
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“The internal combustion engine doesn’t work in outer space or inner space. An entirely different system of propulsion is required that is not logically deductible from the internal combustion engine and if we continue with the same successful action beyond the limits of its scope or operating space and operating principles, we are baulked and parked in a repetitive cycle until we step outside the box and into the present time location and environment, here and now, accordingly to our ability to reach: and find out where we actually are. The Confusion Formula is actually a very high gradient of confront when applied as an autonomous spiritual being here on Earth in present time. Where are we and how on earth did we get here? Where do we originate from? Originate is the key term.”
1997: Scientology appears to have destroyed years of public relations efforts with the city of Clearwater by staging pickets of the police and the Times. From the St. Petersburg Times: “City leaders Monday said the Church of Scientology’s angry protests of the Police Department over the weekend badly damaged Scientology’s image in Clearwater and set back the church’s efforts to become part of the city’s mainstream. The church continued to blast police Chief Sid Klein on Monday with another in a series of public letters accusing him of ‘orchestrating harassment’ against the church and its members. Church representatives also passed out fliers at the city’s downtown office complex and at police headquarters, asking for reports of corruption, abuses and discrimination in Klein’s department. City officials responded in strong terms to the church’s allegations. ‘If they can prove what they say, Sid ought to be in prison,’ City Commissioner Ed Hooper said. ‘If they can’t, they need to let this go. You either go to the state attorney’s office (with the evidence) or you get over it. They just can’t make wild allegations that can’t be substantiated.’ Church spokesman Brian Anderson said, ‘We can back up everything in those letters and will do so. Everything we say is documentable, and that will be presented at the right place and at the right time.’ Anderson cited three instances he thought were among the church’s biggest complaints against Klein: He said police failed to seriously investigate a former Scientologist who stole $4,300 from the Clearwater church in 1983. He accused the police department of helping Scientology opponents by escorting them around town in unmarked cars. And he criticized Klein for assigning intelligence officers to focus on church activities. City Manager Mike Roberto said he will continue to talk to church officials and plans to include them in his proposal to redevelop downtown because he still considers the church a ‘player.’ But he added he will ‘revisit how we are going to address the church’ in the future. ‘You can’t attack the chief of police without some repercussions,’ Roberto said. ‘It’s definitely a regression,’ City Commissioner Bob Clark said. ‘People are just asking, ‘What does this mean? Are we at war again or what?'”
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“David Miscavige is the Sarah Winchester of cult leaders. He just keeps building and building, trying to keep the ghosts of his and Hubbard’s victims at bay.”
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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:
— 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] Leah Remini spells out Scientology’s abuses in stunning new court declaration
[TWO years ago] Scientology leader David Miscavige unloads epic rant about Leah Remini after mistrial
[THREE years ago] Scientology wants your feedback, thetan: ‘Who would you like to hear from?’
[FOUR years ago] WHOA! Scientology to Judge Kleifield: Wrecking human lives IS our ‘commerce’
[FIVE years ago] Danny Masterson is served rape lawsuit in papers delivered to his wife Bijou Phillips
[SIX years ago] Scientology is known for its use of spies — and tonight, you’ll hear from one
[SEVEN years ago] Yes, L. Ron Hubbard wrote even more about children and sex, and we need to talk about it
[EIGHT years ago] A new technology shows promise for treating depression, so Scientology wants to kill it
[NINE years ago] How Scientology ‘caretakers’ could stand by and watch Lisa McPherson deteriorate
[TEN years ago] ‘Chicago Fire’ actor Christian Stolte sets off an alarm about Scientology and the actors’ union
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s Shiny New Mark Ultra VIII E-Meter
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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 3,103 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,598 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,113 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,663 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,653 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,039 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,534 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,838 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,709 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,261 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,602 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,169 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,088 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,256 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,838 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,098 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,134 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,850 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,414 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,729 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,904 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,586 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,923 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,777 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,892 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,254 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,557 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,663 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,061 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,937 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,502 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,013 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,269 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,377 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 4, 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
