TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: The Patrons Ball at this year’s IAS gala was held only 6 weeks ago, but Scientology has already put out our favorite of its publications, Impact mag, and you know what that means: Scientology whales and their trophies! We have the full list of David Miscavige’s enablers for you! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“An assist is not a substitute for medical treatment but is complementary to it. It is even doubtful if full healing can be accomplished by medical treatment alone and it is certain that an assist greatly speeds recovery. In short, one should realize that physical healing does not take into account the being and the repercussion on the spiritual beingness of the person. Injury and illness are PREDISPOSED by the spiritual state of the person. They are PRECIPITATED by the being himself as a manifestation of his current spiritual condition. And they are PROLONGED by any failure to fully handle the spiritual factors associated with them.” — 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 go in one of these modern cemeteries, one of these nice modern ones. Boo! There’s more trapped thetans around that joint than you care to measure up in a long day of Sundays. And if you want to amuse yourself, put out a line on them and say, ‘Hey fella, why don’t you get on your way?’ And they sort of feel groggy, ‘Huh? Voice of God, must be the voice of God.’ So you want to play God? Well you ought to go down and do this some time just for kicks. Put a little bit of an energy beam on them and, or plant the thought, ‘You are now on top of the grave.’ Or, ‘You are now on top of the headstone.’ And if you really want to pour the juice into them — it’s kind of bad to hypnotize thetans, I usually feel sorry for them — if you want to pull the, if you want to pour the juice in on them and go just brrwhack! ‘You are now on top of the tombstone.’ There isn’t any doubt about your getting them out, truth be known. You can put out enough energy. Beam in, sort of bore a little hole in the guy’s head and then, and then put the energy concentration flow into the center of his forehead, in in in in in in in, and his skull will go spatter, brains and all. This is no joke. I mean, I’m not joking about this.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 6, 1952
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“Div 6 had better start looking to crew entertainment. Terri Gillham had to capture a British Submarine to give the crew some movies. I think that’s a bit extraordinary.” — The Commodore, December 6, 1971
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“All this talk about Scientology being some major sinkhole of money really makes little sense, especially in the FreeZone community. Even Church of Scientology costs are not that crazy, and they’re much higher than FreeZone. I’m not going to say Scientology is the only way people will become happier and better in their lives, but there is something valuable here. For $2,500 you could talk to a psych for about eight hours and then get a prescription for a bunch of meds which would just fuck you up more and make you feel less in control of your life. For $2,500 in the FreeZone you could most likely get to a point where your self confidence is restored and you start feeling in more control of your life. Honestly if after spending $2,500 you do not feel any more in control or confident in your life, LEAVE AND LOOK ELSEWHERE. Most of the people who complain about Scientology are those that got sucked into the culty parts and never really got far in it. It doesn’t take a lot of independent research to realize people like Chris Shelton don’t know a lot and he even admits it in his videos. He talks about classified materials, but his understanding is just what he got from watching South Park and skimming websites.”
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1999: A hearing was held to rule on Scientology’s request to keep Bob Minton away from Scientology properties in Clearwater. From the St. Petersburg Times: “After a nine-hour hearing Monday, a judge said he needed more time to decide whether one of the the Church of Scientology’s most vocal critics can continue to picket in front of church properties in downtown Clearwater. Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Thomas E. Penick Jr. said he will rule Thursday on the church’s request that Robert S. Minton, a New England millionaire, be permanently ordered to stay away from Scientology buildings. Minton, who crusades against Scientology, was arrested Oct. 31 on a misdemeanor battery charge after he pushed his posterboard picket sign into the face of Richard Howd, a church staffer who had followed him all day with a video camera. Scientology lawyers said it was the third time in the past two years Minton had behaved violently toward Scientologists. Monday, Minton’s attorney, Denis deVlaming, told Penick that Minton was the target of dirty tricks by Scientology staffers trying to stifle criticism of the church in violation of Minton’s First Amendment rights. DeVlaming said there was a pattern in which church operatives exaggerated minor physical contact with Minton and other Scientology critics, then called police to report a battery in hopes a judge would enjoin them from going near church property.”
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“Posting any old Scientology video isn’t automatically relevant. It should relate to the subject of the day’s article.”
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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] New court leak: Scientology lied that Leah Remini had ‘blood on her hands’ in knife slay
[TWO years ago] SOURCE: Kirstie Alley will be memorialized at Scientology’s ‘spiritual mecca’
[THREE years ago] Before and after Jonestown Bob Dole looked into cults — so Scientology targeted him
[FOUR years ago] Some of Scientology’s orgs around the country are boarded up. What gives, Dave?
[FIVE years ago] Jackie Lacey insider: Unseat her in March if you want to see Danny Masterson charged
[SIX years ago] When Tom Cruise go-fer and budding flak Tommy Davis was getting his Scientology hat on
[SEVEN years ago] Why is it so hard for governments to crack down on the Church of Scientology?
[EIGHT years ago] Tonight on Leah Remini’s series, two more families get ripped apart and ‘fair gamed’
[NINE years ago] Postscript: How David Miscavige spun the death of Lisa McPherson
[TEN years ago] Jon Atack: How to get a convinced Scientologist on the road to recovery
[ELEVEN years ago] How Does Scientology Take Over a Mind? Jefferson Hawkins Tells Us About “PTS”
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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 3,105 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,600 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,115 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,665 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,655 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,041 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,536 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,840 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,711 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,263 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,604 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,171 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,090 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,258 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,840 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,100 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,136 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,852 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,416 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,731 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,906 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,588 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,925 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,779 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,894 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,256 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,559 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,665 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,063 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,939 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,504 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,015 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,271 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,379 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 6, 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
