TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Valerie Ross is back to help us understand what Christmas can mean to the committed Scientology member, and what it means after getting out. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“In this time of century, there are many communication lines for works of art. Because a few works of art can be shown so easily to so many there may even be fewer artists. The competition is very keen and even dagger sharp. To be good one has to be very good. But in what way and how? Well, when I used to buy breakfasts for Greenwich Village artists (which they ate hungrily, only stopping between bites to deplore my commercialism and bastardizing my talents for the gold that bought their breakfasts) I used to ask this question and needless to say I received an appalling variety of responses. They avalanched me with technique or lack of it, they vaguely dwelt on inherent talent, they rushed me around to galleries to show me Picasso or to a board fence covered with abstracts. But none of them told me how good a song had to be to be a song.” — 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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“These things called ‘universes’ are games. And really the most valuable thing that a thetan possesses is his spirit of play. His spirit of play is sensation of play, and is not just energy. It’s a tremendous sensation. A guy has practically lost it if he’s here on Earth at all. Spirit of Play. It’s tremendous: he’s depending on all sorts of the soggiest, low tone scale emotions imaginable in order to get any sensation. In substitute for what? Spirit of Play. For instance, sex is, boy, that’s about eighth-rate as an emotion. It is just dull, incalculably dull compared to the rapidity, randomity and actual sensation of the Spirit of Play. It’s way up there. And you couldn’t possibly think that anybody could be serious and win through this universe. The more serious they get — 1.5 is real serious — why, of course, the more serious they get the more they have to do things by flows, and the acre they have to agree and the more they have to follow the rules, and the more broken the piece becomes.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 9, 1952
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“In answer to Income Clerk’s query, the following points apply with No exceptions: 1. Persons leaving SEA ORG get billed for all their courses they may have incurred at full price. 2. A Course whether finished or just started is always charged for at full price. 3. Reviews are paid for by the hour and at full price — includes the leaving Review. 4. If the person has worked at an Advanced Org prior to coming to Sea Org any courses they may have incurred whilst there are also billed for at full price. We are not in the business of free services and arrangements must be made prior to the person leaving regarding meeting weekly payments for the debt he has incurred with the Sea Org.” — Lt. Robin Roos, CS-3, December 9, 1968
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“Jonathan Burke is hereby assigned a CONDITION OF ENEMY in regards Scientology and Scientology in the Independent Field. Per LRH ‘Condition of Liability’ he is not to be trusted. Jonathan Burke is encouraged to seek out a standard Ethics Specialist and work out of his lower conditions and to make restitution and amends as necessary and move up the conditions and back into Normal Operation. Once this has been accomplished and validated, an Ethics Order will be issued to the same distribution advising them of Mr. Burke’s achievement.”
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1995: Diane Richardson posted a report from the American Cancer Society documenting Hubbard’s offer to research auditing as a cure for cancer. “The earliest reference in the American Cancer Society files is a letter dated February 6, 1951, from Donald H. Rogers, Director of Research for the [Hubbard Dianetic Research] Foundation, offering the Society the opportunity of doing research in the field of Dianetics, since ‘engrams have been discovered which might account for the physical symptoms of cancer.’ In New Jersey, the Foundation was charged with violation of the medical-practice act. It moved to Wichita, Kansas, where its name became the Hubbard Dianetic Foundation, Inc. In 1953, this Foundation wrote the Committee on Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy of the National Research Council offering them a chance to cooperate in research on Dianetics and reporting that ‘we have seen enough evidence of a significant nature to indicate that cancer may well be psychogenic in character.'”
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“Miscavige has billions at his disposal and he has thousands of lackeys and soldiers to order around. He’s the Teflon Pope.”
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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] Scientology’s co-opting of Christmas is back, and we have a grim reminder about it
[THREE years ago] Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard in WW2: Notes from a prohibited war diary
[FOUR years ago] Date night at the Scientology Sunday service: How one teenager was lured into Hubbardism
[FIVE years ago] Jingle Bell Crock: LAPD cozies up to Scientology at its faux-Christmas shindig
[SIX years ago] David Miscavige will be in Africa on New Year’s Day to mark an actual Scientology expansion
[SEVEN years ago] DID BOB BLOW? Evidence that Scientology may have lost its biggest donor of all time
[EIGHT years ago] Disconnection, neglect, and suicide: Scientology, it’s even worse than you think
[NINE years ago] Document leak: When the FBI investigated Scientology’s bizarre New Mexico vault
[TEN years ago] Scientology ambush! Another crazy encounter, this time with Marc Headley at Int Base
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology asks for psychiatric examination of Laura DeCrescenzo in forced-abortion lawsuit
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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 3,108 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,603 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,118 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,668 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,658 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,044 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,539 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,843 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,714 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,266 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,607 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,174 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,093 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,261 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,843 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,103 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,139 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,855 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,419 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,734 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,909 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,591 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,928 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,782 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,897 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,259 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,562 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,668 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,066 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,942 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,507 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,018 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,274 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,382 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 9, 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
