TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: The tributes to Mike Rinder have kept coming in. On Monday, we heard from ‘Going Clear’ director Alex Gibney and co-star Spanky Taylor, and on Tuesday from writer Lawrence Wright. Today, it’s two more ‘Going Clear’ participants, Tom Devocht and Hana Whitfield, and more. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“A thetan, even when pressed or suppressed to the absolute limit of near extinction, will still try, even when ‘cooperating,’ to some way be right. A thetan cannot die. His only out is to try to stop something as he himself cannot stop living. This gives rise to fixed ideas as he is trying to stop-therefore the ideas hold in time and continue. His efforts to be right continue to stop him in a reverse flow. This is true because he is already at near total effect. He also becomes the effect of his own fixed idea efforts to handle. Just as a man being crushed by a house-size rock will still put his hands out to fend it off, so will a thetan continue to fend off his believed oppressions by stopping them.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1974
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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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“A little bulletin here: Aussies, hang your head in shame! All through the Commonwealth with the greatest of ease, I was able to slow down this government raid on the church in Washington, but not in Australia. You see, the lines go straight from Australia to the United States and back and forth. And the whole rigged government release in Washington landed scram-bang into the press in Australia. So Australia is a seething mess of ‘God ‘elp us’ now, and somebody from the Australian syndicate is coming down to see me tomorrow, and they want to know all about it. I’m not going to tell them very much beyond a fascist government raided a church. I’ll tell them, Be very, very careful, though, because apparently there’s a million dollars in the offing to fight this in the United States. They actually got all kinds of leads and money pouring in like mad from all directions, and the situation looks very dark for the United States.” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 10, 1963
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“Bless AOLA! They held their trend and all the GDSes continue to go up like rockets and their GI is over $41,000. They’re a great team, and we admire them.” — The Commodore, January 10, 1971
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“The mainstream media is a classic example of the third party law in our 4th dynamic. It’s just so damn evil and is stirring up all these problems amongst us, yet appears superficially to be just reporting the news. The people chose Trump and the media are totally assisting in the stealing of the election. They are so so bad and if we eradicated them life on earth would be so much better. They are 1.1 disgusting scum. The media is a classic example of a 1.1 industry.”
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2000: The Tampa Tribune reported this week that Bob Minton will be charged with battery for an incident during a protest at the Fort Harrison Hotel in October. “An outspoken critic of the Church of Scientology was formally charged with misdemeanor battery late Friday. New Hampshire millionaire Robert S. Minton Jr. faces a maximum penalty of one year in the county jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted of striking Scientologist Richard W. Howd Jr. during a protest Oct. 31 outside the church’s spiritual headquarters in downtown Clearwater. State Attorney Bernie McCabe had the option of not prosecuting the case, and Minton had been waiting since his arrest the night of the incident for a determination. Neither could be reached for comment late Friday. In the battery incident, Minton was carrying a protest sign up and down the sidewalk outside the Fort Harrison Hotel on Halloween night while Howd filmed him at close range with a video camera. Minton testified that he struck Howd with his placard when Howd would not back away as Minton left the area.”
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“Miscavige isn’t that old and he’s got plenty of money, real estate, and willing slaves to play with. I saw an interview with Pol Pot shortly before he died and it boiled down to him saying he wished he could do some things over but he did what he thought was best for the people of Cambodia. Miscavige is either a non-believer who thinks ‘suckers get what they deserve and if it wasn’t me somebody else would be fleecing these idiots’ or he’s a believer and thinks ‘Yes, I’ve been a strongman, but that’s what was necessary to insure the survival of this organization.’ Caesar or charlatan?”
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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. Appeal brief due by December 23.
— ‘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 January 13, 2025.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud, awaiting sentencing.
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. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1.
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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 wants an injunction to muzzle Scientology, and now we have the church’s reply
[TWO years ago] We’re back in Los Angeles to learn if Danny Masterson is getting a retrial
[THREE years ago] Another ‘Chase Wave’ witness, and Scientology’s ‘ludicrous’ money grab!
[FOUR years ago] Adding insult to injury, Valerie Haney faces a hearing for $160,000 in sanctions this week
[FIVE years ago] Activists find Scientologist French police tried for years to question about 2006 suicide
[SIX years ago] Uh-oh. Someone trusted a whole bunch of money to a wealthy Scientologist.
[SEVEN years ago] Xenu or Xemu? Here’s our take on one of Scientology’s galactic-wide mysteries
[EIGHT years ago] Tonight on ‘Leah Remini’: Once again, Scientology’s a horror show for the mentally ill
[NINE years ago] A business executive looks at Scientology as a (poorly run) business
[TEN years ago] Jon Atack: Scientology’s ‘training routines’ and their relationship to meditation
[ELEVEN years ago] Black hearts and burning crosses: Scientology litigation is getting weird in Texas
[TWELVE years ago] The Master Gets Three Oscar Nominations
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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 3,140 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,635 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,150 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,700 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,690 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,076 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,571 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,875 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,746 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,298 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,639 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,206 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,125 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,293 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,875 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,135 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,171 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,887 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,451 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,766 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,941 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,623 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,960 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,814 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,929 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,291 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,594 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,700 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,098 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,974 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,539 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,050 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,306 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,414 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on January 10, 2025 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
