TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology’s smears of Ron Miscavige and Becky Bigelow remain online, more than 12 years after they escaped Int Base and embarrassed Ron’s son, David Miscavige. We’re glad we got to know Becky as much as we did, and wish she could have enjoyed her freedom for a little longer. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Different types of auditing call for different handlings of End Phenomena. End Phenomena will also vary depending on what you’re running. The definition of END PHENOMENA is ‘those indicators in the pc and meter which show that a chain or process is ended.’ Misapplication of this definition can result in underrun and overrun processes or actions and the pc snarled up with BPC. In Power Processing the auditor waits for a specific EP and does not indicate an F/N until he has gotten the specific EP for the process. To miss on this in Power is disastrous, thus Power auditors are drilled and drilled on the handling of Power EPs.” — 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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“You find many a girl — various stresses in the war you notice this: Some girl who was very much in love with some young man, and he got knocked off, something like that, and right away she becomes a lawyer — begins to talk in a rather husky voice. If you watch her a while longer, the next thing you know, she’s liable to start smoking cigars. You know? And in order to exteriorize her, you’d have to exteriorize her out of the body of a young man before you could exteriorize her out of the body she’s in. Now she doesn’t want to be in the body she’s in, so she’s not really in the body she’s in, and you just don’t have a dog’s chance of exteriorizing her out of that body. You say, ‘Be three feet back of your head.’ She’s not in it. So the whole command misses. You see that?” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 19, 1956
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“1969 was the year of Out-Ethics. In 1970 I trust all SO members will wear their ethics hats. Every SO member has one. Every time we ease up or drop Ethics we get horrible problems and stats. It can be plotted on the Int GI. Fact is Ethics is madly out on the planet. Definition of some Earth wog leaders — somebody who is trying to get even with everybody else. Definition of psychiatry: the government’s method of getting even with the insane.” — The Commodore, January 19, 1970
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“When you interweave your spiritual essence with too many other thetans, you are establishing too many anchor points on that Dynamic. When one does this, it makes it more difficult to once again find and re-unite with one’s true ‘soul-mate’ lifetime after lifetime. If ‘soul-mates’ mutually refrain from promiscuity prior to re-uniting, they find each other again and again, lifetime to lifetime. The indicator is this, trust your own knowingness as to whether you have a long term relationship with the person or not – and if not, do not get involved with them, especially sexually.”
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2002: Celebrity Magazine reported that Kirstie Alley has opened two new reading centers in California, and that a benefit event was held in Los Angeles to raise money for Scientology volunteer ministers. “The grand opening of the first new Lillie’s was at the Mission of Beverly Hills. Present were Jennifer Aspen and Lynsey Bartilson as well as hundred of attendees ranging from Scientologists to local community leaders and non-Scientology celebrities. The second Lillie’s was opened at the Mission of Riverpark, in Sacramento, California, the very next day. Among those attending were Jenna Elfman and Kate Ceberano. Lillie’s Learning Place provides tutoring for anyone who wishes to improve their ability to study, by utilizing L. Ron Hubbard’s Study Tech. Also taught is a phonics-based reading program for anyone wanting to improve their ability to read, as well as a thorough, easy-to-learn course on grammar. Kirstie’s plans now include opening up four more Lillie’s in the months to come. Crowds attended the ‘LA Love NY’ benefit held at the Garden Pavilion. Celebrity guests included Marisol Nichols, Lynsey Bartilson, Michelle Stafford, Gina St. John, Catherine Bell, Jack Armstrong, concert pianist Mario Feninger, singer Shannon Start Roberts, singer Kelly Meyersfield, singer/songwriter Erik Meyersfield, singer/songwriter David Pomeranz and STOMP! dancer Chad Kukahiko. The show was a variety of musical performances, true dramatic stories from New York read by actors, wins from our Volunteer Ministers, and quotes by L. Ron Hubbard. Proceeds from the event went to benefit the efforts of the Volunteer Ministers in New York.”
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“OT 7 is just sitting in a room talking to yourself and seeing if the needle reacts. You’d think after a couple of years of doing that they would just say ‘fuck it!’ and tell the case supervisor ‘The belfry is bat-free’.”
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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 February 24, 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] We’re back in court today as Leah Remini’s lawsuit faces early hurdles
[TWO years ago] Tonight: Our conversation with Mike Rinder on ‘A Billion Years’ for Mark Twain House
[THREE years ago] Journalist John Connolly dies at 78, was outed in 2011 as Scientology spy by Mike Rinder
[FOUR years ago] Danny Masterson accusers want emergency halt on ‘religious arbitration’ to protect rape case
[FIVE years ago] Georgia puts legislator who promotes Scientology anti-psych efforts on mental health panel
[SIX years ago] New Sea Org escapee says that Scientology still forcing abortions, decade after practice exposed
[SEVEN years ago] More Scientology news is here: You won’t believe how fast this planet is being cleared!
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology in hot water again for cutting down trees without permission
[NINE years ago] When the feds tracked down L. Ron Hubbard’s boast about getting rich by creating a religion
[TEN years ago] Earache my eye: A Scientology official’s excuses why he can’t fly for deposition in fraud suit
[ELEVEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: For the second year in a row, Scientology will have an ad in the Super Bowl
[TWELVE years ago] We Told You Jamie DeWolf Would Blow Up!
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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.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,149 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,644 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,159 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,709 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,699 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,085 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,580 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,884 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,755 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,307 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,648 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,215 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,134 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,302 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,884 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,144 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,180 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,896 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,460 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,775 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,950 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,632 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,969 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,823 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,938 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,300 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,709 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,107 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,983 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,548 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,059 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,315 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,423 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on January 19, 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
