TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: 4 weeks ago today, we lost a man whose life touched so many others. We’re still getting used to the idea we can’t call Mike Rinder and ask his thoughts on the latest Scientology news. But the talented Observer is helping us remember Mike in a way that’s become a tradition here. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“When the Cramming Officer flubs you must get him crammed fast because he will repeat the error on others and there goes your results. In such cases, get him crammed immediately by the Qual Sec or Senior C/S. If it is the Qual Sec who has flubbed, then he is crammed either by the Senior C/S or the Keeper of Tech.” — 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 can do this trick yourself if you want to: Hypnotize somebody and have them go home and go to sleep. Then after they get home and go to sleep, so forth, you walk over in your astral body and wake them up and talk to them and give them a message and tell them they are supposed to call you at 10:15 the next morning and tell you the house is on fire. Then you come back in your astral body and get back inside yourself and you go to sleep yourself. At 10:15 the next morning, why, they will call you up and say, ‘I don’t know why, but I have a terrific compulsion to tell you the house is on fire.’” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 2, 1952
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“There is squirrel tech. In this an auditor runs off beat non-standard processes. We’ve long since handled this. There is squirrel admin. People who have out admin TRs and do not know basic lines add to standard lines or knock them out. We are working to handle this with OEC, FEBC and Admin TRs now being done and further developed. There is also squirrel cookery. This normally arises from not having the proper ingredients to hand (supply failure) and not having anyone to wash and slice and peel raw materials so they can be cooked. A standard meal comes from planned menu, correct supply, correct preparation of raw materials and following the exact recipe. From this comes edible meals. This goes into other lines of tech as well.” The Commodore, February 2, 1971
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“Once I reached OT 17 I regained the abilities I was looking for. Freedom from other determinisms across all time and space. To continue on up the CBR Bridge would be to accept the rules of a new game to be played in this universe, basically changing the rules under which this universe was created. I was involved in the creation of this universe with its eight dynamics, I don’t want more dynamics. I don’t want new rules. I want ethics put in in this universe across eight dynamics with the existing rules. I don’t believe this can be done as a humanoid. The next few years will determine whether this can be done or not. I don’t want to be pan-determined in this universe. If I wanted that I would create my own universe and ask others to join and follow my rules. It has been seven to ten years since I have looked at the CBR Bridge so I may have forgotten some of the pieces so perhaps I have some of this incorrect.”
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2002: BBC News reported that Tom Cruise took time from promoting his latest movie to lobby the American ambassador to Germany on behalf of Scientology. “He met with US ambassador Dan Coats while in the country promoting his new movie Vanilla Sky with co-star and girlfriend Penelope Cruz. Germany refuses to recognise Scientology as a legitimate church, claiming it is a fake religion based on making money from its followers. Scientology was put under official scrutiny in Germany in 1997, followed by France which outlawed it as a cult. Following Cruise’s hour-long meeting with Mr. Coats the star signed autographs and chatted to embassy staff, who remarked on how friendly and patient he was. Mr. Coats later attended the German premiere of Vanilla Sky, but would not comment on the meeting.”
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“As a 49ers/Patriots fan with 8 Super Bowl wins between them, I feel Jimmy’s pain.”
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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] For the first time, read L. Ron Hubbard gushing about working with Leni Riefenstahl
[TWO years ago] Valerie Haney: Scientology changed the rules after I nominated Elisabeth Moss, Tom Cruise
[THREE years ago] Another crucial Scientology eyewitness coming forward, starting today at the Bunker
[FOUR years ago] Ever wanted to tour Scientology’s creepy ‘spiritual mecca’? Meet your guide, Ted
[FIVE years ago] Professional ham hock Grant Cardone: I’m giving up the Super Bowl for Scientology
[SIX years ago] The presidential candidate, the controversial guru, the Scientology lawyer — and us!
[SEVEN years ago] David Mayo, 1940-2017: Scientology’s top technical wizard and target of ‘Fair Game’
[EIGHT years ago] Fed up with Scientology disconnection? Be there to dedicate the new ‘Call Me’ billboard Feb. 18
[NINE years ago] The particularly bad timing of Monique Rathbun’s decision to fire her attorneys
[TEN years ago] The shocking case of Scientology mistreatment of the mentally ill you haven’t heard
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s drug rehab facility in Nevada sued over the usual litany of deceptions
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Mythbusting with Jon Atack: The Tomato Photo!
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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 3,163 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,658 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,173 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,723 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,713 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,099 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,594 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,898 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,769 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,321 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,662 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,229 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,148 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,316 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,898 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,157 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,194 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,910 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,474 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,789 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,964 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,646 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,983 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,837 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,952 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,314 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,723 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,121 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,997 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,562 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,073 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,329 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,437 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 2, 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
