TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We got around to watching Rebecca Minkoff’s final appearance on Real Housewives of New York, and wow, was it grim. She’s decided to leave the show, which is probably a good thing. Imagine if the cast had finally figured out how to ask her some real questions about Scientology. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The cause of ROLLERCOASTER is PTS. Rollercoaster means a slump after a gain. Pcs who do not hold their gains are PTS… Now with the PTS Rundown, the handling of this common and all too frequent case condition can be handled… The recent wrap-up came about through my OT research in November 1971. The principal breakthrough was realizing one should NOT invalidate having known certain people before. This is similar to the past life discovery in 1950. Some people thinking this was ‘unpopular’ frowned on it. Some others were only famous characters so flagrantly that past lives were easily invalidated. But people who don’t go past track in Dianetics don’t recover. Even running them as ‘imaginary’ as in Science of Survival advices suddenly breaks through for a stalled Dianetic Case. In this same way with young men and girls using ‘I knew you when you were…’ for 2D advantage tended to invalidate having known certain individuals before this life. But now it turns out that the ONLY PTS situation that is serious and lasting and can cause a rollercoaster comes from having known the person before this life. Possibly in the last life or earlier lives one knew persons before that life too. This however shows up in the 3 S&Ds.” — 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 want to make a Clear Clear. You want to make somebody who won’t have any trouble with the Goals Problem Mass or any trouble with the bank from there on out, and all of his fondest hopes, and so forth. And of course, if you keep doing that in extremis and then straighten out the whole track, and take up all fragments of the Goals Problem Mass in their turn and handle all them, you’ll make an OT. You couldn’t help it. So you probably could make a Dynamic Clear or a Clear Clear, a stable, a very stable Clear by moving straight on through the Goals Problem Mass and getting these valences parked in their proper places on the track so they’re not troubling the pc, and so forth. And he’d stay that way. It’s taken trillennia to get these things assembled into a black sponge. And it’ll take him more trillennia to get them back together again because it’s quite accidental that they remain in that weirdly balanced balance. You mean somebody has got a package that comes from 10 trillion years ago, beautifully poised and balanced against a package that came from 110 trillion years ago, and he’s got a 100 trillion year loop in the Goals Problem Mass. And these two things are opposing each other gorgeously. How does he do it? I ask you. Thetans are skilled, but I never expected them to be that clever. But they actually can do it.” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 8, 1962
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“MIMEO FILES FB: DOUG LEWIS is removed as I/C and demoted in the same unit for being unable to handle people and neglecting to study the project or clarify intention. Robert Williamson is restored to Mimeo Files I/C with orders to get the files set up. Doug Lewis, Robert Williamson, Mort Smithberg and Richard Bunnell are affected by this order. It is noted that Smithberg, a speed typist, should never have been assigned to this unit and should be replaced soonest. The project has no typing or stencil cutting duties. Its sole duty is to set up and to file all loose mimeos on the ship NOW, NOW, NOW. I haven’t seen such an enmest mess for a long while!” — The Commodore, February 8, 1971
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“The problem in the indie and Freezone field is an Ethics Situation developing into a catastrophe. The tools are assignment of High Crimes and putting heads on a pike to cool things out and build ethics with gradients.”
2001: Bob Minton reported on the trial of Mark Bunker, accused of trespassing on Scientology property during the filming of two Chicago Scientologists applying for a refund. “Monday a jury was selected and the trial started late in the day with the prosecutor and one of Mark’s attorneys, Denis deVlaming making their opening arguments. Present for Scientology’s mafia-like cult was the former Mafia lawyer for the Gambino’s, now Scientology’s in house legal counsel, Elliott Abelson accompanied by Mary Ann Ahmad, OSA Chicago, Pam Valinski, OSA New York, and 2 OSA Int guys. The morning consisted of the prosecutors case starting with testimony of Mary Ann Ahmad who in typical OSA fashion stumbled and mumbled her way through the events on the night of the incident. During cross-examination by deVlaming Ahmad had some trouble explaining how a notary public could get the date wrong by a month on a document the Scientologists had submitted in the case. The 2 off-duty cops were not credible at all according to the report I got and did not hold up well under cross by Aimen. After that the defense team of deVlaming and Aimen presented the Zizics and Mark Bunker who were all three credible, compelling and believable witnesses. At 3:45 PM Chicago time the defense rested and the prosecutor brought a rebuttal witness. The Judge went through instructions to the jury and at 4:35 Chicago time the jury was charged to decide the case. At 5:00 PM sharp the jury came back and announced a verdict of NOT GUILTY.”
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“Stan Lee, Forrest J Ackerman and Hugh Hefner are the Holy Trinity of my adolescence.”
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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:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal.
— 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] The Scientology forced-marriage lawsuit has two big issues facing it today and next week
[TWO years ago] After ‘Real Water’ fiasco, Scientology donor and former Nevada legislator files for bankruptcy
[THREE years ago] Scientology intervenes at Danny Masterson hearing, judge refuses to dismiss rape charges
[FOUR years ago] NARCONON SHRINKAGE: Scientology lists only five US locations as ‘Fresh Start’ is removed
[FIVE years ago] War on wogs is hell: A peek inside Scientology right now, and it’s not pretty
[SIX years ago] USC: SCIENTOLOGY FAKED LETTER FROM PROFESSOR TO DISNEY, PROBE OPENED
[SEVEN years ago] David Palter, 1952-2018: Remembering a Scientologist who became a steady critic
[EIGHT years ago] Ron Miscavige on life at Scientology’s secretive Gold Base (and getting thrown in its lake)
[TEN years ago] Ryan Hamilton’s plan to consolidate his lawsuits against Scientology rehabs is denied
[ELEVEN years ago] Jon Atack on Scientology’s methods of ‘thought stopping’
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology’s Atlanta Drug Rehab Buys Its Way Out of Courtroom Nightmare
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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 3,169 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,664 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,179 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,729 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,719 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,105 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,600 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,904 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,775 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,327 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,668 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,235 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,154 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,322 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,904 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,163 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,200 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,916 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,480 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,795 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,970 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,652 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,989 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,843 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,958 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,320 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,729 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,127 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,003 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,568 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,079 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,335 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,443 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 8, 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
