TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: The White House announced last week that President Trump signed an executive order to eradicate ‘anti-Christian bias.’ So does that mean Scientology, which has bizarre space-opera ideas denying the world’s religions, should be worried? We have some documents you should see. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“A ‘Rockslam’ can be caused sometimes by leaving rings on the pc’s fingers or by a short circuit in the meter or by the cans (electrodes) touching something like a dress. These are the mechanical considerations and must be ruled out before the pc can be considered to have ‘Rockslammed.’ If the pc is not wearing rings and if the meter needle is calm with the lead unplugged, if the lead is okay, and if the pc is not jiggling the ends of the cans against his clothes, then the pc’s Rockslam is caused by the pc’s bank.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1976
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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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“That’s a trick I learned from Commander Thompson, by the way. He used to train cats. It’s almost impossible to train a house cat — I mean really train a house cat into doing all sorts of dog tricks and so forth. He used to be able to do that, and he taught me how to train cats when I was a kid. He would wait for the cat to do something and then he’d reward it. And if you don’t think that requires patience! You’re going to wait for this cat to do something that’s going to be totally accidental, and then you’re going to approve of it. Wow! Oh, you can just burn up hours and hours and hours trying to train a cat.” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 11, 1957
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“TIME MACHINE ORDERS: I issue a lot of TM orders and queries. Very many of them are routed straight back to me. Those who don’t know what dreadful things happen to their Ethics Files if the TM doesn’t know they have answered the order or query should find out very fast as some Ethics Files must be getting very fat indeed. Those who think they know should check up on it. The PL to refer to is in Vol 0 of the OEC Book.” — LRH Pers Comm, February 11, 1971
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“Total Knowingness, initially experienced solo as a subjective recognition point is quite different to objective exteriorisation from the entire theta/mest construct experienced with an auditor in session and the recognition of total mutual knowingness in PT outside all. Likewise practical total knowingness, subjective, objective and practical tested, verified and demonstrated with regard to truth per definition in session with an Auditor — the precise consideration, the precise time, place, form and event, in PT — is a further gradient of recognition which then opens up the route to OT per definition.”
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1997: Scientology held a press conference at US Representative Donald Payne’s office on Thursday, Feb 13th. They announced the introduction of a resolution for the Congress to criticize Germany’s treatment of Scientologists. From the press release: “WHO: U.S. Representative Donald M. Payne (D-NJ), jazz great Chick Coma, legendary performer Isaac Hayes and Hollywood star Anne Archer. WHAT: In anticipation of Congressional action that will strongly criticize the German government for its increasing discrimination against religious minorities including members of the Church of Scientology, U.S. Representative Donald M. Payne will host a press conference during which celebrities Isaac Hayes, Chick Corea and Anne Archer (who has just returned from Germany) will share the painful and bewildering discrimination that artists and others have suffered in Germany solely because of their membership in the Church of Scientology.” From the Associated Press: “‘There’s so much rumor, misunderstanding and hostility about Scientologists being spread by the German government that people’s lives are being ruined,’ Archer said at a news conference. Hayes, best known for the theme song of the movie ‘Shaft,’ said he has been warned by a record promoter that he should not advertise his beliefs. ‘It leaves you with the feeling, when is the next shoe going to drop?’ Hayes said. ‘Will I be the next on the list?’ Corea said he has been kept out of some festivals in Germany because he is a Scientologist. ‘In the ’60s and ’70s I used to do my concerts very freely in Germany, and now I can’t,’ he said.”
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“The difference is real religions admit their beliefs are based on faith, whereas Scientology claims nothing in it is based on belief or faith, but is based on 100 percent proven scientific fact.”
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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. DA’s response to appeal brief due April 15.
— ‘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.
— 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] Here’s the 2024 Scientology Super Bowl ad, this year’s ‘mystery sandwich’
[TWO years ago] Something big is happening with Scientology in Chicago today: But will Dave be there?
[THREE years ago] Ned McCrink, 1954-2022: The OC Ideal Org’s biggest donor sailed away from Scientology
[FOUR years ago] Scientology at its peak, part 2: See the excitement for ‘OT’ secrets in leaked 1991 video
[FIVE years ago] Another drone’s eye view of the compound where Scientology is keeping Shelly Miscavige
[SIX years ago] Untouchable? Scientology’s 60-year plan to protect itself from the law
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology targets the Red Cross in its latest sneaky front group scheme
[EIGHT years ago] What happens when Scientology helps you reach ‘your full potential’
[NINE years ago] The disgraced sheriff, the Holocaust survivor, and Scientology’s most unhinged front group
[TEN years ago] These are the superpowers Scientologists are paying big bucks to attain
[ELEVEN years ago] It’s time to wake up our space cooties on Scientology’s New Operating Thetan Level Five!
[TWELVE years ago] PLEASE WELCOME OUR NEWEST READER!
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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 3,172 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,667 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,182 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,732 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,722 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,108 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,603 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,907 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,778 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,330 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,671 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,238 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,157 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,325 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,907 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,166 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,203 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,919 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,483 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,798 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,973 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,655 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,992 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,846 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,961 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,323 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,732 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,130 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,006 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,571 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,082 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,338 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,446 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 11, 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
