TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: President Trump created a stir about checking on the gold at Fort Knox. For us it was a fun echo with a movie based on an L. Ron Hubbard novel, at a time when we’ve been detailing numerous connections between the White House and Hubbard’s other famous creation: Scientology [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Invent games, devices, charts and training aids galore and teach with them and you’ll have auditors who can handle the time track and run engrams. Charge, the stored quantities of energy in the time track, is the sole thing that is being relieved or removed by the auditor from the time track. When this charge is present in huge amounts the time track overwhelms the pc and the pc is thrust below observation of the actual track.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
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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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“There’s a population explosion going on and I wish to Christ somebody would inform me how men are far scarcer in l972 than I ever found them in 325 B.C. How could they expend them back then? I remember around the turn of the millennia and so on, there were just mobs unemployed. Well, right now they keep them all that way with relief and dough and this and that and the other thing, and they’ve got some workable scheme or another. One of the silly ones which you hear, we did a survey, we did a survey on people, what they liked and so on, just a general survey in the Scandinavian area, and we found what they liked best was welfare and what they hated most was taxes. Oh, brother. Outpoint to end all outpoints.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 5, 1972
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“INCOME: As Income at Flag in actual money not just credit is creeping steadily up, I think we should get alert to fully establishing org form and appearances of all three orgs especially the FSO. A mission just concluded shows the FSO in need of improvement in form and appearance, both of ship and FSO members. The basic and reasonable recommendation is that an LRH Comm FSO be appointed so that LRH orders and projects will get compliance by the senior officers as these orders and projects have built what was there. With rising Flag income potential, real meaning is given to this recommendation.” — The Commodore, March 5, 1971
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“A Rons Org dude said to me Miscavige is in a Marcabian valance but didn’t want to directly say this because it was such special deep high gradient data which only Rons Org OTs know. You know how OTs act like they have superior knowledge and do that cheeky smile look. Anyway, it’s so silly because CBR’s ideas about Marcabians are exaggerated imagination delusions based on a fact that aliens do exist. He takes conspiracies too far. So it’s funny saying Miscavige is in a Marcab valance when the truth is that he is actually in an LRH valance which LRH made popular throughout Scientology and that’s why we have these hardcore angry Sea Org members and the severe reality adjustments. Want to know what LRH was like sometimes? Listen to the stories about Miscavige.”
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1998: Graham Berry announced that he has formed a new law firm to continue his practice and his cases against Scientology. “Since late 1991, I have been engaged almost continuously in the handling of numerous large cases filed by the Scientology organization. During those seven years, various major insurance carriers have invested nearly $5 million in developing my experience, skills and education in matters involving cults, coercive indoctrination and psycho-terror groups. I have decided to establish my own law firm to aggressively handle demanding and dangerous litigation. The Law Offices of Graham E. Berry, at least initially, will be a general litigation boutique available to handle last-minute trials and emphasizing matters involving cults, coercive indoctrination, psycho-terror groups and other dangerous and difficult opponents.”
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“Seeing as how Scientology is the only ‘religion’ that doesn’t have theologians, there’s no worry about theological inconsistency. As far as plot-holes in the story go, the one thing that keeps them in is this steadfast assertion that they have observed auditing and the rest of the tech to actually work. If they can’t get past this and realize they have been tricking themselves, then at best they’ll be indies/FZ for the rest of their lives.”
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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 March 31.
— 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] The most ideal part of Scientology’s new Ideal Orgs? They’re ready for Ron’s return!
[TWO years ago] Remembering Dan Sherman, Scientology’s bad biographer and worse speechwriter
[THREE years ago] Scientology is trying extra hard to get you to fork over more money, you pesky thetan!
[FOUR years ago] Danny Masterson: They called me an ‘agent’ of Scientology, so I get to sit in on arbitration
[FIVE years ago] Naturally, shady Scientology operators are drawn to the gold rush of stem cell therapy
[SIX years ago] What’s creepier than a Scientology street fair? Apparently, not much.
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology turning to focus groups in anticipation of its TV ‘network’ premiering
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s Narconon rehabs haven’t changed in the least, even after dozens of lawsuits
[NINE years ago] Outfront Media rescinds contract for Scientology ‘disconnection’ billboard in Hollywood
[TEN years ago] ‘Will Smith is not a Scientologist’ — we elaborate on our quote the press went wild for yesterday
[ELEVEN years ago] Larry Anderson: Scientology’s pitchman becomes a Bunker regular
[TWELVE years ago] Today, You Begin Your Training as a Scientologist
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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 3,194 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,689 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,204 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,754 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,744 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,130 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,625 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,929 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,800 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,352 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,693 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,260 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,179 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,347 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,929 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,188 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,225 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,941 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,505 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,820 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,995 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,677 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,014 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,868 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,983 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,345 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,754 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,152 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,028 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,593 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,104 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,360 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,468 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 5, 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
