TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Imagine if one of the biggest magazine publishing companies in the US not only began making large donations to Scientology, but even showed up to take home a trophy for it. That’s what apparently happened in one of the places in the world where Scientology is still showing life. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The meter registers charge found and then charge released. It registers charge found but not yet released by the needle getting tight, by DN, by a climbing TA or a TA going far below the clear read. Then as this cleans up, the charge is seen to ‘blow.’ Charge that is restimulated but not released causes the case to ‘charge up,’ in that charge already on the time track is triggered but is not yet viewed by the pc. The whole cycle of restimulated charge that is then blown gives us the action of auditing. When PRIOR charge is restimulated but not located so that it can be blown, we get ‘ARC breaks.'” — 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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“Always had a lot of fun riding motorcycles, it’s something I shouldn’t do, not in America. Motorcycles are ridden by delivery boys. They’re ridden by admirals and members of parliament over in England so I always have to ride motorcycles with an English accent anyway, to keep up my social caste, you know, it’s very important.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 6, 1957
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“It should be made known that there has never been ANY order from the Commodore to have Dining Room windows left open so people freeze as they eat. There is an order to Chief Steward to handle cooking smells.” — OOD, March 6, 1971
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“LRH wrote up an assist process that helps a Being leave their body when they are ready. There’s no need to dramatically kill their body. I assisted my 90-year-old parent, successfully to cross over with this assist. The Being let me know all was OK in a dream. And I was honored to become a godmother.”
1999: The St. Petersburg Times reported this week that the Tampa, Florida police department declined Scientology’s offer of a stress test outside police headquarters. “The Church of Scientology set up shop across from police headquarters Tuesday offering ‘stress tests’ and a lunchtime swing music concert. A letter faxed to the police department said they would ‘like to line up someone from the Police Chief’s office, or the Police Chief himself,’ to come on down and get an autographed CD by Jive Aces, a Scientology band. Mayor Dick Greco got an invite, too, and was later paid a visit by Scientologists, they said. The offer wasn’t much of a dilemma for police Chief Bennie Holder, said spokesman Steve Cole. ‘I know you have a busy schedule,’ Cole told Holder when he showed him the invitation. The chief’s response, Cole said, was simply ‘Thank you very much.'”
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“Hubbard was definitely trolling people on some level. You can see it in that cartoon lupine grin he was always sporting.”
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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:
— 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] East Grinstead councillor resigns amid Scientology controversy: A connection?
[TWO years ago] Jenny Burpee, former Scientology Sea Orger and Cat White friend who helped find her, dead at 39
[THREE years ago] Never before published: Jane Doe 1’s plea to Scientology to report rape by Danny Masterson
[FOUR years ago] When Rinder met Hubbard: A Scientology story for the ages
[FIVE years ago] Riffer madness: Scientology in a tizzy days before next week’s hearing in Masterson suit
[SIX years ago] When Scientology’s ‘disconnection’ is forever, and other developments
[SEVEN years ago] What Scientology TV should be about — but won’t dare to put on the air
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology caught in a lie to federal court — but will the judge care?
[NINE years ago] Scientology snags a TV news host, and other social media finds around the world
[TEN years ago] Scientology posts the (nearly) full deposition of reclusive ‘Justice Chief’ Mike Ellis
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology gets the ‘America’s Book of Secrets’ treatment soon!
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Response to Federal Lawsuit: Force The Garcias to Use Church Arbitration
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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 3,195 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,690 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,205 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,755 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,745 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,131 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,626 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,930 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,801 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,353 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,694 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,261 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,180 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,348 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,930 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,189 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,226 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,942 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,506 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,821 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,996 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,678 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,015 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,869 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,984 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,346 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,755 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,153 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,029 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,594 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,105 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,361 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,469 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 6, 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
