TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology has been raising money seemingly forever for ‘L. Ron Hubbard Hall,’ a huge venue in Clearwater, Florida that we assume will someday become the location for maybe all of the organization’s big events. But a new fundraising pitch also suggests it might be even more. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“No full erasure of incidents later than basic is possible, but charge can be removed from them providing they are not ground out but only run lightly a time or two and then an earlier incident on the chain found and similarly run. When the basic is found it is erased by many passes over it. Basic is the only one which can be run many times. The later the incident is (the further from basic) the more lightly it is run.” — 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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“Christ bore the burdens of all man and the world, didn’t he? So, if a person keeps on offending, offending, offending against the seventh dynamic, he will eventually offend so wrongly and so widely and broadly that his only solution to it is to wind up as Christ. This isn’t saying that’s the route that Christ went although some of the lost books of the Bible tell you how he spent his early youth using his powers to destroy those around him. You may not be aware of these early accounts. There’s one story, in these lost books of the Bible, about his blinding a playmate merely by telling him to go blind.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 8, 1952
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“THE RUMOURS: The landing ships out in the harbour ‘briefed’ their men on how this ship was out of bounds as ‘full of draft dodgers, marijuana smokers, free love, hypnotism,’ said to have been briefed by their ‘upper echelon.’ We are sending Ensign Dunleavy and a boat out (the sea sled) to call on their senior captain to get it handled. Their men are upsetting the Greeks also. We’ll take care of it. Captains in the US Navy who ‘can’t handle their men’ (the one thing Admirals in the US go bonkers about) are seldom promoted any more. We hold all the aces. We’ll handle it on the lower echelon level and run it back to some psychiatrist they’ve got aboard, I’m sure. Poor old SMERSH.” — The Commodore, March 8, 1969
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“KSW is hard core. It keeps people from squirreling the tech. It is under attack right now and if I follow logic it tells me that the folks attacking it want to squirrel. That’s OK, but go somewhere else and do it. If someone wants to be free with the tech — go ahead, but if you kill someone or maim someone with Black Dianetics or Black Scientology, you are no different than DM. How a piece of paper can ‘stop thought’ is beyond my comprehension. That is such nonsense it makes my head hurt. And about people being victims of Scientology: No one can be a victim of Scientology. LRH said in the tape ‘LRH Talks to Ethics Officers WW’ that if a pc gets sick after an auditing session he is PTS to the auditor and/or the C/S who apparently suppressed him with out-tech. Does that mean the auditor and/or the C/S are suppressive? No. They just committed out tech on the pc and he got sick. So if someone had ill-effects from the ‘Sea Org’ or the ‘Church’ or ‘Scientology’ it was not because of the subject of the ‘Sea Org’ or the ‘Church’ or ‘Scientology,’ it is because of people. A group can be suppressive, like the IRS or the NSA, but when you peel it back it is one person who dictates what to do. Same with the Church, if you take out DM and his connections (SPs) you will have a calmed down scene that would be easy to reform. It is just insanity to say that KSW #1 cuts across thought. LRH busted his ass to get us good workable tech and all he is saying is ‘do it the right way or get the hell out of here.’ That’s all. And people call it ‘thought control.’ My head actually hurts from this stupidity.”
2001: John Ritson and Roland Rashleigh-Berry reports on a protest in London. “The highlight was one of the clams lugging out a thick dictionary to do ‘word-clearing’ in the middle of the pavement. He had managed to convince himself that ‘word-clearing’ was the answer to all problems, because if one misunderstood words while in command of nuclear weapons, one could cause a disaster, but had difficulties when it was pointed out that some sentences could contain perfectly simple words but be nonsense. The sight of the poor soul standing there frantically trying to locate ‘enturbulate’ was mind-blowing. I could manipulate one Scientologist into coming out of hiding simply by describing the criminal L. Ron Hubbard. He would come out and order me not to talk about Hubbard, I would go into detail about Hubbard’s use of Vistaril and ‘pinks and greys’. He would go back inside again. Another staffer tried the ‘Death Stare’ on each picketer in turn, to no effect. Then he tried a bizarre ritual of going up to picketers while holding a clipboard, and then drawing two vertical lines on the paper. We picketed the Martian Embassy on Tottenham Court Road today (10 March 2001). There were me (Roland), Hartley, Jens, Shellac, Martin P, Steve C-T, John Ritson and Duke the dog in attendance. We had a police presence today because the police had got so fed up with being called out on previous pickets from false reports from the clams that they decided to be there and find out what goes on. 550 leaflets were given out to public who actually wanted to take them. John Ritson was a wonder on the boombox. He scored his metaphorical double-century today.”
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“I’d bet the farm that this isn’t the end of the battle for the mind of poor Suri. This was only round one. Things will get ugly, real ugly, further down the road.”
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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] You’ve just been through Scientology’s Wall of Fire: It’s time to party!
[TWO years ago] Is this Scientology’s greatest fundraising flier ever? It’s ‘Mission Earth’ stupendous!
[THREE years ago] Danny Masterson joins Scientology asking CA supremes to review ‘arbitration’ defeat
[FOUR years ago] SHELLY MISCAVIGE ON VIDEO: Never-before-seen footage from before her disappearance
[FIVE years ago] Forcing Scientology ‘arbitration’ on rape victims would be US courts imposing religion
[SIX years ago] Can Scientology be tripped up by consumer protection? You must hear this pitch.
[SEVEN years ago] While in hiding, Scientology’s L. Ron Hubbard sent advice to newly elected Ronald Reagan
[EIGHT years ago] Danny Masterson: Victim C gets support from a veteran actress, but will LAPD answer the call?
[NINE years ago] BACK ON: Scientology ‘disconnection’ billboard OK’d by competitor after Outfront Media bails
[TEN years ago] Scientology really, really, really doesn’t want you to see this movie
[ELEVEN years ago] Jon Atack: Why it takes so long to recover from Scientology
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Targets Aussie Kindergartners, Swedish Grade Schoolers
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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 3,197 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,692 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,207 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,757 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,747 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,133 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,628 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,932 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,803 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,355 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,696 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,263 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,182 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,350 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,932 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,191 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,228 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,944 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,508 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,823 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,998 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,680 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,017 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,871 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,986 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,348 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,757 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,155 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,031 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,596 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,107 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,363 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,471 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 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
