TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: A few science fiction types have admitted to feeling conflicted about Scientology’s ‘Writers of the Future’ contest, which brings them to LA for a week of pampering before the very expensive award event itself. But as long as the Miscavige money is flowing, who cares, right? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“A meter is a meter. Meters are used to measure water, natural gas, and many other things. An E meter is used to measure a pc. If you rig a meter up so as to falsify its reads you get a wrong result. You could rig up a water meter so it read that twice as much water had flowed and then sit around and wonder all week why the swimming pool never filled up. The ACCURACY of a meter depends upon its being honestly set up and honestly used. The HONESTY of the auditor determines his results.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1977
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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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“The first time you ask your preclear, ‘Now let’s go out across the country until we find a sawmill running. All right, now step into the buzz saw.’ He’s going to say gulp. It’s going to astonish him. But you’d be surprised what happens to him when he finds out he can do just that. He’s going to realize all of a sudden that there he is. He can be anything. Well, if he can be anything then he can have an unlimited number of viewpoints. If he can have an unlimited number of viewpoints, then he can know anything, can’t he? Well, if it’s written down, he can certainly be in the middle of a book at the library and read it. Well, that’s very easy. Or if somebody knows it at that time, he can go pick that somebody’s brains. That’s right. Read somebody’s mind.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 24, 1953
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“It is NOT hygienic to leave damp towels flung DOWN on bunks when they should be hung UP to air; it is NOT hygienic to have dirty sheets left on unoccupied bunks. It is NOT good to have those areas emmesty and NOT squared up and looking decent and clean. Therefore, all occupants of men’s and women’s dorms may expect a thorough inspection tomorrow forenoon, Saturday.” — W/O Bob Prior, April 24, 1970
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“To knowingly reg for money when you are not qualified to properly deliver materials is fraud, plain and simple. I am asking for $5,000 for the L11 I thought I was purchasing from someone I thought was qualified but is not. Just the fact that he is so controversial says something. The controversy was all before me. I trusted someone who is untrustworthy and now he laughs at me. What does that say? We are talking ethics here. Don’t sell things you can’t deliver. I don’t care how cheap, that’s not the point this is spiritually altering material. It doesn’t belong in the hands of people untrained to deliver. It’s not an argument of cost or ‘oh he gives good deals.’ The fact that he did wheel and deal so easily made me suspicious because an auditor should know their worth. I should have made a better decision based on that red flag. I accept that I continued with him on the L but I assumed he was qualified. If I am representing Spiritual material I wouldn’t rob you. Know what you are buying, look at certifications, research everything you can before laying down money because in the end just like with me. They laugh at you and create lies and justifications of their thievery. That’s what thieves do. Who in their right mind delights in playing detrimental games with people?”
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1998: Bob Minton posted the text of his address to the Cult Information Service this week. “I am involved in a controversy with the Church of Scientology over the most fundamental right in a democracy–the freedom to speak. Scientology hypocritically cries that theirs is a persecuted religion attacked by bigoted and intolerant critics. Further, Scientology’s mantra, repeated ad-nauseum throughout their paranoid and delusional history, continues to be that those individuals and governments who dare criticize their anti-social goals, tactics and civil rights abuses of their own members are engaged in some grand conspiracy to destroy Scientology. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am just one of many persons working actively to force much needed reform on Scientology. These reforms must acknowledge that all of us, Scientologists especially, have an inalienable right to criticize, oppose or scrutinize practices and tactics used by their organization which we view as contrary to the respect and dignity required towards our fellow man. Without these most basic rights, there certainly cannot be religious freedom, or in fact any freedom, in our democracy. This is an organization that literally cowers at the truth. Scientology claims to be able to create supernatural powers and enable people to confront any situation except one — the truth about their organization. Perhaps Jesus has an explanation for this anomaly that can be found in (John 3:20-21) when he warned: ‘For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved [exposed and rebuked]. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.’ Standing up to the Church of Scientology has been an incredibly enlightening and enriching personal experience — a test of my character at every step of the way. I’ve gotten to know many former scientologists, and clearly they are some of the nicest people I’ve ever known. While in scientology, these very same people were taught to lie and betray and acquiesce to having their own rights taken away from them. This proves to me that even an organization as totalitarian as scientology cannot strip away innate human goodness, and gives me hope that we will get to know many more former scientologists as our actions continue in the coming weeks and months.”
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“You can’t even receive auditing if you’re engaged in other ‘spiritual’ practices like meditation. The whole ‘other religions are OK with us’ is demonstrably false.”
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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 May 14.
— ‘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 April 25.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud. Pre-sentencing conference was held April 4. Sentencing hearing scheduled for May 5.
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. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
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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] Why doesn’t Scientology want you to see its wealthy donors, including Grant Cardone?
[TWO years ago] How will today’s opening statements in the Danny Masterson retrial differ?
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s saddest celebrity, Eddie Deezen, committed after latest arrest
[FOUR years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 1: The Feds
[FIVE years ago] Raising money in the time of the virus: Scientology will always find a way!
[SIX years ago] It’s an anniversary of shame for Scientology: Will they go for a repeat?
[SEVEN years ago] Scientologist pair running for office double down on their denials about church involvement
[EIGHT years ago] Nan McLean in 1973: Rare Scientology documentary goes online, and it rocks
[NINE years ago] Texas Supreme Court asks for Monique Rathbun’s response to Scientology’s petition
[TEN years ago] Scientology opens a new ‘Ideal Org’ in Basel this weekend — nearly a year after its last one
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s drug rehab hit with another lawsuit; Laura D asked to turn over computer
[TWELVE years ago] Claire Headley Tells Us How to Keep Scientology Working
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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 3,244 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,739 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,254 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,804 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,794 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,180 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,675 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,979 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,848 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,402 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,743 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,310 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,229 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,397 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,979 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,238 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,275 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,991 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,555 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,870 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,045 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,727 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,064 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,918 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,033 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,395 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,804 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,202 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,078 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,643 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,154 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,410 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,518 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 24, 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
