TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology considers it a testimonial from a dedicated member. But to those who know the story, it’s sad new proof that a dirty trick played by the church’s secret police continues to keep a family separated after more than 15 years. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Whenever I see shallow wishy-washy ‘averts’ coming off a case day after day, I suspect that sooner or later a good auditor will suddenly find real roaring overts and R/Ses sitting there. The soft-spoken quiet “inoffensive” person is also a candidate for this sort of disclosure. Particularly notable is the person who ‘has never done anything wrong in his whole life and has no overts of any kind.’ These are just special cases of the same thing and an auditor should be alert to them.” — 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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“One time a few years ago in a war that everybody fortunately has forgotten, a submarine appeared on my port bow. We’d been hanging over it for some time and it ran up its periscope. They used to throw up a patch of oil and then run the periscope up through the oil so as not to leave any salt scum or anything like that on their periscope lens, you know. So a blob of oil appeared and the fellow who was running the engine room telegraphs on the bridge was the only fellow looking in that direction. And he saw this blob of oil appear and he thought that was strange and interesting. We were going very slowly, we were almost dead in the water, and then right up through this big blob of brown oil on a blue sea comes a periscope — swswswswhhh — and looks around in every direction but at our ship! If it had turned another ninety degrees it would have read the biggest doggone 422 that you’d ever seen, fully magnified for the skipper. But anyway, the man on the engine room telegraphs is the only person who observed this incident in its various steps. The bridge was absolutely crammed with men because we were at general quarters. But nobody was looking right down there; they were looking out there, you know. And the fellow on the engine room telegraphs would say, ‘Thh.’ I finally noticed this strange performance and I was all set at this moment, you see, the second I saw this — flank speed and drop a depth charge right. Even if it blew our own stern off, that was fine, you see. And I said, ‘Khh!’ That was the awfulest mess of noncommunication! It finally came off all right. We dropped a depth charge and so on, but we were laughing about this for days. Nobody could talk!” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 5, 1955
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“MAYFAIR: Mayfair magazine UK published an article by me as a ‘World Exclusive.’ It may effectively handle a lot of things. It ended off the William Burroughs thing. It said why we’re attacked and attacks hard. It appeared on the stands just before Parliament adjourned. Captain AOUK said it acted like an S&D on the crew there. INJURIES: Those recently injured were not PTS. Survey showed they were exterior and feeling powerful and didn’t watch where they were sending the body.” — The Commodore, June 5, 1970
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“I thought I was SP because I could not see pictures. Later I discovered that an SP could not think they were SP, so I then believed I thought I was SP so I could prove I was not SP. Either way I knew I was SP until the natural clear material came out and I self audited a pre-Dianetics experiment I was involved in with Hubbard, 1947, where my entire Whole Track was erased. I had no place to put pictures. I was overwhelmed and died (I think I just wandered out into traffic after the session), then I came back into a Scientology family in 1955 that gave me the tools to consider myself SP. I eventually attested to Clear OT but denied solo auditing because I had not done the Bridge.”
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1998: Neal Hamel reported that Craig Miller, a former Scientologist and a.r.s poster, took his life this week. “Craig was found dead in his home. He had taken his own life. Craig contributed a only few posts a year ago or so, and probably is not remembered by the people who read this newsgroup. Craig was one of the people who helped me see that homosexual ‘orientation’ was most probably biological in nature. You see, Craig spent at least $50,000 dollars at scientology’s so-called technical headquarters in Clearwater trying to become a heterosexual so he could continue on in scientology. In scientology, homosexual activities are considered ‘out-ethics’ and people who are ‘out-ethics’ cannot get scientology services. Craig found out he had AIDS about 6 years ago and so he left work and did some travelling and even got around flying some ultra-light aircraft. However depression was a recurring problem as his physical condition varied. Eventually the depression overcame him and he’s gone now. He was a good man who was a friend and who helped me many times and I will miss him.”
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“I almost got castrated by an emu when I was a teenager.”
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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 June 13.
— ‘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 June 16.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud. Sentenced to 7 years in prison.
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] Scientology predictably tells judge she’s powerless in today’s Val Haney hearing
[TWO years ago] Mike Rinder: A class act we’re proud to call a friend
[THREE years ago] The Scientology celebrity exodus from LA to Clearwater continues
[FOUR years ago] Was David Miscavige behind Tom Mesereau’s biggest blunder at Danny Masterson’s prelim?
[FIVE years ago] Year after taping ‘Scientology & the Aftermath,’ Victoria Locke is still waiting for justice
[SIX years ago] Scientology survey for its members: Why aren’t you giving us more money?
[SEVEN years ago] First person: Four Scientologists have been shot, and you’re being sent to audit the pain away
[EIGHT years ago] Donna Fiore says Scientology is hounding her for dirt on stepdaughter Leah Remini
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s next big opening — its totally unneeded ‘Advanced Org’ in Australia
[TEN years ago] If the Sea Org doesn’t legally exist, how does it run Scientology?
[ELEVEN years ago] 60 years ago and today: Scientology in its heyday, and now not so much
[TWELVE years ago] Just What Oklahoma Tornado Victims Need: Scientology to the Rescue!
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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 3,286 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,781 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,296 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,846 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,836 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,222 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,717 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,021 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,890 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,444 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,785 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,352 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,271 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,439 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,021 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,280 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,317 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,033 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,597 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,912 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,087 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,769 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,106 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,960 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,075 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,437 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,846 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,242 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,120 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,685 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,196 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,452 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,560 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 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
