TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology’s new Impact magazine reassures Scientologists that its big international media push this year has had a major result. After leader David Miscavige spent untold sums for ads in dozens of countries, some people actually did respond! You have to read what they said. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“All too often it is being found that interneships are being used to teach the course again. Weeks are being spent restudying the materials for checkouts. High Crime checkouts which have been done before are being done again. High Crime checkouts have become everything on a level rather than the basics which is not a lot of issues for any level. The purposes expressed in the 5 Qual OK to Audit Series plus polishing to professional standards the level just studied is the true purpose of interneships. Any course grad who wore his hat as a student should be able to sit down and check out his materials straight off as it is assumed he got it the first time. So any attempt to turn an interneship into a redo of the original course must be a solution to quickied or badly supervised courses. The right handling would be to reform your courses and get them straight and require retreads on that course for any who show they missed the materials when on the course.” — 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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“Frankly it’s pure idiocy to cure somebody of an illness. This is idiocy. They just go and get sick again. You talk about a thankless task! It’s actually thankless, endless, does nothing for the society, gains nothing for the individual or anything else to amount to anything. This guy’s got an earache. So you work like mad to get this guy to recover from this earache, see. And so you cure him from his earache. Well, great day in the morning, he has now not got an earache. Great. How to raise society heroically onward and forward! Now, if you cure his earache, if you’re foolish enough to cure his earache, and work in just-in no direction but to cure his earache, you’re working exactly against his hidden standard. And, you aren’t really trying to remove the causes of having a hidden standard. So what’s he going to do? Well, next day he’s got ulcers. See?” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 13, 1963
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“SHORE STORY: Crew are reminded of our shore story — to know it and use it. QMs are reminded of our handouts — to use them (French ones). All crew are reminded that PR actions must also take security into mind. Some things you as Crew know about and should — that doesn’t mean “everyone” should know about them. Our operations in any country should be known by all crew and officers but only crew and officers. You are all now very aware of PR. Thank you — it’s really great and we can even improve it more — but lets become more aware now that security goes along with it.” — Lt. Barry Watson, PO, June 13, 1970
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“An individual can create a space of his own and it has no existence in this physical universe except by the postulate of its creator. Others can be invited to view and even enter this universe. It can grow and take on a life of its own. It can even become as large and ‘real’ as this universe, still having no existence in this universe. And so it has been. Another confusion that has been intentionally introduced, is that separate universes have their own timeline. So, to say that two or more universes can exist simultaneously is a bit hard to grasp and sort out. But with a good look, it can be understood.”
1999: Anonymous a.r.s poster “Safe” had his true identity revealed to Scientology by AT&T this week. “They totally betrayed my trust. That the Church of Scientology has betrayed my trust again is nothing new though. Telecommunications Giant AT&T gave in to the CofS Management bullies. Now AT&T has opened me up to being ‘fair gamed’ by the church of Scientology to ruin me utterly if possible.” From The Deseret News on June 12th: “A law firm affiliated with the Church of Scientology on Monday compelled AT&T’s Internet service to reveal the name of a subscriber who had been critical of the church in an online newsgroup. ‘It is terrifyingly easy to rip off the cover of anonymity,’ said Daniel Leipold, a Santa Ana, Calif., attorney who represents the man. Bridge Publications Inc., which publishes literature for the Church of Scientology, recently took advantage of a federal law enacted last year – the Digital Millennium Copyright Act – that allows subpoenas to be issued even without the filing of a suit in cases involving potential copyright infringement. The man, known only as ‘Safe,’ had posted documents to the alt.religion.scientology newsgroup. His attorney argues that the postings are protected under ‘fair use’ doctrine because they commented on how ‘suppressive’ some of the church’s rules are, and then supported that contention by listing 274 ‘crimes’ against the church cited in one of its publications. Citing potential copyright infringement, Bridge subpoenaed records from AT&T, which handled Safe’s Internet account. After notifying Safe, AT&T turned his name over to Bridge Publications on Monday.”
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“Hubbard was already in the process of killing the golden goose before he croaked.”
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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:
— 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. Leah’s appeal brief due June 3.
— 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] Trish Duggan, Scientology’s richest, is keeping another donor in jail in… Switzerland?
[TWO years ago] A cry for help: Disturbing handwritten letter found outside Scientology ‘mecca’
[THREE years ago] Brighton rocks! Joy Villa provides her version of some great days of Scientology outreach
[FOUR years ago] LEAKED: Watch Scientology ‘OTs’ pressured to donate tens of thousands in wild video
[FIVE years ago] A strange and unsettling update to one of Scientology’s most awful recent scandals
[SIX years ago] Jon Atack: Seduction, recruitment, and Scientology’s hard sell
[SEVEN years ago] Why are New York politicians such easy marks for Scientology?
[EIGHT years ago] Photos shot by L. Ron Hubbard in 1975 capture how the founder wanted Scientology marketed
[NINE years ago] Karla Zamudio on Scientology, and capturing Marc and Claire Headley in the short film ‘Escape’
[TEN years ago] Google helps Scientology billionaire Bob Duggan hide a dark family secret
[ELEVEN years ago] Why Giovanni Ribisi told Marc Maron there are no aliens in Scientology: A theory
[TWELVE years ago] This is Your Dianetics on Drugs: The Nitrous Engram
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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 3,294 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,789 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,304 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,854 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,844 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,230 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,725 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,029 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,898 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,452 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,793 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,360 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,279 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,447 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,029 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,288 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,325 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,041 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,605 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,920 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,095 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,777 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,114 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,968 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,083 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,445 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,854 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,250 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,128 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,693 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,204 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,460 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,568 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 13, 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
