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 notified Clearwater, Florida, that it will be re-applying to take over a downtown street as part of its ‘L. Ron Hubbard Hall’ project. And this time, the church says, the city better gets its head around the notion that things are going to be a lot different. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“A rightness/wrongness computation doesn’t surrender to normal auditing because it is a service fac. The pc has a vested interest in holding onto it. He won’t be able to itsa it on a Prepcheck. Thus, a service fac, if present, will turn on mass on a Prepcheck. The Prepcheck is a series of types of decisions thetans make about things. So if it doesn’t prepcheck the Prepcheck must be in conflict with the rightness and wrongness.
Reversely, if it’s not a service fac it will prepcheck, and you polish it off by that method to EP. Then go back to the list and find a service fac that will 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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“Very few engrams start out with words, usually they start out with something like ‘splat’ or ‘clink’ or ‘tinkle’ or ‘thump.’ There’s something ahead of what you are running. People who have non-sonic don’t pick up this material too well, but it will still come through.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 11, 1950
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“Our Richard Gorman has done the most effectively gruesome anti-psychiatry poster I’ve ever seen. I photographed it in colour and it’s off to the pubs for colour photolitho and the world. US news has barely mentioned Rockefellers many later visits! Only European carried it hard. Couldn’t be US Press is censored? Or maybe owned? We were told to sail by pilot due to storm. We’ll be going when it abates. We’re all cleared out of port. Hence no liberty possible, sorry.” — The Commodore, July 11, 1969
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“We are all spiritual beings. It is easy to hate the murderer, to hate the rapist, to hate Hitler – but even they are spiritual beings trapped in their own nightmare. If any of us were placed in the same life as they were, with the same experiences, same parents, same friends, we would have been exactly as they are. I know that can offend people, but our experiences determine our choices in life, this is a scientific fact. It may seem like I am pardoning the evils of the world but I assure you, I despise the actions, not the being. The less we confuse the spiritual self with the physical self, the happier we will be and the happier others will be around us. Who you really are can only be found out and experienced by you, and helped along by your auditor.”
1999: The Jazz Report published a letter concerning Scientology celebrity Chick Corea from critic Jim Beebe this week. “I would like to publicly ask Chick Corea to stop his shameful hustling of the Scientology cult. In the recent interview with Corea, he once again shamefully shills for L. Ron Hubbard and the Church of Scientology. I was lured into Scientology years ago by Corea’s relentless promotion and what I found was a very greedy and destructive cult. What Chick Corea does not reveal in his promos for Hubbard and Scientology is that he gets a nice commission on anyone he lures into this cult. Scientology’s quack courses and ‘counseling’ are very expensive and these commissions add up. Shame on you, Chick Corea.”
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“In Hubbard’s own words the Church of Scientology is an anti-democratic organization whose stated goal is world domination. The German government has deemed Scientology a totalitarian orientated group and has decided that Scientologists are ineligible to hold certain government jobs. I believe this is a very wise decision on their part.”
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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 July 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 July 7.
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 Does’ response to Scientology’s appeal brief is due July 3.
— 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 to Valeska Paris: That Supreme Court ruling isn’t what you say it is
[TWO years ago] Former top Scientology executive who vanished in 2004 subject of new international search
[THREE years ago] How it went down: Transcript of Judge Olmedo denying Danny Masterson’s motion to dismiss
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s full report on its ‘All-Ideal USA’ blowout! It’s a fundraising juggernaut!
[FIVE years ago] ‘Scientology’s Hogwarts’ and other schools got PPP loans
[SIX years ago] Scientology and the FDA: The conspiracy that never was
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology hip-hop continues to amaze us, and we hope it transports you as well
[EIGHT years ago] How Humira, the world’s best selling drug, is helping to finance Scientology into the future
[NINE years ago] Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s caretaker and friend, Steve ‘Sarge’ Pfauth, 1945-2016
[TEN years ago] The story of Brian Sheen and his ‘disconnected’ Scientology daughter you haven’t heard
[ELEVEN years ago] Ken Dandar could use a cool million in his fight against Scientology
[TWELVE years ago] Mike Rinder: Is the Leah Remini Anonymous Smear Website Coming Soon?
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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 3,322 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,826 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,332 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,882 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,872 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,258 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,753 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,057 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,926 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,480 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,821 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,388 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,307 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,475 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,057 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,316 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,353 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,069 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,633 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,948 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,123 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,805 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,142 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,996 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,111 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,473 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,882 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,272 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,156 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,721 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,232 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,492 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,596 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 11, 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
