TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Phil Jones tells us about another thing members of Scientology all fear: Being called down for a briefing. ALSO: Making sure your 13-year-old understands the power of L. Ron Hubbard ‘technology’! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“The EP of a Dianetic chain is always always always the postulate coming off. The postulate is what holds the chain in place. Release the postulate, the chain blows. That’s it. You must recognize the postulate when the pc gives it, note the VGIs, call the F/N and end off auditing on that chain. Even if you get an F/N as the incident is erasing, you don’t call it until you’ve gotten the postulate.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
——————–
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.
——————–
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
——————–
“These fellows do things like get your headquarters robbed of private research papers, buy them off the thief, publish them out of context and thus confuse the theory and research papers of Scientology with the actual practice of Scientology. And I point out to you that these are two entirely different things. Because I have just reserved the right all the way along the line to write down whatever I found. But I did not put it out for unlimited circulation. You see? So they’re challenging a fellow’s right to make notes of what he’s seen. But those research papers and books, today, actually do not much reflect the practice of Scientology, which if you look at it up the grades has very, very reasonable and very comprehensible goals. Do you see?” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 19, 1966
——————–
“PARTY: I’m glad you had a good time at the Roaring 20’s party. I was going to attend but couldn’t find any gangsters or a Sub-Thompson machine gun — ‘Chicago typewriter’ or a big enough cigar. (Joke)” — The Commodore, July 19, 1970
——————–
“Living in this fogged over world (our spirits in minds, that is) one tends to forget the details if they had any recall at all, because of course the implants are meant to erase all of the memories you had back then and can only be given to you if it’s something you agree with – i.e., I felt so bad about myself that I thought there just must be a God to salvage me and what had happened to me. When you’re down that low you just don’t know anything else. The funny thing is that that glowing white orb that spoke to me telepathically is the Emanator straight out of the History of Man book I found 22 years after finding Scientology. Are the Andromedians an LRH term?”
2000: The Lisa McPherson Trust issued a press release this week on the visit of Ursula Caberta to Clearwater for a press conference. “The Lisa McPherson Trust will host a reception and press conference for Ursula Caberta, head of the Task Force on Scientology of the Hamburg, Germany, government, at 10 a.m. on July 25, at the LMT offices located at 33 N. Ft. Harrison Ave. in Clearwater. Mrs. Caberta will discuss recent revelations that German Scientologist Antje Victore submitted fraudulent documents to a Tampa, Florida, judge to obtain political asylum in the United States. Mrs. Caberta will highlight the activities of her task force and the harassment to which she has been subjected at the hands of the Scientology organization in Germany. Mrs. Caberta will also discuss the case of a German former Scientologist who has brought suit against Scientology in Clearwater, Berlin and Copenhagen for lost wages and imprisonment. The suit claims he was held prisoner for two weeks in a six-foot square, windowless room in Clearwater, and that he was subjected to ‘psychological torture.'”
——————–
“I’m a watching a movie and I saw on IMDB that one of the actors was named ‘Mapother’ and sure enough he’s Middletooth’s cousin and he’s been in tons of stuff and he’s a better actor than Tom. Who knew?”
——————–
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.
——————–
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?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] A lost tradition? Summer was when Scientology celebs partied in Hollywood
[TWO years ago] Lawsuit seeks to make Scientology pay for years of costs after childhood sexual assault
[THREE years ago] Scientology Mission Impossible: Or, how an ‘SP’ ended up in charge
[FOUR years ago] Scientology wants you to take this survey like yesterday. So pencils ready!
[FIVE years ago] Scientology donor in leaked video: ‘You’re going to pay this money fucking eventually’
[SIX years ago] Fans feeling conflicted about Tom Cruise and Scientology after seeing Top Gun 2 trailer
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology leader David Miscavige will not testify in forced-abortion trial
[EIGHT years ago] VIDEO: ‘Scientology Kills’ protest at Dublin concert enrages Jive Aces musician
[NINE years ago] ‘Call Me’ says their billboard — and their daughter in Scientology did just that
[TEN years ago] Mile High and climbing: Chris Shelton helps us tell the tale of Scientology and ‘Miss Lovely’
[ELEVEN years ago] VIDEO: L. Ron Hubbard solves the Cold War and your bad marriage
[TWELVE years ago] STACY DAWN MURPHY: One Year After Her Death, Still No Answers
——————–
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 3,330 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,834 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,340 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,890 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,880 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,266 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,761 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,065 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,934 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,488 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,829 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,396 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,315 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,483 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,065 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,324 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,361 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,077 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,641 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,956 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,131 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,813 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,150 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,004 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,119 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,481 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,890 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,280 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,164 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,729 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,240 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,500 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,604 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on July 19, 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
