TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Alex Barnes-Ross has a surprising report: After he pointed out that Scientology did not apply for a permit for its massive tent that houses its annual IAS gala, the church tried to claim it was a permanent structure and should be allowed. But local pols aren’t buying it. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“I have been a bit surprised by the length of time it is taking people to do assessments on the Prehav, on Security Checks and goals. A query into this, which may reveal more, has discovered that students wait patiently for the meter to react, which Mary Sue has noticed. It dawns on me that auditors believe they are doing an analytical assessment on the Prehav, etc. This is wrong. The Prehav Scale is not a picture of analytical thought. It is in the order it is in because it is a picture of reactive thought. It is how the reactive mind is stacked up. Now an E-Meter reacts only on the reactive mind. A Clear doesn’t react because he is able to be conscious. An aberree reacts because he can’t think without thought exciting the reactivity of the reactive mind. This, being composed of mass, energy, space, time and thought, responds to tiny electrical impulses. If your auditing was not aimed at reactivity it would not register on a meter. Thus, you run what reacts because it reacts and is therefore part of the reactive mind.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979
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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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“We’re trying to make somebody Clear. Clear of what? Clear of his reactive bank. Now, Freud said that man had an unconscious or a reconscious or something of the sort which was subconscious under the underconscious. He thought there was something there and it was inhabited by a beast known as the censor, who kept the fellows from pulling a social faux pas. And when the censor was asleep or nulled or something of the sort by drugs, why, the fellow would do antisocial acts, and that was the whole explanation of the human mind, except it was all caused by sex. I hope you’re following me closely. But anyhow, we are actually indebted to Papa Freud, because he did say out loud that there was some kind of a mind that was kicking back on somebody. He didn’t really discover the reactive mind; we did.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 26, 1966
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“SMERSH: Smersh just lost half of its suit on us. It was suing us for defamation of its character. The sum of the result will probably be the judge’s question ‘What character?’ Part of the evidence of the next part of the suit was a restricted issue of an Ed they stole out of an org! ‘What character?’ Charles Parselle is doing a great job on Legal in the UK. The Guardian’s Office is going at its usual TERRIFIC! over the world.” — The Commodore, July 26, 1971
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“LRH seems to have been here some centillion years. On the other hand, very big beings are here and their invalidative vibrations probably affect us. And don’t forget the entities that attach to the thetan here.”
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2000: Lisa McPherson Trust media director Mark Bunker reported this week that charges will not be filed against the Scientologist who attacked him with a hammer while he filmed for a German TV crew. “Bernie McCabe’s office has written me to say that no charges will be pressed against Richard Bernard who attacked my with a hammer nearly six months ago. Hammer attacks involving Scientologists will now be considered Sacred Rites and will be protected under the Florida Constitution.”
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“Jan Eastgate is the Myra Hindley of scientology. She looks just like her.”
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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:
— 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 was filed June 3. Oral arguments are probably next.
— 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] Miss Lovely is still dishing on Scientology: It’s Paulette Cooper’s birthday!
[TWO years ago] Miss Lovely is still unbreakable: It’s Paulette Cooper’s birthday!
[THREE years ago] Scientology tried to destroy her, but Paulette Cooper is living her best life
[FOUR years ago] Miss Lovely tells us she has a birthday wish this year, and it’s about Mr. Lovely
[FIVE years ago] Leah Remini blames Tom Cruise for the spiking of Aussie Scientology investigation
[SIX years ago] Happy Birthday, Miss Lovely! And look what Paulette Cooper gave herself for a gift
[SEVEN years ago] Paulette Cooper turns 76: ‘I found my best friend from the orphanage — from 70 years ago’
[EIGHT years ago] Paulette Cooper at 75: Still unbreakable, and still Miss Lovely
[NINE years ago] Hungarian tabloid’s wacky claim: Shit poured on Scientology’s leader in Budapest protest
[TEN years ago] Happy Birthday, Miss Lovely: A tribute to the dauntless and unbreakable Paulette Cooper
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology surrenders — at least partially — in seven lawsuits against its rehab network
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology, Your Proprietor, and the Airwaves
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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 3,336 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,840 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,346 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,896 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,886 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,272 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,767 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,071 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,940 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,494 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,835 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,402 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,322 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,489 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,071 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,330 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,367 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,083 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,647 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,962 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,137 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,819 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,156 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,010 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,125 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,487 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,896 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,286 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,170 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,735 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,246 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,506 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,610 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 26, 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
