TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Janis Grady and Mark Fisher recently reported that longtime Sea Org member Marion Pouw had died. Daily Mail Australia followed with a good piece about her history in Scientology. But what did this woman Ron Miscavige called a ‘henchman’ actually do? We have an interesting witness. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“It may be necessary to find whole track overruns on some pcs in rehabilitation of grades. If a lot of levels have been run past free needle it may be necessary to take apart the mess like a bundle of yarn to get the first free needle. In such a case one rehabs any grade the pc has been run on that the pc can remember. One handles this briefly until the pc is happy but not necessarily to free needle. One then finds another overrun, does the same. One goes on and on looking for moments the pc felt good about processing at one or another time. If you keep this up, suddenly you will see a free needle on the pc! Establish what grade it is free on, then quickly get the needle free on the remaining overrun grades (but not grades pc was never run on). It may be necessary to take into account a whole track overrun of a purpose or even the purpose to get Release, Clear or
OT. It is all very quick, deft auditing, very much on procedure using standard rehab tech — but no repetitive grind.” — 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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“Now, what’s the matter with the planet at this particular time is ethics is out. And that is proven by the fact that you are having a hard time getting tech in. With the technology which you know at this particular moment and the results which you are delivering even at lower levels, you have a total monopoly of all mental activities, all religious activities and all social activities on this planet. That is what you are entitled to at this moment. Do you have them? Well, therefore, tech is out. Obvious. So, the only thing that puts tech out is if ethics is out. The only thing that can get tech in is ethics.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 2, 1966
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“Recruits are not the answer, not the total why to no production. Lots there already. Training and hats are needed. 2.5 hours a day study time. Part time Crew Cse Super and properly programmed crew students properly enrolled and properly mustered at suitable times will improve things faster than new recruits. Recruits are longer range.” — The Commodore, August 2, 1971
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“Give it a blind eye if you want, and people will for various mostly personal reasons. I however will not. Reverse Scientology started in 1973, the main obstacles were dealt with, handled, reversed and pushed through during 1978-82. Confronting evil, for me, is seeing things for what they are, to deal with that which can be confirmed. The stories told by people (tale telling) is surely not part of that! You don’t give matters a blind eye because of personal preference. Start to realize that David Miscavige is only the face outward! My research does not suffer from ‘bank generalities and identifications.’ If it does, you can point out exactly where I went in the wrong.”
2000: The Cincinnati Enquirer published an article in which singer Chaka Khan described her involvement in Scientology’s World Literacy Crusade. “I’m starting a foundation, the Chaka Khan Foundation,’ she explains. ‘We deal with women and children in crisis. I’ll be launching that in a couple months time. And I teach art classes twice a week in Compton to kids in the World Literacy Crusade and other kids in the neighborhood there.’ She says that she and Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., are scheduled to meet with Hillary Clinton on a project to bring more arts education into public schools, ‘and get Ritalin out of our schools. And we want to build a co-op for women and children for medical care and job training and child care facilities and the whole bit,’ she gushes, finally stopping for a breath.”
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“Massholio is 4 months of winter wasteland followed by a month of sumptuous spring followed by four months of hellish heat and humidity followed by two and half months of fabulous fall weather. There’s definitely room for improvement, Sherb.”
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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 August 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 December 1.
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 was due July 3, extension granted.
— 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] New York Scientology donor David Gentile convicted in federal fraud case
[TWO years ago] Scientology wanted you to believe that the urge to leave was a failing. It wasn’t.
[THREE years ago] The Scientologists doing battle with the SEC over a $1 billion pile of cash
[FOUR years ago] Escaping for the second time: Cathy Mullins on forsaking Scientology’s Florida swamp
[FIVE years ago] VIDEO LEAK explains how to rope in the unsuspecting: ‘We don’t explain Scientology’
[SIX years ago] Scientology finds a friendly physician to help out in its attack on an effective drug
[SEVEN years ago] Colombian roast: Will Scientologists care about David Miscavige’s latest fraud?
[EIGHT years ago] Carol Nyburg is back, and she has a Scientology story that will rough you up
[NINE years ago] For Scientology’s most infamous dirty trickster, retirement has a happy ending
[TEN years ago] Garcias’ appeal rejected; now the couple faces the real possibility of Scientology arbitration
[ELEVEN years ago] Video proof that Scientology makes you a stellar communicator
[TWELVE years ago] Underground Bunker Night at The TomKat Project — Get Your Tickets Now!
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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 3,343 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,847 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,353 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,903 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,893 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,279 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,774 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,078 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,947 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,501 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,842 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,413 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,329 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,496 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,078 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,337 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,374 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,090 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,654 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,969 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,144 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,826 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,163 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,017 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,132 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,494 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,903 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,293 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,177 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,742 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,253 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,513 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,617 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 2, 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
