TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Last week we brought you the California AG’s 42K-word response to Danny Masterson’s criminal appeal. Masterson is serving 30 years-to-life and he’s trying to walk out of prison with his appeal, but we asked an appellate attorney to give his assessment of the AG’s response. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Another method, an extreme one, of handling the extensively mistrained glib student is to get him to read a paragraph and then, employing a method known as ‘clay table,’ get him to demonstrate it. He won’t be able to do so. Furthermore, he will realize he isn’t able to do so. It was just sounds.” — 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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“This quarter of the universe, by the way, is suffering from an overdose lousy civilization. See, that’s what it’s suffering from. It apparently has been recently conquered in recent times (in the last few hundred thousand years) but those who were conquered had already been — their governmental action had already been set up for their own failure, see? They’d been set up be conquered by using, themselves, mental technology which made slaves. They implanted their own troops. Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho,
ah-ah-ah-ah-a ah-ah-ah.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 21, 1963
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“I was looking over the schooner just down the dock, a handsome three master. PR-wise their appearance ship wise and crew-wise is ideal. Our crew is not yet poshly uniformed and ship appearance could do with upgrading. But for all its sharp appearance their sailors get drunk ashore and dump rubbish in the harbour. One thing no-one will excell us in is the friendliness of our crew, our orderly behaviours and pride in duty. That’s our PR gem!” — Lt. Cmdr Diana Hubbard, August 21, 1970
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“Can one develop high OT level abilities while intending to use these for evil purposes? The answer is: Yes! Christianity had the answer to this all along in its concept of the devil i.e. highly capable, with OT abilities, but evil. The Ron’s Orgs are still working in present time on ‘handling’ Xenu. This character is the summum of evil and yet is so capable that so far nobody has been able to deal with him effectively and finally, talking about ability! So the point is that there is no reason why the originator or inventor of a mental spiritual technology has to be well intentioned. It is similar to the ‘gun’ debate. A gun can be used for good or for evil and thus it is with technology. There could be no mention of black Dianetics if this weren’t the case.”
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1998: The St. Petersburg Times reported that Scientology has purchased the Osceola Inn in downtown Clearwater. “The Church of Scientology has spent $3.2-million to purchase most of a city block across the street from its waterfront Sandcastle property, continuing its spate of downtown land buys over the last year. The property’s centerpiece is the former Osceola Inn, a vacant retirement center at 221 N Osceola Ave. The church will renovate it to accommodate parishioners who travel to Clearwater for Scientology counseling. Since June 1997, the church and companies that represent it in real estate transactions have purchased 12 properties in the downtown core for a total of $7.2-million. Church officials say they expect to attract thousands more Scientologists to Clearwater each year with the expansion. The Osceola Inn property and law office comprise three-quarters of the block bounded by Drew Street on the south, Osceola Avenue on the west, N Fort Harrison Avenue on the east and Jones Street on the north. The remaining portion of the block is a vacant used car lot owned by Ray Cassano, a prominent figure in local Scientology circles.”
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“It was speed which was readily available back in his day. When Hubbard talks about ‘Pinks & Grays’ he’s most likely talking about Dexedrine and Phenobarbital or Librium.”
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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:
— 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. Respondent briefs are due September 2.
— 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 submitted July 30. Scientology’s reply due October 20.
— 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] Swimming against Scientology’s rip current: Lessons learned the hard way
[TWO years ago] ‘Ruin them utterly’: how PIs and volunteer members work against Scientology’s enemies
[THREE years ago] Elisabeth Moss declines Valerie Haney’s nomination as arbitrator, says Scientology
[FOUR years ago] Influential antisemitic account ‘GhostEzra’ identified as Florida Man, naturally
[FIVE years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 21: Parents who subscribe to ABCMouse
[SIX years ago] Has Scientology’s leader David Miscavige gone underground in the face of a legal onslaught?
[SEVEN years ago] See the Scientology-like ad for Scientologist-owned ABCMouse, made by Scientologists!
[EIGHT years ago] DOX: The full FBI file from its 2009-2010 human trafficking investigation of Scientology
[NINE years ago] Who are the clergy Scientology convinces to attend its ‘interfaith’ farces?
[TEN years ago] VIDEO: Scientology rehab salesmen — Just exactly the humanitarians you imagined
[ELEVEN years ago] Jon Atack: The games L. Ron Hubbard played
[TWELVE years ago] MONIQUE RATHBUN FILES SUIT AGAINST SCIENTOLOGY OVER HARASSMENT
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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 3,362 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,866 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,372 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,922 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,912 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,298 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,793 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,097 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,748 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,966 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,520 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,861 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,432 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,348 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,515 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,097 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,356 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,393 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,109 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,673 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,988 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,163 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,845 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,182 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,036 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,151 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,513 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,922 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,312 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,196 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,761 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,272 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,532 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,636 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 21, 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
