TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology blasted Boies Schiller partner John Kucera for AI errors in the lawsuit against Danny Masterson & the Church. Kucera has now replied, asking the court to separate whatever price should be paid for the AI blunder from the merits of the suit from the Jane Doe victims. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“At times the results of ‘ordinary’ Scientology tech are extremely impressive, even to me. I am by this time, quite accustomed to miracles as usual, but magic is not quite so commonplace an occurrence, even these days, and is worthy of special note. Many times the suppressive person to whom the pc is PTS exists in present time and is still capable of causing trouble or upset for the pc. It is to this situation that the Suppressed Person Rundown is addressed. This new rundown, the Suppressed Person Rundown, produces the wondrous result of changing the disposition of an antagonistic terminal at a distance, by auditing the PTS preclear. Where this terminal was antagonistic, invalidative, hostile or downright suppressive, he will suddenly have a change of heart and seek to make peace with the PTS pc.” — 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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“I don’t think God wants to communicate with anybody myself. I’m — some people I know, and so forth — I know some of the things I have to say, I don’t think he would want to communicate with me. I know an awful lot of people that, boy, he’d run if he thought he had to communicate with them.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 14, 1953
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“The vessel lying behind us is an oceanographic survey ship run by a US university. It has been located as the point spreading rumours about us in a limited fashion in the port. Another ship the blue 40 footer, is an American yacht with a journalist aboard bound for West West Africa. He picked up the rumors and exaggerated them. The things to remember are (a) stay with the shore story in casual conversation and (b) we actually are the proprietors of these ports. In other words keep consistent in what you say ashore, consistent with other crew members. Don’t dream up fancy tales. We’re the cowboys in the white hat, the good guys.” — The Commodore, October 14, 1970
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“Like all SPs, Scientology critics don’t have a life, they’re not going anywhere; oblivion is the name of their game. Their main strategies are generalisations, shutting down comm, diversion, trying to be louder, pretending authority. LRH faced all that, even in his own ranks. He dealt with it in the most detailed way, with admin, ethics and tech; a massive body of work. Critics have none of that; all they want to do is shut you up; that’s all they’ve got. Critics, SPs, the CoS, have no solutions for the ills of mankind, the very personal difficulties we face in our own, individual lives.”
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1996: Scientology purchased an ad in Thursdays’s New York Times, comparing the current situation in Germany with Nazi Germany and the holocaust. German and U.S. officials and Jewish leaders all condemned the ad. From Reuters: “The advertisement, headlined ‘Practicing Religious Intolerance’ and ‘Germany Then and Now’ above the eagle and swastika insignia of Hitler’s Third Reich, described Germany as the only country in the world that systematically discriminates against Scientologists. In recent months, German officials have said Scientology should be banned or at least placed under covert surveillance. Scientology is not considered a religion in Germany and the government says it exploits the gullible for profit. ‘You may wonder why German officials discriminate against Scientologists,’ the advertisement said. ‘There is no legitimate reason but then there was none that justified the persecution of the Jewish people either.’
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“So my mom being constipated and my dad poking me in the eye with his dick is the reason my life is shit? Thanks Ron, I knew it was their fault somehow, but I thought it had something to do with bad genes.”
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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.
— 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] Did Rebecca Minkoff really say that Scientology has no secrets?
[TWO years ago] PODCAST: Trish Conley returns for more dish on Scientology abuses
[THREE years ago] Judge Olmedo: Opening statements in Danny Masterson trial may come Tuesday
[FOUR years ago] Scientology and cryptocurrency: Has there ever been a better investment opportunity?
[FIVE years ago] Sea Org stealth candidate Brittany Ruiz: This is Scientology, so of course it gets even worse
[SIX years ago] David Miscavige made the scene in England: But how about his best Scientology bud?
[SEVEN years ago] Detroit going Ideal! Scientology throws its invite-only party in Motor City today
[EIGHT years ago] Coming to grips with Scientology’s most vile secret, which was hiding in plain sight
[NINE years ago] Older than Pythagoras, and guaranteed to raise your IQ: What Scientology promised in 1954
[TEN years ago] ‘MY SCIENTOLOGY MOVIE’: Louis Theroux’s doc premieres tonight at the London Film Festival
[ELEVEN years ago] Former Scientologist indicted in financial scheme that victimized other ex-church members
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Payback: Revenge of the Videographers
[THIRTEEN years ago] Marty Rathbun Reveals New Details in Nazanin Boniadi Story
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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 3,416 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,920 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,426 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,976 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,966 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,352 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,847 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,151 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,802 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,020 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,574 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,915 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,486 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,402 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,569 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,151 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,410 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,447 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,163 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,727 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,042 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,217 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,899 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,236 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,089 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,205 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,567 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,978 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,366 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,250 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,815 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,326 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,586 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,690 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on October 14, 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, 1995-2024 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2024), 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, 20 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
