TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’ve been writing about Scientology’s professional ham hock Grant Cardone since 2011, and we are always surprised that his various antics don’t run him into more regulatory snags. So it’s refreshing to see that some busybodies over in the UK are awake and paying attention. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“During an evaluation of an organization, a new crime came to light: It consisted of carefully teaching and coaching auditors to get a snap can squeeze done so they would set their meter sensitivity so low that no reads could be obtained. It was done knowingly and intentionally by the person so there would be no auditor around that could spot his withholds. He also obscured E-Meter Drill No. 5 which shows the correct way to do a can squeeze and get a proper sensitivity. Anyone who would do something like this, just to protect a withhold, without realizing he would also mess up hundreds of cases quite in addition to messing up his own, is of course not only irresponsible but insane.” — 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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“Why do people get so upset with a toothache, and why do they have this big nerve? The reason is that this happened again and again and again, and every time this happened, the theta facsimile would be used for new design. The things that appeared around the lips of these shells evidently appeared on the top side first, because there was more shelter, and then they appeared on the bottom lip. Every time these things would get disrupted they would say, ‘Next time we have got to have a tougher outer skin!’ And the next time they would make one, but in the meantime they got this sand — engram after engram after engram. Somewhere along the line you occasionally find a worm boring in there. Dentists are actually in the valence of these worms!” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 15, 1951
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“SAILING: Evidently we sail at about 1500. Glass is up again.” — The Commodore, October 15, 1970
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“I cared for my father in the last few years of his life in that body. The next day, he left the body. As I stood next to his bedside holding his hand, he let out the last breath. The nurses and doctor left. I was there alone with him and was aware of his presence, just outside of his body, dreaming as he was in his sleep moments before the body died. I communicated with him and let him know the body was finished. ‘Oh you and your Scientology’ he scoffed, communicating telepathically, but as clear as if he was using the body’s voice.”
1997: Operation Clambake web site creator Andreas Heldal-Lund reported a possible Scientology operation on him this week. “Today, October 14th at 19:50, a guy rings my doorbell. When I open the door he asks if I have a friend called Kristian. I tell him he must have come to the wrong place. He says that was strange because he was driven here earlier and told to come to this apartment and deliver 5 grams of ‘stuff’. I made it very clear to this guy that he definitely had come to the wrong place and that I will call the police if he ever comes here again. Then I slammed the door in his face. I’ve just called the local police department and promised them to send a written report tomorrow.”
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“Scientology may be circling the drain but there’s no shortage of crazy waiting in the wings. It’s going to be a long uphill battle to get to the top and stop the billions of minds waiting in line to go down that slippery slope called ‘magical thinking’.”
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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 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] Swiss trial pitting two Scientology mega-donors against each other opens today
[TWO years ago] When Scientology’s founder admitted he didn’t write the most famous line in ‘Dianetics’
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s deposed queen: What it was like to ‘audit’ Mary Sue Hubbard in exile
[FOUR years ago] Our story about Scientology front group in Broward Schools kicks up a fuss
[FIVE years ago] Scientology rehab: A new Narconon horror story that will remind you of all the others
[SIX years ago] Xenu-giving: We check the crowd at Scientology’s biggest org on a day of thanks
[SEVEN years ago] US Sheriffs, dead or alive — Scientology is happy to use them for self-promotion
[EIGHT years ago] David Miscavige is gambling on Birmingham for Scientology success, and who knows why
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s latest drama in Russia: The mystery woman who infiltrated an org
[TEN years ago] Louis Theroux’s ‘My Scientology Movie’: A hilarious take on an unfunny bunch
[ELEVEN years ago] A perplexing tale about Bob Duggan, the richest Scientologist in the world
[TWELVE years ago] Chicago’s On Fire: Jason Beghe and Christian Stolte Send Their Regards to the Bunker
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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 3,417 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,921 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,427 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,977 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,967 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,353 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,848 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,152 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,803 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,021 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,575 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,916 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,487 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,403 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,570 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,152 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,411 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,448 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,164 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,728 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,043 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,218 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,900 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,237 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,090 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,206 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,568 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,979 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,367 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,251 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,816 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,327 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,587 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,691 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on October 15, 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
