TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: With less than two weeks until the start of this year’s big IAS gala at Scientology’s UK headquarters in England, the church’s planning application that seeks to redevelop its Saint Hill Manor grounds for future galas has run into yet more snags, Alex Barnes-Ross tells us! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Beings can be fixed or stuck in a chronic mood (emotion) — always sad, always angry, always bored, etc. Just in life and livingness this makes them rather hard to live with but in an auditor it is fatal. The mood of an auditor, particularly if fixed and chronic, can color the session and the results he obtains. TRs are a matter of sound, not how an auditor feels. When an auditor has a stuck or fixated mood, such as monotony, timidity, dullness, showing up in his TR drills or in session, this can slow up a pc’s progress or rough up or upset a pc. The auditor’s TRs should sound live and interested and natural.” — 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 have learned that it does no good in America to advertise. It doesn’t do any good to advertise. We get everybody we get by word of mouth. You understand, I’m merely talking on percentiles. Something like three out of fifty or three out of twenty-five come in because of ads. That is our average for all over the country.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 18, 1956
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“Talks: Thanks for the thanks I get on the talks. These Tapes (last 3 and onward) are to be copied and sent to other ships and added to AB Checksheet as the first items. LECTURE: THERE WILL BE NO LECTURE TONIGHT, Saturday or Sunday. They will resume Monday night. Two more are scheduled in the series — Monday and Tuesday.” — The Commodore, October 18, 1969
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“In ones own subjective universe, anything is literally possible and time does not have to go forward and many universes can occur together — as many as a mind can invent. But that is not how the Eighth Dynamic and its visible physical Universe of the 6th Dynamic works. Therefore I am wary of the science fiction and intelligence agency campaigns to mess with our minds and entice us into doubting that we are at cause and in control to some small but significant extent, of our own reality in this larger Reality.”
2000: John Travolta defended the movie Battlefield Earth and announced his hopes to produce the sequel. From the Calgary Sun: “In his eyes, the much-hyped science-fiction epic Battlefield Earth was not a major box-office or critical disaster. Back in May, it took just 18 days for Battlefield Earth to be knocked out of the top 10 box-office list with paltry earnings of just $20.5 million US. ‘It didn’t lose anybody any money because we filmed Battlefield for just $50 million Canadian. We were very responsible with our investors’ money,’ insists Travolta, denying rumours the film cost upwards of $70 million US. ‘By the time you factor in foreign sales and video, Battlefield will gross more than $80 million US, so it’s not the flop some people are trying to say it is.’ Battlefield Earth was written in 1982 by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, for which Travolta is one of the most vocal celebrity spokesmen. ‘When I first decided to turn Battlefield Earth into a film, I thought if I could even get it into theatres I’d consider myself lucky. I’ve done that and much more.'”
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“I asked vaLLarrr the Sci troll one time if any new OT levels were released, and they didn’t include Hubbard’s handwriting on some level, would s/he consider them genuine and s/he said ‘no’.”
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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] Former Scientology donor sentenced to 5.5 years on accusations by Trish Duggan
[TWO years ago] Jane Doe 1 denies validity of arbitration contract, opposes Scientology stay request
[THREE years ago] ‘What’s Scientology on trial for?’ Danny Masterson lawyer hunted juror bias on Day 4
[FOUR years ago] Is it really possible to study Scientology and ignore the people who were damaged by it?
[FIVE years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 11: Gary Soter
[SIX years ago] Duggans abandon scheme, give $48.8 million in AbbVie stock directly to Scientology
[SEVEN years ago] Read the ‘disconnection letter’ from a brother telling his sis — Sylvia DeWall — so long forever
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology slut-shames Mimi Faust after destroying her family because … it’s a church!
[NINE years ago] Trademark lawsuit against Scientology’s drug rehab network settles weeks before trial
[TEN years ago] Countdown to Friday: ‘Scientology’s Dirty Tricks’ on the menu in Sydney
[ELEVEN years ago] Tom Cruise shows up with his Scientology ‘Freedom Medal of Valor’ in London
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Drug Rehab: New Evidence in the Disturbing Case of Richard Teague
[THIRTEEN years ago] A Yoga Master’s Question For Scientology OT 8’s: Can You Show Cause Over Matter?
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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 3,420 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,924 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,430 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,980 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,970 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,356 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,851 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,155 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,806 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,024 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,578 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,919 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,490 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,406 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,573 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,155 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,414 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,451 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,167 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,731 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,046 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,221 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,903 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,240 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,093 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,209 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,571 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,982 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,370 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,254 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,819 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,330 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,590 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,694 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on October 18, 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
