TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: An interesting clash broke out at Thursday’s Clearwater City Council meeting when Mayor Rector confronted Councilman Allbritton about sending a letter to the Florida AG about a street Scientology wants. Was Allbritton doing the church’s bidding? We have the full transcript. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“When TRs the Hard Way slipped out of use and permissive TRs entered the picture. the results were less competent auditors and less case gain for pcs. Auditor TRs must be taught rough, tough and hard. This does not mean invalidative drilling or coaching or supervision. It does mean you get the student to DO the TRs. He’s got to drill the TRs, not figure-figure on them or dive into his case to avoid them. TRs the Hard Way means stringent, spot-on coaching and supervision on the proper gradient. Each button found on the student is flattened before it is left. Flunks are given when the student flunks. And when he flunks he goes right back in again and he drills it until he’s got it.” — 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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“When you start to double people’s scores and push people upstairs in terms of sports abilities, this becomes a foul and fiendish plot from our standpoint. If you were to take the football Cards, or the baseball Cards or any one team, and give it a heavy shove in the direction of better ball playing, you would at once, of course, find that the opponents had no other choice but to get a heavy shove in the direction of ball-playing. See, no other choice. We haven’t started this program yet in America. We’re looking around for some volunteers to go on payroll and go up and haunt one of these baseball clubs or football clubs. And just do nothing but process the boys and so on. A very interesting project. Because, of course, they will then take all pennants, awards and TV programs. And then we can then go around to their archenemies and say ‘See what happened.’” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 22, 1956
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“Stats trended the same over the world last week, paid completions soaring, GI a bit lower. WE are at least winning back the field and building strong orgs that deliver.” — The Commodore, November 22, 1971
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“In the beginning thetans looked and thus a viewpoint was created. In other words, dimension. You’re not in the mest universe. It’s an agreed upon point of view and you make a duplicate copy of it. Any other mest in your universe that is not a perfect duplicate is an implant because it is something else. You have to have a universe to be implanted and if you are not duplicating A universe then you don’t have a universe, you’re just being. When you look, that’s when all the fun starts.”
2000: Jeff Jacobsen reported conditions in downtown Clearwater in the week prior to the annual Lisa McPherson memorial events. “I went to the Sandcastle to take pictures of the shelving Scientology is putting up along their bushes next to the sidewalk. These shelves will be used to place Christmas tries shoulder to shoulder to keep parishioners from seeing any potential picketers. I then took a few pictures of the half-built Winter Wonderland. Then to finish off the roll I went to the Super Power building. As I was taking pictures of several people going into the Super Power building on the south side, a Scientology security guy on a bike came up and asked what I was doing. ‘Taking pictures.’ Who was I taking pictures for. ‘Why, is it illegal?’ No. ‘Are you a policeman?’ No, but I can call them. ‘OK, call the cops and tell them I’m taking pictures of your building. Why do you care?’ Well we don’t get many people taking pictures of our buildings. ‘Well that’s all I’m doing right?’ Right.”
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“When I first read about the solo auditing I remember thinking, ‘This is genius! Hubbard has these dupes so bamboozled he’s got them ripping themselves off.’ The most expensive part of the Bridge and you’re conning yourself. How would that hold up in court on a fraud charge?”
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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] Scientology sitting pretty as Trump names Pam Bondi his pick for Attorney General
[TWO years ago] Report: Scientology’s Los Angeles bash will include New Year’s event at the Shrine
[THREE years ago] The Scientology oversharer becomes a faith healer: It’s a Dianetics miracle!
[FOUR years ago] Scientology gets another $1 million donor to make entire United States ‘ideal’ for takeover
[FIVE years ago] In this week’s social media leak, a Scientology school is offering ‘doctorates’ for donations
[SIX years ago] Beck tells Australian newspaper: ‘I’m not a Scientologist’
[SEVEN years ago] As Leah Remini returns for a third round, here’s Scientology’s side of the story
[EIGHT years ago] VIDEO: Scientology gives its highest award to Nation of Islam minister, who thanks Allah
[NINE years ago] Leah Remini demands $1.5 million from Scientology for interfering with her A&E series
[TEN years ago] Scientology drug rehab policy: Get the sexual assaulter out of state before police arrive
[ELEVEN years ago] The Scientologist who wouldn’t fly: The rise and fall of insurance mogul Richie Acunto
[TWELVE years ago] Mark Bunker Returns to Clearwater: Wise Beard Man Back in Scientology’s Mecca!
[THIRTEEN years ago] Thanksgiving? Pshaw! The Scientology Begin-A-Boom Bookathon Starts TODAY!
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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 3,455 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,959 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,465 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,015 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,005 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,391 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,886 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,190 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,841 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,059 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,613 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,954 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,525 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,441 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,608 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,190 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,449 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,486 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,201 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,766 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,081 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,256 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,938 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,275 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,128 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,244 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,606 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,017 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,405 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,289 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,854 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,365 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,625 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,729 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 22, 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
