TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Dream Exchange, the Chicago startup led by Scientology donor Joe Cecala, in the wake of losing out on SEC approval to become a stock exchange, is blaming whistleblower Jeffery Ferrell for that failure, according to a defamation lawsuit filed against the former employee. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The increased use of atomic power for electrical supply (without also developing proper tech and safeguards in its use) poses a non-military threat. And the deterioration of the upper atmosphere of the planet, by jets and pollutants, is year by year letting more and more sun radiation through to the planetary surface. Apparently, radiation can cause a cumulative effect. And, like an engram; has earlier similars back to a basic engram. It would seem therefore, that the more one is exposed to radiation the greater the restimulation and the less resistance he has and the more effect the radiation has on him. In other words, a build up occurs. The primary purpose of the Purification Rundown is the Spiritual improvement of the person by handling the restimulative effects of the accumulation of drugs and toxic substances. And, according to the success stories pouring in, it certainly does that.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1980
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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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“There’s a fellow by the name of Einstein passed some laws relating to the speed of light. And you get up to the speed of light, I understand, and you stop right there. And I hope that they don’t hear about this out in the outer planets there, because they’d have to drop those speedometers off. Because these boys going two or three times the speed of light there, as they just start to travel, would be embarrassed if they knew they couldn’t do that. And so somebody’d better inform them before they’re embarrassed by having this discovered about themselves.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 19, 1953
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“The Port Anchor Chain was not washed and mud is reported in the chain locker. This should be run out and cleaned up properly.” — The Commodore, December 19, 1969
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“The MEST universe is basically a theta trap. So some OT abilities does not work until you’re inside a meat body.”
1999: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette published an article including mention of the PR activity for the L. Ron Hubbard book A Very Strange Trip. “The very late L. Ron Hubbard had a best seller for a week. His book, A Very Strange Trip, was published in July and oddly enough appeared on The New York Times best-seller list, then vanished. And did I ever get into trouble with the Church of Scientology for poking a bit of fun at the book and the church. The church doesn’t have a sense of humor and never gives up on its critics, first writing a letter to the editor about me, then demanding a meeting with the boss. Even then, they had the last word (or do I?). Just so I wouldn’t forget, the church in St. Louis sent along two of its big books that now take up space on the end of my desk just in case I need to know quickly what Scientology is and how L. Ron’s e-meter works. A columnist for another newspaper wrote about the book and reports that he received the same treatment, first telephone calls to his editors seeking his home telephone number, then letters and demands for equal time. Then he wrote a sequel, ‘How rigor-mortis affects penmanship,’ or ‘How dead is he?’ and the fur fairly flew again. He’s sworn off L. Ron and the Scientology L. Ronnettes for good. It’s not worth the grief, he says.”
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“The comments sections on the CCHR vids on YouTube are this uber weird mix of Scientologists and the mentally ill who gravitate to this bullshit because it justifies them not taking their meds. It makes for some very unusual reading.”
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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. Appeal now fully briefed, waiting for 2nd Appellate District court to set a hearing date. Masterson has also submitted a habeas corpus petition.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Pleaded guilty on Nov 10 to a 17-year prison sentence (eligible for parole in two to three more years). Awaiting transfer to state prison.
— Aaron Matthes charged for SA of child under 12 years old: OT Scientologist facing multiple mandatory life sentences currently in Pinellas County Jail. Next pretrial court hearing set for Dec 16.
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 respondent’s brief is due January 12.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ 15 days of arbitration completed, Val waiting for further word from the IJC.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Appeal fully briefed. Motion to replace Jane Does’ AI-tainted brief denied by court. Awaiting a court hearing date.
— 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] Here’s Danny Masterson’s entire appeal brief
[TWO years ago] How a police raid in Detroit prompted the creation of the Church of Scientology
[THREE years ago] VIDEO: If Danny Masterson had testified about ‘DJ Donkey Punch’
[FOUR years ago] Reactions to our insider’s claim Scientology in pandemic chaos: It rings true, experts say
[FIVE years ago] Secrets of Scientology ‘Super Power’: The best testimonial we’ve seen yet
[SIX years ago] ‘Have you got a head?’ — Listen in to Scientology as a wacky group experience
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology threatened to sue over last night’s episode, settled for sliming Leah & Mike instead
[EIGHT years ago] KID CORPS: Scientology wanted cadets as young as 6 dealing out justice to each other
[NINE years ago] Live-blogging Leah Remini’s special episode tonight: Get a load of these miscreants!
[TEN years ago] Witness: Compton scam rehab was a special Scientology project — how high does it go?
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s Craigslist expert issues new instructions after so much ad flagging
[TWELVE years ago] How Scientology ‘ethics’ creates your very own Truman Show
[THIRTEEN years ago] L. Ron Hubbard’s “Secret Lives” — A Channel 4 Classic
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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 3,482 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,986 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,492 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,042 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,032 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,418 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,913 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,217 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,868 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,086 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,640 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,981 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,552 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,468 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,635 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,217 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,476 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,228 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,793 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,108 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,283 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,965 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,302 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,155 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,271 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,633 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,044 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,432 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,316 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,881 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,392 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,652 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,756 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 19, 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
