TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: As if the prospect of slaughtering protected newts wasn’t bad enough, Scientology has another headache that may hold up its expansion plans for its UK headquarters: Turns out, a major water main runs right under the field it wants to develop. Alex Barnes-Ross has the details! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The most usual and successful cramming action is simply to take the materials or text that covers the subject of the cramming order and word clear and cram those materials. This is always safe and OK to do. (The only other caution is not to give verbal data, nor to evaluate or invalidate or throw the person’s Ruds out while doing the cram!) Word Clearing Methods 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are OK to do on OTs (but not Method One, which asks for ‘earlier similar?’). Finding and clearing Crashing Misunderstood Words is OK.” — 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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“Every language has a basic word for ‘accept’ and a basic word for ‘reject’ which allows for no argument. Whereas they do have differences on such a thing as ‘associate.’ Look what Freud did with ‘associate.’ I’m being awfully hard on the old man this morning. There’s no reason to be hard on the guy, he actually was the entering wedge into psychotherapy. But I’m young and cocky and I didn’t have to write ‘Psychoanalysis: Terminable and Interminable.’ I didn’t have to write that. I will never have to write something, now, I know very well, called ‘Dianetics: Terminable or Interminable.’ Apathy, apathy. Imagine a guy beating the drum, beating the drum all those years, having to sit down and write that essay. This was one of the last essays he wrote. He knew he had failed before he died, which is the saddest thing that can happen to any man.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 23, 1954
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“The boot top and hull need squaring up. The gold stripe and the gold name should be handled quickly. She should be prettied up for Christmas and the New Year. She is a very nice ship. Almost any other ship would leap about madly in the seas in which we run. She is also a very pretty ship and looks more like a yacht than most yachts do.” — The Commodore, December 23, 1970
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“I think us Scios need to look after our bodies and live longer as there’s a bit of a problem with div 6 in the Scientology world and until we have a healthy influx on new bodies into Scientology regularly, until the div 6 problem has been handled, we are going to have to make sure the bodies we’ve got are around for as long as possible. Like til you’re 120, no joke, and I actually expect more than that. This is vital for Scientology ATM. So to do this there are great supplements available, I take: Astaxanathin, Niacin, Reishi tea (so happy I can drink a supplement, so good), Alex Jones’s DNA Force, White Powder Gold and Resveratrol. Just a bit of this stuff everyday forever will stop the body from ageing….Our bodies have been designed to age and die, they’ve been programmed to by SPs, well we can get around this. Intelligent, awake people need to live as long as possible. This is no negotiable unless you want to get a new body sometime soon which might be right for you, but for the rest of us, we aint gonna die and we are gonna make Scientology a game for many more.”
1996: Grady Ward posted an update in the Scamizdat trial, which is now expected to take longer than originally thought. “[O]n December 7, 1996 District Judge Ronald M. Whyte continued the hearing ‘on the papers’ (no oral argument) of my Motion to Amend Counterclaims to February 14, 1996. Because of this move I have decided also to reschedule the Depositions of scientology Managing Agent David Miscavige and President Warren McShane to correspond to a ruling on this matter, or to other scheduling orders. The longer the time until cut-off the better for me, a pro per proceeding in forma pauperis because it allows me to collect more collateral evidence relating to my RICO counterclaim and permits me more time to learn court procedure and legal principles — not to mention dealing with a dilatory and evasive adverse party who is supported by six attorneys in four law firms. I will be filing a Motion to Compel and a Motion to hold in Contempt later in the week and likely several such motions in January, 1997 relating to evasive responses by the plaintiff to certain interrogatories and documents requests, as well as initial disclosure.”
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“One of the few things I appreciate about the cult is their retro-ness.”
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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] Meet Scientology’s donors for a new monument to founder L. Ron Hubbard
[TWO years ago] PODCAST: Apostate Alex helps us deconstruct David Miscavige’s recent speeches
[THREE years ago] Need last-minute gifts for the Scientologists on your list? We got your back, Santa!
[FOUR years ago] INSIDER: How Scientology’s ‘Ideal Org’ scam works, and how members are victimized by it
[FIVE years ago] Political dupe of the day: KC councilman helps Scientology front group with ‘murder’ signs
[SIX years ago] Bernie Headley, 1952-2019: A man who fought against Scientology’s ‘disconnection’
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s smear machine hurting your reputation? For $1,500 they can help with that.
[EIGHT years ago] A look back at the month when all hell broke loose for Scientology and Danny Masterson
[NINE years ago] LAPD needs two more weeks to respond to Leah Remini about missing wife of Scientology leader
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s 2015 in review: In March, HBO went Clear while we eavesdropped on Flag
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology hit with 25th lawsuit by Las Vegas attorney as he goes after Florida rehab
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology’s mecca wants you to come to Florida and run circles around a pole
[THIRTEEN years ago] Scientology’s 2012 in Review: Debbie Cook Makes Us Remember the Alamo
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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 3,486 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,990 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,496 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,046 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,036 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,422 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,917 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,221 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,872 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,090 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,644 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,985 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,556 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,472 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,639 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,221 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,480 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,232 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,797 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,112 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,287 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,969 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,306 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,159 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,275 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,637 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,048 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,436 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,320 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,885 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,396 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,656 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,760 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 23, 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
