TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology bought a cruise ship so it could fleece victims as they sought the ultimate auditing level on the ‘Bridge to Total Freedom,’ known as OT 8. But it’s not enough to pay the bills, and the church desperately needs other suckers on board. How desperate? Check this out. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“I am not holding myself up here as the last word in TRs. The whole point I am making is the fact that if your TRs were good enough you could almost bypass processes and get a surface level of case gain. You wouldn’t get anything in depth but you would get a surface level of case gain. The phenomenon described above has been going on for a long time. It’s been going on since the earliest days of Christianity and I’m sure the Christians picked it up from somebody before that. It’s a basic mechanism so somebody picked up this confessional idea somewhere along the line. It’s very far from the only mechanism there is in the mind, but it in itself was good enough to carry the Roman Catholic Church through hundreds of years over the out TRs of those father confessors. (There is no way that confront and TR 0 could be construed as in when the father confessor goes into his box, pulls the curtain and then listens to a confessional.)” — 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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“The term thetan, of course, is one which is derived as a mathematical symbol, derived from that symbol, and is an effort to have a precise word, which will describe a precise thing: The unit of beingness, which is the individual. Theta is a Greek letter and you know mathematicians they can’t talk English, so they use Greek symbols and mathematicians long since have picked on theta as a symbol, which they commonly use and the Greeks used it to symbolize thought. And so we have theta, thought, mathematical symbol and then we just put ‘thetan’ on it, and we have something which could describe at once, but doesn’t describe really: the human soul, a ghost, a spirit, a saint, a god, an individual, a being. It’s one of these nice big ‘group’ words. Why? Because it is the word which describes the energy-space production unit which is the individual himself.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 28, 1953
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“TO ANCHOR: We’re going out to anchor so don’t walk off the gangway if there’s no boat under it! (Joke).” — The Commodore, December 28, 1970
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“You don’t need OT power to get sex, the body has more X-rated stuff in it than 50 universes put together over trillions of years of accumulation. Once the Black V starts to clear up, your dreams will be so XXX-rated it will make you blink.”
2001: The December issue of Impact Magazine published a speech by Mike Rinder, the director of the Office of Special Affairs, at the annual IAS meeting. “Officials from the Moscow prosecutor’s office called in so-called experts from the Serbski Psychiatric Institute, notorious for its treatment of dissidents during Soviet days. Finding nothing, they invented a claim that our organizations were engaged in financial fraud, taking ‘creative accounting’ to criminal extremes to create fake evidence. Then they issued outrageous tax assessments and opened a criminal case against the Mission of Moscow. In March this year it all came to an end. The court declared the activities of our mission religious and exempt from tax, found the prosecutor guilty of extensive violations of criminal law, the governments cases were dismissed and the prosecutor was ordered to pay all our costs. Within a few short years, lawyers, justice officials, city and regional government personnel and every high level judge in the nation will truly understand Scientology. Because last month, the first official course on Scientology, using our books as the curriculum, became part of theology studies in every university and all institutes of higher learning in Russia! In Geneva, The runners from seven nations arrived at the United Nations Plaza on October 11. Local, national and international dignitaries joined us in force. More that fifty United Nations organizations and members of government delegations representing thirteen nations came, including the United States, Canada, Denmark, and Switzerland. They all pledged their commitment to the goals of the European Marathon for Human Rights and signed our petition. CCHR has been touring thousands through the Death Exhibit, from doctors and lawyers to legislators and authors. No matter their view when they walk in, when they leave, they are at cause, armed with the truth and ready to put and end to psych abuse. As we arm prosecutors with our evidence, they are having greater success than ever putting these criminals where they really belong. The number of psychs jailed this past year was 222, another highest ever. But not only are we putting more psychs behind bars, we are eradicating their habitat. In the past year alone, 489 facilities have closed their doors. That’s more than double last year and another highest ever.”
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“I’m guessing Dan Sherman has a ‘Word of the Day’ thing he sends out on the telex doohickey.”
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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] The ‘Truth Rundown’: Scientology’s most extreme form of gaslighting
[TWO years ago] Actress Tricia Vessey and civil RICO added to Scientology lawsuit in proposed new complaint
[THREE years ago] TRAGIC: Clearwater OT 8 Scientologist, 40, set fire to herself before shooting herself dead
[FOUR years ago] Scientology is trying hard to make 2022 the year America goes ‘Ideal’!
[FIVE years ago] Scientology social media is like space age Christmas, praise Xenu!
[SIX years ago] Danny Masterson asks for more time to answer lawsuit — while he’s skiing in Park City
[SEVEN years ago] Best Scientology shoops in the Bunker this year, and let’s see your faves too
[EIGHT years ago] Joy Villa on the prospect of Trump going after Scientology’s tax-exempt status: ‘Nope’
[NINE years ago] After Steve Cannane’s big year writing about Scientology, we hit him up for a look back
[TEN years ago] Confirmed: Narconon’s entire Northern California network splits with Scientology
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s 2014 in review: New lawsuits and a house for sale in August!
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology’s 2013 in review: July fireworks, courtesy of an actress from Brooklyn
[THIRTEEN years ago] Scientology’s 2012 in Review: The Master Goeth Before a Fall
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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 3,491 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,995 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,501 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,051 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,041 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,427 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,922 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,226 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,877 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,095 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,649 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,990 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,561 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,477 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,644 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,226 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,485 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,237 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,802 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,117 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,292 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,974 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,311 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,164 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,280 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,642 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,053 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,441 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,325 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,890 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,401 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,661 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,765 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 28, 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
