FOLLOW ME ON
Daily Notifications
Sign up for free emails to receive the feature story every morning in your inbox at tonyortega.substack.com

Categories

New batch of Epstein files unmasks a 1970s Scientology spy — and he talked to us!

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: In the newest Epstein files, there was this odd footnote: Epstein was funding Paul Krassner in his final few years, and while sending entertaining emails to Epstein in return, the legendary satirist ended up outing a 1970s Scientology spy, who has given us an interview about it! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
——————–

Advertisement

Technology Cocktail

“Throughout the ages, man has struggled with the subjects of right and wrong and Ethics and Justice. The dictionary defines Ethics as: ‘The study of the general nature of morals and of the specific moral choices to be made by the individual in his relationship with others.’ The same dictionary defines Justice as: ‘Conformity to moral right, or to reason, truth or fact,» or: «The administration of law.’ As you can see, these terms have become confused. All philosophies from time immemorial have involved themselves with these subjects. And they never solved them. That they have been solved in Dianetics and Scientology is a breakthrough of magnitude. The solution lay, first, in their separation. From there it could go forward to a workable technology for each.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1980

 
——————–

Source Code

“I don’t say that you could walk up to the tomb of Alexander and bring Alexander back into the tomb and have him knock the dust together again and resurrect. See, I don’t say that you could do this. But I don’t say you can’t.” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 5, 1957

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“The demands for books to meet increased org activity generated by the FEBCs returning is a subject of concern. Pubs Org fell low in income after mid-1970 and has not recovered and is travelling at a non-viable level now reflected in its crossed Cash-Bills. Non E has been assigned with a Liability Condition in the offering and a general rocket has been set. A strong US center is being urged by me, an order not fully carried out a long time ago. Measures will have to be taken. Eval in Data Bureau should get to work on its WHY. There was a spectacular stat change in mid 1970 after which no recovery.” — The Commodore, February 5, 1971

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“Because the tech was created in the future then this timeline was created in this future and sent here to this time now I don’t want to confuse anyone. The static creates the new viewpoint but since the real time this universe is running is in a future time then the static created this viewpoint in the now of the future but sent me to this period of time. Does this make sense?”

Advertisement

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

1999: The Associated Press reported this week that Heber Jentzsch, president of the Church of Scientology International, predicts growth and acceptance in Europe. “The Los Angeles-based church created by late science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard has been persistent in attempts to become recognized as a
legitimate religion, said the Rev. Heber Jentzsch, president of Church of Scientology International. ‘There is a shift,’ he said. ‘Scientology has become visible. It will happen in the next five years, maybe 10 years.’ ‘It’s not been easy. But we never thought of withdrawing,’ Jentzsch said from the church’s European headquarters in Copenhagen. ‘Any new religion, any new ideas will be fought. There is an old guard that is threatened by anything that is new.’ Jentzsch said much of the problem stems from misinformation that remains from U.S. investigations into the church in the 1960s and 1970s. He also rejected reports that people who want to leave the church are harassed.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“The one thing that LRH and D.M. have elevated to a fine art is cheapness. I heard stories about J. Paul Getty when I was a kid and he had nothing on these guys.”

 
——————–

Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: 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. Next pretrial court hearing set for Feb 2.

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 February 11.
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.

 
——————–

 
Other links: The prosecution of Danny Masterson. Leah Remini’s Fair Game Podcast. Leah Remini’s A&E Series. Scientology’s Celebrities, from A to Z. Bryan Seymour’s suppressed series, 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?

 
——————–

THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] ‘Tired of Priscilla Presley’s version,’ Brigitte Kruse to reveal the truth ‘about everything’
[TWO years ago] The Guardian’s expose of Narconon is great — except for this puzzling issue
[THREE years ago] VIDEO: This is what you really want out of Scientology, right? Super Power!
[FOUR years ago] Patriot logic: In 1997 JFK Jr predicted our QAnon future in George magazine
[FIVE years ago] Judge to Valerie Haney: You need to get this Scientology ‘arbitration’ underway
[SIX years ago] Scientology provides all the proof you need that Narconon is more than ‘tied’ to it
[SEVEN years ago] Tonight, Leah Remini looks at Scientology’s ultimate prize: The protections of tax exemption
[EIGHT years ago] Best reactions to last night’s Scientology Super Bowl ad, which asked, ‘Curious?’
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s 2017 Super Bowl ad, ‘Your Full Potential,’ is another mystery sandwich
[TEN years ago] Scientology is the bomb diggety, and here’s proof, starring Leah Remini’s husband!
[ELEVEN years ago] SCIENTOLOGY DENIED: Australia’s only Narconon rehab center loses zoning fight
[TWELVE years ago] The Vanity Fair story on Shelly Miscavige: ‘Scientology’s Vanished Queen’
[THIRTEEN years ago] Jenna Miscavige Hill on her Uncle, Scientology’s Leader: A Bully Too Afraid to Show His Face

 
——————–

Scientology disconnection, a reminder

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 3,530 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,034 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,540 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,090 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,080 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,466 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,961 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,265 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,916 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,134 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,688 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,029 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,600 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,516 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,683 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,265 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,524 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,276 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,841 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,156 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,331 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,013 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,350 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,203 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,319 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,681 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,092 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,480 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,364 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,929 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,440 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,700 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,804 days.

 
——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on February 5, 2026 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter.

Our book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is 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)

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates.

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

 

Tony Ortega at Rolling Stone

 

Share Button
Print Friendly, PDF & Email
ADVERTISEMENT