TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: While we’re waiting to see how hard a California appeals court comes down on John Kucera for the AI blunders in the Bixler v. Scientology lawsuit, the Boies Schiller partner has now withdrawn from the case, and has also apparently left the prestigious national law firm as well. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“I have now determined there is no such thing as Keyed-Out Clear. There is only a Dianetic Clear and he is a Clear. The definition of Clear, to re-emphasize the most accurate statement of it as given originally in Book One, Chapter II of DIANETICS: THE MODERN SCIENCE OF MENTAL HEALTH, is: A BEING WHO IS UNREPRESSED AND SELF DETERMINED. The state of Clear, whether achieved on the Clearing Course or on processing on Grade Chart materials prior to the Clearing Course, can be very accurately determined when it is attained, as there are specific evidences which accompany the state. Should a pc originate that he has or might have gone Clear, or when he has read on a prepared list as having gone Clear, the folder must be sent to a C/S who is Clear and who is qualified to C/S the Dianetic Clear Special Intensive. The pc will then be given the Dianetic Clear Special Intensive, to verify the state and rehabilitate it, if valid. The Dianetic Clear Special Intensive is only given at a Class IV Org (or higher) that is qualified to deliver that Intensive.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1981
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“It was a lovely party. A smashing cake, a lovely present, the Snipes songs and all your happy smiles and applause made it a truly wonderful birthday. (I didn’t know how old I was this life, was sure I was several years younger, until the congratulations and best wishes. I added it up. 60. I still don’t believe it. Are you sure we haven’t skipped some calendar years somewhere?) It was a great day. And I appreciate you more than you will ever know.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 14, 1971
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“HIGHEST EVERS: Thank you for the very happy birthday. I received some lovely presents including a new dining room table and chairs for the A Deck lounge — truly gorgeous. I now hear the Ship’s Rep flew to a nearby area to get some lovely presents for me from MSH. Very appreciated. Both the presents and the flight. Cards, telexes, lovely presents and remembrances. And HGC had a present — 639 w.d. auditing hours! Just by changing its lines and hard work. And the HCI’s FEBC stats are highest ever. The International Gross Income was the HIGHEST EVER! And the Planetary G.I. (not including AOUK, UK, EU, AF or ANZO Orgs) (including only US (Sea Org, Scn) and AOSH DK) hit over a quarter of a million in one week!” — The Commodore, March 14, 1971
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“Unlike the 8th dynamic, MEST can be experimented with and gives repeatable results. Exactly how does a thetan interact with a body? We do it effortlessly but what is the mechanism? Can we interact with another bit of MEST in the same way? Why not? MEST exists apparently timelessly. That is to say, the interactions between MEST particles and fields purely and only exist in the present moment — there is no memory, no effect from earlier states. Obviously things change, but at each moment MEST things only react to present-time forces. We ourselves do not exist in that present moment, by the time our brains have processed information we are most of a second out of date. Hence when we try to affect MEST we can’t since it isn’t there in the past in which we are existing.”
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2001: The St. Petersburg Times reported that Scientologist voters cast crucial votes in defeating former mayor Rita Garvey in a race for City Council. “In the closest race of Tuesday night’s Clearwater election, the swing votes that catapulted Hoyt Hamilton to a win over former Mayor Rita Garvey came from beach neighborhoods, affluent suburban enclaves and a Church of Scientology-dominated precinct. A St. Petersburg Times analysis of precinct vote breakdowns shows Hamilton’s 614-vote margin of victory was cemented with strong support from Island Estates, Sand Key, Countryside, Harbor Oaks, Coachman Ridge and the Scientology-owned Hacienda Gardens housing complex, where church staff members live. “A longtime critic of the Church of Scientology, Garvey also noted that nearly a third of her margin of defeat could be attributed to church members in Precinct 518 in central Clearwater. ‘Fifteen or 20 years ago, (the church) said they were going to take over City Hall,’ Garvey said. ‘They don’t have to run candidates to do that.’ During his campaign, Hamilton told the Times he was comfortable accepting support from Church of Scientology members. He said he had spoken to local Scientologists about his campaign and felt the church’s presence should be accepted. Then he wrote a letter to the Times stating he was not soliciting church votes. Tuesday’s elections results showed he got the votes anyway. In Precinct 518 at the Clearwater East Branch Library on Drew Street, 271 ballots were cast — 175 of them from residents of Hacienda Gardens, the church’s staff housing on Saturn Avenue, according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Office. The final tally was 226 votes for Hamilton and 42 for Garvey. Hamilton’s margin of victory there — with 84 percent of the votes — was his best showing in any city precinct. ‘It doesn’t bother me, nor does it surprise me,’ Hamilton said of the Scientology support. ‘They have a right to vote just like anyone else if they’re citizens of the city.’ Precinct 518 also gave exceptionally high support to newly elected Commissioner Whitney Gray and unsuccessful candidate Frank Hibbard, who like Hamilton expressed support for downtown redevelopment. Church of Scientology spokesman Ben Shaw said the church encourages its members to vote and provides transportation to the polls in church buses and vans. But, Shaw said, the church does not tell members whom to vote
for. ‘The vote is a response to who had the most positive view toward all the citizens of Clearwater.'”
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“Hey, if chronic drunkenness, drug addiction, and debauchery were good enough for L. Ron, they’re good enough for me!”
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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 March 9.
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, which is now fully briefed. Awaiting the setting of an oral arguments hearing.
— 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. Oral arguments hearing on March 3.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
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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?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Claire Headley on the cruelty of the Scientology ‘declare’ checklist
[TWO years ago] News report says Leah Remini’s Scientology suit ‘gutted’ — but the ruling says otherwise
[THREE years ago] Scientology got its arbitrators, but also wants $107K in sanctions from Valerie Haney
[FOUR years ago] A drone’s eye view of Scientology’s mecca, including Tom Cruise’s penthouse
[FIVE years ago] Leah Remini spots Scientology’s best self-own in a long, long time
[SIX years ago] Danny Masterson’s victims speak out in sworn documents in lawsuit against Scientology
[SEVEN years ago] David Miscavige presides over Scientology’s holiest annual celebration of L. Ron Hubbard
[EIGHT years ago] Lori Hodgson’s fight with Scientology for her kids is now a book you can pre-order
[NINE years ago] Memories of a Scientology warrior: Marty Rathbun’s curious career as church rebel
[TEN years ago] Turns out at least FOUR employees sued Pasadena firm that forced Scientology on them
[ELEVEN years ago] Outtakes from the 1997 ‘Secret Lives’ doc — an eyewitness at the Jack Parsons house
[TWELVE years ago] TEXAS JUDGE DENIES SCIENTOLOGY’S ‘ANTI-SLAPP’ MOTION IN RATHBUN SUIT
[THIRTEEN years ago] Your Life as Sperm or Egg: L. Ron Hubbard’s Mad Genius
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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 3,567 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,071 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,577 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,127 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,117 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,503 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,998 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,302 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,953 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,171 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,725 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,066 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,637 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,553 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,720 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,302 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,561 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,313 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,878 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,193 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,368 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,050 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,387 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,240 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,356 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,718 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,129 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,517 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,401 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,965 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,477 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,737 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,841 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 14, 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)
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Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
