TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: EXCLUSIVE: Ian Rafalko is back, and he has a stunning collection of items leaked to him showing that his father, YouTube chiropractor Eric Berg, is behind a major new Scientology effort to recruit young members to YouTube in order to promote Dianetics. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“The uniform attainment of the State of Clear through standard Dianetic and Scientology auditing procedures was miraculous and came as a result of a very long road of research, culminating in the release of the Clearing Course making it certain that everyone could reach the state. Then, with the further refinement of the technology of Dianetics which resulted in New Era Dianetics, and as a result of further tech developments, it became evident that some persons were attaining Clear at an earlier Grade Chart level. Where the person attains Clear in his processing (whether on the Clearing Course or at some earlier point in his processing) is not important. What is important is that he honestly attains it.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1981
——————–
“With governments leaning all over Scientology and looking down our throats, for instance, the probability — Mary Sue was always curious. She always said, ‘The government wants something out of Scientology.’ She’s always saying this. ‘The government wants something. There’s some reason for this.’ And we finally found it. They want the E-Meter for front-line combat troops. I thought that was very interesting. Yeah, it’s pretty crazy, isn’t it? Typical. You see, they get so much infiltration — this is serious — they get so much infiltration in modern warfare of the type that is being fought, that they can’t tell friend from foe. So they’re going to equip front-line combat troops with portable lie detectors. And, of course, there’s only one portable lie detector in the world, the E-Meter. I knowed something was getting those chilluns, you see? But apparently they have some kind of an interest in it. And you would — a thief or a criminal never can ask you for something. They’ve got to steal it. And I wasn’t saying all the governments are thieves or criminals. Don’t get me wrong. I think there’s one or two that aren’t. I know this is about the wildest curve you ever heard of and it’s completely unbelievable. You can see a soldier walking around carrying an E-Meter. Before he shoots the guy, you see, he puts the electrodes in his hands, you know? Bunch of psychotics. I know, it doesn’t sound right. But it sounds just exactly what a government would do.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 17, 1964
——————–
“Norman Starkey is welcomed to the post of Deputy CS-2. Student riots are really tearing the ground up. The Office in the Capitol is now acting to help the government. Things are cool on lines. ASHO is down again, measures are being taken. London has some out Ethics. DK needed help — they had 3 minor blows and a stat drop for 2 weeks — and are getting it. Their stats are now up again.” — The Commodore, March 17, 1970
——————–
“This whole planet belongs to Marcab. And they are not ‘evil.’ The games are not about good-vs-evil, but just about domination. Since various Invaders come from older universe to this one, and seeks to expand their space empires, the nearby space empires like Marcab are just defending themselves. Any intelligent and or spiritual beings are staying away from conflicts, they do not care who is in charge. I believe that Ron and Captain Bill have nothing to do with any conflicts, except that while alive they tried to ‘make themselves and other people free,’ and thus got removed and reimplanted and recycled back to weak human state. They may arise again, I hope so. If you wonder what this non-free planet has to do with any of this, it is that Marcab is implanting us and preparing us to become all space soldiers and fight against the next incoming Invader waves. Nice science fiction? Look better, watch for clues, some are too obvious.”
——————–
1997: The Inside Edition TV show aired another segment, with new evidence in the Lisa McPherson case and video of the vigil held in Clearwater in Lisa’s memory. Martin Hunt provided a summary. “Several familiar faces of Scientology observers were in the footage of the picket; I’m sure I saw Dave Touretzky, Ron Newman, Rod Keller, and others in it. The show mentioned something I hadn’t heard before, the name of a different medical officer, a former doctor who lost her license, who was there at the time of Lisa’s death, in contradiction to Abelson’s proclamations about the ignorance of all involved.”
——————–
“Capt. Howdy swears by some Dr Pepper and Jim Beam Black at the end of another lackadaisical day.”
——————–
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.
——————–
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] Mark Bunker’s council replacement explains his vote for Scientology
[TWO years ago] Make room, Long Islanders: Scientology’s Gatsbys are moving in!
[THREE years ago] Mark Bunker: Scientology going nuts over upcoming Tampa Bay Times report
[FOUR years ago] This is what it’s like to become a super being at Scientology’s Florida ‘mecca’
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s Brent Jones & ‘Real Water’ horror: kids needed liver transplants, attorney says
[SIX years ago] Clearwater takes a stand against Scientology: MARK BUNKER WINS!
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology pitches a fit about sensible mental health reform in wake of Parkland shooting
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s L. Ron Hubbard considered James Bond’s nemesis SMERSH his biggest enemy
[NINE years ago] A HowdyCon 2017 announcement: Special guests and performances!
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s ‘personality test’ taken apart like never before, and by a former member
[ELEVEN years ago] More proof that Scientology used the ‘R2-45’ method to intimidate enemies
[TWELVE years ago] Here are the wealthy people keeping Scientology alive
[THIRTEEN years ago] ABC finally takes on Scientology…with General Hospital
——————–
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 3,570 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,074 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,580 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,130 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,120 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,506 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,001 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,305 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,956 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,174 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,728 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,069 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,640 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,556 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,723 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,305 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,564 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,316 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,881 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,196 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,371 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,053 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,390 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,243 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,359 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,721 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,132 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,520 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,404 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,968 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,480 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,740 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,844 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on March 17, 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
