TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: For years, we’ve heard that Scientology was going to revamp its books and courses for children. Now, we’ve learned that at the L. Ron Hubbard birthday event in Florida on Saturday, those new items for kids were on full display, and the church is now coming for your little ones! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Clearing is the key to making a sane environment out of the barbarism known as Earth. It is not something to be brushed off lightly, as the technology was not easily won. With the State of Clear and its technology protected and acknowledged for the important achievement that it is, the future of this planet can evolve to one of sanity and upward progress for all. That is and has always been the goal and that is the trust that every Scientologist now shares with me.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1981
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“DAILY REPORT: Well, we got out of there all right. This rocking and rolling is done to condition people for the latest dance — The Wriggle and Dive. TWO WAY COMM: It was stated in yesterday’s OOD that Two Way Comm was out in Div 2 and Qual. But it even got typed wrong. ‘Ack’ was used instead of ASK. The sense of it was nobody in Div 2 or Qual ASK (not ack) anybody what it’s all about. So Two Way Comm was out all around. But all joking aside this, the most basic process we ever had, dropped out and must be gotten into action.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 18, 1970
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“Flag auditors are easily the best in the world. They don’t kid around with cases. They know what they can do. The people audited on Flag go out of here to confront the ohs and ahs of their former areas on how changed and great they are. Any org could eventually achieve this stellar level of result. That isn’t just what FLAG does. It’s what any org could do if they really taught their courses and crammed their HGC auditors. Flag is a shining example of what CAN be done with Tech. Not new tech. Just tech. We saved a life last week with 1956 tech and an excellent auditor. That’s the way it must be, will be over the world if we here on Flag do our jobs.” — The Commodore, March 18, 1971
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“The RPF was created to remove every one of the good guys who could recognize that the doppelganger was not LRH. Outside of the RPF were only new people who did not know LRH or could be cheated or agents of the enemy. The motorcycle accident helped to keep off people from ‘LRH’ as ‘he was in pain and screaming.’ Who would dare to disturb ‘LRH’ if he was so in pain and crying? Not even family members: ‘LRH’ once shouted ‘Get out of here!’ to his wife, when she was at his door.”
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1998: The Philadelphia Inquirer carried a story on government officials who have pronounced L. Ron Hubbard Day. “Hubbard, who died in 1986, is the science fiction writer who, in 1954, founded the Church of Scientology. He was born on March 13, 1911, and though his birthday is tomorrow, his followers are planning to celebrate on Saturday. Scientologists believe that people are beings who have lived many lifetimes (humans were banished to live on Earth 75 million years ago by an intergalactic ruler), and their subconscious minds are weighted down by the images of past traumas. But here in Philadelphia, Mayor Rendell has signed a proclamation urging one and all to ‘join in commitment and action’ in celebrating Hubbard’s birthday. ‘We have to make a determination if the group is a legitimate organization before approving proclamations,’ said Jim Murray of the City Representative’s Office. ‘Unless the group is pretty way out and wacky, we issue the document.’ Gov. Ridge also has dignified the day. He’s sending an official state letter of greeting to Church of Scientology offices in New York. ‘These letters are recognition usually given to people celebrating an anniversary, or who have earned certain honors, like state champions or Olympic athletes,’ said Jerry Feaser, the governor’s deputy press secretary. The Philadelphia party will be held at the church’s downtown headquarters at 1315 Race St. Believers will gather at 7:30 p.m. to watch a message from church leaders based in Los Angeles, said local spokesman Bruce Thompson.”
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“I found a notebook on the street back in the 90’s and it was the diary of someone who was obviously mentally ill, probably schizophrenic, and in parts it read just like a lot LRH’s ‘writings,’ like the stuff in today’s article. Looking back, I’m guessing most prophets were either schizo or con men or both, like LRH. That would explain a lot history-wise.”
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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] Clearwater caves to Scientology again: Mark Bunker on last night’s vote
[TWO years ago] Danny Masterson victims calmly answer Scientology’s latest whine in lawsuit
[THREE years ago] PODCAST: Clarissa Adams on Scientology ripping apart families right now
[FOUR years ago] Scientology enlisting police to indoctrinate kids? Sure, why not!
[FIVE years ago] Clearwater City Council denounces ‘Cult City Tours,’ expresses shock at operator behavior
[SIX years ago] Scientology in the time of plague: Turning to Hubbard’s words on radiation for guidance
[SEVEN years ago] Michael Jackson and Scientology: When the Hollywood Celebrity Centre went on lockdown
[EIGHT years ago] Help us dig through this financial disclosure by Scientology’s sneaky front groups
[NINE years ago] Scientology goes into full smear mode in reaction to Leah Remini getting 2nd season
[TEN years ago] Monique Rathbun waives a response: Will the TX Supreme Court take up Scientology’s appeal?
[ELEVEN years ago] Another ‘Secret Lives’ outtake: The neighbor who knew L. Ron Hubbard and his first wife
[TWELVE years ago] DOX: Monique Rathbun’s response to bid by Scientology to stop the Miscavige deposition
[THIRTEEN years ago] Former Executive’s Tell-All Adds to Scientology Rehab Program Meltdown
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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 3,571 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,075 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,581 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,131 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,121 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,507 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,002 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,306 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,957 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,175 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,729 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,070 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,641 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,557 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,724 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,306 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,565 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,317 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,882 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,197 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,372 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,054 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,391 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,244 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,360 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,722 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,133 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,521 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,405 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,969 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,481 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,741 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,845 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 18, 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
