TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Despite their social media notoriety, Grant and Elena Cardone are not among the super-strata of Scientology’s wealthiest donors. But in March, they got their due as top trophy winners at the L. Ron Hubbard birthday event! We have all the whales and their prizes. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“I think I have spotted the basic missed withhold on study which may underlie why many execs don’t study. They go by MISUNDERSTOODS all the time in their work! It is probably the missed withhold of going past MUs and of course those MUs won’t then clean up because they are also a missed withhold. So, probably, a reason MUs don’t clean up is that they are also a missed withhold. Also, accumulating missed withholds of having gone past MUs, the student is likely to blow course or study (whether that blow is by sudden departure from course room, failure to attend course or to study and neglecting to study on post or get hatted). The remedy is to get off the withhold of having gone past MUs, handling it as a missed withhold earlier similar to F/N (per HCOB 11 Aug 78, Issue I, RUDIMENTS, DEFINITIONS AND PATTER). Then clear the MU word(s) to F/N.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1982
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“The situation internationally, also, has improved enormously; I might make a little bulletin on that effect. The attack on Scientology in the United States has disintegrated into a rout for the government. They are now being attacked — not mildly put — by the United States Senate, and very shortly the House is going to open the ball on the FDA. Australia, their report from the inquiry has been delayed so long, the usual course of those reports and inquiries they have down there. They seem to do this quite routinely. In Victoria, they have inquiries, and then they forget about them. And the last three inquiries, as desperate as they were in progress and so forth, all wound up in no legislation. And so that one will undoubtedly dead-end too. Because its report isn’t even due in Parliament for months. And Parliament is recessing. And all of that kind of thing is happening. And if we can find Victoria, why we will set it to rights, one way or the other If we can find it. You know, you’re only dealing with a tiny little postage stamp on the face of the earth and what seems to be bowling everybody over, down in-in Australia is this fantastic news which keeps coming in to them from the United States, you see. Government runs up white flag, you see.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 11, 1965
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“Dir I&R and MAA are to conduct a full investigation of insecurity of materials of confidential materials on board. They are to steal any they can and lock them up. List to the D/CO. Beginning at 1200 hrs today. Offenders are to be listed and handled appropriately.” — A. Jessup, C/O FAO, May 11, 1971
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“Trump is no doubt out to end the power of the deep state and he is by some accounts making good progress. But Scientology is nowhere in sight as part of that fight. Or am I wrong?”
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1995: Reports were posted this week of an article in the German magazine Die Woche (The Week). The cover article is title Scientology: “Die Profit-Sekte” (The Profit Cult). Norbert Blum, Federal Minister for Work and Social Order is quoted in the article, and paraphrased by Bruce Scott: “Interestingly, he prominently states that banning them is not the answer: ‘this would only create martyrs’. He states, ‘against the ideology of its founder, Hubbard, ‘business, business, business’, helps only one strategy: ‘information, information, information’.’ He implores all interested parties to use all means they have in order to de-camouflage scientologists, and notes that what is to be protected is the central point of an affluent society: a relaxed an open life, without conflicts (by extension, without having to anxiously watch your back). He especially implores the media not to shy away from pressure: ‘there must be a defense chain’.”
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“The sixties counterculture turned a lot of people into Baba Dumbasses and Shirley MacLaines. People use to be a lot tougher and more levelheaded back in the day.”
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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] On Mother’s Day 2025, the moms who defy Scientology’s cruel ‘disconnection’ policy
[TWO years ago] Val Ross: Stopping Scientology’s plans for a vault in Wyoming, and the future
[THREE years ago] When it was revealed that Scientology has the DA’s documents in the Masterson trial
[FOUR years ago] Tom Cruise pal Simon Pegg set to make film with rising star Scientologist director
[FIVE years ago] Don’t congratulate Tom Cruise until he gives back the award that really matters
[SIX years ago] Scientology ekes out small victories as the world goes to coronavirus hell
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s mental whammy is like taking one too many pucks to the head
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s bizarre international base and its near-prison life: A Marc Headley classic
[NINE years ago] On probation and his house of horrors shut down, Tennessee Scientologist talks up Mexico
[TEN years ago] ‘Freedom’ magazine is back after a six-month absence, and it arrived with a surprise!
[ELEVEN years ago] As seen in the Daily Beast: ‘The Unbreakable Miss Lovely’ is on sale and ready to startle you
[TWELVE years ago] Sunday Funnies: What part of ‘rebel’ doesn’t Scientology understand?
[THIRTEEN years ago] PORTLAND LIVE: Mark Bunker at Scientology’s “Ideal Org” Event
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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 3,625 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,129 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,635 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,185 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,175 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,561 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,056 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,360 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 5,011 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,229 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,783 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,124 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,695 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,611 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,778 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,364 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,623 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,371 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,940 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,251 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,426 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,108 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,445 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,298 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,414 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,776 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,190 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,575 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,459 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,023 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,535 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,795 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,899 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 11, 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
