TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: On Wednesday we raised questions about surging California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra’s past as a Scientology booster. Now we’ve found footage of Becerra promoting what turned out to be a Scientology hoax in a speech to Congress. How does he feel about that today? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“PTS is a connection to an SP. That is true. But what may be overlooked is that persons of the middle class (which is a culture, not an income bracket, to which belong all the puritan hypocritical mores of the cop and the get-a-job-be-a-moderate-plugging-success) frown very terribly on anything that the least bit tries to make a better world. The middle class wants the world of a job and order and even hypocrisy and cops because they are AFRAID. They hold their narrow views because any other views may disturb their 20 year house mortgage, the store, the job. So when someone decides to make a better world they look on him as a direct menace even though the dull middle class world is a sort of slavery and suicide. It is the middle class that tries the hardest to keep the down-and-outer out and down, who go along with a cop America and hate support of anything not their class. And nearly every PTS you have will be found one way or another to be PTS to the middle class. As a group, not as individuals, the middle-class parent world suppresses anything different. So you have PTSes.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1982
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“As far as publicity is concerned the general public has been slammed around about Dianetics and they don’t know whether Dianetics is a cough drop or a new cult down in Arizona. Nobody really knows very much about it. Out in the general public they ask you if it is a cult, or if it is this or if it is that. I suddenly woke up to the fact that I was under-evaluating it. I was trying to tell people ‘Well, this is sort of a psychotherapy and it does this and that,’ rather apologetically. And I said to somebody bluntly the other day, ‘Why, Dianetics is the science of handling life; you know, handling life forces!’ They looked at me and blinked and I said, ‘Yes, you know, a fellow starts downhill and starts down toward death. Well, Dianetics picks him back up again.’ They went away in a trance! Actually, isn’t that what we are doing? The new theta-MEST theory makes that so apparent, and the results you get follow in so closely that, actually, we are doing just that.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 15, 1951
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“US STATS HAVE JUST GONE OVER THE MILLION MARK!!! AOSHUK IS OVER $47,000!” — The Commodore, May 15, 1971
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“Fifth day on OT IX. There is like a ‘learning experience’ of life in the MEST. Before when I made a postulate, I don’t know how it happened, if it happened at all. I realize now that I was much less conscious. Now I make a postulate and I feel the static energy blossom, as if I am aligning the MEST to get my postulate. It is a conscious feeling. It might be right in my Universe, but no, the thing is happening in the MEST.”
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1999: The Associated Press reported that Scientologists held a rally in Washington, DC this week, to protest at the meeting of the American Psychiatric Association. “About 1,000 protesters, dressed in black and many carrying black balloons, picketed a convention of psychiatrists Saturday to demand they stop prescribing mind-altering medications to young people. Such medicine leads to youth violence, said three protest leaders, actresses Kirstie Alley and Juliette Lewis and singer Lisa Marie Presley. ‘They’re making drug addicts out of our children,’ said Alley, best known for her roles on the TV shows ‘Cheers’ and ‘Veronica’s Closet.’ ‘It’s barbaric, and it’s being promoted by psychiatrists.’ The demonstration, organized by the Church of Scientology’s Citizens Commission on Human Rights, targeted the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in downtown Washington. As they marched around the Washington Convention Center, the demonstrators chanted: ‘Don’t drug our kids. Don’t shock our kids. Just leave our kids alone.'”
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“Eva Gabor was awesome in Green Acres, which was one of the most underrated, surrealist shows of all time. It’s worthy of Lynch or Buñuel.”
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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] For a final (?) Mission, an older Tom Cruise forgets some basic film lessons
[TWO years ago] First time in English: Rare interview David Miscavige gave during Germany crisis
[THREE years ago] Scientology celebrates Nancy Cartwright for upping her donations to $21 million
[FOUR years ago] Letters from Scientology’s celebrities that charmed the pants off LA’s city council
[FIVE years ago] Scientology chiropractor Eric Berg called out by son in viral TikTok video
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s center specializing in auditing your infant is back open in Florida!
[SEVEN years ago] John Travolta’s daughter makes her own Scientology splash at awards ceremony
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology files notice of appeal in time-wasting federal court attack on forced-abortion case
[NINE years ago] DRONE FLYOVER: An even closer look at where Scientology is keeping Shelly Miscavige
[TEN years ago] Scientology takes on the evil psychs at the APA, and more in our weekly social media review!
[ELEVEN years ago] Las Vegas attorney Ryan Hamilton makes it 29 lawsuits against Scientology’s drug rehab
[TWELVE years ago] TIZIANO LUGLI: A new short film about Scientology and ‘slavery’
[THIRTEEN years ago] CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT DENIES SCIENTOLOGY PETITION IN FORCED-ABORTION CASE
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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 3,629 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,133 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,639 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,189 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,179 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,565 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,060 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,364 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 5,015 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,233 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,787 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,128 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,699 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,615 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,782 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,368 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,627 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,375 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,944 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,255 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,430 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,112 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,449 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,302 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,418 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,780 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,194 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,579 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,463 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,027 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,539 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,799 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,903 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 15, 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
