TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Ian Rafalko has shared great stuff, such as news his dad, YouTube chiro Dr. Eric Berg, is training a new generation to make videos about Dianetics. Now Ian has something with skateboard mogul Aaron Kyro (pictured) and Jason Dohring. What’s going on with Scientology and video? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“THE JOY OF CREATING: Force yourself to smile and you’ll soon stop frowning. Force yourself to laugh and you’ll soon find something to laugh about. Wax enthusiastic and you’ll very soon feel so. A being causes his own feelings. The greatest joy there is in life is creating. Splurge on it!” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1982
——————–
“This is probably how the ancient magician enchanted things. Possibly princes have turned into deer in the forest. If you took a period in the magic universe when thetans were still capable of mocking up their own bodies, and you pulled some shocking stunt on the person and sandwiched them in that ‘You are now a deer,’ why, he’d cease to mock up the prince and start mocking up a deer, don’t you see? And he would be an enchanted deer. That would be how enchantments were accomplished. I mean, the mechanism of enchantment is no cruder than that.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 24, 1962
——————–
“FISH AND SAUSAGES: There’s a native street off the main drag where fresh grilled fish, and a kind of hot dog and other bits cost about 10 cents apiece or less. Cokes can be gotten nearby. Don’t shoot the prices up. Interesting area.” — The Commodore, May 24, 1970
——————–
“When I see former corporate Scientologists in the free world expressing doubts or outright disagreements with the truth or workability of Scientology – or railing against KSW, the thought immediately comes to mind that the person was failed by the organization somewhere along the line. Either that, or that person is a true SP who is only interested in using the tech to suppress and dominate others.”
——————–
2001: Bob Minton posted a letter from Ben Shaw of Scientology’s Office of Special Affairs to his probation officer, claiming that Bob is in violation for assisting Keith Henson’s move to Canada. “One of the terms of his probation is; ‘You will live and remain at liberty without violating any law or any injunction (temporary or permanent) entered by this Court. A conviction in a court of law shall not be necessary in order for such a violation to constitute a violation of your probation.’ One of Mr. Minion’s associates is H. Keith Henson. Mr. Henson was found guilty for interfering, with threat or force, with the free exercise of the Scientology religion. On the day of his conviction Mr. Henson and his wife picketed the court house with a sign displaying the phone number of the Lisa McPherson Trust in Clearwater. Mr. Henson fled to Canada. A warrant has been issued for his arrest for this most recent breach oŁ California law. Mr. Minton placed a posting on the newsgroup bragging that ‘I helped him (Henson) escape BEFORE the fact.’ And in another posting which Mr. Minton directed to Mr. Henson, he asked, ‘You have enough money up there in Canada? If not, just let me know.’ Aiding and abetting the commission of a crime is a violation of California Penal Code. Mr. Minton therefore appears to be in violation of the terms of his probation. I assume that you will take appropriate action in dealing with this matter.”
——————–
“There are no shortage of folks here who enjoy a serious discourse, and there are those like myself who love satire, snark, and the absurd. That’s what makes this place so special. You need to be able to appreciate both to truly get the whole groovy effect of this place. And there’s a difference between respecting people and respecting their ‘beliefs’.”
——————–
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] The disciplinary report of lawyer who abused the trust of a Scientology victim
[TWO years ago] Scientology has perfect metaphor for their operation in industrial wasteland
[THREE years ago] Bruce Hines: Scientology has always protected abusers and always will
[FOUR years ago] Yes, Narconon IS Scientology, and we have video that settles the matter
[FIVE years ago] How the Scientology drama in Danny Masterson’s prelim appeared to a former Sea Org official
[SIX years ago] VIDEO: Proof Scientology still promotes Hubbard’s bizarre ideas about evolution
[SEVEN years ago] How Scientology created its own prison for children who chafed at lifetime service
[EIGHT years ago] When rabid Scientologists got into a fistfight with US marshals to protect L. Ron Hubbard
[NINE years ago] Believe it or not, a second season of Reza Aslan’s ‘Believer’ is coming
[TEN years ago] As Scientology sinks, does Tom Cruise really have to go down with the ship?
[ELEVEN years ago] Paulette Cooper has a surprise for Scientology and the residents of a certain Florida town
[TWELVE years ago] When Scientologists sell each other Scientology: ‘I’m me for the first time in trillions of years’
[THIRTEEN years ago] Scientology’s Enforcer Has a New Book: Will This Be The One We’re Waiting For?
——————–
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 3,638 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,142 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,648 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,198 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,188 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,574 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,069 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,373 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 5,024 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,242 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,796 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,137 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,708 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,624 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,791 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,377 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,636 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,384 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,953 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,264 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,439 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,121 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,458 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,311 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,427 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,789 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,203 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,588 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,472 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,036 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,548 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,808 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,912 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on May 24, 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
