TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Tonight the Clearwater Council will discuss Scientology’s plans it’s been developing without the council’s involvement. Mark Bunker will be there, so we chatted with him about issues facing the beleaguered city. ALSO: Ian Rafalko on spotting his dad Dr. Eric Berg with RFK Jr. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“There is (or can appear to be) a conflict of targets between a C/S and an Ethics Officer. An Ethics Officer is trying to get in discipline and a C/S is trying to improve a case. But it is true that an out-ethics pc does not make case gain. So one could say that one measures the amount of ethics which must go in to satisfy the
viewpoint of the Ethics Officer who is charged with maintaining discipline and to still keep in Rule 4 of HCOB C/S Series 115 to C/S the pc for his own case gain.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1982
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“Now, you’re a registrar and somebody is coming in, or you’re signing up PCs. (All of you have to wear a registrar’s hat at one time or another.) And you’re trying to get somebody to get some auditing, you’re a registrar, see? And there you are one fine day with a yow-yow-yow and a scream-scream-scream standing in front of your face: Seventy-five hours of auditing have been delivered — he feels terrible! He says, ‘Oh, I could kill everybody in the place,’ and he ought to go out and sue everybody, and he’s going to inform the government that so on and so on and so on and so on-yap, yap, yap, you never hear such a thing. Don’t worry too much about the threats, because the person totally lacks direction. Person will go halfway down the steps and change his mind and do something else, don’t you see? They’re incapable of carrying forward a program that has any cohesion or direction, see.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 28, 1963
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“GOOD NEWS: The Governor’s Office of Calif is commending us for the Narco-non and Drug Abuse Campaigns and our effectiveness in this field. This is a second official one only days apart evidently. Also the Gov of Calif’s son is reported planning to join the SO.” — The Commodore, May 28, 1970
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“If there is no ethics in the field, then American indies will keep ending up in the wog justice system or ignored completely.”
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1998: Karin Spaink reported on the trial of Zenon Panoussis in Sweden this week. The case concerns copyright violations of the NOTS materials. “There are seven Scientologists who flock together on one side of the courtroom. The only one who stands out is McShane himself. Next to him is one of Magnusson’s colleagues; he is to act as interpreter. Tarja Vulto is there: Swedish OSA. Immediately behind the lawyer/translator is an American, who will often lean forward when something interesting occurs, in order to catch the translator’s words as he relays them to McShane. Birgitta Dagnell, Swedish a.r.s.-regular and former Scientology member –; Anti-Cult, a.r.s.-regular and also from Sweden; Karsten, from the Dialog Centre in Copenhagen; and Joe Harrington from the US. And us, from the Netherlands. As it turns out, Ingrid Forsstrom is indeed presiding the court. This case concerns itself whether or not Z has violated the Temporary Restraining Order he was subjected to in 1996, for instance when he handed in copies of the NOTS to parliament, to the administrative court, and to the Court of Appeals. Magnusson stipulates that Z has violated the TRO. Z maintains he hasn’t; that besides, it is most unclear to which materials the term ‘the materials’ the TRO bar him from publishing exactly refer to, and moreover that he hasn’t published these NOTS after getting the TRO, but just provided the three institutes mentioned with copies. The case is a semi-penal one: while the alleged copyright infringement is a civil case, violating a TRO is not, but it could cost Z 50.000 crowns. Since this part of today’s session is surely dealing with actual quotes taken from ‘the material’, the doors will close and the audience is requested to vacate the room. Magnusson, McShane, the translator/lawyer, Z and the court are the only ones allowed to hear what Birgitta Alexandersson, the notary, has to relay. The notary/witness claims to have made a random selection, in this way arriving at seven NOTS from attachment 126, which she then proceeded to compare to RTC’s purportedly ‘originals’, and found that yes, they were the same. As it turns out, Z was able to challenge the notary statement. Many, if not most, of the NOTS included in attachment 126 are, erm, let me put it this way, mocked up. There are Borkified versions of purportedly original NOTS. There are Soul-Bro’ified versions of purportedly original NOTS. The court adjourns. Verdict due on June 8th. We’re outside the courtroom. Z restates his previous proposal. If RTC would admit to the NOTS having been legally published — and thereby subject them to all the privileges, rules and exceptions to copyright law — he would gladly admit to having committed copyright infringement. He is prepared to pay a symbolical tort for this infringement and both parties will pay their own legal costs. McShane flatly refuses.”
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“I’m from S.F. and the Jonestown massacre happened on November 18, 1978 and the Moscone/Milk assassinations happened on November 27, 1978. So yeah, it was definitely a very strange and stressful time to be living in Frisco. It seemed like Armageddon. My father worked with a guy named Fred Lewis who lost 27 relatives at Jonestown. As far as a Jonestown-like event happening at Gold Base, I find it doubtful, but if the ‘perfect storm’ of mishaps, misadventures, miscommunications took place, like at Waco, it’s possible. I think Miscavige is more the mob boss type than the fanatical cult leader type. That’s a major factor.”
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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] LIVE: Joy Villa answers questions about her Scientology defection
[TWO years ago] Ready to sign your life away, pilgrim? Get a load of this Scientology staff contract
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s latest fundraising brainstorm: Braveheart and big swords!
[FOUR years ago] Chris Shelton interviews Katherine Olson, who only escaped Scientology’s Sea Org last year
[FIVE years ago] Ten Days That Shook The (Scientology) World: Dave and Danny’s very bad predicament
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s hammy Grant Cardone and the political operator: A significant connection?
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s happy promotions can’t hide the cancer eating away at its core
[EIGHT years ago] Joy Villa makes it back to the White House, but on a sour note
[NINE years ago] Child deaths at a pop concert turn into the latest chance for Scientology to spread its propaganda
[TEN years ago] Will Scientology’s celebrities heed the call and show up for today’s big media center opening?
[ELEVEN years ago] Former Scientologist found guilty of defrauding other exes — ALSO: 1998 film re-release
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology’s drug rehab system hit with tenth federal fraud lawsuit by Las Vegas attorney
[THIRTEEN years ago] Scientology Gets Emotional: Claire Headley on the Tone Scale
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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 3,642 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,146 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,652 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,202 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 3,192 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,578 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,073 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,377 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 5,028 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,246 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,800 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,141 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,712 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,628 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,795 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,381 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,640 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,388 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,957 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,268 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,443 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,125 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,462 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,315 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,431 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,793 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,207 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,592 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,476 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,040 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,552 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,812 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,916 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 28, 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
