TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Nine days after accepting an ‘amicus’ brief from Scientology advocating for Danny Masterson in his upcoming appeal hearing, the court has rejected an attempt to pile on from a group of 14 other religious organizations upset about how Scientology was treated in Masterson’s trial. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Probably the strangest place an explorer can go is inside. The earth’s frontiers are being rapidly gobbled up by the fleet flight of planes, the stars are not yet reached. But there still exists a dark unknown which, if a strange horizon for an adventurer, is nevertheless capable of producing some adventures scarcely rivaled by Livingston. During the course of three minor expeditions before the war the realization came about that one of the most dangerous risks in the field of exploration is not located in the vicinity of the geographical goal, but is hard by from the first moment of planning until the last of disbanding—the unbalanced member of the party. After some years of war it became even more of a conviction that there are some things more dangerous than the Kamikaze, just as they had been more dangerous than malaria.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1952
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“Many an auditor falls for this because the PC wants to know how come he was on the planet Yuk-zuk in a railway conductor’s uniform, you see? What was he doing there? And that’s all very interesting and we can assuage his curiosity to some degree, but if we go in for just assuaging the curiosity of the thing — dramatizing watching TV or something like that, you see — we unfortunately get into the situation where we’re not following down an engramic chain. So here, you see, is another great liability in running engrams. We get so absorbed in dramatis personae and that sort of thing, that we actually aren’t running the chain of engrams at all, we are simply trying to find out. See, get that as a liability, because it is a liability. You actually can find out all about what this PC was doing on the planet Yuk-zuk. You could find out all about it. The only trouble is the basic on it was on the planet Pan-wan, which was a trillion years earlier. You see?” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 11, 1963
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“No member of the Ships Company as per Flag Order is permitted to bring any pet aboard without permission. Gerry McLarty and Maria Bosselaar have brought aboard birds of the Psittacine family and Julie Blundell has a bird of unknown variety. These birds may endanger our free pratique at the next port entry. More particularly, Psittacine birds can develop psittacosis, an infectious virus disease, which can be transmitted to humans and so are a health hazard.” — Capt. Mary Sue Hubbard, June 11, 1969
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“Much like you have had free reign to spread entheta about our org and our members, I should be allowed to have my voice, so please stop attempting to suppress me by saying ‘stop it’ and ‘stop spreading entheta.’ Per LRH, ethics exist to HELP orgs, not destroy them. Please see references above. Moreover, LRH says that we are protected from ethics because of our up-stats. The case should be closed there. Moreover, LRH didn’t want a dictatorship to exist. As long as Scientology is introduced into the world and we can HELP people, we should. If our org is gone, along goes with it the world’s only online course room for independent Scientologists, video production to increase awareness of LRH and his materials, quotes, the first Scientology games, and then some.”
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1998: Scientology began the process of collecting its $75,000 judgment against Keith Henson this week. Among the items they plan to seize: “Bank accounts and contents of any safe deposit boxes in the name of H. Keith Henson. All shares of stock, or any evidence thereof. Shares of stock, or any evidence thereof, owned by or jointly by, or in the name of H. Keith Henson, in Xanadu Operating Company. Patents, or any evidence thereof, owned by or jointly by, or in the name of Keith Henson. 1986 Oldsmobile station wagon, license plate 2ZZ5262. All computer, printers, monitors, modems, and all other peripherals and related equipment, and all software programs and disks owned by or jointly by, or in the name of H. Keith Henson. Any personal property of H. Keith Henson, or jointly owned by H. Keith Henson.” Scientology also submitted a list of documents for Keith to produce. “Your federal and state income tax returns for 1996 and 1997. Any financial statements that you have prepared or had prepared for you during the last two years. Any applications you made for any mortgages or deeds of trust on your house during the last two years. Any mortgages or deeds of trust on your house. Documents concerning any real estate owned by you other than your house. Any pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement entered into with your wife. All contracts by which you are obligated to perform work and which entitle you to payment for such work. Certificates evidencing ownership in any patents or other intellectual properties owned by you or your wife. Any will that you or your spouse has executed. RTC got $796 dollars out of my account while I was over in Arizona taking care of a family emergency. I thought there was next to no money in it, but some checks (which will now bounce) did not clear for two weeks.” Keith announced that Graham Berry has filed to vacate the verdict on his behalf. “Defendant H. Keith Henson intends to and will move the Court to vacate the verdict and order a new trial, at an hour and date to be set by the Court, in connection with the hearing of this and related motions and applications. The Motion will be made upon each and all of the following grounds which materially affected the substantial rights of the moving party Defendant and prevented a fair trial as enumerated in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure Rule 59(a). That the verdict is against the weight of the evidence; That the verdict is excessive; There were errors in excluding evidence; Conduct by Plaintiff’s counsel improperly influenced the deliberative process. On June 11, 1998, the jury in this case rendered a verdict that, in effect, found that copyrights could be used to conceal criminal conduct. Such a finding was clearly contrary to public policy and the purpose of the copyright legislation — so much so that the jury’s finding has generated significant internet debate and national media interest. The jury’s finding is contrary to each of those things and certainly contrary to what the framers of the Constitution must have had in mind when they provided for the protection of copyrights. On public policy grounds alone, this motion for a new trial should be granted.”
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“The fact that the mayor couldn’t revoke the license for the Scientologists to erect their circus tent in punishment for their egregious act I find outrageous. The U.S legal system is way too convoluted for my liking.”
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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] Scientology threw another party and you weren’t invited — this time in Phoenix!
[TWO years ago] On trial: Scientology PI accused of assaulting woman he was hired to follow
[THREE years ago] Scientology success stories are the bomb: But which continent is most on fire right now?
[FOUR years ago] Recent controversies & financial crimes of Scientology: Katherine Olson interview, Part 2
[FIVE years ago] Scientology sends out a deluge of mailers as its newest Texas location prepares to open
[SIX years ago] Scientologist attorney gets her first ‘head on a pike’ with OC health officer resignation
[SEVEN years ago] Justin Bieber in the octagon? Why he couldn’t handle Tom Cruise’s Scientology powers
[EIGHT years ago] When Scientology keeps a mother from her child in the ER: Lori Hodgson’s story
[NINE years ago] Neil Gaiman’s sis begs her fellow Scientologists to donate to an already funded building
[TEN years ago] BILLBOARD 2.0 — Phil and Willie Jones set their sights on Scientology’s mecca in Florida
[ELEVEN years ago] Augustine: How L. Ron Hubbard devised Scientology’s most diabolical legal mechanisms
[TWELVE years ago] OKLAHOMA EMPANELS GRAND JURY TO INVESTIGATE SCIENTOLOGY’S DRUG REHAB
[THIRTEEN years ago] Precious Bodily Fluids: Scientology and the Purification Rundown
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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 3,656 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,160 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,666 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,216 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,592 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,087 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,391 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 5,042 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,260 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,814 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,155 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,726 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,642 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,809 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,395 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,654 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,402 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,971 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,282 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,457 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,139 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,476 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,329 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,445 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,807 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,606 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,490 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,054 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,566 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,826 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,930 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 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)
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Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
