TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: The hearing in Danny Masterson’s criminal appeal in Los Angeles yesterday was a pretty interesting contest between two very skillful attorneys who each acquitted themselves quite well. And now, here’s the full transcript. Let the Monday Morning Quarterbacking begin! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Taking a man back into a geographical area where he has many times been may be profitable from an experience standpoint, but a record of accidents and misadventures in that area would be a definite point of consideration. While it would not mean entirely that a man was a bad risk, there is a double factor involved. He might have had his accidents because he contained a variety of comanomes which commanded that he have accidents (the accident prone is the extreme case) and having had accidents in the area he probably gained several comanomes there which would reduce his efficiency in that area. A man whose service in point of experience would be invaluable to an expedition might be, in point of potential aberration, a risk to that expedition. There is a remedy for such a valuable man: he can be cleared of his comanomes, in which case his past record of accidents and failures becomes entirely invalid as a criteria for future conduct.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950
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“The president of a law school had been employed to obtain this warrant and the Chief Federal United States Marshal, I think they have a sort of a feeling like they’re still western marshals or something. They go around with big guns hanging on them and so forth. The only trouble is they normally pick people off Skid Row to have these jobs, and it’s rather incongruous, you see. And this fellow, he was utterly mad-dogging because he was sure that I had just beaten up two of his marshals. Actually, I hadn’t beaten up a marshal. I had taken the gun away from one and told him how to use it and put it back in his holster, because I thought he would get into trouble. I explained it to him. I said, ‘You’ll get in trouble waving that about and so forth; and this is the hammer, and this is the trigger.’ And he handed it over to me, and I said, ‘These are the butt plates, and there’s the ammunition,’ and so forth, and slid the cartridges out of the chamber and told him to put them in his pocket, and put the gun back. Nobody was picking on him, and it was all all right, and he did it. You think I’m kidding you, but he did it. ” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 26, 1961
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“There’s lots of good work being done — it’s in the majority. For instance the great majority of sessions today were excellent. And on changing anchorage all hands, bow and stern anchors, there wasn’t a single flub. And I had a fresh lobster dinner beautifully done. And several people handled the naval visit beautifully indeed. So I can quote an old poem: A HEALTH UNTO THE HAPPY/A FIG FOR HE WHO FRETS.” — The Commodore, June 26, 1969
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“Only a few have made it to class VIII, yet many allege they made it! By themselves! In the Freezone! Imagine that! If it is hard work with course supervisors, a CS, word Clearers, false data stripping and a whole org behind you! I cannot imagine it in the FZ! No, those are just cons!”
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1999: The Calgary Herald published an article on Scientology celebrity John Travolta’s new movie, Battlefield Earth, now revealed as the first of two movies. “For years, John Travolta has wanted to produce a film version of Battlefield Earth, the epic science-fiction novel by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. But Travolta says people are wrong if they perceive the project — which finally starts shooting this summer in Montreal — as a piece of Scientology propaganda. ‘This is not about him — it’s a science-fiction story,’ Travolta protests. He says many people don’t realize that Hubbard was a major writer of science fiction and fantasy before he founded the Church of Scientology. He started writing in 1937 and in 1938 got his first sci-fi deal with a big book company. This is what he did initially to make a living and it’s how he was able to finance his research into Scientology years later.’ Travolta, one of Hollywood’s most prominent Scientologists, says Battlefield Earth was Hubbard’s biggest success, and continues to sell well in 23 countries. ‘We’re talking about a monster book, and to me that has nothing to do with Scientology.'”
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“You’re the bees knees, i-Betty. You’re the one.”
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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, oral arguments scheduled for June 25. 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. Now serving time in 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 June 19.
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. Oral arguments hearing set for July 23.
— 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 upheld on appeal. Scientology expected to file additional petitions before case can return to Kalra’s court.
— 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] Scientologists behaving badly: A legal rundown
[TWO years ago] Valeska Paris cites new Supreme Court opinion, asks court to reconsider arbitration ruling
[THREE years ago] Rizza Islam defiant as his trial on Medi-Cal fraud begins today
[FOUR years ago] Scientology is uniting vastly different countries to take over the world!
[FIVE years ago] Scientology to US Supreme Court: Valerie Haney predicament is not a First Amendment case
[SIX years ago] Derek Bloch: Why is Scientology keeping a dying mother away from her son?
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology destroyed her family, but this former Sea Org worker has a surprise ending
[EIGHT years ago] VIDEO: ‘Chicago Fire’ star Christian Stolte’s tribute to Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s sneaky strategy: Suck up to police departments through ‘Drug-Free’ campaigns
[TEN years ago] David Miscavige gets ribbon-happy in Florida: It’s the Scientology social media review!
[ELEVEN years ago] Jefferson Hawkins on how Scientology closes minds — a new podcast
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology has a new recruitment video to get you to sign up for a billion years!
[THIRTEEN years ago] JUSTICE KENNEDY DENIES SCIENTOLOGY REQUEST FOR STAY 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 3,671 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,175 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,681 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,231 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,607 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,102 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,408 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 5,057 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,275 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,829 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,170 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,741 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,657 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,824 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,410 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,669 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,417 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,986 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,297 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,472 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,154 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,491 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,344 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,460 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,822 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,621 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,505 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,078 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,581 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,841 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,945 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 26, 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.
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Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
