TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We hope you had a chance to join us yesterday as we watched the hearing in Leah Remini’s lawsuit against Scientology streamed online from Los Angeles. Today, we have the hearing’s full transcript! Let us know how you think it went. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The analytical mind — not the reactive mind — has a gauge of necessity level. It builds up force against a problem usually above and beyond the force necessary to overcome the problem. Because it is a perfect computer, modified only by the validity of or lack of data, the analytical mind, in a cleared state, can work up an enormously high necessity level. It does not do this on a stimulus-response basis either for it can rig up an artificial necessity level against a real problem, can generate an actual necessity level against an imaginary problem or can generate an artificial necessity level against an imaginary problem, artificial and actual here being used to identify pretended resurgence or uncomputed resurgence.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950
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“You don’t have to know anything about electronics. You don’t have to be able to do one of these things, or make one, you just have to be able to run one….A retractor beam is used somewhat on the order that you bulldog a calf or rope a steer, or something of the sort. It’s to grab hold of something and hold it and pull it in….Why do men stay on Earth? Have you ever had a pc that gave you the idea that he was held down and was going to take root and grow? Have you ever had the idea that you’re sort of anchored in one spot? Did you ever feel heavy? Did you ever get up in the morning and feel tired? You get out of bed, you’re feeling all right, but the second you stand up you feel kind of tired. All you’re doing is kicking in one of these darn retractor somatics.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 24, 1952
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“I think you’ll find the water tastes better. The contaminated water (defiled by a decayed hose being used to take it aboard probably) has been taken out of No. 4 tanks and pumped into Deep Tank forward. Clean water is reported as now in the lines.” — The Commodore, July 24, 1970
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“Chris Shelton mainly has a voice because some higher profile ‘experts’ are supporting him. These guys have ‘important insider’ information on what happens only when the tech is squirreled and abused. Do they ever report all the successes? The one true expert on Scientology is LRH. He is the one to study and listen to.”
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1999: Salon Magazine published a story on the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, Sue Mullaney’s battle to keep alive a web site critical of Scientology. “Susan Mullaney is not a fan of the Church of Scientology. Her two-year-old Web site contains a library of short audio excerpts from L. Ron Hubbard speeches and a ‘secret’ Scientology questionnaire, as well as her biting commentary about this material — the usage of which she claims falls well within legal ‘fair use’ boundaries. In March, Mullaney was informed by her Internet service provider, Frontier GlobalCenter, that her Web site had been partially blocked, due to a letter from the Church of Scientology that alleged she was illegally using copyrighted materials. Thanks to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which the Church of Scientology invoked in this case, Frontier was required to block the Web site unless Mullaney agreed to contest the charges in court. She did agree and filed the paperwork, but still it took four months for Mullaney to have her Web site reinstated. In a war against what it calls the ‘cult of Scientology,’ the online community of Scientology critics has long copied, distributed and annotated hundreds of ‘top secret’ and copyrighted documents from the Church of Scientology — usually invoking fair use laws to defend their actions. The Church of Scientology has determinedly fought to dismantle the Web sites that have republished its material all across the Net — using legal threats, filtering software and innumerable pro-Scientology posts in Usenet groups. In the last six months, at least a half dozen critics of the Church of Scientology have reported that the church has demanded that Internet service providers disable their Web sites or reveal their identities as anonymous Usenet posters, because of alleged copyright infringements. And, they say that the Internet service providers have carried out such demands without hesitation. The magic wand the Church of Scientology is invoking to get such quick results? The Digital Millennium Copyright Act. After her site was removed, for example, Mullaney filed a counter-notification agreeing to defend her use of the sound files and questionnaire. But the Church of Scientology failed to meet the 10-day deadline to begin a legal battle; as a result, Mullaney’s Web site was reinstated on July 8. Still, that doesn’t mean that her Web site is safe — although the Church of Scientology apparently decided against litigation in this round, both she and Frank Fields are concerned that there is nothing to keep the Church of Scientology from filing repeated complaints. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act, unfortunately, doesn’t prevent multiple complaints for the same alleged violation — a loophole which could, conceivably, spur an endless cycle of Web sites being blocked and reinstated. So far, no Digital Millennium Copyright Act cases have been tried in court, so it’s still difficult to predict how the Church of Scientology’s use of the law will hold up. Kobrin says that the Church of Scientology has ‘won judgments and obtained permanent injunctions in five U.S. cases and two non-U.S. cases,’ but that was back before the Digital Millennium Copyright Act was on the books. Now that critics have a legal fallback as well, will they be able to more easily defend their usage of Church materials?”
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“Just like with Esmeralda the Gypsy fortune teller proclaiming that her powers won’t work if non-believers are present, the same cautions exist within Scientology, as well as the rule that demonstrating OT powers to those on a lower gradient is an out-tech high crime. Ron knew the tricks on the spiritual bunco trade.”
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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] How your haunted house dollars are helping build Scientology’s new Vatican
[TWO years ago] Scientology does have a tax-exemption fight on its hands: But not in the US
[THREE years ago] Archival gems: When Scientology was on the hot seat in swinging London
[FOUR years ago] Danny Masterson done with appeals before Oct 11 trial? Can Scientology allow it to happen?
[FIVE years ago] Scientology is known for stalking people years after their involvement. Here’s how they do it.
[SIX years ago] Weeks after the protests, Scientology in LA remains boarded up and abandoned. What gives?
[SEVEN years ago] Inside Scientology’s emergency San Fernando Valley confab, planning for US takeover
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology used an ice cream ‘date’ to run up $20,000 on senior’s credit cards
[NINE years ago] RAY JEFFREY TO JUDGE: ORDER RATHBUNS TO TURN OVER FINANCIAL RECORDS AND TESTIFY
[TEN years ago] A billboard sprouts in Florida, and other Scientology chaos in our social media review
[ELEVEN years ago] Long before Xenu: Scientology’s actual origin story, as told by a former member
[TWELVE years ago] A lawsuit over counseling credentials now aims at the essence of Scientology
[THIRTEEN years ago] Scientology Continues to “Handle” the “Black PR” of Leah Remini’s Defection
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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 3,699 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,203 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,709 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,259 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,635 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,130 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,436 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 5,085 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,303 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,857 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,198 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,769 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,685 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,852 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,438 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,697 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,445 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 4,014 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,325 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,500 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,182 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,519 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,372 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,488 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,850 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,649 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,533 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,106 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,609 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,869 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,973 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 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)
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Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
