
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology made it clear it still backs Danny Masterson by filing an amicus brief in his appeal. The state AG responded, denying that Masterson’s religious rights were violated in his trial. Now, Danny gets the last word. We have his 26-page reply for you in full. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“All people have, in degrees varying not only from person to person but from dynamic to dynamic within the individual, their four dynamics of self; sex — the act and care of progeny; group — whether special or civil, city or nation or race; and Mankind. Each is a persistency toward survival in the particular catalogue of the dynamic itself. Thus one can have an enormous force to perpetuate himself as an individual, another can have an enormous force individually to create and raise children. All unaberrated persons have, in some degree of force, according to dianetic findings, each of these four dynamics. When an individual has engrams—and all do unless they are cleared — these engrams usurp or force against not only such things as imaginative circuits and mimicry but also against the dynamics. As a muddy creek might enter an otherwise clear stream, the engrams may color and choke a dynamic. If that dynamic is powerful and if the engram impinging on it is powerful, the result can be remarkably destructive.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1950
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“I know it’s fashionable for the newspapers to say I never went to college and there are several colleges at this particular time that are wishing that I hadn’t gone there. But I can also assure you that you give them another decade or so, those colleges I haven’t even done more than go to a prom at will have some plates on ’em. You know? Man is silly, you see?” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 28, 1966
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“SAILING: We sail at 1600 today regardless of barometer (which is falling) waves (which are rising) and restraint of Rulers and Princes (there are no restraints) Perils of the Sea (which are only too real) and Acts of God (means things you can’t figure out how you goofed). Standby to take on Dramamine (called so because it keeps one from ‘drama’-tizing). Secure everything and tie down everything except the watch. In short let’s get the blue blazes out of here!” — The Commodore, July 28, 1971
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“At one point, about 2 weeks into the Rundown, I found that as I ran around that tree, there were literally blue sparks and loud crackings of electrical energy, between myself and that anchor point. I felt like I was recharging, as a being, and as I ran, like a turbine, my energy levels increased and I spotted the cause of this energy – me. I could swing my body around that tree with next to no effort – and while running more than a marathon daily, I was full of energy, life force and zest. The rundown has nothing to do with the physical body — and is all about you, as a spiritual being. So simple, but so powerful.”
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1996: In the wake of Time Magazine’s court victory over Scientology, Richard Behar, author of the article that sparked the lawsuit, was invited to the CNN studios to discuss the case. “I stated that the loss of the Time suit was a resounding defeat for Scientology, and that we told the truth about them in 1991 and we suffered the consequences. We published the story even though we knew that it might lead to years of expensive litigation and harassment. I stated that we are living in an age where media giants run like cowards at the first sight of a group like the Church of Scientology or a tobacco company. But not Time inc., and every journalist can be thankful for that. I went on to mention that Scientology s own doctrine states that the purpose of a suit is to harass and not to win, and that in this way they chilled the media from covering them closely. I mentioned that I have filed a counterclaim against the Church which is still pending, in which I charge that I was tailed and harassed by private eyes and my credit report was illegally obtained, and that even that my office telephone records were nefariously secured. I mentioned that I was deposed for roughly 30 days. Through an agent, I made inquiries to a number of major book houses to see if anyone would be interested in a book on Scientology. Not one house wanted to touch it. The interview was at 5:30 and three hours later CNN contacted our attorney, Floyd Abrams, the country’s premier first amendment expert. They were panicked because the Church had pressured them and they were worried about what I had said in my interview, and they discussed the details of the interview with Floyd. He explained to them that they had nothing to worry about: that the information that I had given them was either in the article itself which had just been exonerated by the judge or in my counterclaim, which was part of the public record. Floyd suggested that they run my comments along with Scientology s denial but they cowardly chose to spike my interview entirely.”
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“Someone please find the e-mail they sent out telling the clams how to go to the dentist and get their gold fillings extracted for cash to donate. That is the ultimate example of what Scientology really is for me.”
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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] Coming clean: ‘I stole trash for the Church of Scientology’s spy wing’
[TWO years ago] Scientology’s top-down control of its Narconon rehabs? I was part of it.
[THREE years ago] Scientology has a toxic effect on family: A testimonial
[FOUR years ago] VIDEO: Katie Holmes in the front row at a 2007 Scientology event with Tom Cruise
[FIVE years ago] More Scientology euphoria: What it looks like to finish Grade 3!
[SIX years ago] Leah Remini: In Scientology, all sickness comes from enemies of the church
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology uses actor Jason Dohring as bait in what ends up as a false imprisonment case
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology in Europe: ‘A scapegoat always had to be found when something went wrong’
[NINE years ago] Bryan Seymour takes a Scientology field trip, and we’re the better for it
[TEN years ago] As Stacy Murphy lawsuit heads to crucial hearing, two Scientology entities settle
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology’s fight with Ryan Hamilton delivers dox: The Eric Tenorio affidavit and more
[THIRTEEN years ago] With Leah Remini Under Attack on Twitter, TV Actor Christian Stolte Was a First Responder
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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 3,703 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,207 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,713 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,263 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,639 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,134 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,440 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 5,089 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,307 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,861 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,202 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,773 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,689 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,856 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,442 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,701 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,449 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 4,018 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,329 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,504 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,186 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,523 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,376 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,492 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,854 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,653 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,537 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,112 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,613 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,873 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,977 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 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







