TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology critic Mark Bunker fell short of regaining a seat on Clearwater, Florida’s council, despite getting more than twice as many votes than he ever had before. We asked for his thoughts as the council faces David Miscavige’s naked ambition without him. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Towards the prevention of the high divorce rate, Preventive Dianetics enters the field of marriage. The divorce rate today is at an all-time high, but many, many of these marital mishaps can be prevented. People all too often choose their reactive-mind partners. That is to say, Gertrude actually marries Uncle Bill, only Uncle Bill’s name happens to be George, and the only similarity with Uncle Bill is maybe the way George wears his hat, or the tone of his voice when he laughs. Uncle Bill was Gertrude’s staunch champion all through her youth, so she, of course, marries Uncle Bill, only his name’s George. Very confusing!” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1951
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“We’re not trying to make superman here, because after you’ve done that is when you start to work to really make superman. Now you really have to get clever. Of course, a thetan in real good operating condition can make himself visible. It would be the shock of somebody’s life to suddenly realize that he was visible. And it would ruin this whole society and put us squarely in the hands of Bishop Shenanigan if you were to start doing this. Because you as a MEST body would never be able to explain fast enough to tell him you really weren’t Christ. They’ve been looking for him to come back — with blood in their eyes. You know, they only got a few nails in that guy last time.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 4, 1953
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“WINDS OF CHANGE: Advance indicators from the UK point to a change of government attitude and a better future for Scn there.” — The Commodore, November 4, 1970
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“I am very disappointed in the decline of civilization as a whole during the last 120 years. I place the blame primarily on the widespread use of drugs and chemicals, and the increase in population in urban areas in relation to rural population. People are generally more restimulated in heavily populated settings and develop or agree with more socialistic philosophies. When you are forced to confront and handle the physical environment, you tend to be more in present time. When in a heavily populated environ, there is more contagion of aberration.”
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1997: BBC Channel 4 has come under attack from Scientology for its planned broadcast of an uncomplimentary documentary on L. Ron Hubbard. The Independent carried articles this week that John Travolta has been pressuring BBC executives to cancel the broadcast, and that Eugene Ingram and other Scientology PIs have been harassing the producers of the show. “A committed Scientologist, Mr Travolta accuses Mr Jackson and Alan Hayling, the programme’s commissioning editor, of being prepared to slander him and all the members of the church. He claims they seem intent on inciting hatred of the sect, as had been happening in Germany, where the authorities are suppressing its activities. The actor mysteriously asks whether the persecution of Scientologists will stop only when someone like himself becomes a victim. The star of Saturday Fight Fever and Pulp Fiction implores the television executives to let true friends of Mr Hubbard, who died in 1986, to be interviewed for the Secret Lives edition scheduled for 19 November. The programme, which has been completed, pulls apart the Hubbard legend, accusing him of being a fraud. Several of those interviewed were among his inner circle. JILL ROBINSON’S passion is horse-riding. As a busy director of television documentaries, she likes to relax by heading out of London to the horse she keeps in the Kent countryside. A few days ago, her idyll was shattered when two American men turned up at the small, isolated stables. Purporting to be her friends, they asked the stable-owner if she knew where Ms Robinson was. The woman became suspicious and they left. The same day, a card was pushed through Ms Robinson’s letterbox. It came from someone called Eugene Ingram, of Ingram Investigations, California, and said he was investigating a case of attempted extortion. Would she call him? Ms Robinson knows all about Mr Ingram. For weeks this private detective and his colleagues have been keeping watch on her. Her car has been followed, her friends have been approached. Her colleagues have received visits and calls from Mr Ingram at their homes. And all because Ms Robinson is the director of a forthcoming Secret Lives programme for Channel 4 about the founding father of Scientology, L Ron Hubbard – a man who died 11 years ago. Mr Ingram has been hired by the Church of Scientology to investigate the programme and its makers. To that end, Mr Ingram, who regularly works for the Church, has tailed Ms Robinson and her colleagues from 3BM, the production company, across America and, more recently, around the Home Counties. The aim of Mr Ingram and his client is to prove that the programme is the result of a conspiracy by people in America to extort cash from the church. Pay us, so the Scientologists’ theory goes, and we will stop going to the media with stories harmful to your religion. Ms Robinson, who has produced negative reports before on Scientology, must, they feel, be more than a reporter going about her job, and be wrapped up in some greater web of intrigue. Ms Robinson’s brother works in the US. When she dropped by his house, the phone went: it was the Church of Scientology, asking for Jill. When she went to a friend’s dinner party, a woman knocked at the door at 10.30 at night saying she needed water for her car radiator. Robinson did not go to the door but she could hear the woman’s voice: she claims it was that of the guide who had led a group of visitors, including Ms Robinson, around the LA museum dedicated to Hubbard’s life. Her friend gave the woman the water but could see no sign of a car. Robinson believes there wasn’t one at all. ‘It was their way of saying: ‘We’re here, we know you’re there’,’ she said. In all, Ms Robinson, Mr Berthon, the associate producer, the cameraman, the sound recordist, the picture editor, the assistant cameraman, even the composer of the music, have had visits from Mr Ingram and his colleagues. Calls to Mr Ingram’s office in California were not returned. But Elliot Abelson, an LA attorney, did call. He said he retained Mr Ingram on behalf of the Church of Scientology to investigate a conspiracy to extort money from the church. ‘Mr Ingram searches for the facts and does it lawfully,’ said Mr Abelson, ‘He will continue to do it and will continue to get to the facts.'”
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“The way things are going evidence-wise and if DM is required to appear in court, I think Monique could demand an 8-figure deal without an NDA, without any contention.”
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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 heard and submitted, waiting for ruling. 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. Scientology’s attempt to gut the case failed, and appeals court upheld. Back to trial court in December.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ 17 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. Case returning 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. Hearing on arbitration motion set for March, 2027.
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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] Meet the people keeping Scientology afloat in 2025!
[TWO years ago] Mike Rinder steps down from Aftermath Foundation board amid cancer battle
[THREE years ago] Scientology protest goes off without a hitch, and Tom Cruise made the scene
[FOUR years ago] WHOA: Jane Doe 2 and Jane Doe 3 now represented by David Boies firm for their ‘rights’
[FIVE years ago] A new group comes forward, saying it’s going to spill secrets of Scientology’s abuses
[SIX years ago] L. Ron Hubbard’s stolen valor: A new breakdown of his bogus medals by a military veteran
[SEVEN years ago] David Miscavige and a slate of local shills welcomed the new Kansas City ‘Ideal Org’
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology is pulling out all the stops for its next gleaming Clearwater landmark
[NINE years ago] Read the police report for the 17-year-old injured at Scientology’s ‘Flag’ building
[TEN years ago] Trouble for Scientology in 1966: When the Daily Mail called L. Ron Hubbard’s degrees ‘bogus’
[ELEVEN years ago] Hey, Mark Bunker, what’s taking that film of yours — ‘Knowledge Report’ — so long?
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology’s own plans show it paid $37 million for a building to serve only 87 people
[THIRTEEN years ago] Claire Headley Takes Us OT! Here We Go with Scientology’s Operating Thetan Level ONE!
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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 3,802 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 4,306 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,812 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,362 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,738 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 3,233 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,539 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 5,188 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,406 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,960 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 5,301 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,871 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,788 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,955 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,541 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,800 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,548 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 4,117 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,428 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,603 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 5,285 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,622 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,475 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,591 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,953 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,752 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,596 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 4,211 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,712 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,972 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 16,076 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 4, 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, 1995-2025 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
