Our great thanks to reader Once Born who snagged a new issue of Impact magazine, the Scientology publication we covet the most.
Why? Because it’s in the pages of Impact that we learn so much about the richies keeping Scientology in business, and turning over huge amounts to church leader David Miscavige through his slush fund, the International Association of Scientologists (IAS).
Now, normally we expect to learn about Scientology’s big donors in the spring, when Impact magazine comes out with an issue about the October gathering in England, the IAS’s signature annual event. But this time, we learned that some major donors were also recognized at two other IAS celebrations.
One of them took place in Clearwater in March at the LRH Birthday Event. The other took place in Beverly Hills, and we’re not certain whether it was associated with the Los Angeles New Year’s Event or some other occasion.
But whatever the case, once again we get extensive galleries of Scientology’s moneybags posing with their IAS trophies for writing such big checks. There’s nothing Scientology worships like money, and it’s always a gas to see these wealthy Scientologists coveting their shiny bowling trophies.
Scientology makes a game out of giving the church huge sums, begging big donors — we call them “whales” — to turn over more and more in the hopes of reaching a new status level, a bigger trophy, and the prospect of being included in Impact magazine
But it’s really important to keep in mind that these are cumulative amounts. Someone credited for giving $500,000, for example, may have given only a few thousand in recent months that enabled them to get past that plateau. [For an explanation of how we know what amounts the statuses represent or the estimates we’ve made for some of them, see our methodology here.]
With two celebrations featured in the same issue, there are so many donors named this time that we’ve decided to break them into two separate posts. Today, the minor whales who have given up to $750,000. These include some up-and-coming figures in Scientology, like YouTube skateboard figure Aaron Kyro, who has been featured on Scientology TV, and who the church seems to think will help them reach a younger audience.
There’s also a young Duggan in the mix, who is apparently striking out on his own, like a fledgling leaving the nest.
As always, we’re interested in hearing what you may know about these donors. How did they make their fortunes? What is their history in the church? We love hearing about their success stories.
We’ve listed today’s donors in increasing dollar amounts, and with a notation of whether they were feted in Clearwater or Beverly Hills. Tomorrow, we’ll reveal the really big cetaceans who have each donated a million dollars or more.
And keep in mind, for these big donors, the IAS is only one way they get soaked by Scientology. They’re also constantly hit up for donations to Ideal Org projects, library scams, and for funding front groups like The Way to Happiness. But it’s the IAS trophies that these folks really seem to get excited about. And so do we!
Here’s what David Miscavige had to say at the Clearwater event: “As is traditional, tonight we pay tribute to all those ascending the ‘tower’ of IAS commitment. Although, preliminary to what follows, allow me to reiterate that African concept of Ubuntu. Meaning, every human being links with every other, and so all must rise together. Well, so it is with IAS Patrons. As they rise, so rises the world.”
Whatever you say, C.O.B.! Now, here are your smaller, up-and-coming marks!
PATRON MERITORIOUS [$250,000]
(Clearwater)
Jeff Harris & Markie Severin, Sylvie & Jean-Philippe Taudin, Silvia & Tom Gill, Paul & Diane and Rachel Stein, Eric & Carlie Miller, Kevin & Norine Connetta, Eric & Shannon Huntington
PATRON MERITORIOUS [$250,000]
(Beverly Hills)
Pierce Driessen, Barbara Carmichael, Colin Sherman & Debbie Lewis, Riggs & George Eckelberry
PATRON MERITORIOUS [$250,000]
(Clearwater)
Balazs Sabo, Joaquin Herves & Rasenmarg Yepez, Sheri & Robert Hamilton, Bolke Koster, Derek Hitchman, Gregg & Louise Forscher, Marianne Greenwood, Dan & Judy Stewart, Philip & Pamela Jepsen, Greg Weiss & Kseniya Son
PATRON MERITORIOUS [$250,000]
(Beverly Hills)
PATRON MERITORIOUS [$250,000]
(Beverly Hills)
Kevin & Stephanie Gilleard; Rory Owen; Deborah & Keith Gilleard; Jane Bove; and Eron & Cindi Boyer
SILVER MERITORIOUS [$500,000]
(Beverly Hills)
Jinny & Jacob Schmitz
SILVER MERITORIOUS [$500,000]
Vivian & Rick Leifield
SILVER MERITORIOUS [$500,000]
(Beverly Hills)
Michael Kroko & Kim Bey
SILVER MERITORIOUS [$500,000]
(Beverly Hills)
Patricia Lutton
SILVER MERITORIOUS [$500,000]
(Beverly Hills)
Fredlyn & Ell Barger
SILVER MERITORIOUS [$500,000]
(Clearwater)
The Noll Family
SILVER MERITORIOUS [$500,000]
(Clearwater)
Katerina Alemis
Jerry Schmitz
SILVER MERITORIOUS [$500,000]
(Beverly Hills)
Francine & Bruce Weaver
SILVER MERITORIOUS [$500,000]
(Clearwater)
Mark McGovney
Ben Gilbert
SILVER MERITORIOUS [$500,000]
Kendra & Chris Gaines and Family
SILVER MERITORIOUS [$500,000]
(Clearwater)
Thomas & Ilusion Ernst
SILVER MERITORIOUS [$500,000]
(Clearwater)
The Carroll Family
SILVER MERITORIOUS WITH HONORS [$750,000]
(Beverly Hills)
George & Janet Gaut
SILVER MERITORIOUS WITH HONORS [$750,000]
(Clearwater)
John & JoAnne Beachy
SILVER MERITORIOUS WITH HONORS [$750,000]
(Clearwater)
Cosmo Simone
SILVER MERITORIOUS WITH HONORS [$750,000]
(Beverly Hills)
Aeshea & Walter Jayasinghe
SILVER MERITORIOUS WITH HONORS [$750,000]
(Clearwater)
Daniel & Honor Duggan
SILVER MERITORIOUS WITH HONORS [$750,000]
(Clearwater)
Bernard Percy
Mieko Goto
SILVER MERITORIOUS WITH HONORS [$750,000]
(Beverly Hills)
Jeff & Kelley Pomerantz and Chiara Dickson Pomerantz
SILVER MERITORIOUS WITH HONORS [$750,000]
(Beverly Hills)
Aaron & Danielle Kyro
And we’ll round things out with the lesser porpoises that were also included in the issue…
Patron With Honors ($100,000)
Ainslie Family; Keiko Arisaka; Kevin Brown; Donna & Dale Casselman; Atsuko Chiwaki; Jim Cotey; Steve & Diane Crandell; Viola Figueroa; Elan, Miriam & Rumaldo Flores; Frank Gerendasy; Natascha & Ralf Haug; Bob & Irina Kaye; Fujiko Kusaka; Greg Lindholm; Ted & Ana McGrath; Willard Michlin; Craig & Jan Middleton; Greg Molinaro & Karen Rivera; Mike & Athena and Clover Owen; Bruce Peterson; Robert Pitts & Julianne Boudreaux; Maria Anais Sanchez & Pamela Chavez; Michael & Dustin Scraggs; Brian Turner; Elena Walls; James Wannop; Richard Weingartner; Andrea Smith & Shirley Young
Patron ($50,000)
Maham Amir; Daniela Artunduaga; Ron & Gabriela Autrand; Bruce & Robyn Bevens; Chris & Jennie and Sophia Blackerby; Cindy Blakeslee; Lin Brewster; Lee & Tristan Burns; Jamie Butterworth; William Cantle & Maida Candler; Taliya Chacon & Daniel Chavez; The Colon Family; Dale & Karla Cooper; Michele Cormier; Diego Corona; Kylie & Claude Dacasin; Brian Daellenbach; Jason Dean; Yulia Deneko; Lucas Dunev; Tuviah & Theresa Eshtamoa; Julie & Opetaia Foai; Karen & Bruce Gaines; Adam & Cara Ghiora; Spencer & Joelle Gill; Alejandra Gomez; Angelica Gomez; Carolina Gomez; Gabriel Gomez; Jaime Gomez; Juliana Gomez; Maria Nelly Gomez-Vargas; Joe & Maria Hanewinkel; Elizabeth & Lena and Christine Hays; Sal & Angela Ilasi; Keith & Briana Jaeger; Bill & Sue Johonnesson; Robert Knight; Ron Kule; Sophie Leboissard; Samantha & Siena Levy; Juan Carlos Lopez; Sojaila Lopresto; Johanna & David Mauerer; Luz Medina & Gustavo Chacon; Consuelo Mercado; Adam Mortimer; Kris & Jennifer Nickerson; Anna Paddock; Lisa Palmer; Amara Renard & Diana Gilbert; Amanda Ring; Jezhael & Adrian and Victoria Rios; Todd Straugh, Dan & Mary Jo Sage; Elena Shirokova; Lance Silber; Rick & Linda Ann Smith; Sharder & Lisa Starkey; Svetlana Smith & Dale Terndrup; Eric & Mercedes Toohey; Charles & Denise Weiss; Shari Wickstrom; Jye Yang; Joe Yazbeck & Elisa Tacher-Yazbeck
——————–
Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!
We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.
Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!
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 our weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Scientology rehabs are hiring — if you don’t care about money or a decent place to live
[TWO years ago] Scientology’s slick (and bogus) drug education program snares another school district
[THREE years ago] Dan Koon, co-writer of Scientology tell-all ‘Ruthless,’ on his days with L. Ron Hubbard
[FOUR years ago] It’s a video extravaganza as three former members tell us about life inside Scientology
[FIVE years ago] Nancy Cartwright puts out the creepiest Scientology advertisement of all time
[SIX years ago] Making the Grade: Scientology Prepares Us for the Future
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology Flameout: Commenters of the Week!
[NINE years ago] Another Ex-Scientologist Publishes Damning Tell-All
——————–
Bernie Headley has not seen his daughter Stephanie in 5,557 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 1,686 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,190 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 1,710 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 730 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 621 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 3,928 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 1,796 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,570 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,344 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 2,690 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,256 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,175 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,343 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 2,924 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,185 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,224 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 1,936 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,462 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 988 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,551 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 2,691 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,011 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 7,867 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 2,986 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,341 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,644 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 1,750 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,152 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,024 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,607 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,102 days.
Mary Jane Sterne has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,356 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,465 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on September 3, 2019 at 07:00
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Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now 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, 1995-2018 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2018), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, ten years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
