Laura Prepon, through her publicity team, tried to “handle” the New York Post this weekend with a suggestion that the Orange is the New Black actress is “not currently active in the church.”
That assertion appeared in a story about how Scientology is being sued for trying to silence Danny Masterson’s rape accusers. It was Masterson who brought Prepon into Scientology as they were co-starring in That ’70s Show in the late 1990s, and Prepon suddenly finds herself in an awkward position now that Masterson is facing 45 years to life in prison for raping three women who were all Scientologists at the time.
While Prepon’s Hollywood handlers are doing damage control, however, we wanted to remind readers something we first pointed out three years ago, and that was the part Prepon played in Scientology’s attempt to silence one of Masterson’s victims.
Of the three women whose allegations have led to criminal rape charges, one of them we have referred to as Victim B (“Jane Doe #1” in the civil lawsuit). She alleges that she was raped at Masterson’s Hollywood Hills home after a party there on April 25, 2003. In the weeks afterwards, Victim B went to the Church of Scientology with her allegations, and the church attempted to shut her down by putting her through a series of different “ethics” actions.
On the day after Christmas 2003, Scientology ethics officer Julian Swartz put Victim B under a “non-enturbulation order,” which is one step away from being “declared a suppressive person.” In other words, her reward for coming forward and accusing one of Scientology’s celebrities of rape was to be punished with the threat that if she were written up for any additional infraction of any kind, she would be “declared,” which is Scientology’s version of excommunication, and all other Scientologists, including her family and friends, would be forced to disown her. For many Scientologists, being declared is like a death sentence.
For the next three months, Victim B was required to report daily to the Hollywood Celebrity Center for expensive auditing and sec checking (counseling and interrogations). She paid about $15,000 for “past-life” therapy and interrogations in order to convince her that she’d done so many terrible things centuries ago it accounted for her being a victim in this lifetime.
During that time, Masterson himself was also being interrogated at the Celebrity Centre, and Victim B had to be careful not to run into him. But one day, as she was going through the parking lot, she saw Laura Prepon in her black BMW. We first mentioned the encounter in a 2017 story, and we can go into more detail about it now.
“She saw Prepon in the parking lot, and Prepon was asking her very pointedly, ‘Why are you at CC? What are you doing here? Why aren’t you hanging out with the crowd?” our source, a family friend, told us. “[Victim B] knew exactly what was going on. She had to act chipper, like nothing was wrong, and yet she couldn’t say why she was really there. Prepon even asked her if she was upset with Danny, and she had to say no.”
Our source explained that if Victim B had answered in any negative way, or had acted curt or rude, Prepon could have written her up and it would mean a declare order for her and excommunication, forcing disconnection from her by family members. It’s not unusual for a Scientologist to be written up for being rude or “anti-social,” and Victim B had been written up for something similar just six months before. “And she told me that she had known Laura well before this, and these weren’t the kind of questions she would simply ask a friend,” the source says.
Victim B told her friend that the encounter with Laura Prepon in the parking lot at the Hollywood Celebrity Centre was one of the most difficult things she had to go through during the entire ordeal, and there was no doubt in her mind that Prepon had been sent there to trip her up on Masterson’s behalf.
We’d actually like to see Prepon asked about this encounter in the civil and criminal trials, as it illustrates Scientology’s use of celebrities to silence dissent within the church.
And maybe that prospect, of being asked to testify, is why Laura Prepon’s Hollywood reps are hoping people will believe that she has distanced herself from it.
Despite that creepy encounter, and a strange confrontation with Masterson himself that was set up by the church and went sideways, Victim B defied her Scientology handlers and did go to the Los Angeles Police Department on June 6, 2004. But Scientology swarmed that first investigation with affidavits calling Victim B a liar, and the case was closed.
Then, in August 2004 a church attorney brought Victim B a hand-written letter of apology from the actor, and asked her to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with Masterson so she would never make her allegations public. Under pressure from the church, which again threatened to “declare” her unless she complied, she signed the agreement and was paid in the low six figures, our source told us.
It wasn’t until October 2016, when another victim, Chrissie Carnell Bixler, reached out to her and to another woman we refer to as Victim C, that the three of them realized they weren’t alone. They then went to the LAPD and Victim B’s case was reopened. More than three years later, LA District Attorney Jackey Lacey filed three counts of rape against Masterson on June 17. He’s set to be arraigned on September 18.
Scientology’s attempt to silence these women had failed. But it wasn’t for a lack of trying.
SOME OF OUR PAST REPORTING ON THE MASTERSON CASE
March 3, 2017: LAPD probing Scientology and Danny Masterson for multiple rapes, cover-up
March 8, 2017: Danny Masterson: Victim C gets support from a veteran actress
March 11, 2017: Scientology made Danny Masterson’s Victim B search past lives to explain being raped
May 9, 2017: Masterson hires Michael Jackson criminal defense attorney Tom Mesereau in rape probe
Nov 2, 2017: Read the threatening letter Danny Masterson’s attorney Marty Singer sent a victim’s husband
Nov 26, 2017: EXCLUSIVE: Scientology interrogated Danny Masterson and accuser, didn’t notify LAPD
Feb 14, 2018: PROSECUTORS PREPARE CHARGES CARRYING LIFE SENTENCE FOR DANNY MASTERSON
Apr 27, 2018: Strange days for a woman accusing Danny Masterson of rape — and for her rocker husband
July 8, 2018: Masterson witness fears for safety as investigation drags on and on
Nov 30, 2018: LEAH REMINI: Los Angeles DA Jackie Lacey, do your job already
Aug 14, 2019: RAPE ACCUSERS SUE DANNY MASTERSON, CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY, AND ITS LEADER
Jan 22, 2020: Cedric Bixler-Zavala blames Scientology for poisoned dog he had to put down yesterday
Feb 3, 2020: Here’s Scientology actor Danny Masterson’s legal response to his rape accusers
Feb 10, 2020: Another dog poisoned: Bobette Riales says harassment worse since suing Scientology
Feb 29, 2020: Amended complaint filed against Danny Masterson with new stalking allegations
March 14, 2020: Danny Masterson’s victims speak out in sworn documents in lawsuit against Scientology
May 4, 2020: Masterson: Drop me from Scientology lawsuit if the ‘Jane Does’ won’t name themselves
June 17, 2020: SCIENTOLOGY CELEB DANNY MASTERSON CHARGED ON MULTIPLE RAPE ALLEGATIONS
June 18, 2020: How will Scientology react to Danny Masterson being charged with rape?
June 19, 2020: Records show Danny Masterson is a woeful Scientologist — would he turn on the church?
June 23, 2020: The key thing about Danny Masterson’s ‘DJ Donkey Punch’ nick is why he stopped using it
June 24, 2020: Danny Masterson’s Scientology upbringing: An interview with former stepdad Joe Reaiche
June 25, 2020: Masterson finds himself in a changed era, but his victims came forward before #MeToo
June 27, 2020: The PI who started out working for Danny Masterson & now may testify against him
——————–
Bonus items from our tipsters
Adopt an at-risk child so you can subject them to Scientology? What would L. Ron do?
Book your cruise ticket now!
Translation: How to lure someone into an abusive totalitarian nightmare in small, unrecognizable steps.
Whoops. Looks like Mirit won’t be buying paints at Walmart any time soon.
——————–
“Science plays a lively tune and they play it with very glossy photographs. They play it with very good advertisements. They play it with great big, imposing universities, huge facades built out of gorgeous marble, imported from South Dubuque. They’ve got themselves a pretty good face, see? Big stuff. People’s cars go whiz-whiz down the streets and the petrol that goes into the engine will make it run at vast expense. They’ve got it up to a point where an engine can actually utilize over a thousandth of the potential power in a gallon of gasoline. They’ve got it fixed up so they can color your health bread by certain breeds of mold, and so they can get appropriation from other breeds of mold called ‘Congress.’ You’ve got yourself quite a game going here. It’s called science, and you yourself are not totally aware of the fact how that cuts your personal throat.” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 30, 1964
——————–
“The fact is we are in a continual danger condition as beings, and we don’t even realize it. Anyone, of course, has the right to procure another body and another lifetime, I can’t call that freedom though, can’t even call it self-determinism. I don’t think that there are that many Scientologists out there who really, I mean really, understand the situation in which we all are in this planet and guess what, it has nothing to do with humans and has nothing to do with reactive minds. It has to do with evils and powers we are not even aware of. It is either explained or hinted at in so many LRH lectures and yet, it seems to escape us every time.”
——————–
“Scientology is in the same category as Christian Science and the Jehovah’s Witnesses as far as being a ‘spiritual’ practice that has caused the deaths of its adherents in the past through the denial of legitimate medical treatment. These crimes need to be stopped.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Arraignment scheduled for September 18.
— Jay Spina, Medicare fraud: Sentencing is set for July 6 in White Plains, NY
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial set for October 7 in Los Angeles
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments set for July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Hearing on motion for reconsideration set for August 11
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: July 8 (plaintiff attorneys pro hac vice), August 31-Sept 1 (CSI/RTC demurrer against Riales, Masterson demurrer), Oct 7-19 (motions to compel arbitration)
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach bankruptcy appeal: Oral arguments were heard on March 11 in Jacksonville
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Amended complaint filed.
——————–
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 continues to use the United Nations as a prop for its propaganda
[TWO years ago] Scientology scam: ‘It hadn’t occurred to me I was getting appalling advice from Church execs’
[THREE years ago] We have the letter Scientologists are receiving from a federal judge!
[FOUR years ago] Scientology produces miracles — but you only get to hear about them in one place
[FIVE years ago] Scientology leader’s father signs a book deal, for ‘IF HE DIES, HE DIES’
[SIX years ago] That time L. Ron Hubbard was hit by lightning while wearing full armor: It’s science!
[SEVEN years ago] Tampa Bay Times Portrays Twin Sister of Scientology Leader as Dope-Smoking Slumlord
[EIGHT years ago] What Katie Holmes is Saving Suri From: Scientology’s Interrogation of Children
[NINE years ago] Scientology Goon Squads Face Fines After Texas Town Rallies To Marty Rathbun’s Cause
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 1,984 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,488 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,008 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,028 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 919 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,226 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,094 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,868 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,672 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 2,988 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,554 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,473 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,641 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,222 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,483 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,521 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,234 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,759 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,289 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,849 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 2,989 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,309 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,164 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,284 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,639 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,942 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,048 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,450 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,322 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,905 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,400 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,654 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,763 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on June 30, 2020 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
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, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), 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, 14 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
