Yesterday, Kirstie Alley actually responded to a Twitter reader who asked her about Leah Remini and Shelly Miscavige.
In her response, Kirstie got a lot wrong about Leah Remini’s 2013 filing of a missing-person report on Scientology leader David Miscavige’s missing wife, and perpetuated some misinformation about that story which the media always tends to get wrong about it.
We know because we’re the ones who broke the story.
First, here’s the tweet Kirstie was responding to and her reply…
We know the rest of the media is never going to get this story right, (and we know that Kirstie has no regard for the truth) but we’ll try yet again to set the record straight.
We broke the news here at the Underground Bunker in July 2013 that Leah had left Scientology. A few weeks later, on Monday, August 5, 2013 Leah filed a missing-person report on her friend Shelly Miscavige with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Why the LAPD? Because while she was still in Scientology, whenever Leah wanted to send a card or gift to David or Shelly Miscavige, she was told to use their official church address, which was 6331 Hollywood Boulevard, the Hollywood Guaranty Building, a Scientology landmark.
That’s a Los Angeles address, and that’s why Leah went to the LAPD. (By then, however, we had already been reporting for more than a year that multiple lines of evidence pointed to a San Bernardino County address for Shelly’s whereabouts, but we’ll get to that in a minute.)
On Wednesday afternoon, two days after Leah made her report, we got wind of it.
The next morning, on Thursday, August 8, 2013, we broke the news that Leah had filed a missing-person report with the LAPD. Naturally, reporters began calling the police department that day asking questions about it. And that afternoon, we began hearing that the LAPD was telling reporters that Leah’s report was “unfounded,” and that Shelly was fine.
Now, because we had just reported the story that morning and the LAPD was calling Leah’s request “unfounded” that same afternoon, an impression grew in the press that her missing-person report had been submitted and rejected on the same day.
That was never the case.
Leah filed her report on Monday, August 5. Our story came out on the morning of August 8. And that afternoon, the LAPD told reporters that Shelly wasn’t missing.
So how did they know that? We later followed up with Lt. Andre Dawson of the LAPD, who told us that two of his detectives, after receiving Leah’s report, had visited with Shelly, and that Shelly had told them that she didn’t want to make a public statement.
When we asked Lt. Dawson if this conversation had taken place in the presence of other church officials, he quickly blurted out, “That’s classified.” That’s all we got out of him.
So, we will point out again, after Leah filed her report, over the course of a couple of days, the LAPD went to visit Shelly and determined that she didn’t want rescuing.
Shelly herself made no public statement, and still hasn’t been seen in the seven years since. She vanished from Gold Base near Hemet, California in late summer 2005, she was seen at the funeral of her father in the summer of 2007, and the only other indications of her existence we have are from the LAPD in 2013 and from church attorneys in a couple of more recent statements to the press.
There is not a single piece of evidence which disputes what we’ve been saying about Shelly since 2012: That her husband banished her to a small mountain compound, the headquarters of the Church of Spiritual Technology, a Scientology subsidiary, near Lake Arrowhead, California, where she works on an L. Ron Hubbard archiving project, and can never leave.
Not only is Kirstie Alley wrong that it took only “two hours” to refute Leah’s report, but it also had nothing to do with Leah’s book, which came out in 2015, or her television series Scientology and the Aftermath, which premiered in 2016.
And as far as Leah “acknowledging” what the police concluded, here’s the cold, hard truth: Although the LAPD was telling reporters the result of its investigation that afternoon in 2013, the police department never had the courtesy or courage to tell Leah directly the result of her missing-person report. She later had to threaten legal action just to get a response from the department.
It may be hard for Kirstie Alley to understand, but Leah Remini did in fact file a missing-person report on her friend Shelly out of concern for her.
If Kirstie has any concern for Shelly, why hasn’t she done something herself about Shelly’s disappearance?
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A quarter century already? The hell you say.
“Cult Buster” was the headline on the front page. “Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlatans” was the clever headline on the story inside, which had been dreamed up by Jeremy Voas, the paper’s managing editor and our mentor on the piece.
Scientology considered Rick Ross an enemy and so it was a prominent player in the story.
A quarter century has now passed since our first published story about Scientology. And here’s the hell of the thing: If you asked us what our favorite story on Scientology is in all that time, we’d still tell you, “the next one.”
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“Clearing, actually, is not nice. And if you’re looking for some nice, sweet procedure, why, you know, be an art critic and don’t get audited. Spend all your time in the galleries where it’s quiet and serene and nothing ever happens.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 30, 1961
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“Good News: ASHO, AOSH DK and AOLA all have higher stats. Clarice Jackson is reported to be doing absolutely fantastically and one of the most respected people in the whole area known widely in the US for her first actions. She issued ‘writs of expulsion from the church’ on Berez, Taunton, Deitsch and Bernie Green and things are cooling off. Big factors in the upsurge are said to be sending Fred Hare, the new stable datum materials and new OT III results. Guardian lines show us fighting on enemy terrain for the first time, not our own. She had loads of good news and is overjoyed with her Gdn offices.” — The Commodore, November 30, 1969
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“Forgettingness is part of aging. It has to do with shedding responsibility for the stuff of this lifetime. I’m not saying it’s inevitable; I’m just saying that it’s common out in the world. One thing that can happen: thetan goes along, and lifetime after lifetime, he lives to about the same age. He gets used to that. Now along comes a lifetime where he’s surpassing that age. But he starts to experience the symptoms of aging at the time he would normally be dying, even though he’s nowhere near dying this lifetime. Habit. Interesting comment about the body remembering what the thetan isn’t paying attention to. I often wondered about that. I rather suspect the GE has its own bank going on. I think maybe the GE records everything, but I’m (thetan) more selective. I tend to draw a blank during times of injury, and it’s not from being engrammically anaten; rather, I tend to exteriorize when the body is about to get hurt (when I don’t prevent the injury in the first place), because I don’t like or want to experience the pain. The GE probably gets it full force, but I don’t.”
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2000: Mark Bunker posted an update this week to his case for allegedly trespassing in the Scientology org in Chicago. “We had a hearing on a motion to dismiss the case because the cops stole the videotaped evidence. The judge denied that motion and set a court date for next February 5. We’ll have a jury trial at that time. Elliot Abelson came up to me after the hearing and said. ‘Doesn’t look good. Not a good sign.'”
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“Professors Kent and Touretzky are the go-to guys in the academic study of Scientology and cults in general.”
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Masterson’s demurrer denied Oct 19, arraignment delayed to Jan 6.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing delayed for ‘Fatico’ hearing on Jan 19.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Petition for writ of mandate denied Oct 22 by Cal 2nd Appellate District. Petition for review by state supreme court filed Oct 30.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Dec 18, re-hearing on motions to compel arbitration; Jan 29, Masterson’s request to stay discovery pending the criminal case
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Nov 18: Feshbachs indicated they will enter into consent judgment to pay the debt.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
Concluded litigation:
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs.
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
— 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.
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SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks
The Australian Seven News network cancelled a 10-part investigation of Scientology and its history of dirty tricks. Read the transcripts of the episodes and judge for yourself why Tom Cruise and Tommy Davis might not have wanted viewers to see this hard-hitting series by journalist Bryan Seymour.
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: 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] Guy White opens his big mouth: The former Hubbard family member spills on Scientology!
[TWO years ago] The Valerie Haney interview: Scientology smear tactics, and where Shelly Miscavige is
[THREE years ago] The new list of Scientology donors is out early this year — and the biggest whale is missing!
[FOUR years ago] Amy Scobee: ‘Even on her deathbed, my mom was fighting Scientology and disconnection’
[FIVE years ago] Where it all began for us: Rick Ross, David Koresh, and the Church of Scientology
[SIX years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: An oily and super powered edition of our weekly feature!
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology Celebrates its Legal Defense Slush Fund, and What a Party!
[EIGHT years ago] Miscavige Gets His Wish: Marty Rathbun Pulling Up Stakes?
[NINE years ago] Hey, Scientology Celebrity, Here’s Your Media Training Checksheet!
[TEN years ago] Scientology “Dark Ops” Program Exposed, Says Former Top Official
[TWENTY FIVE years ago] Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlatans (the Rick Ross story)
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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 2,136 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,640 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,160 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,180 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,071 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,378 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,246 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,020 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,824 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,140 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,706 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,625 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,793 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,374 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,635 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,673 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,386 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,911 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 266 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,441 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,992 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,141 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,461 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,316 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,435 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,791 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,094 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,200 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,602 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,474 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,057 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,552 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,806 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,915 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 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, 15 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
