The Underground Bunker is compelled to report witnessing a murder, committed by two of Scientology’s most storied former members, Janis Gillham Grady and Ken Urquhart.
The victims were three men who tried to gang up on the former Sea Org stalwarts and instead got their heads handed to them on one of those silver platters like the kind that L. Ron Hubbard had his butler bring him Coca Colas on.
Yeah, like this…
We don’t know if Janis or Ken were ever asked to serve the Commodore cokes, but we do know they each served Hubbard for years on the yacht Apollo as he ran Scientology from sea during the years 1967 to 1975.
Janis has written extensively about those years as she served as a young Commodore’s Messenger. Her two books carry that title and we’ve excerpted both of them here. And in those books, she not only recounts her own memories of those years at sea, but she also brings in the accounts of many other former Sea Org members who were on the ship with Hubbard as well.
Ken’s service as Hubbard’s Household Officer at Saint Hill goes back even earlier, to 1965, and he was Hubbard’s Personal Communicator on the ship. Both Janis and Ken saw Hubbard in his private quarters and on a daily basis, for years. Few people knew the man better who weren’t actually family members.
And that’s why they’ve been targeted for attack.
We told you five years ago about a man named Randy McDonald, a former Scientology member and editor of its magazine Celebrity between 1971 and 1983. He writes under various names, and we managed to slog through his book with the provocative title “Watergate: The Hoax” in 2016.
In that book, and again in a new attack, McDonald rails against one particular story about L. Ron Hubbard that Janis Grady, Ken Urquhart, and about a dozen other former shipmates all tell that took place in Morocco in 1972.
You’ve heard us explain many times that Hubbard was running Scientology from sea because both the US and UK were too hot for him. Both governments had been investigating him, and Hubbard sailed from port to port hoping to find a country that was more friendly to him and his strange self-help organization.
Janis, in her book, like authors Russell Miller and Jon Atack in their own histories of that time, describe a wacky plot by Hubbard, who saw an opportunity in local unrest. After an attempted assassination on King Hassan II, Hubbard hatched the idea of sending in a team of French-speaking Scientologists with E-meters to lend their services to the king, trying to convince him that with the meters they could root out disloyal members of the military.
This is highly offensive to McDonald and some other former Scientologists (none of whom, very importantly, were there at the time). You see, as we explained five years ago, McDonald is the sort of former Scientologist who is convinced that L. Ron Hubbard, midcentury science fiction author, actually did stumble on the universe’s greatest secrets. They don’t like to think of him as a bumbling meddler in a local coup attempt. This was the man, after all, who had plunged through the Wall of Fire and was exploring the far reaches of the Whole Track of existence. Hubbard had discovered OT auditing levels that could create superhuman effects, and which governments would do just about anything to acquire.
The US government wanted Hubbard’s secrets so bad, McDonald wrote in his book, it created the Watergate affair merely as a distraction, a hoax, so no one would notice what E. Howard Hunt, G. Gordon Liddy, and James McCord were really up to just a few weeks before the Watergate break-in: They had kidnapped Hubbard for his OT secrets in Morocco over Memorial Day weekend in 1972 and replaced him with a clone or a double.
And see, that’s the disappointing thing about McDonald’s book. He spends hundreds of pages trashing people like Janis Grady and Ken Urquhart, and goes to extreme lengths trying to poke holes in their story about Hubbard’s wacky plan to suck up to King Hassan II, because he believes that the E-meter caper was invented by the ship’s crew to cover up the kidnapping. But after chapter after chapter railing against the Morocco story, this is all he offers as evidence for his own theory about what he says was really going on:
“There is no way to know where [Hunt and Liddy and McCord] were, but they very well could have been halfway around the world, working on an unspeakably dirty crime.”
Seriously, that’s it. In other words, no evidence at all. He has nothing.
But it drives him nuts that Janis and Ken and many others were all in Morocco and all assert that Hubbard really did send in the French-speaking E-meter crew later that summer, and then had to get the heck out of the country tout suite when it predictably backfired. And not only that, but for years afterwards, Janis and Ken and others continued to see Hubbard on a daily basis, and none of them reported seeing that he’d been replaced. (Hubbard didn’t go into total seclusion until February 1980, and he died in seclusion in January 1986.)
We reported on McDonald’s hilarious book back in 2016 and thought that was the last of it. But apparently McDonald is still hopping mad that Janis is sticking by the story of what she saw happen with her own eyes in Morocco, and he launched a new attack on her and was joined in by a couple of other geniuses as well.
On May 28, McDonald sent out another interminably long attack on the Morocco story, this time attached to an email with 19 recipients, including your proprietor. (Gee, thanks.)
He’s still on the same thing, attacking small discrepancies in the accounts by the people who were actually in Morocco at the time. (Janis said something happened in 1972, while Gerry Armstrong said it happened in 1971! That has to be evidence that they made up the whole story on instructions from “Hubbard”!) And once again, he offers not a shred of evidence to support his own theory about Hubbard being taken out by the government and replaced with a double.
And he’s not very nice about it, calling Janis “you great barking cow,” at one point.
Urquhart responded with two words.
“Loony-goony.”
It was a most merciful beheading.
Janis herself twisted the knife, but with equanimity: “Randy, I must admire your ability to twist words in every direction and even reassign statements. Well done,” she wrote. “I am curious, how did the body snatchers manage to switch out the body of L. Ron Hubbard in 1972, I did not find that subject covered in your conspiracy theories. Oh, right – you weren’t there, but wasn’t it you who was disappointed when you first called me, because every answer I gave you was ‘killing’ you since it didn’t back up the story you built in your head.”
Ouch. That’s going to leave a mark.
But the attacks were just ramping up as two more clone advocates chimed in. A Swiss man named Andreas Gross, who has written a book about Hubbard being replaced in 1972 that we’re sure is gripping informed Janis that her story about Morocco had been thoroughly debunked by McDonald.
“Why are you doing this? Why are you making up a story about the whereabouts of L. Ron Hubbard for the second half of 1972?” he asked Janis, and then answered his own question, accusing her, with the rest of the crew, to be in on the coverup of the kidnapping.
Not to be outdone, Michel Snoeck, who goes by Wise Old Goat online and who has arrived at his own conclusion about Hubbard being taken out in 1972 through his reading of the technical documents of Scientology, accused Janis and Ken and others of trying to destroy Hubbard and his creation because they do not understand it.
By then, however, Urquhart had already stated that he was no longer paying attention and gave the Clone theories the only response they really deserve.
“Yawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwn.”
Independent Scientology. There’s really nothing like it.
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Is Pennsyltucky on the Bridge?
Last October, we pointed out that Taryn Manning, who played “Pennsyltucky” on Orange Is The New Black, expressed support for Danny Masterson in a comment at his Instagram account. At the time, Masterson was trying to get his charges on three counts of forcible rape thrown out on a technicality. That attempt failed, and recently he was held over for trial after a four-day preliminary hearing.
At the time, we noted that we didn’t know if Manning herself was involved in Scientology.
Well, one of our eagle-eyed readers spotted something interesting at Manning’s Instagram account the other day that the actress posted only briefly before pulling it down:
If you know something more about it, please drop us a line.
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“I call to your attention something that every motorist has noted and no motorist had quite understood: that when he failed to drive his car it went to pieces. Have you ever noticed that? You park it in the garage the battery goes down, the tires go flat. Maybe it was up on blocks, maybe the battery was taken over to the service station and put on continuous charge and all of this was done. That’s some small prevention of the situation. But then three months later you put the battery back in, you take it down off the blocks and oil smoke goes out the rear end, won’t steer. That’s an oddity. The only reason it stayed there at all is because Earth is going around and it was being changed in space, at least to some degree. If it were not being changed in space at all, it would not be there; it would cease to persist. Now this is a great oddity. I don’t call upon your superstition in this regard, I merely call upon you to observe in its crude form something else.” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 4, 1955
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“Did you see in the news where Nelson (Smersh) Rockefeller was asked NOT to visit Venezuela? One smart country. Nelson’s National Health Foundation money finances Smersh. He also runs Stockades in NY where youth who MIGHT become delinquent are sent. (They really are called stockades). His oil companies also exploit Venezuela and drain off her natural resources. He’s touring Latin America with 26 top advisors (psychiatrists) at Nixon’s request to ‘find out what they want”. He stopped a whole 8 hours in one country. He has now found they don’t want Rockefeller. We have a personal note to one Central American Country’s No. 2 man. The area is too hot politically just now. We avoid such areas as political heat brings in the KGB of Russia, CIA of US and the British Intelligence and they file false reports with each other. Makes anyone in the area subject to hammering.” — The Commodore, June 4, 1969
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“I have the impression that the Church of Scientology auditing skills are way inferior to the Freezone ones. Church of Scientology Scientologists act like weird brainwashed zombies in my opinion. I’ve noticed that a lot of Church of Scientology zombies are theetie wheeties.”
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1998: Scientology’s Jive Aces band is being publicized at a book convention in Chicago this week. From a Scientology press release: “It’s the Jive Aces, serving as this year’s official BookExpo America band (May 30-June 1) and promoting books by international best-selling author L. Ron Hubbard. The band’s Chicago visit follows right on the heels of their performance as the official band for the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. The Jive Aces will open the BookExpo America each day. This is the country’s largest gathering of publishers, booksellers and distributors, where millions of dollars of book orders are placed each year by bookstores from across the country.”
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“They do what’s called in Scientology ‘off-loading’ which is when some elderly staff member can no longer perform on the most basic level they throw their meager belongings into a garbage bag and drive them what they consider to be a safe distance from the org and they stop and open the door and tell them to get out. And I’m not joking.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Held to answer for trial, next arraignment set for June 7.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff’s sentencing to be scheduled.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Pretrial conference August 21 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for June 18.
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 to US Supreme Court submitted on May 26. Scientology has until June 25 to respond.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: California Supreme Court grants review on May 26, asks Second Appellate Division to direct Judge Steven Kleifield to show cause why he granted Scientology’s motion for arbitration.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Dec 17: Feshbachs sign court judgment obliging them to pay entire $3.674 million tax debt, plus interest from Nov 19.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs. Case appealed on Dec 24.
Concluded litigation:
— 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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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links, including our four days in Los Angeles covering the preliminary hearing and its ruling, which has Danny facing trial and the potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison.
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 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] Which of the Masterson brothers profited from their Scientology stepdad’s Ponzi scheme?
[TWO years ago] Why is the YMCA helping spread Scientology to kids?
[THREE years ago] Why don’t Scientologists go to authorities about the abuses they have seen or experienced?
[FOUR years ago] Around the globe, Scientology relies on guys like this to promote L. Ron Hubbard to your kids
[FIVE years ago] That time Muhammad Ali got blindsided by the Church of Scientology
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s plan to take over the planet: All Ideal Orgs ‘Saint Hill size’ by 2016!
[SEVEN years ago] OY VEY: Scientology invokes Jewish Law to answer lawsuit by attorney Vance Woodward
[EIGHT years ago] Claire Headley Helps Us Get Back in the Good Graces of Scientology
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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 2,321 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,826 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,346 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,366 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,257 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,564 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,432 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,206 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 1,536 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,010 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,326 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,892 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,811 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,979 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,560 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,821 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,859 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,572 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,097 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 452 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,627 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,178 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,327 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,647 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,502 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,621 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,977 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,280 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,386 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,788 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,660 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,243 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,738 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,992 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,101 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 4, 2021 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, 1995-2020 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2020), 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
