It’s been very busy around here lately, and so we wanted to catch up on our mail. Our tipsters have been forwarding the latest mailers from the church, and wow, the excitement is palpable!
In a bygone era, Scientology leader David Miscavige would focus on one or two Ideal Org projects at a time, but just before the pandemic he abandoned that approach and announced that EVERYWHERE would go IDEAL and RIGHT NOW!
The result is that even some smaller markets are pushing hard for funding to get their projects finished. Like in Connecticut, for example, where the New Haven project has been on a slow burner for seemingly decades…
And over in Michigan, an empty Ideal Org in Detroit isn’t enough. Now the push is on to get Battle Creek ready! Get out yer wallets!
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Did you know you can get an email every morning when we post our daily Scientology story? We know some of the folks who come to the Underground Bunker aren’t here to talk about the politics of the day, and that’s why we created a daily politics feature over at our other blog, The Lowdown, and we ask readers to take their political discussions over there. And if you drop us a line at tonyo94 AT gmail, we’ll put you on the list so you get a morning reminder that a new Scientology story has been posted — and only for our Scientology stories.
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“If I walked into an org at any given instant, I would look the place over, I would probably move all the executives out of the service space. And that’s usually my first action in an org. I’m not kidding you. I move all the executives out of the service space, and that’s my first day. And work with their creditor set up so that there won’t be foreclosed on the second day. And by that time I have looked over enough of the situation, and I get a big idea as to what we can offer right now, and we offer it very promptly on any open communication line that is. And you have a special project number one, which you will be given, which is, that’s a special project. That doesn’t include with the FEBC pack; it’s with your pack, but it’s the big idea that you can do right now. And it’s already under a bit of flight, this particular one, and we haven’t got the full results on this yet. But apparently it’s producing people, and they walk in and they actually do start moving through the org lines. So you’ve got a special dissem project number one, which is a good idea.” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 3, 1971
“Planning is to organize the Greek University of Philosophy for Corfu. They had one and in the war it was bombed out, then taken over to and by Athens. Greek VIPs of Corfu would be the Trustees. It would teach all philosophies, use Greek professors. It would have a Scn Dept. We would put an OA here and leave the UK one running. No Class VIII in this AO. Operation and Transport Services would run the AO and also procure students from Universities over the world, like professors and instructors from other universities to take courses in Corfu. The University would publish a Journal where other university professors couuld publish papers. The Greek Trustees would organize it, incorporate it. OTS would pay a % of the Scn Dept. The university would pay a percent to OTS for procuring students. Students will come to Corfu and live ashore, register and get courses on ATHENA. This is until our own Greek incorporation comes through and we could then use offices ashore, 2 of which are already rented and waiting but can’t be used until we are registered in Greece.” — The Commodore, February 3, 1969
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“The 1.1 handling in Science of Survival is a handling mainly for people on that tone band. That it also includes communists and sexually perverted people is coincidental. And I don’t think LRH would have been worried that a suppressive puppet would expose him (LRH) in a bad light just because he said that 1.1s should be banned from public office.”
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1998: Scientology has threatened a libel suit against the editors of the Los Angeles Daily Journal over the recent publication of a summary of the Wollersheim litigation, now closed in favor of Lawrence Wollersheim. The editors of the publication allowed Scientology to write an opposing article rather than face a lawsuit. From the article: “According to CSC’s lead trial counsel, Earle C. Cooley of Boston’s Cooley, Manion, Moore and Jones, before becoming a litigant, Wollersheim was enthusiastic about the positive effects of the Scientology religion on his life. But with a jury present, a judge presiding, and the scent of millions of dollars in the air, his satisfaction came out as condemnation, and suddenly he was distressed. During the trial, three dozen witnesses who knew Wollersheim before, during and after his relationship with the Church of Scientology of California testified to his untrustworthiness and described his history of pursuing whatever course would forward his own interests, regardless of the consequences to others. ‘He has left a wake of destruction and mystery,’ Mr. Cooley argued to the jury, ‘And in his wake are the people that he used, that he abused and that he discarded one after the other.'”
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“Scientology/Dianetics was originally intended to END with going Clear. And then LRH realized the short con of that was going to run dry, so he came up with the LONG CON of the OT levels. It’s that simple.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Next hearing set for February 8. Trial scheduled for August 29.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Last hearing was on January 18, referred to grand jury.
— 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 March 25 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for February 11.
— Joseph ‘Ben’ Barton, Medicare fraud: Pleaded guilty, awaiting sentencing.
— Yanti Mike Greene, Scientology private eye accused of contempt of court: Next hearing February 15.
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Eleventh Circuit affirmed ruling granting Scientology’s motion for arbitration. Garcias considering next move.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ US Supreme Court denied Valerie’s petition Oct 4.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Appellate court removes requirement of arbitration on January 19, case remanded back to Superior Court. Scientology has said it will file an anti-SLAPP motion.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Third amended complaint filed, trial set for June 28.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs. Case appealed on Dec 23. Appeal hearing held Aug 23-27. Awaiting a ruling.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Lawsuit filed by the FTC and state of Georgia in August, now in discovery phase.
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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] Is ‘Balance of Nature’ actually Scientology? Well, they have a Hubbard College in their HQ.
[TWO years ago] Here’s Scientology actor Danny Masterson’s legal response to his rape accusers
[THREE years ago] Xenu’s ghost! This year’s Scientology Super Bowl ad looks a lot like the others
[FOUR years ago] What L. Ron Hubbard said about religion — before Scientology became a ‘church’
[FIVE years ago] Leah Remini books the Bill Maher show, gets swung at by Giovanni Ribisi
[SIX years ago] Ray Jeffrey fends off Scientology’s attempt to get him in hot water with the California Bar
[SEVEN years ago] When Richard Nixon ordered the Secret Service to investigate Scientology
[EIGHT years ago] Monique Rathbun tries to slap down Scientology’s ‘anti-SLAPP’ motion in court today
[NINE years ago] Super Sunday Funnies: Live-Blogging Scientology’s Super Bowl Ad!
[TEN years ago] Debbie Cook’s Motion Denied: Scientology’s Restraining Order Remains in Place Until Thursday Hearing
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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 2,564 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,069 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,589 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,609 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,500 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,807 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,675 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,449 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 1,780 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,253 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,569 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,135 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,054 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,222 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,803 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,064 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,100 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,815 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,340 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 695 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,870 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,421 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,570 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,890 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,745 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,864 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,220 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,523 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,629 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,027 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,903 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,486 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,981 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,235 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,344 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 3, 2022 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, 1995-2021 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2021), 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
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
