On March 31, we reported the startling news that Hanan Islam, 62, had died of cancer, which also happened to end the prosecution against her for stealing about $4 million from the state of California through Medi-Cal fraud, and with the use of a Scientology rehab clinic.
So imagine our surprise when we learned that since that day, the Los Angeles Superior Court has sworn out an arrest for her.
Say what?
According to the court record, when Hanan’s attorneys showed up on June 9 to tell Judge H. Clay Jacke II that their client was no longer among the living and that her case should be ended, the judge was apparently perturbed that they had not brought a death certificate with them, and issued a warrant for arrest and bail set at $20,000. It also appears to have put the $250,000 bond that was already keeping her out of jail in some jeopardy.
Now, we know this news will get the conspiracy minded wondering if Hanan has “faked” her death in order to get out of being prosecuted. But we don’t think that’s the case.
We looked up her bail bond company that had secured the $250,000 bond and gave them the call. The person who spoke to us told us that this actually wasn’t very unusual at all.
“This happens once in a while. And since the name you gave me doesn’t ring a bell, I’m assuming it’s not a case I’m concerned about,” the representative at 365 Bail Bonds told us.
Well, he might not be concerned, but we haven’t heard back from the prosecutor on the case after we sent an email to see if he has any concerns about something nefarious going on.
Meanwhile, although Hanan was characterized as the ringleader of the $4 million Medi-Cal fraud, three of her children are still facing prosecution in the matter, including her notorious son Rizza Islam, who was last year named one of the 12 biggest sources of online misinformation about vaccines.
According to a state investigator who testified in a preliminary hearing in the case, Rizza helped create fake reports about high school kids supposedly being treated at the Scientology clinic that were then sent to the state in order to get insurance payments for treatment that didn’t actually happen.
His next court date is August 22, for something called a “readiness hearing.” One website we checked suggested that a readiness hearing is held when a trial is imminent. Could that be the case with Rizza? We don’t see a trial date on his docket, but we will continue to monitor this case that has dragged on for years.
And at least the judge is all over arresting this dead woman, so the case has that going for it.
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Bonus items from our tipsters
Is your favorite pulling ahead?
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Now available: Bonus for our supporters
Episode 3 of the Underground Bunker podcast has been sent out to paid subscribers, and it’s a conversation about the Scientology litigation we’re keeping a close eye on. Our LA correspondent Jeffrey Augustine helps us keep track of what’s going on in court right now. Meanwhile, we’ve made episodes 1 and 2 available to everyone, with Claire Headley exposing Tom Cruise, and Marc Headley on what it must be like for David Miscavige living in Clearwater, Florida. Go here to get the episodes!
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“When we go into the idea of supreme beings or gods or big thetans or something like that, well, we’ve just taken the whole curve all the way around and the only thing we’ve got on this planet today is just pure nuttiness on this subject, see, the theory of the Big Thetan, see. Actually, the Big Thetan theory is simply one of the GPMs and it — there’s end words that have to do with gods and things like this, you see. And there’s one of the root words — several of the root words — have to do with worship and so forth and it’s just goofiness, see? There isn’t anybody, any Big Thetan around who’s permeating everything that just because you say, ‘Now, please give me cake and ice cream for my supper tonight,’ is going to suddenly go into a brown study and wonder how to get you cake and ice cream tonight, see. There just is no such being.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 15, 1964
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“I could write quite a book these days. So many things have been wrapped up. Insanity and its causes and mechanisms for instance. I wish things would groove in more smoothly. Actually I have at least 2 books to write that are front line in importance. The one on insanity and one on studies of revolution. The last would become a text book for the state that would in fact make them bring about a revolution to prevent one! So I have hopes in getting things going smoother. It depends on handling these WHYs and getting back in the Flag – to CLO – to Org pattern that with the FEBC began this boom and will continue it.” — The Commodore, July 15, 1971
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“Goodbye Kelly. Find a new body and hurry back soon or break free if you can.”
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1998: The Edmonton Examiner published an apology this week to Professor Stephen Kent. The Examiner distributed Scientology’s Freedom magazine as an insert in the paper. Freedom attacked Professor Kent in the insert. “In early June of 1998, the Edmonton Examiner inadvertently distributed copies of the Freedom Journal to some Edmonton homes. The Freedom Journal is published by the Church of Scientology International and made certain allegations concerning University of Alberta Professor Stephen A. Kent (Ph.D.). The Edmonton Examiner is not aware of any basis for the printed allegations and was wrong to distribute material which represented Professor Kent in a derogatory manner. Further, the Edmonton Examiner apologizes to Professor Stephen A. Kent for any embarrassment caused and sincerely regrets its role in the distribution of this material.”
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“Scientology is ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ meets ‘Ancient Aliens’.”
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Trial scheduled for October 11.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Last hearing was on January 18, referred to grand jury. Additional charges also referred to grand jury after January 5 assault while in jail.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff’s sentencing to be scheduled.
— Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Readiness hearing scheduled for August 22 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for September 19.
— Yanti Mike Greene, Scientology private eye accused of contempt of court: Found guilty of criminal and civil contempt.
Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Complaint filed April 28 in Tampa federal court, Scientology moving to compel arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Selection of arbitrators underway. Next court hearing: February 2, 2023.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Appellate court removes requirement of arbitration on January 19, case remanded back to Superior Court. Stay in place, next status hearing October 25.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Third amended complaint filed, trial set for December 6.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: New trial ordered after appeals court overturned prior 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] Valerie Haney’s Supreme Court petition gets a date for discussion, but don’t get your hopes up
[TWO years ago] New Scientology video brings up past lives, the nuttiest and most gruesome part of Hubbardism
[THREE years ago] Jokes aside, has Scientology ‘Clear’ Joy Villa managed to ‘safepoint’ the White House?
[FOUR years ago] Scientology proves it will try to capitalize on just about any disaster
[FIVE years ago] Whale watching update: Your 2017 mid-year guide to who’s keeping Scientology alive
[SIX years ago] Scientology caves: Fred Haseney avoids court hearing, will take camera to Big Blue tomorrow
[SEVEN years ago] Nick Lister: Scientology asked me to seduce Mike Rinder’s wife in a spy operation
[EIGHT years ago] Lawsuit number 17 filed by Las Vegas attorney against Scientology’s rehab network
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s Drug Rehab Fights Class-Action Lawsuit With Move to Federal Court
[TEN years ago] Video from the Memorial of Alexander Jentzsch; Also: Scientology Commenters of the Week
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s “Documentary” of Marty Rathbun Revealed!
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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 2,726 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,231 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,781 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,771 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,662 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,967 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,837 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,611 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 1,942 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,415 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,731 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,297 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,216 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,384 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,964 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,226 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,262 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,977 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,502 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 857 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,032 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,583 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,732 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,052 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,907 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,026 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,382 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,685 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,791 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,189 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,065 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,648 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,143 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,397 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,506 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 15, 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
