On August 8, we posted a couple of videos for your consumption. One of them featured some young kids showing off their Scientology indoctrination at the Dublin Ideal Org.
Here’s what we said about the other video: “It turns out that all of this criticism about Scientology you’ve been seeing in recent years is a lot of hooey. At least that’s what the fascinating Tommy Scherer says in a video he posted this week.”
Scherer is a longtime Scientologist, roofer, and musician who recently turned to writing science fiction. At his modest YouTube channel, he has begun telling his readers about his involvement in Scientology. We heard from a tipster that Scherer was vigorously defending the church to his fans, and we thought the Bunker community would be interested in his reasoning.
We knew we could count on our commenters for some entertaining observations about Scherer, but we were taken by surprise when we heard from someone who said he’d known Tommy back in the day: It was the irrepressible Marc Headley, former Sea Org official and author of the excellent Scientology escape narrative, Blown for Good.
Headley explained that he’d known Tommy when he was just a kid, and he’d taken the time to write a lengthy response to Tommy’s video, which he posted in the video’s comments. In his message, Headley really took the time to explain to Scherer what he’d seen at the International Base and while working with David Miscavige.
Thinking that it might be interesting to find out what Scherer thought of Headley’s response, we sent him an email at his roofing company. But we haven’t heard anything back, and Tommy has not responded to Headley’s lengthy message.
But we decided it would be fun to talk to Marc about Scherer and the message he sent, and Marc did not disappoint. In fact, we wandered over a number of different topics and as usual Marc knocked us out with his hilarious stories of Sea Org life.
Today, we’re releasing the ninth episode of The Underground Bunker Podcast to our paid subscribers at Substack. You should receive it presently at your email inbox if you’re on the list.
Not a paid subscriber? Well, we have something for you, too. Last week’s episode was with Patty Moher, and we talked about her extraordinary career as a Scientology spy turned leaker. In the weeks before, we talked to Geoff Levin, Pete Griffiths, Sunny Pereira, Jeffrey Augustine, and Claire Headley.
Those first eight episodes are now free to all of our subscribers, paid and unpaid. All of our podcast episodes can be found here.
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Your proprietor on the Intertubes
We were happy to help Law & Crime break down the Masterson case as his trial looms. Jesse Weber asked some great questions about the case, about Scientology, and about David Miscavige.
After some issues with the hotel wifi (we were on the last morning of our recent Arizona trip), we managed to make the connection and enjoyed the segment.
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“I thought of a difference between a Scientologist and the world at large on this particular planet. The people think that what we’re doing is unreal, but we know the substance of their unreality, which of course makes us top dog every time. We know the substance of their unreality. In other words, we know where their itsa line is out. See, they know what — they’re not identifying, see? Their itsas are just for the birds, you know? ‘Man is an animal. He is a biochemical protoplasm which goes no place. At death there is a cessation of cellular commotion.’ That’s a good itsa, isn’t it? That just immediately makes nothing out of everybody.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 20, 1963
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“Musical Chairs in life is the mechanism below ARC Brks in Grade III! To unstabilize gives ARC Brks! Whole staff can be put into a sad effect! This is the mechanism govts use. It’s the basic tool of the socialist. If he can just unstabilize everyone he can kill them with degrade. It’s a basic tool of the insane to maintain their own stability by unstabilizing everyone else. There’s more to it, but it’s a major discovery that affects even the ARC Brk rud and affects the no case gain case. So that’s where I’ve been working lately in research and wow is it paying off!!! It began when I assumed that the musical chairs he get in orgs was a social aberration not an admin error. From there it’s been discovery all the way.” — The Commodore, August 20, 1971
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“Based on a lot of reading I’ve done over many years I’ve come to the understanding that paedophilia is a standard operating procedure for the planet’s ruling elite, and that these ruling elite are in fact descendants of aliens (Annunaki? Zeta Reticulans? Archons? Marcabs?) which came here a long, long time ago, at which time they created humans as hybrids of themselves and existing earth hominids. These were and are the ‘gods’ of ancient Greek mythology etc. We are their property and they keep us trapped here via spiritual recycling and they persist here on Earth based on the relative degree of their original DNA in humans. This is why the ruling elite, such as the British royal family, are so stuck on keeping only to certain family bloodlines (a/k/a blue-bloods). One of the methods these elite employ to extend their lives is the consuming of Adrenachrome. Ever wonder about the longevity of Rockefellers and their ilk?”
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1999: Scientology attorney Kendrick Moxon is suing the state of Maryland for a task force to investigate cults on college campuses. From the Associated Press: “The suit, filed Monday, alleges that the state General Assembly has ‘determined that it is both unnecessary and harmful for students to think for themselves.’ The plaintiffs, which include the International Coalition for Religious Freedom, funded primarily by Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church, claim the Task Force to Study the Effects of Cult Activities on Public Senior Higher Education Institutions is violating the establishment and free-exercise clauses of the First Amendment. ‘The government cannot, absolutely cannot, get involved in adjudicating what’s a right religion and what’s a wrong religion,’ said Kendrick Moxon, a Los Angeles civil rights attorney representing the plaintiffs. The suit seeks an injunction against the task force, as well as a declaration that the inquiry is unconstitutional.'”
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“You come on here with a bunch of fantastical yarns that sound like one big cliched Scientology horror story, offering no proof for any of it, and you expect something other than derision?”
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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. Plaintiffs filed amended complaint on August 2.
— 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. Scientology petitioning US Supreme Court over appellate ruling.
— 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] Judge Charlaine Olmedo on point: What was said in court about Danny Masterson’s subpoenas
[TWO years ago] Even Alaska — yes, Alaska — gave Scientology COVID-relief funds, for Xenu’s sake
[THREE years ago] Scientology finally solves its recruiting woes with professional ham hock Grant Cardone
[FOUR years ago] While the Scientology scandal swirls in Colombia, a key figure relaxes in Florida
[FIVE years ago] How badly does Scientology need new staff? Miscavige is bringing back the ‘Universe Corps’
[SIX years ago] Atack: Why those who try to save Scientology from itself are doomed to failure
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology superstar: What it’s like to be big in Taiwan
[EIGHT years ago] Narconon’s cancer spreads: New lawsuits and a court order for Scientology’s rehab network
[NINE years ago] Scientology Makes the Grade: Touching Walls to Total Freedom
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s Grip on the Mind: An Ex-Sea Org Member Explains It For Us
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Deluge: Commenters of the Week!
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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 2,762 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,267 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,817 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,807 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,698 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,003 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,873 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,647 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 1,978 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,451 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,767 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,333 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,252 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,420 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,000 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,262 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,298 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,013 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,538 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 893 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,068 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,619 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,750 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,088 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,943 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,062 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,418 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,721 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,827 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,225 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,101 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,684 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,179 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,433 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,542 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 20, 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
