On Wednesday, we showed you a new promotional video that Scientology has recently put out that is intended to lure its wealthier members to the Flag Land Base in Clearwater, Florida for some arcane practices known as the “L Rundowns.”
We’ve long marveled at how “the Ls” are sold to Scientologists at such high prices — tens of thousands of dollars for each of three rundowns — and that they are separate from the normal progression of courses and auditing levels.
What is in them that is so enticing to wealthy Scientologists?
The Ls are so rarefied, they can only be delivered by Class XII auditors, the most highly trained. And we remembered that we only know one person who was Class XII, and that’s Karen de la Carriere.
For that story on Wednesday, she told us some amazing and bizarre things about the L11 Rundown in particular, and she hinted to us that there was a lot more there.
So for this week’s podcast, we asked Karen to tell us all about the Ls. And wow, this is some of the nuttiest Scientology “technology” ever!
We think you’re going to enjoy this discussion.
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“We are about to install a new grade which goes along with the free business school idea. This new grade is called “Professional Scientologist” which desensitizes the idea of auditing and puts very much into fore the idea of training large groups of people to be better in business and their life and treats auditing as only one of the methods in achieving this. The brochure should reflect this and at some time in the future we will have all of the data necessary to print a brochure with this material enclosed.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1956
——————–
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 as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
——————–
THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
— The Underground Bunker Podcast
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— SPECIAL: Your Proprietor’s updates on the Danny Masterson trial
[1] Sep 21 [2] Sep 28 [3] Oct 4 [4] Oct 10 [5] Oct 11: Day One [6] Oct 12: Day Two [7] Oct 13: Day Three [8] Oct 17: Day Four [9] Oct 18: Day Five [10] Oct 19: Day Six [11] Special interview with Chris Shelton, Oct 19 [12] Oct 20: Day Seven [13] Oct 21: Day Eight [14] First week in review, with Jeffrey Augustine [15] Oct 24: Day Nine [16] Oct 25: Day Ten [17] Oct 27: Day Eleven [18] Oct 28: Day Twelve [19] Second week in review, with Jeffrey Augustine [20] Halloween special [21] Nov 2: Day Thirteen [22] Nov 3: Day Fourteen [23] Nov 4: Day Fifteen [24] Third week in review [25] Nov 5, Saturday special [26] Nov 6, Sunday special [27] Nov 7, Day Sixteen [28] Lisa Marie Presley breaking news [29] Nov 8, Day Seventeen [30] Nov 9, Day Eighteen [31] Nov 10, Day Nineteen
——————–
“We have only 476 special terms, most of which mean what they mean in English. That’s right, that’s the whole vocabulary, 474 of these items. I wish elementary physics could say as much. And with only knowledge of 24 of these items and how to handle these items, you can make the blind see. You could also bring the dead back to life. Well, you think I’m kidding. That’s no trick. It’s whether or not they want to be alive that’s the point. I remember one black man that was busy dying and so on, and I looked him over and I, all I had to say was the magic words, you know? He’d been drowned and he hadn’t been drowned very long. It was very easy you know? And I said so-and-so and so-and-so and I found out he was connected with enough woe in life that it was no wonder that he had busily drowned. I just asked his friend who was standing there, ‘This man lead a happy life?’ ‘Oh boss,’ he says, ‘Oh no, no he have an awful time, awful time.’ I said, OK, cart him away.” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 21, 1961
——————–
“Our M.O. Dr. Steve Jarvis has just had a 2 page spread article on Scientology in ‘GP,’ the Medical Doctors’ journal in the UK. It is a splendid article, pointing up Scn’s role in psychosomatic medicine. The magazine asked for an article, three MDs in Scn submitted them. Dr. Jarvis’s article won. Copies will be mailed to all parliaments. Coronet magazine in the US printed an article by me, preceding it with a SMERSH write up. However, the article calmly made nothing of the attack and reader opinion is that it will do us a lot of good. Say, I’m busy as all hell on half a hundred hats. What’s going on with the rest of you cats?” — The Commodore, January 21, 1969
——————–
“Getting to that major goal, Clear, still stands as key for anyone who really calls themselves a Scientologist. So it still is for me, and I would need to focus on that, exclusively, if I still have a shot at it this lifetime (body age, 65 yrs!). If I don’t make it, I feel I still have enough awareness imbued, from the dedicated study and application of the Scn philosophy/ AXIOMS/The Factors, and lower level auditing, that, the ‘next’ chapter should, at least, be a little less confusing. My past lives (recalled,) have given me the certainty of returning for another round of games, in a future time and space.”
——————–
2000: Kristi Wachter reported a protest in San Francisco. “Great picket: Phil, Peaches, and me, fending off the rain with the power of our postulates. Steady foot traffic, excellent response from passersby, lots of interesting stories from those who stopped to talk with us. Jeff Quiros was there to snap pictures (with a photo partner); I got a 2-minute handling from a Scientologist whose idea of communication seems to be to talk AT someone, rather than with them; we had a visit from an a.r.s. lurker, Charlie, who mostly came to let us know there are a lot more people reading a.r.s. than posting, and to show his support.”
——————–
“You’re nothing around here unless you’ve been corrected or admonished by The Proprietor at least once.”
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Mistrial declared November 30. Retrial scheduled, jury selection begins March 29.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Plea deadline scheduled for December 16.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff scheduled to time served with three years supervised release, restitution of $9.7 million.
— Rizza Islam, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for March 1 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial hearing December 9.
— 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. Hearing November 17 to argue the arbitration motions, awaiting ruling.
— 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 at least through February 7.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Case settled ahead of scheduled Dec 6 trial.
— 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.
——————–
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?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] After huge court victory, women suing Danny Masterson and Scientology issue statement
[TWO years ago] With not guilty plea, Danny Masterson assigned a trial judge his prosecutor knows well
[THREE years ago] Scientology lets Diana Hubbard out of the compound again — what’s the occasion?
[FOUR years ago] Scientology sells miracles, and we can’t get enough of them
[FIVE years ago] Scientology front group targets unwitting indigenous people to spread its propaganda
[SIX years ago] Scientology is still a fraud in France, but it gets some revenge against anti-cult group there
[SEVEN years ago] When L. Ron Hubbard tried to convince the BBB that Scientology was raking it in
[EIGHT years ago] How Scientology responds to adversity: A classic example from its golden era
[NINE years ago] Where is Scientology keeping Barbara Cordova Oliver?
[TEN years ago] Isabella Cruise and Eddie Frencher Reunite After He Leaves Scientology’s “Sea Org”
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Viscosity: Commenters of the Week!
——————–
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 2,916 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,421 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,971 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,961 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,852 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,157 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,027 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,132 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,605 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,921 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,487 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,406 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,574 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,155 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,416 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,453 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,168 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,732 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,047 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,222 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,773 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,904 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,242 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,097 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,216 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,572 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,875 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,981 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,379 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,255 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,838 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,333 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,587 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,696 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on January 21, 2023 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
