Well, we did it once again this week.
We got into some newsy stuff on our new podcast that we created for our subscribers, which we call Group Therapy.
We’ve brought together four of our Underground Bunker regulars, Andrea ‘i-Betty’ Garner, Lynette ‘Observer’ Waggoner, Phil Jones, and the enigmatic Pan.
We spend an hour talking about the Scientology news of the week, and we have a lot of fun.
This time, we described something surprising that happened during our conversation with Mike Rinder for the Mark Twain House. When we asked a question the both of us get all the time — who will succeed David Miscavige as leader of Scientology — Mike surprised himself with an intriguing answer.
He suggested that Shelly Miscavige might be in a position to take over in Dave’s absence.
And then, we heard from Phil Jones another surprising suggestion which might be even more plausible.
And it’s his own son-in-law, John Goodwin, who runs Galaxy Press out of Author Services, Inc.
ASI is L. Ron Hubbard’s literary agency, and David Miscavige once ran it before he took over Scientology itself, so there’s some precedent.
Could these be plausible scenarios? We’re looking forward to reading your thoughts.
And as for that discussion with Mike about his book, Mark Twain House has now put the hour-long talk on YouTube. Please dive in and let us know what you think of our questions and Mike’s answers.
We have a feeling that Pan is correct: Now that John Goodwin has been suggested as a possible successor to Dave, his goose is cooked.
But it made for some interesting discussion this weekend.
So that’s a small part of what you would have heard if you received Group Therapy on the weekend and we hope you consider subscribing to get future episodes and to support the work we do here at the Underground Bunker.
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She’s baaaack!
Years ago we were approached by a woman who claimed she was dying in a Canadian hospital, that Scientology wanted her dead, and that she had been brought up a sex slave to Scientology leader David Miscavige, who kept her in an underground lab beneath Gold Base, where she was forced to bear him four sons, and also to be used for bizarre experiments in growing body parts.
She was a complete fabulist, of course, and we tried to warn folks about her nonsense. But to this day, there are still some gullible folks who take this woman’s claims seriously.
And now, she’s returned with a new story. We found out last night that she is claiming to have been sent lewd texts and photos from one of Scientology’s wealthy donors.
We just want to caution you if you hear these claims you should just dismiss them out of hand. This woman needs serious mental health help.
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Technology Cocktail
“There are various states of mind which bring about happiness. That state of mind which insists only upon freedom can bring about nothing but unhappiness. It would be better to develop a thought pattern which looked for new ways to be entrapped and things to be trapped in than to suffer the eventual total entrapment of dwelling upon freedom only. A man who is willing to accept restrictions and barriers and is not afraid of them is free. A man who fights restrictions and barriers will always be trapped.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1956
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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 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
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“A psychiatrist tells you that people aren’t really insane, because insane people could snap out of it if they wanted to, and this, therefore, is their reason for punishing people who are insane. See, their logic just goes haywire halfway through. They almost have an answer and then they miss it. Almost touch it, miss it. Once in a blue moon some psychotic will — well, this is not even a technique — but some psychotic will suddenly get sane on this statement made to him: ‘You don’t have to be insane, you know.’ You know, he all of a sudden gets sane. It’s quite amusing. Much more often, psychotics turn sane on this one: ‘Come up to present time, please.’ They do and they say, ‘Hello!’ They’re not insane anymore; just pull them out of an engram.” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 24, 1957
“LOY AND CANDY: These two were doing all right until they came to Flag at which time their parents anti-Scn attitude keyed in and they became as cases ‘Troublesome Sources.’ They have been sent back at Flag expense to handle their parents and report to AOLA and complete their retrain at which time their Class VIII will be restored.” — The Commodore, January 24, 1970
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“Dianetics doesn’t handle everything but it does handle a lot. It is absolutely amazing technology. The newer processes and the E meter make it even more amazing! As an auditor you will start to see how the tools work , very quickly experience past life events and start to see that engrams are very real and do create negative effects. I do wish LRH had included some of the newer processes in the book such as R3RA.”
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1996: Scientology has been busy trying to influence the educational system in California. “Seems there is some bit of trouble in the Petaluma School District with a mailing they did to the school teachers up there. Something about a magazine ‘exposing’ the evil ways of the ZoMbiE PsYcHLoRdS in the schools, and how to combat such. Anyway, this didn’t seem to sit too well with the teachers, and they seemed particularly upset with the Scientologists getting their mitts on a mailing list of the teachers of the Petaluma School District. I guess they don’t like the Scienos having their addresses on file? There is scheduled to be a meeting at 7:00 PM at the Luther Burbank Center in Petaluma tonight (Friday). If your in the area, go on down. They could probably use some information from those who have been watching them awhile, since no doubt the Scienos will show up with a bus load of clams from San Francisco.”
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“If you believe that the Church of Scientology is a criminal organization, that makes David Miscavige the most successful crime boss in the world.”
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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.
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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] L. Ron Hubbard’s galactic adventure: 36 years since the Scientology founder left the planet
[TWO years ago] AUDIO: Tommy Davis, as Scientology spokesman, secretly recorded discussing ‘disconnection’
[THREE years ago] Scientology files anti-SLAPP, says stalking and smearing Valerie Haney is free speech
[FOUR years ago] Thirty-three years later, Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard is still surfing the galaxy
[FIVE years ago] The Battle of Portland: How Scientology turned a nightmare court verdict into a major victory
[SIX years ago] Another Leah, inspired by her namesake, comes forward with a harrowing Scientology escape
[SEVEN years ago] On the 30th anniversary of L. Ron Hubbard’s galaxial soul ejection, an obit by an old friend
[EIGHT years ago] First time in full: 1997 interview of Barbara Klowden, L. Ron Hubbard’s PR agent and lover
[NINE years ago] Eric Idle and Kirstie Alley discuss Scientology!
[TEN years ago] Lawrence Wright: “Scientology Is Heading for a Reckoning”
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology: L. Ron Hubbard Still Surfing the Galaxy
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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 2,919 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,424 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,974 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,964 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,855 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,159 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,030 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,135 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,608 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,924 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,490 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,409 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,577 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,158 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,419 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,456 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,171 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,735 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,050 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,225 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,776 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,907 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,245 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,100 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,219 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,575 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,878 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,984 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,382 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,258 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,841 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,336 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,590 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,699 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on January 24, 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
