Valerie Haney: Scientology changed the rules after I nominated Elisabeth Moss, Tom Cruise

[See our report from the court hearing here. Judge Killefer has decided to give Valerie one more chance to submit a ‘reasonable’ nomination.]

Today, Valerie Haney and the Church of Scientology will once again be sparring in a Los Angeles courtroom over something the court is supposed to have no power over: Scientology’s “religious arbitration.”

Scientology will argue that Valerie is not taking its arbitration procedures seriously. Valerie’s attorney, according to a new filing, will counter that the problem is Scientology isn’t willing to follow its own rules.

Valerie’s 2019 lawsuit accuses Scientology of keeping her against her will for years as a Sea Org worker at Int Base, near Hemet, California. She said she had to escape her tenure there by literally hiding in the trunk of a car, a story that became the subject of the premiere episode of the third and final season of Leah Remini’s A&E series, Scientology and the Aftermath.

Valerie also alleges that after she left Scientology, she was subjected to surveillance, intimidation, and also libelous attacks on the Internet.

But her lawsuit was derailed when Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Richard Burdge ruled that Valerie had signed contracts which obliged her not to sue but instead to submit her grievances to Scientology’s own brand of arbitration. After Valerie fought that decision for more than a year, the new judge in the case, Gail Killefer, told Valerie that she had to begin the arbitration process or risk having her lawsuit thrown out.

The first step in that process would involve Valerie nominating an arbitrator who had to be a member of Scientology in good standing. (Scientology would then choose a second arbitrator, and those two arbitrators would choose a third. All three would have to be church members.)

Objecting to the process, Valerie cheekily nominated Elisabeth Moss, Tom Cruise, and Shelly Miscavige in succession. After all, they were all Scientologists in good standing, right?

Earlier this week, we told you that Scientology attorney William Forman submitted a declaration ahead of today’s hearing, complaining that Valerie was being “obstructionist” with her nominations, and complaining that she wasn’t taking the process seriously. (And also bellyaching about documents in the case getting out to a certain website on the fringes of Internet.)

But Valerie’s attorney Bobby Thompson’s response just came in and it asks, well, what’s actually wrong with nominating someone like Elisabeth Moss as arbitrator? She’s a member of Scientology in good standing right?

Plaintiff, selected, as she was instructed to do, an arbitrator who by all accounts is a member of Scientology in good standing, which is the only thing that was required of her… Defendants seem to take issue with this selection citing that Elisabeth Moss, Plaintiff’s selected arbitrator, has appeared in “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Mad Men.” This is the first time that Defendants are now attempting to place further unilateral limitations on who Plaintiff can select as her arbitrator further showing the farce that this religious arbitration truly is.

Thompson goes on to point out that they have repeatedly asked for copies of the rules of this arbitration, and Scientology has refused to send something. And the church seems to be making up rules as they go along: You can nominate a Scientologist in good standing, but they can’t be a famous actor? Where does it say that?

Scientology is asking for Judge Killefer to dismiss Valerie’s lawsuit because she’s not taking the arbitration process seriously. And Valerie is asking the judge to conclude that the arbitration process is a joke and to allow the lawsuit to be revived.

And here’s the good part: We’ll be there! Well, virtually. We’ve signed up to listen to the proceedings remotely, and if we can hear people properly we’ll do our best to cover it the way we did the Danny Masterson trial, by typing up what people are saying and then busting out a new piece at the Substack after the hearing is concluded. So keep an eye on your inbox for that story to come out later today.

Has Judge Killefer seen enough of Scientology’s antics to end this nonsense about arbitration? Or is Valerie’s lawsuit on the edge?

We’ll do our best to keep up with what’s being said in the courtroom.

 
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Technology Cocktail

“Transference in psychoanalysis was used to denote the transference of the patient into the valence of the practitioner. This was the way which Commander Thompson described the phenomenon to me and nothing has been learnt from later analysts to disprove this basic definition of Freud’s.” — 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.

 
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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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Source Code

“You can do this trick yourself if you want to: Hypnotize somebody and have them go home and go to sleep. Then after they get home and go to sleep, so forth, you walk over in your astral body and wake them up and talk to them and give them a message and tell them they are supposed to call you at 10:15 the next morning and tell you the house is on fire. Then you come back in your astral body and get back inside yourself and you go to sleep yourself. At 10:15 the next morning, why, they will call you up and say, ‘I don’t know why, but I have a terrific compulsion to tell you the house is on fire.’” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 2, 1952

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“There is squirrel tech. In this an auditor runs off beat non-standard processes. We’ve long since handled this. There is squirrel admin. People who have out admin TRs and do not know basic lines add to standard lines or knock them out. We are working to handle this with OEC, FEBC and Admin TRs now being done and further developed. There is also squirrel cookery. This normally arises from not having the proper ingredients to hand (supply failure) and not having anyone to wash and slice and peel raw materials so they can be cooked. A standard meal comes from planned menu, correct supply, correct preparation of raw materials and following the exact recipe. From this comes edible meals. This goes into other lines of tech as well.” The Commodore, February 2, 1971

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“Once I reached OT 17 I regained the abilities I was looking for. Freedom from other determinisms across all time and space. To continue on up the CBR Bridge would be to accept the rules of a new game to be played in this universe, basically changing the rules under which this universe was created. I was involved in the creation of this universe with its eight dynamics, I don’t want more dynamics. I don’t want new rules. I want ethics put in in this universe across eight dynamics with the existing rules. I don’t believe this can be done as a humanoid. The next few years will determine whether this can be done or not. I don’t want to be pan-determined in this universe. If I wanted that I would create my own universe and ask others to join and follow my rules. It has been seven to ten years since I have looked at the CBR Bridge so I may have forgotten some of the pieces so perhaps I have some of this incorrect.”

Past is Prologue

1998: News from Scientology’s compound near Hemet, California, where new construction was announced. “A recent Riverside Press-Enterprise article is about Scientology finishing a levee to protect Golden era Studios from flooding. They used a rock basket technique developed in Italy. It cost $1.2 million. ‘We’re here forever,’ said Ken Hoden, Golden Era’s general manager. ‘We’re making a permanent commitment to the community.’ They’re also adding another nine holes to their current nine hole golf course, at a cost of $2 million tax exempt dollars.”

 
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Random Howdy

“As a 49ers/Patriots fan with 8 Super Bowl wins between them, I feel Jimmy’s pain.”

 
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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.

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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SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

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] Another crucial Scientology eyewitness coming forward, starting today at the Bunker
[TWO years ago] Ever wanted to tour Scientology’s creepy ‘spiritual mecca’? Meet your guide, Ted
[THREE years ago] Professional ham hock Grant Cardone: I’m giving up the Super Bowl for Scientology
[FOUR years ago] The presidential candidate, the controversial guru, the Scientology lawyer — and us!
[FIVE years ago] David Mayo, 1940-2017: Scientology’s top technical wizard and target of ‘Fair Game’
[SIX years ago] Fed up with Scientology disconnection? Be there to dedicate the new ‘Call Me’ billboard Feb. 18
[SEVEN years ago] The particularly bad timing of Monique Rathbun’s decision to fire her attorneys
[EIGHT years ago] The shocking case of Scientology mistreatment of the mentally ill you haven’t heard
[NINE years ago] Philip Seymour Hoffman found dead in New York, reports the Wall Street Journal
[TEN years ago] Scientology Mythbusting with Jon Atack: The Tomato Photo!
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology in France: Still Guilty of Fraud

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 2, 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