We got a huge reaction to Saturday’s story by Alanna Warren, who came forward as yet another former Scientology private investigator who regretted her work for the church.
Many of you pointed out how familiar her story sounded. That’s because five years ago, we told you the story of Cierra Westerman, another young woman who had taken PI courses at the same school — City College in Casselbury, Florida — and worked with the same mentor, Michelle Morton, got a job with Scientology’s private eyes, Terry Roffler and Dwayne Powell, and then began surveilling Mike Rinder, Christie Collbran, and many other ex-Scientologists. And also that she had, like Alanna, developed a romantic relationship with Powell.
Alanna said that her first assignment working for Dwayne Powell was to keep an eye on Amy Scobee and Mat Pesch.
We asked Amy for her thoughts on the matter…
It’s great when someone gets the courage to speak out. The PIs were very overtly following us, sometimes 3 cars tailing us at a time, including across state lines, from one end of the country to the other. Scientology was trying to scare us out of Clearwater while obtaining information on our contacts and activities. We haven’t spoken much about PI activity over the years because we didn’t want it to scare anyone who may potentially come forward with their own stories. People have become less afraid of retaliation since so many eyes are Scientology’s behavior – and the world hates bullies. I’m glad Alanna came forward. Her confirmation of what we witnessed is appreciated. I’m very glad that she has changed her profession.
We told you that Alanna has sent us a lot of material, besides photographs she shot on the job, and that it includes lengthy daily reports that she wrote while she was keeping an eye on Mike Rinder and Christie Collbran and others. And one of the most interesting of those reports was from July 4, 2010, when Rinder and Collbran had a lot of people over to their house.
We sent the report to Mike, and asked him for some thoughts.
That gathering was the first “Independents Day” and it was also the wedding of Marty and Mosey at our house (as you probably recall, I performed the ceremony — I had registered as a minister of The Independent Church of Scientology just to piss them off).
Obviously, an important part of this very expensive operation was to identify everyone associating with us. Seems to have been very important for Scientology to know who was jumping ship.
One thing I do find notable about this — the type of PI scientology gets to do its dirty work. Dwayne Powell is the bottom of the barrel. This is the third young woman he recruited from that same PI school, the third he had a sexual relationship with, and the second he got pregnant (I don’t think he was the father of Heather McAdoo’s son). Of course, in 2013 he was arrested for having a homemade, illegal silencer in the trunk of his car while stalking Ron Miscavige Sr.. Anyone who wants to protect their reputation (even in the often sleazy world of PI’s) doesn’t want to be associated with Scientology. I believe it’s the reason so many of them try to hide their identities or flee when they are “made.” When you resort to employing lowlifes like Dwayne Powell, it says a lot about you. The most ethical group on earth? A religion?
We’re going to excerpt a short portion of the report to give you a flavor of it. The date is July 4, 2010. The Rathbun wedding had been officiated by Rinder the day before, and the July 4 was the date for the gathering of independent Scientologists. It was Alanna’s job to watch the people coming and going to the Rinder house….
2:40pm- The silver Audi TT was observed arriving at the Riverview residence. Tom, Alison, and Chloe exited the vehicle and entered the residence. The white Mercury was also observed arriving at the Riverview residence, 3 unidentified white males and 2 unidentified white females exited the vehicle and entered the residence.
2:41pm- Tom, Alison, Chole, and two unidentified females from white Mercury arriving at Riverview Dr. (P4)
2:49pm- The RAV4 was observed arriving at the Riverview residence. Mike, Katrina, and the unidentified white male exited the vehicle and entered the residence.
2:51pm- Tom was observed exiting the Riverview residence; he proceeded to refill the paraffin oil in the tiki torch in the front yard.
2:52pm- The red Mustang was observed arriving at the Riverview residence; the 2 unidentified males and female exited the vehicle. They proceeded to unload fireworks from the vehicle and then entered the residence.
2:54pm- The white Navigator was observed arriving at the Riverview residence. Robert exited the vehicle and carried two plastic garbage bags inside the residence, they appeared to be heavy and contain ice.
2:54pm- Robert carrying two white garbage bags inside Riverview Dr. (P4)
2:58pm- The unidentified white male from the blue Mustang was observed exiting the Riverview residence, he appeared to be looking for something in the Mustang, and then went back inside.
3:23pm- Marty, Karen, and an unidentified white male were observed exiting the Riverview residence, the Karen appeared to be upset and crying. Marty and the unidentified male appeared to be consoling her.
3:24pm- The unidentified female from the red Mustang went back inside the residence.
3:25pm- Tom and Alison were observed exiting the Riverview residence and departed the area in the silver Audi TT.
3:25pm- Tom and Alison departing Riverview Dr. in Audi TT (P4)
3:29pm- Marty was observed walking back inside the Riverview residence.
3:33pm- Mosey was observed exiting the Riverview residence, she was carrying a white trash bag and placed it with the garbage cans outside.
3:34pm- The unidentified white female from the blue Mustang was observed exiting the residence, she was carrying a white trash bag and placed with the garbage cans outside.
3:37pm- A motorcycle, the green Isuzu Rodeo, a silver Kia, and a white Honda were all observed arriving at the Riverview residence. From those vehicles Dirk, 2 unidentified white females, 2 boy children, and 5 female teenagers entered the residence, unable to verify which vehicle they exited due to obstruction of view. At this time Christie was also observed exiting the residence, she walked over to Dirk and gave him a hug.
3:37pm- Dirk and unidentified group of people arriving at Riverview Dr. from Rodeo and Honda (P4)
3:42pm- A white Ford Focus was observed arriving at the Riverview residence, Steve Hall and unidentified female exited the vehicle, he proceeded to get a backpack out of the trunk, and then they entered the residence.
3:42pm- Steve and unidentified female in Focus arriving at Riverview Dr. (P4)
3:46pm- An unidentified female and male was observed exiting the Riverview residence.
3:47pm- Christie was observed taking a white plastic garbage bag outside and placing it with the garbage cans, and then she went back inside the residence.
3:48pm – Vehicles and people arriving at Riverview (P6)
3:49pm- A silver Moreno and silver Mazda Miata was observed arriving at the Riverview residence. Sophia, Victor, and 2 unidentified white females exited the vehicles and entered the residence.
3:49pm- vehicles at Riverview Dr. (P6)
3:50pm- Sophia, Victor, and two unidentified females arriving at Riverview Dr. (P4)
3:54pm- A white Chrysler Sebring convertible was observed arriving at the Riverview residence, an unidentified male and female exited the vehicle and entered the residence. At the same time unidentified male and female from the black Escort were observed exiting the residence, they walked over to the Escort and got something out, and then went back inside.
3:54pm- unidentified male and female arriving in Sebring at Riverview Dr. (P4)
4:10pm- The Audi TT was observed arriving at the Riverview residence, Tom and Alison exited the vehicle; he was carrying a plastic grocery bag inside the residence.
4:10pm- Tom and Alison arriving at Riverview Dr. (P4)
4:26pm- Laura was observed arriving at the Riverview residence in the black Versa. She proceeded to unload several brown shopping bags from the vehicle and placed them at the walk-way to the front door. She then got back in the vehicle and parked it down the street.
4:27pm- Laura carrying brown shopping bags to walk-way at Riverview Dr. (P4)
4:30pm- Robert was observed exiting the Riverview residence, he proceeded to greet Laura and her child, then they entered the residence.
4:30pm- Robert greeting Laura and baby at Riverview Dr. (P4)
4:49pm- Mike, Christie, and several other people were observed standing out in front of the residence talking.
4:56pm- Mosey was observed exiting the Riverview residence and gave Karen a hug and said goodbye.
4:56pm- Mosey giving Karen a hug & saying goodbye at Riverview Dr. (P4)
4:58pm- Mike and Marty were observed outside in the drive-way behind the RAV4 talking.
4:59pm- Christie was observed walking over to join Mike and Marty talking behind the RAV4. PRO-5 conducted spot – check of Marina Dr. the Navigator and an antique truck were observed in the drive-way.
4:59pm – Navigator and antique truck at Marina Dr (P5)
5:03pm- Christie was observed going back inside the residence. Mike, Marty, and a couple other people were still out front talking.
5:04pm- Mike, Marty, and several other people outside in front of Riverview Dr. talking (P4)
5:15pm- The group of people talking out in front of the residence went back inside.
Technology Cocktail
“Mary Sue is the sweetest tempered girl you ever saw. We went into the British Museum, saw a whole bunch of jewels lying there and she went completely 1.5. She just got so mad that even I couldn’t talk her out of it. Finally I took her home, put her on an E-Meter and her total conviction was they were still safe in a tomb someplace.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1958
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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?
[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
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney
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“The nitty-gritty of the West German raid on the dollar is to be found in a proposal to form a World Central Bank that ‘adjusts all the worlds currency.’ This is about the most cold-blooded effort at world domination I’ve ever seen. A country that surrenders its currency surrenders its sovereignty. It was Nazi banking expertise that saved the Third Reich and opened the door to WW II. What we DON’T need is Nazi control of all nations. Along with that goes psychiatric control, gas chambers, obliterated ‘impure’ minority groups. Heil Hitler. For the sake of German Scientologists of which there are now many, and the rest of the world, the new Nazi resurgence must end before it winds up in another blood bath.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 8, 1971
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“FB: The FB including CS-G did a splendid fast job on the program to beef things up in event of a hostile UK ‘Enquiry’ finding release. Some Enquiry! Never called on us to testify on anything. Its secretary, Miss Lee, was a member of Smersh! Correction: Sir Joseph is the Minister of Social Services. He has it now. When the cabinet okays it maybe it will be out.” — The Commodore, May 8, 1971
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“LRH said that he had devised plans to survive a last effort by the SPs to end up taking over this planet. I don’t know if those plans were the underground bunkers like the one in Trementina or California that protect the technology for future generations. I would suppose those bunkers were to protect the tech against nuclear war. Now it seems that the danger of nuclear war was taken care of. So, if now the underground bunkers have to protect the tech materials from hordes of Democrats joining and supporting the ranks of BLM and Antifa, then I would say that that is an improvement on the situation of the planet. Nuclear war downgraded to BLM/Antifa/Dem hordes running around California intent on destroying every vestige of civilization.”
1995: Jeff Jacobsen posted a letter this week from Dick Weigand seized in 1977 by the FBI. Dick went to jail as part of the Snow White convictions, and is now is now in charge of the cos efforts in Colombia. “You asked for a chart of enemy lines used up to this point for CW [Clearwater, Florida] attack after research of the files was done. Attached is this chart. It looks complete to me. From this I see the areas of priority to infiltrate are: 1. SPT [St. Petersburg Times] 2. Mayor 3. Channel 13 TV 4. Snyder [TV commentator?] 5. Florida Attorney General 6. Florida State Attorney (Russell)”
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“They sent me a notice for jury duty last year and I scrawled across it ‘I am a Scientologist and we do not recognize your authority in this sector of the galaxy.’ They sent me a notice back about having to get a letter from my clergyman and to bring it down to the court. I threw that in the garbage.”
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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. Next pretrial hearing: Feb 16.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing Feb 13.
— Rizza Islam, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for March 1 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next status conference Feb 13.
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: March 15, 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.
— 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] YouTuber takes a deep dive into Teami Blends and its connections to Scientology
[TWO years ago] With lawsuit in limbo, Danny Masterson accusers still trying to serve David Miscavige
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s mystery sandwich: A ‘church’ where deception is a sacrament
[FOUR years ago] New York Scientologist chiropractor pleads guilty in $80 million Medicare scam
[FIVE years ago] Witness to Dianetics: For the first time, the letters of key Hubbard ally Donald H. Rogers
[SIX years ago] DRONE FLYOVER: Scientology’s Int Base and its hilltop camouflaged ‘Eagle’s Nest’
[SEVEN years ago] Giant certificates and other weirdness from Scientology in our weekly online review
[EIGHT years ago] A voice from inside the Church of Scientology: Yes, the ‘Survival Rundown’ drives you insane
[NINE years ago] OREGON SENATOR RON WYDEN ASKS IRS FOR SCIENTOLOGY REVIEW
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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 3,023 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,528 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,078 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,068 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,959 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,263 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,134 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 2,239 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,686 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,028 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,594 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,513 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,681 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,262 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,523 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,559 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,275 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,839 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,154 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,329 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,880 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,011 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,349 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,204 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,323 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,679 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,982 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,088 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,486 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,362 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,945 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,440 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,694 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,803 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 8, 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, 1995-2022 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2022), 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
