Secrets of Scientology’s most secretive branch, part 3: CST’s people

We’re always encouraged when an Underground Bunker reader takes a deep dive into Scientology’s arcane depths, and this time a reader has come forward with some eye-opening research on Scientology’s most secretive branch, the Church of Spiritual Technology, which operates vaults for storing Hubbard’s writings and lectures in order to last for thousands of years, and also operates the compound where we believe Shelly Miscavige is being kept out of sight. Today, part three of three: CST’s people.

In part one and two of this series, we explored the legal structures and property holdings of the Church of Spiritual Technology. In part three, we take a closer look at the Church of Spiritual Technology’s Headquarters and staff.

Whistleblowers have long identified the Church of Scientology’s Headquarters as a facility located in Twin Peaks, CA. Property records show CST as the owner of 52 acres in this area. Additionally, the physical address of CST company, Mile High, Inc., is listed as 25406 State Highway 189, Twin Peaks, CA 92391.

 
Bird in a Gilded Cage

The Twin Peaks compound is described as the primary facility of CST’s “Archival Project.” A small portion of the CST property includes approximately 16 buildings, including an underground vault, offices, storage facilities, dining hall, a 9-room dormitory, and a luxury residence for the deceased L. Ron Hubbard. However, the level of security provided to this site is unique among the CST vaults and includes electronic surveillance, private security guards, and even UltraBarrier spiked-fencing, pointing both inward and outward.

One section of the property, most likely this luxury residence, is now valued at $4.5 million and is not exempt from property taxes. This tax carve-out may be an attempt to partially inoculate CST from the IRS rules on personal inurement.

The most recent changes to this property footprint occurred in December 2021, when 7 acres was transferred to the California Department of Transportation, presumably for road construction.

Michele Diane ‘Shelly’ Barnett Miscavige, age 62, is originally from Texas. Public records independently confirm that she was associated with CST’s Twin Peaks compound in the years 2008 and 2009. From approximately 2009 to 2019 her mailing address was then sometimes listed as being in Scientology offices in the Los Angeles area. There are no updates to her public address history at all since 2019, but as Tony has pointed out numerous times, Scientology attorneys have personally claimed to have spoken to Shelly in recent years, suggesting that she is still alive.

Whistleblowers have reported that Shelly may be accompanied at the Twin Peaks compound by up to three Scientology minders: Antonella Tisi (her auditor), Anne Joasem (formerly Anne Rathbun) and Else Benrhaeim (the legal spelling of her name). While this may be the case, public records are unable to independently verify their connection to the facility itself as their own address histories indicate they have been living in other locations for some time.

 
Cloak-and-Dagger

As reported earlier, “Mile High Inc.” was established as a property holding company prior to CST gaining tax-exempt status in 1993. For years, even the Wikipedia entry for the Church of Spiritual Technology has highlighted this connection. Today, Mile High’s apparent use is to mask the identity of CST and its Twin Peaks, CA headquarters with various corporate vendors and even elements of the US Government.

One public record shows Mile High Inc, used its physical address in Twin Peaks, CA, to enter into a contract in April 2023 with United Natural Foods, Inc. for bulk food deliveries to the property. In another example, Mile High Inc., used its mailing address in Hollywood, CA, in a 2014 filing with the Federal Communications Commission to secure an antenna license for a CST facility. Such extreme measures to obfuscate CST’s operations might more expected of a Top Secret facility protecting national security, not those of a religious non-profit.

 
Archival Project

Under the “Archival Project,” CST reported to the IRS by 1989 it had already spent $52 million and anticipated spending another $114 million to finish its vault construction. It is unclear how much it subsequently spent to collect and perfect its archiving techniques.

A review of US patent data over the last few decades shows CST was busy with this archiving work until at least 2009, when its last patent was filed. Its list of eleven patents, impressive by many standards, credit several non-Scientologists as well as former CST staff, Russell Bellin and Albert Trussell. The patents show interests in both archival techniques and in apparently attempting to improve Scientology’s E-meter:

• Patent 5434734, filed in 1993, granted in 1995 (Apparatus for reducing distortion during recording in a tape recorder)

• Patent 5710685, filed in 1995, granted in 1998 (Apparatus for reducing distortion during recording in a tape recorder)
• Patent D462561 filed in 2001, granted in 2002 (Storage container for compact discs)
• Patent 6659272, filed in 2002, Granted in 2003 (System for storing and transporting discs and accessory materials)
• Publication 20080139957, filed in 2004, Granted in 2008 (System for measuring and indicating changes in the resistance of a living body)
• Patent 8121676, filed in 2004, Granted in 2012 (System for measuring and indicating changes in the resistance of a living body)
• Patent D615594, filed in 2006, granted in 2010 (Document stand and shield)
• Patent D616768, filed in 2008, granted in 2010 (Device for indicating changes in a physiological parameters of a living body)
• Patent D594057, filed in 2009, granted in 2009 (Binder)
• Patent D625212, filed in 2009, granted in 2010 (Electrode for an electropsychometer)

Circumstantially, the lack of newer patent filings and Scientology’s own recent television broadcasts on the ultra-secretive project may be indications CST has largely wrapped up the Archival Project itself. CST’s more recent focus appears to be in overseeing property purchases and restoring some of the former homes of L. Ron Hubbard.

 
CST Staff

Records indicate CST’s staff is small and operating with approximately only 20 people at its various locations. The average age of this staff is now 61.

David Miscavige does not live on the Twin Peaks compound but is known to direct its activities. He even touts his direct involvement on his own website, davidmiscavige.org, where video testimonials of CST personnel are posted alongside others. In one video, Miscavige is credited with the installation of a human gyroscope “to put your body in any position you want to so you can actually perceive gravity from any perceptic.” This contraption is still visible from the public roads adjacent to the Twin Peaks compound.

Sara V. Reyes (formerly Sara Bellin), age 71, was originally listed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CST in 2020. She has been gaining titles one by one and is now listed as the CEO of Heritage Properties, LLC (since 2010), Heritage Properties International, Ltd. (since 2014), Mile High Inc (since 2016), Preservation Media International (since 2017) and IP Designs, Inc. (since 2017). She is divorced from Russell Bellin, the former CEO of CST himself and who was reportedly sent to Scientology’s infamous “Hole” at its Gold Base compound around 2004. Records identify Reyes’s address to be the Twin Peaks compound itself.

Jane A. McNairn, age 69, is originally from California. She has been Secretary of CST since at least 1994. She has also been the long term Secretary of Mile High, Inc., IP Designs, Inc., Archival Technologies, LLC, Heritage Properties, LLC and Heritage Properties, Ltd. McNairn is known for being the face of CST and corresponding with county officials. She did have public notary commission #1221089 from San Bernadino County, CA, but this license expired in 2011. She was previously married to Scientologist Brad Peeters. Records also identify McNairn’s address to be the Twin Peaks compound itself.

Arthur C. Bolstad, age 65, is originally from New Zealand. He has been the Treasurer of CST since at least 1997. He is also listed as the Treasurer of IP Designs, Inc., Archival Technologies, LLC, Heritage Properties, LLC, and Heritage Properties, Ltd. Despite being responsible for managing at least hundreds of millions of assets, his accounting credentials were not identified in either California or international databases. He likely has a brother, named Bruce Bolstad, who is also affiliated with CST. Records indicate he lives at the Twin Peaks compound along with other officials.

Jacqueline J. Locke, age 73, is reportedly CST’s Director of Disbursements. She is believed to be married to Mark Locke, also of CST. Records list Locke’s last address to be the Author Services Inc. Building in Hollywood, CA.

Marcia E. Trussell, age 68, is reportedly CST’s Technical Preservation Secretary. She is believed to still be married to Albert Trussell, who was sent to Scientology’s Hole along with other CST personnel. Records list Trussell’s last mailing address to be the Author Services Inc. Building.

Matthew C. Choi, age 70, is originally from Hawaii. He is likely a technical representative for CST as FCC records show he is responsible for maintaining a CST radio signal. Records list Trussell’s last mailing address to be the Author Services Inc. Building.

Whistleblowers report multiple CST officials, including Russell Bellin, Bruno Moresi, Albert Trussell, Thomas Vorm, Michelle Wheelis and Tom Willis, and were all sent to Scientology’s infamous “Hole” on its Gold Base in San Jacinto, CA around 2004. Many of these individuals remain unaccounted for and may remain on that compound, a constant reminder to CST staff today.

— an Underground Bunker reader

Our thanks for this research of CST records over this three-part series. Now, if only the US government would get interested in CST’s strange activities and in particular ask some questions about its most famous resident, Shelly Miscavige.

 
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Technology Cocktail

“We found a mountain on the eighth dynamic in another case that hasn’t been running. This case had been running metal on the sixth dynamic. So what? Metal belongs on the sixth dynamic—why run it? Get the idea? But this auditor had found a mountain on the eighth dynamic and ignored it. Of course, everybody knows God is a mountain — that’s obvious.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1959

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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Source Code

“When you take bodies which have been mocked up and thetans who have been indoctrinated in very definite lines — to fight, to do this, to have certain types of societies; to do this, to do that, to do the other thing — and then they get scooped up from this galaxy and that system and this star and here and there and the other place and are dumped in on one system as unwanted merchandise, you have these tremendous impulses which are at work, one against another. And it works up a lot of heat of friction. You have such a society here at this particular time. This society belongs nominally to the Espinol United Stars. This is Sun 12, and it is one little tiny pinpoint. Their whole title is Espinol United Stars, pardon me, Espinol United Moons, Planets and Asteroids, this part of the Universe is ours, Hup!” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 9, 1963

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“A very warm welcome aboard to Jane Kember The Guardian WW, on behalf of The Commodore, myself, Aides Council, The Captain and all officers and crew of the ‘Apollo’. All who have kept up-to-date with the news and events posted on my board in CIC will know what a great task the Guardian’s Office has performed for Scientology, Scientology Orgs and Scientologists throughout the world. It is an honor and a privilege to have you with us, Jane, and may your stay be most enjoyable.” — With love, Capt Mary Sue Hubbard, July 9, 1970

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Overheard in the FreeZone

“The field is almost dead. It is well possible that the Scientology third dynamic dies by the next generation. It could be saved, but there’s no reason to believe it might occur. I’ve written and wondered about what’s needed to prevent this from happening. It’s gotten old. People have gotten tired. Too many disappointments. Many survivors have huge egos that prevent them from agreeing with others. It’s low-toned. Funnily, this is the best possible time for the Scientology third-dynamic to thrive. There’s Internet and it’s cheap. The Church has ceased to exist as a threat. There’s a friendly and interested world that is willing to see what we have to offer. But it’s arrived too late. There’s too much unhealed pain. Too much shouting that hasn’t been fully listened to. Expectations of major spiritual breakthroughs that never occurred. Bankruptcy. I’ve made proposals — Magick rituals, PR campaigns — But what I deem is really-really-really important is more simple. And it’s been overlooked: Diagnosis. Simply diagnosis. A simply thorough looking of the area to see what is really going on. How are we doing. How do we feel. Maybe we can at least die as saints?”

 
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Past is Prologue

2001: Spiegel magazine published an article on the decline of Scientology in Germany and the efforts of Ms. Ursula Caberta. “It is difficult for a business to differentiate between harmless providers and Scientology members. For this reason the Hamburg Anti-Scientology Crew works closely together with the Chamber of Commerce. Their goal is to help businesses protect themselves from Scientology’s attempts at infiltration. An important means of doing this is the so-called ‘Technology Statement’ developed by Caberta and her team. In the Statement, companies, staff and seminar directors must declare that they reject the technologies of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. ‘That’s a genuine mortal sin for Scientologists,’ explained Caberta. Denying Hubbard, together with the technology he propagated, would be viewed as a ‘high crime,’ so that signing the statement would not be possible for members. Ursula Caberta has first-hand experience in finding out that the fight against Scientology is not without adverse effects. For years she has been spied and informed upon by the organization’s intelligence agency. Telephone calls to her friends and acquaintances or specific questions to her neighbors have been the daily routine for years, reported the Scientology opponent with near disinterest.”

Random Howdy

“Scientology….the Renaissance Faire meets the ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’.”

 
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentencing on Aug 4.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Trial scheduled for August 15.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud.

Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration. Plaintiffs allowed interlocutory appeal to Eleventh Circuit.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— 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 sentencing of Masterson on Aug 4.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Next hearing August 1.
— 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] Podcast: It’s Scientology’s move in several court cases, and we try to keep it all straight
[TWO years ago] My family followed Scientology from the start, and here’s how I managed to escape
[THREE years ago] Internal LAPD emails show the department’s cozy relationship with Scientology
[FOUR years ago] To be fair, we went by a Scientology ‘Ideal Org’ on its biggest day of the week
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s blatant social media fraud fuels attacks on Leah Remini and Mike Rinder
[SIX years ago] Scientology trying to salvage its derelict Narconon flagship as new training center
[SEVEN years ago] Atack: Which of Scientology’s thought-stopping clichés has stayed with you the longest?
[EIGHT years ago] How Scientology’s 1970s infiltration scandal led to the creation of its IAS slush fund
[NINE years ago] Jon Atack: The abandoned ideas that L. Ron Hubbard turned into Dianetics
[TEN years ago] Claire Headley Shows Us That in Scientology, You Just Can’t Shout at Ashtrays Enough
[ELEVEN years ago] 10,000 Scientologists Got This E-Mail Today About Disconnection, their Church President, and a Mysterious Death
[TWELVE years ago] Placido Domingo Jr: Scientology’s Retaliation is ‘Scary and Pathetic’

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 9, 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

 

Tony Ortega at Rolling Stone