Leah Remini &#8211; The Underground Bunker

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 [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones

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“I was in a hospital one time and my stomach wall wouldn’t heal. Been messed up. And so they kept feeding me custard. And after about the 465th custard, I just had some kind of an inkling I was coming around a little bit. Actually, what was wrong with me was I was utterly exhausted. I’d just been in combat theater after combat theater, you see, with no rest, no nothing between. And it sort of came to me that this was not the sort of a diet that I myself would select of my own free choice. So I used to slide out with a good-looking nurse, and — beg your pardon, she was a WAVE. And she knew where there was a wonderful Chinese noodle parlor. And so after I’d eat my custard, she would come in and we would go out the back gate and we’d go down and I’d have several egg foo yungs. And you know, soothing things like sweet and sour pork, you know, and so forth. I started to feel better, started to get back on my feet again. And it was those custards — I kept telling the doctors, you see — those custards were absolutely marvelous, particularly when served in Chinese restaurants under some other name. you weren’t supposed to eat anything else, you see. So then finally, finally, through the connivance of a couple of hospital corpsmen and several pals in the Marine, why, I got the wrong meal ticket issued to me, and there was a special diet table where they fed people nothing but steak! So I do know where all the steaks went that the civilians didn’t get, because they were all served at that table. Huge piles of steaks would come in, you see, and I’d demolish four or five of these steaks and feel much better. The medicos never found out about this. And I finally got restored to duty, ‘Certified for continental limits of the United States only. To stay where a proper diet and ration and adequate rest are assured.’ And of course, the next piece of paper back of that says, ‘Ordered to the Fifth Amphibious Force,’ you see.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 30, 1961

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“HATS: Lack of hattedness is what makes an activity look inefficient. It’s what makes lines rough. HASs and HCO are responsible for hatting. Full and competent Hatting makes an org efficient and easy to work in.” — The Commodore, August 30, 1971

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“It’s NOT ENOUGH to just be Scientologists or going up the Bridge. The World has gone crazy and it will only get worse. The Church of Scientology is nowhere on sight. Scientology has gotten a bad name. Not enough auditing is occurring not to say anything about making auditors. You want more? There is ONE more thing that is even worse: AI is coming, artificial intelligence and that will put even more Automaticity in life. People believe they are soulless bodies or even animals. That’s rather grim. Only a strong group of people who can work together can do something about it and be heard. I don’t see any other way.”

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1999: Keith Henson posted an update on Robert Cipriano, a former witness for Scientology who is now working with his former target, Graham Berry. “Cipriano walked outside and somehow ended up with Moxon’s private investigator, Edwin Richardson, who drove him to an airport hotel. At approximately 9:30 a.m. Cipriano telephoned Graham. Cipriano told Berry that Moxon had told him by telephone that a group of them (from OSA) were on their way to pick him up and take him to an ‘old’ attorney somewhere on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. This ‘old’ attorney would ‘make everything all right’ and Scientology would give him another car, another apartment and ‘his life back.’ Graham had a friend keep Cipriano on the telephone as he raced to the hotel near the airport. While Graham was in transit his friend could hear over the phone Edwin Richardson continuously banging on Cipriano’s door. At Cipriano’s request he is now in a ‘safe house’.”

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“Mooser, I wish you would stop telling people to set their activity to private. It’s important to be able to read the previous comments to figure out if they’re some nutjob troll or a real Scientologist, for example.”

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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. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7.
— ‘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 May 31, 2024.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud.

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Leah seeking to amend her complaint.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: motion to file new complaint, hearing on May 29.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, on hold until appeal over new judge heard.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Ordered to mediation.

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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.

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.

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 2.0 still awaits trial, but the Freezone is buzzing about his origin story
[TWO years ago] Freezone news: LRH 2.0 indicted by grand jury, new center opens in Buenos Aires
[THREE years ago] Scientology wants your toddler on the cans, and here’s evidence of it
[FOUR years ago] Danny Masterson presses for Jane Does suing him to identify themselves as hearing nears
[FIVE years ago] Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard has some ideas about your ‘eternity’
[SIX years ago] Kiosk-Gate: LAPD told Masterson accuser its Hollywood site was compromised by Scientology
[SEVEN years ago] DOX: L. Ron Hubbard’s son called him a junkie and sex pervert in FBI’s Scientology files
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology petitions California Supreme Court over disqualified judge in forced-abortion case
[NINE years ago] ‘Miss Lovely’ in London: Paulette Cooper writes another chapter in her amazing story
[TEN years ago] Scientology training includes how to physically pull cash away from a reluctant patsy
[ELEVEN years ago] BBC Tracks Down Audio of 7-Year-Old Scientologist Neil Gaiman

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Scientology disconnection, a reminder

Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,008 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,503 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,018 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,568 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,558 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,439 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,743 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,614 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,166 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,507 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,074 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,993 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,161 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,743 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,003 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,039 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,755 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,319 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,634 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,809 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,360 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,491 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,829 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,682 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,803 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,159 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,462 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,568 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,966 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,842 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,407 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,920 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,174 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,282 days.

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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 30, 2024 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, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), 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

Leah Remini’s new lawyer for Scientology lawsuit: The man who put Pellicano in prison

Tony Ortega — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 11:00:00 +0000

[Leah Remini and her new attorney, Daniel Saunders]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Leah Remini has a new lawyer for her lawsuit against Scientology, and he’s a heavy hitter. A former federal prosecutor who put private investigator Anthony Pellicano in prison for wiretapping various Hollywood figures, he says he likes to bring down corporate Goliaths. Whoa. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

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Technology Cocktail

“Never give a ‘very well done’ on wins only. Give them on tech exactness. Got an Exam F/N not quite by the book. That’s only ‘well done.’ Got an Exam F/N and did it by the book is the ‘Very well done.’ We know the tech works. That’s no surprise. Perfect application by the Auditor is what the ‘Well Dones’ and ‘Very Well Dones’ are for. The moment a C/S loses sight of this point he has started his team on a downgrade that will wind up with everyone losing, org, auditors and pcs.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1971

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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— 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

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“Man, in the past, every time he got up along the strata of trying to evaluate data, would get up to some point and say, ‘Above this point it is just God, and God did everything from here on down and you can’t go any further than that.’ Then he would push back the frontier of knowledge just a little bit further and he would say, ‘Beyond that is God. God starts right in here,’ and he would use that to evaluate data. This is somewhat unworkable because there are not two data. That is why man was having trouble. But there was a second datum there all the time: there was the devil. This fits in with the double-data system. The basic unit of knowledge is two. You have to know there is a man before you can know whether or not a man can be aberrated or not aberrated. How do we describe the devil? The devil is evil and God is good. We can describe, then, and we can get some conception of magnitude, of comparative data and of value. It is very simple. ” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 16, 1951

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“All DOC members are to star-rate check out on HCO PL 22 February 1968 ‘Ethics Admin’ and FO RS 322 ‘The Hat of the Master”. Compliance to be effected within 24 hours. Twin checking between DOC members is preferred.” — The Commodore, July 16, 1970

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“As I progressed in Scientology training and auditing my own understanding of telepathy increased. A really interesting instance was just last night, as I watched my dog sleeping in her bed. She was dreaming and her body was twitching and she was even doing muffled barks in her sleep. I easily picked up and saw the dream she was having, could easily see the pictures and feel her reactions to them. I acknowledged her (not vocally), and she settled down and slept peacefully from then on. Never would I have thought I could read the thoughts (or dreams) of animals, but it is now becoming clear that OT is very different to what I had originally thought it was. I know what I know.”

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1996: Shelley Thomson posted a summary of a hearing in the Dennis Erlich case in her Biased Journalism newsletter. Scientology has hired Roger Milgram, a lawyer and noted authority on trade secrets. “‘There is one premise that I would like to question in your analysis, and that is with regard to the consequence of posting itself. It may be different than publication.’ The helpers nimbly arrange the first exhibit on the easel. The church paid for surveys of Internet users, at 1000 people per survey. 20 percent had some knowledge of Scientology. However, there is [Milgram said] no indication at all that the information which was posted is generally known. The survey is snatched off the easel and replaced with a copy of the California Uniform Trade Secret Act. ‘What I would like to focus on is the definition of trade secrets in your December opinion,’ Milgrim says. He quotes from the original statute from which the California statue was adopted: ‘a trade secret derives value from not being generally known to the public, or readily obtainable.’ ‘In the statute as adopted in California, ‘or readily obtainable’ was left out. So the statutory test is, being generally known. And one of the distinctions between the net and general publication is that the net is ephemeral..’ Milgrim informs Whyte. [Choked laughter arises from the ars part of the audience.] Milgrim claims that posts disappear very quickly, in fact, almost instantly; therefore (he says) they are not ‘readily ascertainable’ to the public. ‘The net is a hit and run medium.’ In lecture mode, Milgrim explains that publications–trade journals, science reviews–have a process. They have an editor. They have a process that requires that the works to be printed are not copyrighted. The net, he implies, is an *entirely different* situation. There is no control over what people post on the net; smoothly he works in the anonymous posts: ‘because we know that followers of Dennis Erlich…’ post the materials. Carla Oakley of MOFO now has her turn. The picture of ‘wholesale espionage’ and trade secrets published on the Internet is not the case. Plaintiffs claim to be seeking injunctive relief, but they are really attempting to silence a critic. The situation is not at all like Intel [the Judge’s example at the beginning]. Judge Whyte interrupts. There is a fundamental question raised in this case. ‘How do you lose a trade secret?’ He wants to start with Intel and work back. If it is posted to the Internet, a trade secret will be lost. This was not just done by Dennis Erlich; there have been multiple other postings. NOTS was posted in the last month. As for Internet postings, ‘they really are not ephemeral.’ A potential competitor would have had the opportunity to download and keep the material, so it does not matter whether the posts stay on the net for a long time.”

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“If the government simply enforced the already existing laws we wouldn’t even be here.”

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

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Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

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THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Scientology and the Internet: Before there was Clambake, another OG made his mark
[TWO years ago] PODCAST: Bruce Hines on Scientology Sea Org insanity, and a Shelly story we hadn’t heard
[THREE years ago] How many Scientologists live in your town? Surprisingly, Scientology has an answer
[FOUR years ago] Scientologists mourn the loss of Kelly Preston, say nothing about former member Ben Keough
[FIVE years ago] It’s not hard to figure out where L. Ron Hubbard came up with Scientology’s space cooties
[SIX years ago] Saturday on L. Ron Hubbard Way — Scientology rolled out its sneaky focus on minorities
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s ‘Drug-Free’ influence-peddling plans for New York on August 1, in detail
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s appeal denied, trial date to be set in forced-abortion lawsuit
[NINE years ago] Leah Remini’s ex-Scientology friends rock TLC — and our interview with one of them
[TEN years ago] Camilla Andersson goes public after 29 years in Scientology’s inner elite
[ELEVEN years ago] Claire Headley Wonders, Was Kirstie Alley Doing Scientology’s “Doubt Formula?”

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Scientology disconnection, a reminder

Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 2,963 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,458 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,973 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,523 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,513 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,394 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,698 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,569 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,121 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,462 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,029 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,948 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,116 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,697 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,958 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,994 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,710 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,274 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,589 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,764 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,315 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,446 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,784 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,637 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,758 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,114 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,417 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,523 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,921 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,797 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,362 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,875 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,129 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,237 days.

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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 16, 2024 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.

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.

On trial: Scientology PI accused of assaulting woman he was hired to follow

Tony Ortega — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 11:00:21 +0000

[David Smith and Susanne Gold-Smith, and Yanti Greene]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Five years after David Smith and his wife Susanne filed lawsuits against several private investigators, a trial is starting today on Long Island, and we will be there. This is the case that produced texts showing a Scientology PI was stalking Leah Remini and Jennifer Lopez. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

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Technology Cocktail

“Why settle for ‘Quickie Grades’? You get no students that way and that’s the heavy org income. You get no expanding field. And you won’t ever get a cleared planet. We’ve learned all this the hard way. So let’s not let it go unheeded.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1970

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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— 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

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“Many an auditor falls for this because the PC wants to know how come he was on the planet Yuk-zuk in a railway conductor’s uniform, you see? What was he doing there? And that’s all very interesting and we can assuage his curiosity to some degree, but if we go in for just assuaging the curiosity of the thing — dramatizing watching TV or something like that, you see — we unfortunately get into the situation where we’re not following down an engramic chain. So here, you see, is another great liability in running engrams. We get so absorbed in dramatis personae and that sort of thing, that we actually aren’t running the chain of engrams at all, we are simply trying to find out. See, get that as a liability, because it is a liability. You actually can find out all about what this PC was doing on the planet Yuk-zuk. You could find out all about it. The only trouble is the basic on it was on the planet Pan-wan, which was a trillion years earlier. You see?” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 11, 1963

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“No member of the Ships Company as per Flag Order is permitted to bring any pet aboard without permission. Gerry McLarty and Maria Bosselaar have brought aboard birds of the Psittacine family and Julie Blundell has a bird of unknown variety. These birds may endanger our free pratique at the next port entry. More particularly, Psittacine birds can develop psittacosis, an infectious virus disease, which can be transmitted to humans and so are a health hazard.” — Capt. Mary Sue Hubbard, June 11, 1969

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“Much like you have had free reign to spread entheta about our org and our members, I should be allowed to have my voice, so please stop attempting to suppress me by saying ‘stop it’ and ‘stop spreading entheta.’ Per LRH, ethics exist to HELP orgs, not destroy them. Please see references above. Moreover, LRH says that we are protected from ethics because of our up-stats. The case should be closed there. Moreover, LRH didn’t want a dictatorship to exist. As long as Scientology is introduced into the world and we can HELP people, we should. If our org is gone, along goes with it the world’s only online course room for independent Scientologists, video production to increase awareness of LRH and his materials, quotes, the first Scientology games, and then some.”

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1996: David and Julie Mayo posted extensive accounts of the cult’s Fair Game policy against them in the last few years. David is being harassed for having founded a competing church to Scientology. “On August 4, 1994, Scientology(tm) utilized INTERPOL, the US DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency), and the DNCD (Dominicana Nacional Control de Drogas) to try to enforce Scientology’s(tm) religious beliefs on me, to persecute me and to get me jailed by false allegations to INTERPOL. INTERPOL had received and acted on a report that I was ‘practicing Scientology(tm) without a license’; that I had ‘destroyed Scientology(tm) property’; that I was ‘representing’ myself as a ‘Scientologist’. Ventura Bayonet, head of the Dominican Republic DNCD said that he decided to act as a result of a phone call from INTERPOL alleging that I had damaged ‘millions of dollars of Scientology(tm) property’. I was not representing myself as a Scientologist nor was I practicing Scientology(tm), with or without a license. I had not ‘damaged’ Scientology(tm) property. By 1992, all of the civil lawsuits brought against me by Scientology(tm) had been dismissed and in January 1993, the Central District of California had sanctioned RTC/Scientology(tm) plaintiffs 2.9 million dollars for abusive litigation against me. On August 4, 1994, our residence was surrounded by approximately 15 armed police, military and DNCD agents. I was not charged nor was I resented with any order but I was handcuffed. My home was searched for fire arms, drugs and money. No drugs or firearms were found. Nonetheless, I was taken to two police stations and eventually taken to Santo Domingo where I was put in prison with no charges, explanation or reason. I wasn’t allowed to make a phone call to anyone — not even to a lawyer, to my wife or to the American Embassy. That night, I was put in a small cell (about 12′ x 12′) stuffed with 10 – 12 other men overnight in abhorrent conditions — I had not been permitted food or water since the afternoon, there was no place to stretch out, the cell was filled with stench due to a blocked toilet and there were flies and mosquitoes. The next day I learned that it was INTERPOL that was investigating me at the request of Scientology(tm). I was released the next night, without being charged, but the incident was shockingly unexpected and intimidating. September 1994. A private investigator from Boca Raton, Florida, calling himself John Bertrant, called several of my clients, friends and supporters and gave them alarming news concerning ‘Mayo being in jail’. When was the last time they had seen Mayo? Had they given Mayo any money? One of my clients inquired for whom was John Bertrant working. Bertrant said he couldn’t say, but that it was a group and that he had done extensive contract work for the CIA and other government agencies. May 16, 1995, at the airport, Julie was stopped at passport control. She was detained for five hours during which time she was searched and questioned by several DNCD agents: Bautista, Medina, and Corcino. She was asked repeatedly as to where I was. They threatened to put her in jail while they continued the investigation, and wouldn’t allow her to make a phone call, even to the American Embassy. Medina finally admitted to her that they were put up to it by Scientology(tm). After five hours, she was released and told she could catch the next plane out. We haven’t been back home since, now over a year later. Most of the time we have stayed with friends who have been very charitable in letting us stay with them. I try not to think what has happened to our pets and the garden. I hope Chago was able to give them away to good homes. The food in the refrigerator is undoubtedly a bit moldy by now. I keep hearing stories that someone is telling our neighbors that David is in jail. We had a very good decision from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal on April 11, 1996– the 2.9 million dollar sanction was affirmed and our counterclaims reinstated. But the CofS/RTC has requested for a rehearing en banc. In the meantime, the San Mateo case is scheduled to go to trial in a couple weeks.”

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“The fact that the mayor couldn’t revoke the license for the Scientologists to erect their circus tent in punishment for their egregious act I find outrageous. The U.S legal system is way too convoluted for my liking.”

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

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Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

——————–

THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Scientology success stories are the bomb: But which continent is most on fire right now?
[TWO years ago] Recent controversies & financial crimes of Scientology: Katherine Olson interview, Part 2
[THREE years ago] Scientology sends out a deluge of mailers as its newest Texas location prepares to open
[FOUR years ago] Scientologist attorney gets her first ‘head on a pike’ with OC health officer resignation
[FIVE years ago] Justin Bieber in the octagon? Why he couldn’t handle Tom Cruise’s Scientology powers
[SIX years ago] When Scientology keeps a mother from her child in the ER: Lori Hodgson’s story
[SEVEN years ago] Neil Gaiman’s sis begs her fellow Scientologists to donate to an already funded building
[EIGHT years ago] BILLBOARD 2.0 — Phil and Willie Jones set their sights on Scientology’s mecca in Florida
[NINE years ago] Augustine: How L. Ron Hubbard devised Scientology’s most diabolical legal mechanisms
[TEN years ago] OKLAHOMA EMPANELS GRAND JURY TO INVESTIGATE SCIENTOLOGY’S DRUG REHAB
[ELEVEN years ago] Precious Bodily Fluids: Scientology and the Purification Rundown

——————–

Scientology disconnection, a reminder

Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 2,928 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,423 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,938 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,488 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,478 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,359 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,663 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,534 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,086 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,427 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,994 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,913 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,081 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,662 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,923 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,959 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,675 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,239 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,554 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,729 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,280 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,411 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,749 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,602 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,723 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,079 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,382 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,488 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,886 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,762 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,327 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,840 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,094 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,202 days.

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on June 11, 2024 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.

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.

Jane Doe, like Leah Remini, asks for judge in Danny Masterson lawsuit after Miscavige stunt

Tony Ortega — Sun, 21 Apr 2024 11:00:28 +0000

We did our best this week to explain how Scientology leader David Miscavige managed to get the judges he didn’t like in two lawsuits removed, even though both cases had been filed months earlier.

Miscavige cynically capitalized on the evasion of process servers that the courts had let him get away with for months and then waited to make his first appearances in those cases after the judges had made rulings he didn’t like. Then he made his first official appearances in each case so he could file peremptory challenges to remove the judges, claiming that for him the lawsuits had just begun. In both cases, the judges had no choice but to step down.

We pointed out how unfair this was to Leah Remini and Jane Doe 1, the plaintiffs in those two lawsuits, but neither of them are taking it lying down.

There’s a third lawsuit against Scientology at Los Angeles Superior Court, the one filed by Danny Masterson’s victims in 2019 (known as Bixler v. Scientology). After a lengthy delay while Masterson was going through two criminal trials, the lawsuit is active again and is in the courtroom of Judge Upinder Kalra, who recently knocked down an attempt by Scientology to gut the lawsuit.

After Leah lost the judge in her case, she filed a “notice of related case,” pointing out how similar her lawsuit is to the Bixler case, with both of them alleging that Scientology targeted them with elaborate campaigns of harassment, stalking, and intimidation.

Instead of giving her case to a random new judge (which turned out to be Judge Holly Fujie), Leah’s lawyers argued that her lawsuit should, like the Bixler case, be handled by Judge Kalra. This would save the court time and resources, and help to avoid contradictory rulings.

We don’t know if the court is going to go for that, but now Jane Doe is following suit.

In her case, Judge Robert Broadbelt on Monday evening posted a stunning tentative ruling calling Scientology’s brand of arbitration “unconscionable.” But before he could make that ruling final at a hearing Tuesday, Miscavige sent his attorney Jeffrey Riffer that morning to notify Judge Broadbelt that Miscavige was making his first appearance and immediately filed a peremptory challenge to remove the judge. Broadbelt stepped down and his tentative ruling was wiped out.

Jane Doe’s case has now been assigned to Judge Michael Small, but she too has now filed a “notice of related case” and, like Leah, is asking that her lawsuit be reassigned to Judge Upinder Kalra.

We figured you’d want to see the specific arguments her attorneys made in their filing…

1. Plaintiff Jane Doe in 22STCV40862 (Case #1) is Plaintiff Jane Doe #1 in 19STCV29458 (Case #2).
2. Religious Technology Center and Church of Scientology International are defendants in both Case #1 and Case #2.
3. Defense counsel overlap in Cases #1 and #2. Plaintiff’s Counsel (Edwards Henderson) overlap in Cases #1 and #2.
4. On April 16, 2024, Plaintiff Jane Doe in Case #1 was informed by the Court at the hearing on the Motion to Compel Arbitration that Defendant David Miscavige exercised his Rule 170.6 peremptory challenge to exclude the Honorable Robert Broadbelt.
5. The two cases share substantially identical questions of law and fact and issues, including but not limited to the validity of an arbitration provision Defendants have sought to impose in both cases. The agreement with the arbitration provision at issue in Case #2 is identical to the agreement with the arbitration provision at issue in Case #1.
6. The Court in Case #2 previously ruled the arbitration provision was not binding as to Jane Doe #1. Judge Robert Broadbelt issued a Tentative Ruling in Case #1 finding that the same arbitration provision was not binding. The like findings in the two cases demonstrate that Case #1 and Case #2 are related and provide the requisite knowledge that triggered the filing of this Notice at this stage.
7. The issue of the enforceability of the arbitration provision, which if enforced would force Jane Doe into Scientology arbitration, is common in both cases. A disparate ruling among cases involving the same Plaintiff and the same agreement will confuse issues and create split decisions versus final rulings.
8. The cases also share substantially similar discovery issues including Scientology policies prohibiting the reporting of crimes, the management of individuals who disregard Scientology rules, and the treatment of Jane Doe by each Defendant. Witnesses and expected motions are also substantially similar.
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9. Any award or judgment in either Case #1 or #2 would be paid by the same Defendant entity.
10. Consolidation of discovery in Cases #1 and #2 will achieve judicial expediency and will serve to prevent the substantial duplication of judicial resources that will occur if heard by different judges.
11. Notably, Plaintiffs previously filed a Notice of Related Cases for Case #1 and #2 that was denied and deferred jurisdiction to Judge Broadbelt. Considering the new circumstances in this matter given that Judge Broadbelt no longer has jurisdiction, the matter should be reconsidered and the cases related. Both judges and courts have already expended significant judicial resources delving into complicated fact issues in these similar cases, and relating the cases under Judge Kalra will provide judicial efficiency.

We’ll say it again: The Los Angeles Superior Court just allowed David Miscavige to sandbag them, and they have rewarded him for evading service and making a mockery of the court.

They have a chance to make up for that by granting Leah Remini and Jane Doe 1 the requests they have made, which not only make sense for conserving judicial resources, but also to prevent conflicting rulings.

Why don’t you surprise us and do the right thing, LA Superior Court?

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Technology Cocktail

“The C/S’s job only becomes unhappy and impossible when the auditors are nonstandard or the Admin people never heard of lines or policy and he himself departs from the straight and narrow of Standard Dianetics and Standard Tech. The purpose of Dianetics can be accomplished smoothly and easily only if the above are taken into account.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1969

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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— 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

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“The road into this universe is successive unawarenesses. And the road out is successive awarenesses. But not just bare-breasting your chest to the whole universe. No, you have to find out why the individual didn’t want to be aware at those points, and he didn’t want to be aware because he solved it. Well, what’s this solution? Well, that was yesterday’s problem. Yesterday’s solution, problem, solution, problem, solution — they’re all the same line of cat. He got himself into trouble by solving himself into trouble. And when he has solved himself all the way into trouble totally, he’s here, and he’s the fireman down in the stokehold. And therefore there are no lower levels of subconscious for you to explore; there are only upper levels of awareness.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 21, 1964

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“We’re having a VIP function aboard at 1900 tonight. The Mayor, Harbour Master, news photographers and approx 20 others are invited. Just like crew became so expert at handling in February. Everyone’s agreement and assistance will be much appreciated.” — Lt. Barry Watson, Pub Exec Officer, April 21, 1970

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“Our task is to somehow transform social perception of Scientology. This in the face of a sea of: bad press, entrenched current and former Scientologists, fake news, a general and worldwide disparagement of religion, and a fleet of so called Ideal Orgs which will (probably soon) be embroiled in a maelstrom of bankruptcies. Empty buildings cannot sit that way for long. It is contrary to the laws of exchange, among other things. That will bring more ‘news,’ this time of the ‘demise of Scientology.’ Which is good. It is a law of this universe that death always preceeds the resurgence of life.”

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2002: Boudewijn van Ingen reported from a court hearing in The Hague in which Scientology is opposed to the continued presence of secret Operating Thetan materials on Dutch websites. “Warren McShane was allowed to make a short presentation to the judges early on, about the ‘security arrangements’ that are supposedly in place in the Co$ to keep those precious OT-levels from becoming ‘published.’ Mr. Hermans (Lawyer for CoS) had argued that at no time copies of the OT-material were spread amongst Scientologists and that Scientologists were even never allowed to take notes while they studied the materials. According to Warren, the OT’s are all printed on special paper called mylar that is impossible to tear and contains a device that would set off an alarm when someone would try to remove it from the room. When the lead judge asked Warren about the fact that these security arrangements obviously had not been in use ever since the sixties, when the OT-material was written, Warren hastened to explain that these arrangements obviously evolved over time, but that the secrecy had been in place at all times. And he waved a piece of paper in front of the bench that was supposed to prove that. Alas for him, it was by then far too late to enter new evidence into this case. And of course, waving pieces of paper in front of a judge at such a late stage in a court case makes the one doing it look quite ridiculous.”

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“Most people have never heard of the guy who invented the mouse. But a lot of them have heard of L Ron Hubbard. This is why I drink.”

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

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Leah seeking to amend her complaint.
— 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: motion to file new complaint, hearing on May 29.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, hearing on April 16.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Ordered to mediation.

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Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

——————–

THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Did prosecutors leave a Danny Masterson fan on the retrial jury?
[TWO years ago] More proof that Hollywood is over Scientology: Netflix openly mocks it with billboard
[THREE years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 2: Monique Yingling
[FOUR years ago] City of Inglewood: Brian Statler shouldn’t have resisted arrest and forced us to shoot him dead
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s mad real estate splurge has real consequences for its indentured workers
[SIX years ago] Hana Whitfield’s book excerpt: L. Ron Hubbard’s amidships meltdown over ‘Xemu’ and OT 3
[SEVEN years ago] Bunker reader Dee Findlay stole the show as Clearwater stood up to Scientology last night
[EIGHT years ago] How Lisa Marie Presley became Scientology leader David Miscavige’s worst nightmare
[NINE years ago] Marc Headley reveals the embarrassing technological secrets of Scientology
[TEN years ago] Convicted of fraud by France’s highest court, Scientology still pursues creative appeals
[ELEVEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: The United States of Scientology

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Scientology disconnection, a reminder

Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 2,877 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,372 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,887 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,437 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,427 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,308 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,612 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,483 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,035 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,376 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,943 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,862 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,030 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,611 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,872 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,908 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,624 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,188 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,503 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,678 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,229 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,360 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,698 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,551 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,672 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,028 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,331 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,437 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,835 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,711 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,276 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,789 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,043 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,151 days.

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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 21, 2024 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.

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)

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.

Not so fast: Judge Hammock questions David Miscavige’s challenge to step down

Tony Ortega — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 11:00:49 +0000

[Defendant David Miscavige and Judge Randolph Hammock]

When Leah Remini sued the Church of Scientology and its leader David Miscavige at Los Angeles Superior Court last August, she wasn’t happy with the first judge who was selected to preside over it, Judge William Fawhey.

So she submitted what’s called a “peremptory” challenge, meaning that she had one opportunity to remove a judge without having to explain her reasons. The case was then assigned to Judge Barbara Scheper, but she recused herself because her attorney husband had done work for Scientology in the past.

That’s how Judge Randolph Hammock then got assigned to the case, and he has been handling it since then. We saw him in action in January, and we liked what we saw. He took the time to understand the case on a deep level, and even said in court that he’d never worked harder on a tentative ruling in his entire career.

But then, when he made that tentative ruling a final one last month, dismissing some of Leah’s defamation claims but keeping in eight of her nine causes of action, Scientology leader David Miscavige then made his displeasure with the ruling plain when he filed his own peremptory challenge to have Judge Hammock removed. (Scientology attorney William Forman then filed notice that the church planned to appeal the ruling.)

But rather than simply step down, Judge Hammock is pushing back, wondering if it’s too late for Miscavige, especially on his own, to remove the judge so easily.

Yesterday, he filed a rather unusual order, asking both sides to submit arguments about whether, at this point in the lawsuit and after the judge’s major ruling, Miscavige can, unilaterally, remove him.

He proposed both sides wrestle with these questions and get him answers by April 9:

1. The fact that this Court has already ruled upon a special motion to strike (Anti-SLAPP), which may involve a “contested fact determinations relating to the merits of the trial,” does this prevent Defendant Miscavige’s peremptory challenge at this time?
2. Does the fact that Defendant Miscavige is the de facto leader and/or CEO of the corporate defendants prevent him from filing this peremptory challenge, in his individual capacity, at this time?
3. Does the fact that he sought relief, in his individual capacity, by filing a motion to quash for this Court to hear, prevent his current peremptory challenge at this time?
4. Does the fact that subsequent to the filing of his peremptory challenge, he filed a joint stipulation for this Court’s signature and Order, on 3/29/24, requesting an extension for his time to file a responsive pleading, affect his right to exercise a peremptory challenge at this time?
5. Does the subsequent filing of a notice of appeal by the corporate defendants in regard to this Court’s ruling of the special motion to strike have any impact on the pending peremptory challenge, either jurisdictional or otherwise?

Wow! Judge Hammock has spent a lot of time and effort on this lawsuit, and he does not want to be sent packing so easily.

We’re very curious about what both sides say about this. For example, what if Leah’s side has its own issues with Judge Hammock? Will they argue to keep him? We can’t wait to find out.

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Technology Cocktail

“A ‘dirty needle’ indicates that a pc has withholds or is ARC Broken. When a pc is to be audited on Dianetics as a student or org pc he/she usually goes to the Examiner after a Dn C/S I (training pc) is done. If a DIRTY NEEDLE (ragged, jerky, ticking needle, not sweeping) is seen by the Examiner or the auditor the pc should have a Scientology Review before Dianetic auditing is begun with an order for ‘GF and pull all withholds’.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1969

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——————–

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— 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

——————–

“The whole US civil defense system is based on the idea that there is a thing called the government which is composed of people (which already is silly) and they’re going to take over the country at the moment of an attack, see? They aren’t there now. They’re not part of the people, and they’re not human, you see? And they’re parked up someplace in Canada along the DEW line or down in Mexico or out on some island, and they don’t exist there now. And at the moment of an attack, nobody is supposed to do anything but be taken over by the government. That’s what you’re supposed to do in an attack. Consider it absolutely fascinating! It’s just as bad as Eisenhower’s design for the Normandy landing. I mean, there was nothing worse than that. I didn’t know this until the other day. I’m going to write a book on it. I’m going to call it The Great Myth. You see, I was a Pacific amphibious warfare officer before these Normandy landings occurred. And there’s certain ways you’re supposed to make landings. Well, they didn’t make them that way at Normandy. They killed men instead.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 3, 1962

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“Our trouble has been isolated to the British Government. It uses British Consuls, Lloyds and reporters as part of its intelligence service. It has been revealed that reporters in the UK, particularly those operating outside it, are members of their intelligence service while still being reporters. The US health societies, groups, foundations and agencies are all members of SMERSH which is an English takeover of the work of Clifford Beers to bring protection to mental patients. By blackmail, corruption and pretense of being ‘the very best people’ this group had the British government in its palm. It appointed the health ministers of both parties in England and throughout the Commonwealth and even Switzerland. SMERSH is a world takeover type group, full of preposterous plans. It is now actively destroying western nations whose governments look to them to dispose of malcontents without realizing SMERSH’s degraded technology is violently opposed by Western peoples. If we are careful, keep good security and continue to attack, SMERSH will collapse as they are trying to be a police state without either the police or army on their side. We must be alert to the Intelligence factors of SMERSH and safeguard against their penetration of our security. On our shoulders alone rests the possibility of freeing Mankind from the horror of one of these police states which could destroy Mankind. The rest, like sheep, have been taken in wholly.” — The Commodore, April 3, 1969

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“Scientology got into bad hands starting in 1972, and it was not done by the young David Miscavige at that time, but by the IRS, CIA, FBI and other such criminals with vested interest to hold down Clears and OTs and grab the tech of ‘remote viewing’ for themselves.”

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1998: The St. Petersburg Times ran a story this week on Scientology’s growing attempts to influence Washington politics. “After years of holding the U.S. government in contempt, the Church of Scientology is enlisting members of Congress, the U.S. State Department and even President Clinton to advance its agenda in foreign lands. Prodded by the Scientologists’ paid lobbyists and its cadre of sympathetic entertainers, several lawmakers and the Clinton administration have criticized the German government for allegedly discriminating against Scientology practitioners. They even got their argument against Germany to the floor of the House of Representatives last November. The lobbying push comes amid an ongoing criminal investigation into a suspicious death of one of its parishioners at Scientology’s Clearwater headquarters – the latest in a history of controversy involving the church. That history includes convictions of 11 Scientologists on charges stemming from break-ins of government offices in the 1970s. Scientology has used lobbyists in Washington in the past, but in the years since the IRS ruling the organization has stepped up its lobbying effort. Records made public last week show that Religious Technology Center, a Scientology affiliate in Los Angeles, paid almost $725,000 to a Washington-based firm to lobby Congress in 1997 and 1996. David H. Miller, the managing partner of Federal Legislative Associates, said members of Congress initially were skeptical about his client and its checkered past. ‘What I’ve said to members is, ‘That’s all bulls—. That’s all extraneous. Let’s talk about the facts,’ he recalled, though he concedes: ‘What they are trying to do is live down some of their past mistakes.’ Miller, 50, is a former congressional aide who has been a lobbyist for 18 years. He and his firm represent clients such as the American Bankers Association and American Airlines. He is not, he said, a Scientologist. Miller, the lobbyist, said he has gradually tried to build a foundation of support that gives Scientologists’ claims of discrimination credence in Washington. The biggest victory in that regard has come from the U.S. State Department, which criticized the German government for its treatment of Scientologists in its annual human-rights report.”

——————–

“We Farsecians are not evil. We are the Knights Templar of the Universe. We are the Keepers of the ARC of the Covenant.”

——————–

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

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Leah seeking to amend her complaint.
— 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: motion to file new complaint, hearing on May 29.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, hearing on April 16.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Ordered to mediation.

——————–

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

——————–

THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] WACKY: Scientology flack Ben Shaw’s unhinged letter denying ties to Clearwater developer
[TWO years ago] Another reason to watch the CA supremes: Danny Masterson is petitioning his rape case
[THREE years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 3: The judges
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s new attempt to force ‘religious arbitration’ on Danny Masterson’s accusers
[FIVE years ago] A stunning Scientology call to arms for our politically divided times on this dirt ball
[SIX years ago] Newly released documents: Scientology leader L. Ron Hubbard tried to ‘buy’ an African nation
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology leader David Miscavige launches new personal attacks at Leah Remini
[EIGHT years ago] David Miscavige and a bussed-in crowd cut the ribbon on Atlanta’s new Scientology ‘Ideal Org’
[NINE years ago] How Scientologists are dealing with the popularity of Alex Gibney’s film ‘Going Clear’
[TEN years ago] We asked David Miscavige’s tailor for his exact height — and here’s what he told us!
[ELEVEN years ago] LEAK: Scientology’s Rehab Went from $5,000 to $2.5 Million in Insurance Revenue in One Year

——————–

Scientology disconnection, a reminder

Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 2,859 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,354 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,869 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,419 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,409 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,290 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,594 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,465 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,017 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,358 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,925 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,844 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,012 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,593 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,854 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,890 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,606 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,170 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,485 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,660 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,211 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,342 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,680 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,533 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,654 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,010 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,313 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,419 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,817 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,693 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,258 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,771 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,025 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,134 days.

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on April 3, 2024 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.

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.

Scientology will appeal ruling in Leah Remini lawsuit that preserved most of her claims

Tony Ortega — Sat, 30 Mar 2024 11:00:47 +0000

We’re still seeing headlines saying that the recent ruling in Leah Remini’s lawsuit “gutted” it, or all but destroyed it, and that Scientology is entitled to fees, and so on.

We told you that those assessments are basically wrong. Yes, Judge Randolph Hammock did remove numerous defamation claims from Leah’s lawsuit, but he kept in eight of its nine causes of action (the one he killed, the ninth, was marginal to begin with), including the important claims of harassment and tortious interference, and Leah has already filed to put back in fresher defamation claims than the ones that were cut for being too old.

But the best evidence that this ruling was much better for Leah Remini than you’ve heard from some news organizations is that David Miscavige is so unhappy with the ruling he filed a peremptory challenge to remove Judge Hammock from the case, and yesterday Scientology’s attorney William Forman filed notice that the church will be appealing the ruling.

Sure, Leah gave up some things in the ruling, but it’s Scientology that is bursting a blood vessel over it.

Leah filed her suit on August 2, and she’s asking for a jury trial to prove that she’s been subjected to horrendous “Fair Game” smears and harassment by Scientology and its operatives.

Judge Hammock agreed in part with Scientology that this is a very public fight and that both sides are engaging in name-calling. But he also found that Leah can sue the church over claims that it has sent operatives to intimidate her family members, for example, or has targeted the executives of companies Leah does business with in order to scare them off.

Even with some of the defamation claims removed, this remains a problematic lawsuit for Scientology, and so we were pretty amused to see Karin Pouw, the church’s spokeswoman, tell the Courthouse News Service that this was “a resounding victory for the Church.”

It wasn’t a resounding victory, and Scientology has now confirmed that by indicating that it plans to appeal.

So what do we have to look forward to now? There’s the matter of replacing Judge Hammock. Leah’s team cleverly suggested that Judge Upinder Kalra take it over since he already has the Bixler case in his court and recently handed a very favorable ruling to the Danny Masterson victims suing the church. Will the court go for that, or will Leah’s suit be assigned to another random judge at the Los Angeles Superior Court?

Leah has asked for an April 18 hearing to ask for leave to amend her complaint and add those updated defamation claims. However, with Scientology appealing Judge Hammock’s ruling, the case is likely to be held up for quite a while. But then, with Scientology litigation, delays by the church just seem par for the course.

——————–

Technology Cocktail

“The reason why Dianetics and Scientology were abused or even fought has to do with what is called a ‘cultural lag.’ This has often occurred in the history of technical developments. The atomic bomb was wholly feasible more than a decade before it was ‘developed.’ No one credited it and no one put up the cash. The radio telephone was invented and demonstrated half a century before it was generally used. Cultural lag occurs for many reasons.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1969

——————–

——————–

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— 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

——————–

“I don’t think ever in my life I even ever held out my hand for a fee. I don’t ever mention it. I’ve even acted sometimes as Registrar for an organization that didn’t have anything to do with money and people would walk in occasionally and throw some money on the desk and I’d invoice it so they could have a receipt. I gave it to them so they could have a receipt, not so I could have any money. Now, that’s about the wildest look you ever saw! I remember auditing some people in the early days and we never talked about money and they got embarrassed after a while and they gave me several thousand dollars. That’s a reverse look, isn’t it?” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 30, 1965

——————–

“The hot water on A deck is tepid.” — The Commodore, March 30, 1970

——————–

“SPs behave as they do because they are being manipulated telepathically to do so. This is possibly why OT 8 saved the world, there’s seriously evidence for the world changing after OT 8. We are winning and have won, it’s great, that was a big battle of freedom vs enslavement. And Trump announced the Space Force, it’s been around for years but finally it’s made public, the truth is all coming out bit by bit, the whole enslavement system is being dismantled and we are rising to higher heights. The 20th century was all about machine advancement which was amazing, but now the 21st is all about our personal advancement. Atlantis’ golden age has begun.”

——————–

2001: Tilman Hausherr reported on the libel trial in Berlin in which Bob Minton is suing OSA representative Sabine Weber, Freedom Magazine and Scientology for false statements made in Freedom magazine and other publications. “The court said there is no indication that Minton has been involved in shady movements of billions of dollars, he did do the debt buy-back, there is no evidence that he helped hide any money, Scientology isn’t a ‘citizens organisation’ that can’t be expected to do some research. While the court wouldn’t say that Scientology has an ‘intelligence service,’ it called Scientology a large organisation with enormous possibilities, so it has to listen to the response of Minton. Many of the oral allegations of the Scientology attorney were similar to what has been claimed on ars, e.g. that Minton has Caberta on a string, that he bribed her, that he set up money laundering foundation for Abacha, and that he was ‘sure’ that Greenland was also there to funnel money into foreign countries. Minton’s attorney explained that Scientology is doing a ‘perverse’ campaign against Minton, based on the policies of Scientology founder Hubbard, that Caberta is actually not even investigated for bribery, only for ‘Vorteilsnahme’ which is something less. The Scientology attorney said that the complaint in Switzerland was for real, but didn’t explain why they could only provide some translation of it. He claimed that because Minton attacked Scientology, Scientology is allowed to attack Minton.”

——————–

“The first time I heard about people having to pay for being sec checked I was gobsmacked. OT 7’s have to get sec checked every 6 months to the tune of twenty grand or thereabouts. Imagine if the cops started charging people to be interrogated? Without a lawyer!”

——————–

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

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Leah seeking to amend her complaint.
— 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: motion to file new complaint, hearing on May 29.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, hearing on April 16.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Ordered to mediation.

——————–

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

——————–

THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Life as a Scientology ‘Flag auditor,’ bending the minds of Neil Gaiman and others
[TWO years ago] Scientology is unhappy the Danny Masterson accusers are sticking up for Valerie Haney
[THREE years ago] Another Scientology success story: Real Water liver failure lawsuits proliferate
[FOUR years ago] Scientology tries desperately to keep members from letting reality sink in during pandemic
[FIVE years ago] Leaving Scientology’s ‘Sea Org’ isn’t easy, and some turn to desperate measures
[SIX years ago] Georgia police department closes its case on Arnie Lerma attempted murder-suicide
[SEVEN years ago] Dungeons & Dragons and Scientology collide: Can we get a saving throw on that engram?
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology leader David Miscavige in Atlanta on Saturday: Can you feel the excitement?
[NINE years ago] AUDIO LEAK: Hear a Scientologist being declared suppressive and facing the loss of her family
[TEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: These fliers should convince you to give all your cash to Scientology!
[ELEVEN years ago] Independent Scientology: The Ballad of Captain Bill

——————–

Scientology disconnection, a reminder

Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 2,855 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,350 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,865 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,415 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,405 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,286 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,590 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,461 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,013 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,354 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,921 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,840 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,008 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,589 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,850 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,886 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,602 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,166 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,481 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,656 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,207 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,338 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,676 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,529 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,650 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,006 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,309 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,415 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,813 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,689 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,254 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,767 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,021 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,130 days.

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on March 30, 2024 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.

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.

Leah Remini files notice: Let Judge Kalra handle BOTH Scientology harass cases

Tony Ortega — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 11:00:43 +0000

[Judge Upinder Kalra and plaintiff Leah Remini]

Leah Remini got a lot of attention yesterday evening when she posted an image of her associate’s degree from New York University to share how much it meant to her to reach that goal at 53 years of age while she continues to work toward a bachelor’s degree.

Another move she made yesterday got less attention but is just as smart: Now that David Miscavige has peremptorily removed Judge Randolph Hammock from Leah’s lawsuit against him and the Church of Scientology, Leah filed notice with the court that it makes sense for Judge Upinder Kalra, who is handling the similar Bixler harassment lawsuit against Scientology, to handle both cases at the same time.

Leah’s suggestion comes right after Judge Kalra handed Scientology a stunning defeat in the Bixler lawsuit, denying the church’s special motions to strike as it attempted to gut the lawsuit that was filed by Danny Masterson’s victims in 2019.

Judge Kalra flat-out denied all four special motions to strike, saying that the Jane Doe victims had met the minimal standard of properly alleging that they had been stalked, surveilled, and harassed by Scientology’s agents since they came forward to the LAPD with rape allegations against Masterson in 2016.

Scientology, for example, had claimed that some of the people the Jane Does said had harassed them were not working for the church. But Judge Kalra responded that at this early part of the case, simply the appearance of a conspiracy was enough of an allegation to move the case forward.

It was a huge victory for the Jane Does, and now Leah Remini is pointing out that the cases are so similar, it makes a lot of sense for Judge Kalra to handle her case as well.

This action (Remini) is related to the Bixler matter in that the majority of the Defendants are the same and because each involves claims of intimidation, stalking and other tactics that arise out of the Defendants’ typical operating procedures. To the extent each party is successful, any recovery would be derived from the same sources of these Defendants. Furthermore, both cases involve substantially similar questions of law that, but for being related, may result in incongruent rulings. Recent anti-SLAPP motions and rulings have made evident the overlapping issues and possibility of inconsistent rulings. If the cases remain separate and heard by different judges, the cases will require substantial duplication of judicial resources. Moreover, the Remini case is currently unassigned given one of the Defendant’s Rule 170.6 strike of Judge Hammock.

Wow, what a way to make Miscavige pay for pulling Judge Hammock out of the case — give it to Judge Kalra, who just hammered Scientology in a very similar lawsuit.

Will the court go for it? We have no idea. But we think Leah and her team are pretty brilliant for suggesting it. (And she has the college degree to prove it.)

——————–

Technology Cocktail

“Scientology only occasionally handles a terror stomach. In fact a person whose terror stomach wasn’t handled by Dianetics and its R3R can go all the way to OT VI sometimes with it. He doesn’t get rid of the terror stomach and he doesn’t (since he had a present time problem all the way) make OT VI either.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1969

——————–

——————–

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— 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

——————–

“Let’s take CCH 1, ‘Give me that hand.’ It could have possibly also — I am not saying you should run it with this command, but you — ‘Reach me. Reach me. Reach me.’ You get the similarity here? See, PC really is at cause, see? You could just say, ‘Reach me.’ And make sure that he did and it would be quite interesting. I don’t advocate that you fellows do this, although once in a while, some squirrel auditor develops some technology by which he can use Scientology to make a girl more accessible. Now personally, I find it difficult to understand this, because I myself, you see, have never needed Scientology! I don’t waste a brag, but I just want to point this out. Here you have a situation where that’s a poor show. But you actually could take a girl and have her reach your right knee and your left knee and your right shoulder and your left shoulder and your nose and the top of your head and your right hand and left hand. And every now and then, ask her how she feels about you. And if you don’t flatten the process, just about the time this thing goes into the plus state, she’ll tell you she’s mad about you, she thinks you’re wonderful. That’s right.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 29, 1962

——————–

“There is not one person aboard, swabbie, snipe or clerk who is not vital to maintaining our presence on Int lines either by keeping the ship running or safe or actually pushing comm pkgs or admin actions. To the several million Scientologists in the world our presence is felt even when it is only quietly acting within orgs over the world. There’s an awful lot of lightning and thetan power in this theta line and everyone on board is contributing to it. Whatever the grease on your nose or the callouses on your ball point finger you are helping to keep this line in existence and contributing your energy and actions to pushing it through. Next time you’re tired or upset — remember that.” — The Commodore, March 29, 1970

——————–

“In retrospect the one thing I’m most grateful for was my tenacity to not stop with my studying of the R6 materials until I see its practicality. It took quite some work but eventually I began to see what LRH discovered and was dealing with. I still marvel at the diabolical accuracy by which the bank itself operates, yet creates such incredible confusion. It’s quite something to see the myriad of complexities people squabble over and then do the darnedest of things calling it a solution. Man operating as a meat body and doing the things he does is a ‘result of pattern’ not of evolution or any other fancy terms of pseudo sciences. I certainly don’t profess to be greater, bigger or better compared to another at anything, I left that cyclic & competitive game sometime back. My body is old and is doing its thing and we get on more or less pretty well. We don’t play the dynamic game actively anymore but I see the demise of Church of Scientology as resulting from infiltration and then destroyed from within as the greatest crime ever to be committed in the sphere of suppression inflicted upon our species.”

——————–

2000: The Wall Street Journal published an article on Franchise Pictures and Battlefield Earth. “Big stars usually have to cut their fees by half or more, accepting instead profit-participation that in some cases reaches an enormous 40 percent, after costs have been recouped. Mr. Samaha’s strategy is just weeks away from its biggest test yet, the May 12 release of a science-fiction epic called ‘Battlefield Earth.’ The film is the pet project of John Travolta, whose superstar clout failed to get it made for a dozen years. Script problems and a projected $100 million budget were often blamed, but many movie executives thought another big factor was the film’s source materials 1982 novel by L. Ron Hubbard, late founder of the controversial Church of Scientology, which counts Mr. Travolta as a longtime member. ‘Battlefield’ is the first screen adaptation of any Hubbard science-fiction work, an achievement Mr. Travolta says is ‘like putting Tennessee Williams’ first works on the screen. It’s a big deal.’ Mr. Samaha, he adds, was ‘smart to trust the artist.’ ‘Everyone thought I was crazy or mentally retarded’ for tackling the project, Mr. Samaha says. Though the film has nothing to do with Scientology, some feared the Hubbard connection could provoke a backlash and make the film difficult to sell in places such as Germany and France, where Scientology has come under government attack. Even Mr. Travolta, Mr. Samaha recalls, warned that ‘lots of people are going to come to you and try and persuade you and be negative about it.’ Franchise got it made by using a formula usually reserved for tiny independent films. Imperial Bank in Los Angeles provided loans to pay the production costs, which were slashed to a planned $50 million, but about 80% of that was to be covered by the presale of foreign distribution rights. Mr. Travolta had been keen to make the project since the mid-1980s, when he first lent his name to screenplay adaptations of the 1,050-page L. Ron Hubbard novel. Mr. Elwes and others say that the Hubbard tie is the main reason ‘Battlefield’ has never been made. Asked if he believes that the Hubbard connection placed extra hurdles in the film’s way, Mr. Travolta says: ‘I’ll never know.’ He adds that, ‘If it were an issue secretly to someone, it would not be politically correct to voice it.’ The Scientology question was raised numerous times and batted down by Mr. Samaha, who says he would bark: ‘This is what the movie is about: It’s ‘Planet of the Apes’ starring John Travolta. You’re either in or you’re the f—— out.’ Intertainment President Barry Baeres says that, given the controversy over Scientology in Germany, ‘at first sight, you would say no to it.’ But he succumbed to Mr. Samaha’s insistence that ‘Battlefield Earth’ was Scientology-free. Mr. Travolta has contributed some of his own money – more than $5 million, according to Mr. Samaha.”

——————–

“I rarely ever downvote comments. I do downvote rude comments and drive-by comments by Scientologists (or people pretending to be) who are too chicken to hang around and argue their beliefs. If a real Scientologist showed up here and seriously debated their beliefs with someone, I wouldn’t downvote them.”

——————–

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

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Leah seeking to amend her complaint.
— 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: motion to file new complaint, hearing on May 29.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, hearing on April 16.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Ordered to mediation.

——————–

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

——————–

THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Judge Olmedo rules: Here are the details from the rulings on Danny Masterson’s retrial
[TWO years ago] How Danny Masterson’s criminal judge has iced out Scientology leader David Miscavige
[THREE years ago] Jokes aside, there is quite a bit of crossover between QAnon and Scientology
[FOUR years ago] ‘PROTECT THE ORG’ is Scientology’s highest purpose says new edict
[FIVE years ago] Scientology ‘body-routing’: When no one wants what you’re selling
[SIX years ago] Leah Remini on Scientology’s stalking — nothing is going to stop her third season of ‘Aftermath’
[SEVEN years ago] SCIENTOLOGY TV: It’s really happening! Spectrum blocks out a channel for Miscavige
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology pampered some of its big donors with a trip back in time to Phoenix in 1954
[NINE years ago] The crowd’s all here: What does the airing of the Scientology doc ‘Going Clear’ mean to you?
[TEN years ago] Scientology answers the Garcias — And turns over a trove of internal documents
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s Job One: Saving the Whales

——————–

Scientology disconnection, a reminder

Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 2,854 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,349 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,864 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,414 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,404 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,285 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,589 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,460 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,012 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,353 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,920 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,839 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,007 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,588 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,849 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,885 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,601 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,165 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,480 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,655 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,206 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,337 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,675 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,528 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,649 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,005 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,308 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,414 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,812 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,688 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,253 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,766 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,020 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,129 days.

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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 29, 2024 at 07:00

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Leah Remini’s proposed changes to Scientology lawsuit show what she’s really fighting for

Tony Ortega — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 11:00:31 +0000

To understand the changes that Leah Remini is proposing to add to her lawsuit against the Church of Scientology, RTC, OSA and its leader, David Miscavige (who runs these organizations and the operations that come from them) it’s important to realize that she’s fighting against a multi-billion-dollar organization.

She’s fighting to stop the activities that are intended to destroy people’s lives under the practice of Fair Game, operations that Scientology has aimed at its perceived enemies for decades.

These operations are not simply about what Scientology says about someone like Leah Remini, but what it does to her, and people associated with her — people who have never been involved in the organization, or even said anything about it. If they’re close to her, or do business with her, they too receive the same treatment.

These activities are designed to instill fear in those third parties so they will distance themselves from Scientology’s target, leaving people afraid to associate with her or do business with her. Most people are not used to being harassed by an organization calling itself a church. And this is what Scientology intends to do. This is what their policies demand they do.

So Scientology uses hundreds of social media accounts and the members of their front groups to gang-harass, stalk and intimidate their enemies as a standard practice, but it also does this to people and organizations who are merely associated with advocates and whistleblowers of Scientology. Therefore, Scientology uses all its resources against those people as well. leaving people with the feeling that they can’t fight back, and instilling fear in anyone who even thinks about going up against this organization.

A recent example is ClearChannel Outdoor, which caved after Phil Jones and the Aftermath Foundation had put up a billboard near Scientology’s Los Angeles headquarters. Scientology harassed ClearChannel enough that the company felt it was easier to take down the billboard than subject themselves, their employees, and even their families to constant around-the-clock harassment from Scientology.

This is what Scientology does and has done for decades. Most people, lacking experience with Scientology and lacking the courage to stand by what is right will just give in. And in her lawsuit, Leah is alleging that something similar is happening to her. Most entertainment organizations, knowing what they might have to experience if they hire her, will likely look elsewhere to save themselves from the inevitable attacks that would come to their production and even right at their front doors.

The failure to comprehend this has led to some less than stellar news reporting on the lawsuit, and it’s also a lesson that Judge Hammock himself should keep an eye on.

We have praised Judge Hammock for the way he’s fended off some of Scientology’s obfuscating moves, and for applying what he himself calls “common sense” to Scientology’s malice and aggression. But he’s also characterized this dispute as “a war of words” between two highly visible public figures, as if Leah Remini is on an equal playing field with Miscavige’s army of well-paid lawyers, private investigators, and less well paid Sea Org members and civilian Scientologists who volunteer and are ordered to participate in any and all OSA operations to destroy their perceived enemies.

For Judge hammock to state that Leah and Scientology are basically on the same level is like saying stepping into the ring with Mike Tyson is a fair fight. Although Leah is formidable, she is only herself without a war chest of unlimited funds and organization of 20,000 employees at her disposal. It is not in fact, a fair fight and Scientology does not play fair.

Judge Hammock’s recent ruling removed numerous defamation allegations by Leah, but left eight of her nine causes of action intact. (The only one he removed, the ninth, was her proposal that Judge Hammock himself enter a declaration censuring Scientology’s actions, which would have been unusual for him to do.)

Leah is now proposing to make several additions to her lawsuit in the wake of Hammock’s ruling.

First, she’s anticipating that Miscavige will sooner or later make a similar objection that was made by the Religious Technology Center (the subsidiary Miscavige is chairman of). RTC had complained that Leah’s lawsuit didn’t make any specific allegations against it, and Judge Hammock allowed Leah to add declarations by Mike Rinder and Claire Headley to make those specifical allegations, which proved enough to keep RTC in the lawsuit. Now, Leah is saying that she expects Miscavige will make that same objection, and so she is proposing to add allegations about him specifically.

Leah is also proposing to add more allegations of stalking and harassment to the lawsuit, including incidents that happened in 2024, and she also wants to bolster evidence about Scientology making false allegations that she had harmed her own family members, which Judge Hammock has ruled could be actionable.

As for the dismissed ninth cause of action, Leah is proposing replacing it with a tenth: Civil conspiracy against Miscavige and Scientology.

And as to the defamation claims that were dismissed because the STAND League had made their attacks long enough ago that they were time-barred, Leah’s team is replacing them with similar smears that another Scientology account, “Vetted Facts,” has made recently — in fact, not only attacking Leah since she filed her lawsuit, but even after Scientology filed its motions to strike.

You see, Scientology can’t help itself. It has proved time and again that it’s a vindictive, retaliatory machine, with hundreds of operatives and social media feeds, private eyes and lawyers, all operating from unlimited budgets, resources and staff all at the ready to receive orders from David Miscavige as to what the OSA operation is, who the target is, and what the steps of the operation are “to destroy utterly.”

This is what Leah is really fighting. She’s not fighting because she’s been called names. She’s fighting because she wants an injunction that will force Scientology to dismantle its smear machine.

This suit has never just been about Leah’s rights but too, the rights of others.

Now, here are the specific additions that Leah is proposing be added to her lawsuit…

Page 8, Line 1: 20a. A document relied on by Scientology, filed in this case on October 26, 2023, shows that a former member of Scientology, Brandon Reisdorf, accused Scientology in 2016 of engaging in “[fair] game dirty tricks” including terrorizing his pet with a “hose pipe.”

Page 8, Line 5: 20b. After the First Amended Complaint was filed, Ms. Remini learned that, on or about April 2023, Scientology tried to make a deal with a public defender to frame Remini for the defendant’s alleged attack involving a Scientology security guard. A Scientology lawyer (Kendrick Moxon, a member who works for OSA) asked the public defender to have her client lie and say that his alleged assault involving a security guard for Scientology was “inflamed” by Remini and her documentary “is responsible for his actions.” The public defender explained to the presiding judge: “If my client were to make these statements on the record, [Moxon] would then ask the D.A.’s office to reduce this to a misdemeanor or even less.”

Page 11, Line 5: 29a. One of the primary roles Mr. Miscavige plays as head of RTC is the planning and supervision of campaigns intended to silence, muzzle, and destroy anyone who violates Scientology’s policies, whether a former member of Scientology or not. Mr. Miscavige does this from his position in RTC by directing OSA to execute campaigns against such people and those who may associate with them or employ them. These campaigns are intended to “destroy utterly” or “silence” by any means necessary—through a persistent drumbeat of social media messages, stalking, and harassment designed to isolate the target, render her unemployable, and to deter others from following suit. Mr. Miscavige issues orders relating to silencing and muzzling high-profile whistleblowers who are attempting to expose criminal activities. This would include Leah Remini.

Page 11, Line 14: 29b. Mr. Miscavige personally devises, supervises, directs, and is involved in these matters because they impact public perception and thus, Scientologists believe, the survival of Scientology. This makes them “Matters of RTC Concern.” RTC’s website, https://www.rtc.org, lists Mr. Miscavige as the Chairman of the Board of RTC, and includes a list of “Matters of RTC Concern.” The first item on the list of RTC “Ethics” Concerns is: “Any suppressive act against Scientology or Scientologists as listed in HCO PLs and HCOBs,” which refers to Hubbard Communication Office Policy Letters and Bulletins. These are Scientology’s policies that direct how to deal with suppressive acts. A suppressive act is any act deemed to violate Scientology’s laws and is punishable by Scientology, for example criticizing a Scientology organization publicly is a suppressive act also known as a “High Crime.” Other Matters of RTC Concern listed on its website include:

—“Any anti-Scientology, anti-Source, anti-org or anti-Church management actions or intentions”
—Any person who is hypercritical of Scientology or the Church
—Publicly departing Scientology
—Public statements against Scientology or Scientologists but not to Committees of Evidence duly convened
—Civil suits brought against a Scientology organization or Scientologist.

Page 24, Line 4: 91a. On March 21, 2023, @VettedFacts tweeted “@leahremini denied her father $1,500 for cancer screening, he later died of cancer” and posts a link to a video of her father at “leahreminithefacts.org” which “tells the story of his daughter reneging on an emergency loan of $1,500 for a biopsy.”

Page 24, Line 8: 91b. On Nov. 10, 2022, @MediaEthicsChk, controlled by Defendants, tweeted “How Leah Remini Denied Her Father $1,500 for a Cancer Biopsy” and posts a link to the video described in paragraph 91a.

Page 24, Line 11: 91c. On August 1, 2023, @VettedFacts posted “When @LeahRemini’s sister, Stephani Remini, was dying of cancer, Remini said: “I’m not paying for it. Get Charity Care.”

Page 24, Line 14: 91d. On March 29, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted, “When @LeahRemini’s half sister was diagnosed with cancer, Remini told her to get charity care” and posts a picture of her father’s third wife with the statement “Leah did not assist.”

Page 24, Line 17: 91e. On August 16, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted, “@LeahRemini’s parents talked about Leah Remini and her sister’s behavior around the time of her grandmother’s death” and “Leah Remini . . . . ‘ransacked her dying grandmother’s apartment.’”

Page 24, Line 21: 91f. On Nov. 10, 2022, @MediaEthicsChk, controlled by Defendants, tweeted “Leah Remini’s father and his wife recall how Leah sent sister Nicole to his dying mother’s apartment, with orders to ‘take everything’—cleaning out all money, jewelry and valuables” and posts a link to the same video described in paragraph 91a.

Page 24, Line 25: 91g. On December 5 and December 19, 2023, @VettedFacts, controlled by Defendants, tweeted “in 2012, @LeahRemini’s father commented on her abusive behavior: ‘The way it is going she won’t have any friends or family … She has been a hardship on all of us.’”

Page 38, Line 15: 129a. Since the First Amended Complaint was filed, Defendants have posted multiple times on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram that Remini filed a “false” or “fraudulent” police report related to Shelly Miscavige. For example, but not limited to:

Page 38, Line 18: 129b. On September 11, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted @LeahRemini filed “false complaints” with the LAPD.

Page 38, Line 20: 129c. On September 17, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted, “Only an obsessed and disturbed person would be so rabid as to file a fraudulent missing persons report purely for harassment and publicity purposes.”

Page 38, Line 23: 129d. On September 18, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted “When @LeahRemini filed a fraudulent report with the police, LAPD had to issue two statements discrediting her claims. And an acquaintance said she told him she knew it was false.”

Page 38, Line 26: 129e. On September 28, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted “Leah Remini filed a fraudulent missing persons report.”

Page 39, Line 1: 129f. On October 1, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted “But the steady rampage of false reports didn’t stop there” about @LeahRemini.

Page 39, Line 3: 129g. On October 2, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted “Leah Remini filed a fraudulent missing persons report.”

Page 39, Line 5: 129h. On October 4, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted “@LeahRemini filed a fraudulent police report.”

Page 39, Line 7: 129i. On October 4, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted, “@LeahRemini filed a fraudulent police report, and has spent a decade harassing law enforcement when they discredited her claims.”

Page 39, Line 10: 129j. On October 4, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted about Remini and included a link to standleague.org/reminiunhinged, a webpage containing a video titled “Leah Remini Unhinged.” The video states that Remini filed a “fraudulent police report” in 2013 and claims “The report was false. There was no missing person. AND LEAH KNEW IT.” The video includes footage of Marty Rathbun, labeled “former confidant of Leah Remini,” allegedly relaying a conversation he had with Remini: “She goes, ‘I know that. I knew she wasn’t missing.’ That was cool with her. In other words, she knew it was a scam from the beginning.” Text in the video then proclaims, “Leah Remini planned her scam for one purpose: TO HARASS.”

Page 39, Line 18: 129k. Defendants have publicly stated that Marty Rathbun is “an unreliable source,” “an admitted liar,” “a self-confessed suborner of perjury and obstructer of justice.” Defendants have also said of Rathbun: “Expelled from the Church 10 years ago, Rathbun is a lunatic with a history of psychological problems, arrests and admitted criminal acts. His madness and reckless disregard for authority and for truth manifested itself when he accused a highly respected state judge in Florida of being on the take and the director of the FBI of being a ‘punk.’” Defendants know their statements are false or are in reckless disregard of whether their statements are false or not.

Page 39, Line 26: 129l. Defendants posted the same video, “Leah Remini Unhinged,” containing the defamatory statements listed above in new tweets via @standmonitor on August 30, September 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, October 1, 2, 4, 12, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, November 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, December 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, and 21, 2023, as well as January 6, 7, 8, 12, and 14, 2024.

Page 40, Line 4: 129m. Defendants also posted the same video, “Leah Remini Unhinged,” containing the defamatory statements listed above, via standmonitor on Instagram on December 6, 2023.

Page 40, Line 6: 129n. On November 5, 2023, @standmontior tweeted, “When @LeahRemini decided to file a false police report, it was simply a means of harassing an entire religion using law enforcement … the police have twice discredited her fake claims.” (Singer Decl., filed Dec. 1, 2023, Ex. 3 (emphasis in original)).

Page 40, Line 10: 129o. On November 5, 2024, @standmonitor tweeted “When @LeahRemini decided to file a false police report, it was simply a means a harassing an entire religion using law enforcement.”

Page 40, Line 13: 129p. On November 24, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted “Only @LeahRemini would file a fraudulent police report as a means of exercising her bigotry to harass an entire religion—and waste enormous police resources in the process.”

Page 40, Line 16: 129q. On November 28, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted: “What responsible person files a fraudulent missing persons report purely for harassment? No responsible person does, but @LeahRemini did…”

Page 40, Line 19: 129r. On December 1, 2023, standmonitor (created and controlled by Defendants) posted on Instagram: “What responsible person files a fraudulent missing persons report purely for harassment? No responsible person does, but @LeahRemini did…”

Page 40, Line 22: 129s. On November 6 and November 21, 2023, @VettedFacts tweeted “In August of 2013, @LeahRemini filed a fraudulent ‘missing person report’ to harass the Church of Scientology and its leader.”

Page 40, Line 25: 129t. On December 4, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted “A confidant of @LeahRemini confessed that she knew her police report was bogus. ‘I knew she wasn’t missing.’”

Page 40, Line 27: 129u. On December 19, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted “When @LeahRemini made an unfounded police report ‘she knew it was a scam from the beginning,’ according to the confidant.”

Page 41, Line 1: 129v. On December 12, 2023, @standmonitor tweeted “@LeahRemini made a false police report about a so-called missing person.”

Page 41, Line 3: 129w. It is false and defamatory that Remini filed a false police report or a fraudulent police report. It is false and defamatory that Remini “knew” the report was false. It is false and defamatory that Remini “knew” there was no missing person. It is false and defamatory that Remini filed a missing person report “purely for harassment.” While still in Scientology, Ms. Remini internally reported concerns about Shelly Miscavige’s whereabouts. Then in 2013, Remini filed a missing person report related to her long-time friend Shelly Miscavige. Remini had not seen her friend for years, did not know her whereabouts (or whether she was still alive), and was genuinely concerned for her friend’s health, safety, and security.

Page 52, Line 11: 184a. On information and belief, Defendants have made attempts to unlawfully enter her gated community. On August 28, 2023, Ms. Remini opened the gate for a friend who was visiting and arrived by Uber. The gate is clearly marked with No Trespassing signs and instructions that cars should not follow others through the gate. The car behind the friend’s Uber attempted to follow it through the gate before the gate closed completely. The Uber driver noticed this attempt and stopped his car to prevent the unknown driver from entering. The unknown driver, a man not known to Ms. Remini or her friend, then left the vehicle, aggressively confronted the Uber driver and said he was with Amazon and needed entrance through the gate. The man was in an unmarked vehicle and wore no uniform. He verbally accosted the Uber driver and demanded entrance, which was denied, at which point he spent twenty minutes punching numbers into the call box without ever calling any resident of the neighborhood. Failing this attempt, he backed into the driveway of a nearby neighbor. The Uber driver and Ms. Remini’s friend believed he had been in this driveway the whole time waiting to gain entry as they had not seen anyone come up the street behind him. After ten minutes, he sped away. These events were reported to the property manager and the Los Angeles Police Department.

Page 52, Line 26: 184b. Further, on January 16, 2024, Ms. Remini observed a white van stopped in front of the gates to her community. An individual, not in a uniform, was pushing various buttons at the call box that controlled the gate, without success. When he noticed Ms. Remini in a car behind him, he was visibly shocked, got into his van, and began to drive the vehicle in reverse. In turning around, the van hit a wall so forcefully that he broke his back reflectors and, it appeared, the back window to his van. The van remained for some time. Ms. Remini obtained a picture of his license plates but was frightened that he would see her doing so. She reported the incident at the time.

Page 53, Line 6: 184c. In January 2024, Ms. Remini began receiving regular calls and text messages from pornographic sites, which is consistent with Defendants’ Fair Game tactics.

Page 53, Line 8: 184d. Once again, in 2024, there have been thousands of dollars of fraud on Ms. Remini’s credit card.

Page 68, Line 16, ¶ 273: e. The statements that Ms. Remini filed a “false” or “fraudulent” police report, intended that report “purely for harassment,” and “knew” the report was false and that there was no missing person as stated at paragraphs 129a. to 129w. above.

Page 68, Line 19, ¶ 273: f. The statements that Ms. Remini was abusive to her family as stated at paragraphs 91a. to 91g. above.

Page 71, Line 26, ¶ 283: e. The statements that Ms. Remini filed a “false” or “fraudulent” police report, intended that report “purely for harassment,” and “knew” the report was false and that there was no missing person as stated at paragraphs 129a. to 129w. above.

Page 72, Line 1, ¶ 283: f. The statements that Ms. Remini was abusive to her family as stated at paragraphs 91a. to 91g. above.

ADD TO COUNTS:

Page 75, Lines 1-15:

COUNT X: CIVIL CONSPIRACY

311. Plaintiff incorporates and realleges all allegations contained in the foregoing paragraphs as though fully set forth herein.

312. Each Defendant agreed with each other Defendant, and other co-conspirators, to ruin and destroy the life and livelihood of Ms. Remini by subjecting Ms. Remini to a campaign of harassment and intimidation in violation of Plaintiff’s rights as described above, including in Counts One through Eight.

313. In furtherance of that agreement, Defendants, their agents, and their co-conspirators subjected Plaintiff to a campaign of harassment and intimidation as described above.

314. As a result of the campaign of harassment and intimidation, Plaintiff suffered injury to her real and chattel property and to her person, and experienced extreme emotional distress.

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff, LEAH REMINI, prays for judgment against Defendants in the form of all general and special damages in a sum to be proven at trial, and exemplary and punitive damages as allowed by law and in a sum to be proven at trial.

ADD TO PRAYER FOR RELIEF: Page 76, Line 6: 6a. All general and special damages in a sum to be proven at trial, and exemplary and punitive damages as allowed by law and in a sum to be proven at trial;

CONCLUSION For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff’s Motion for Leave to Amend and Supplement the First Amended Complaint should be granted.

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Technology Cocktail

“Possibly the point which counted most against Dianetics in the early attacks on it was that it did a vast array of things. The truth was, it actually did them. When you have the answer to the human mind as in Dianetics of course anything caused by the mind can be remedied.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1969

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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— 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

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“Look, you know that a thetan has been sitting around here for a couple of hundred trillion years. You realize that there have been psychiatrists all over the track? I mean, you probably didn’t realize that it was a stupid universe, but it is. Been psychiatrists all over the track; they’ve been electric shocking people. Well, that certainly should have upset the GPMs, shouldn’t it have? Huh?” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 26, 1963

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“THE BEACH: Cagliari’s old town (mostly bombed out in WW II) is reputed to be more expensive and a bit ‘clip.’ The new town is over the hill and is reputed to be fairer in price. These shore people will give you bad money exchange rates if you don’t watch it.” — March 26, 1969

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“LRH did not have super OT powers. LRH did not return. Thus it is obvious that LRH tech is not perfect and that following it absolutely will not lead to a state of perfection. LRH, with the Pre-Logics, Logics and Axioms, created a foundation for a science of the mind and spirit that is unparalleled. Critics go poopoo at LRH but they are totally incapable of creating anything comparable. There is no other spiritual practice that has a foundation in logical premises. I anticipate spending many lifetimes involved in the expansion of LRH’s work.”

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1997: The Wall Street Journal printed an editorial entitled “The Scientology Problem”. Some excerpts: “Scientology is currently demanding acceptance throughout the world, mostly on the basis of a 1993 Internal Revenue Service ruling extending it 501(c)3 tax-exempt status. The State Department’s human rights report, an ad by Hollywood figures and others have berated Germany over persecution of Scientologists. Other sects have also started with odd theology and behavior; is Scientology now traveling the road to respectability? Conceivably so, though the Scientologists have more history than most to live down, most of it written in court decisions here and abroad. Scientology performs its ‘auditing’ and ‘clearing’ according to a schedule of set fees. Those who are ‘cleared’ at one level go on to the next with further training and further fees. To many authorities, not to mention alienated former Scientologists, Mr. Hubbard’s creation looks a lot like the business of personal counseling or psychiatry (to which Scientology also raises theological objection). There have been repeated reports that Mr. Hubbard told his science-fiction colleagues that the way to get rich is to found a religion. The Scientologists promote anti-drug and anti-crime efforts, but even in the post-Hubbard era have been a magnet for controversy. For one thing, they are confronting the Internet, using copyright and other laws to inhibit their critics, who gather in a discussion group called alt.religion.scientology. Scientologists have succeeded with U.S. copyright suits against the posting of secret Hubbard texts, but have angered the Internet community. The texts keep appearing, for example on a Norwegian site calling itself Operation Clambake. Further litigation is currently under way in San Jose and Denver, with the patience of presiding jurists being tested by both Scientologists and ‘netizens.’ Internet defendants are now challenging the validity of the copyrights, and seeking to depose the secretive Mr. Miscavige about the circumstances of their transfer. Finally, Scientology is also in a controversy over the death of one of its members in Clearwater, Florida, in 1995. Lisa McPherson, 36, was detained by paramedics after she took off her clothes following a minor traffic accident. In lieu of psychiatric treatment, doctors released her to fellow Scientologists; 17 days later she died en route to another hospital where the staff included a Scientologist physician. We certainly hope that the Scientologists finally win the respectability they seek, though we note that the Mormons did abandon polygamy and the Jehovah’s Witnesses no longer beseech potential converts by setting up loudspeakers on their lawns. In the meantime, we wonder why the State Department is so exercised over German statements that would be protected by U.S. libel law, indeed, over a German position that was the U.S. position until the current administration. And we certainly think the IRS should share with the rest of us whatever persuaded it that money from the disturbed seeking solace is no longer being siphoned off into bank accounts in Switzerland.”

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“So the owner of a gay bar took money from the Church of Scientology? AAAAGGHH! Now I’m really in a bad mood.”

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

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Leah seeking to amend her complaint.
— 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: motion to file new complaint, hearing on May 29.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, hearing on April 16.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Ordered to mediation.

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Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

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THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Mark Bunker: Meeting an old Scientology friend on the streets of Clearwater
[TWO years ago] ‘Oh gosh’: Judge views alleged rape filmed on phone of Scientology private eye
[THREE years ago] ABC gives platform to Scientologist named one of 12 biggest sources of vaccine disinfo
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s bizarre response to the pandemic: Handing out sketchy cleaning products
[FIVE years ago] Tom Cruise’s son Connor to marry Scientology staffer in the church’s Florida mecca
[SIX years ago] Leah Remini is still being stalked, and now Scientology has turned to an ex-NYPD detective
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s gateway drug: The personality test and what it’s actually telling you
[EIGHT years ago] Talking Scientology with actor and podcaster Ethan McKinley
[NINE years ago] ‘Going Clear’: Sara Goldberg on how Scientology turned her own daughter against her
[TEN years ago] Jillian Schlesinger: How I got into Scientology, and how I got out
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s Version of Family Values: The Group is Everything

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Scientology disconnection, a reminder

Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 2,851 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,346 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,861 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,411 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,401 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,282 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,586 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,457 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,009 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,350 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,917 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,836 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,004 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,585 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,846 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,882 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,598 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,162 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,477 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,652 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,203 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,334 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,672 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,525 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,646 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,002 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,305 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,411 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,809 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,685 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,250 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,763 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,017 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,126 days.

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on March 26, 2024 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.

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.

News report says Leah Remini’s Scientology suit ‘gutted’ — but the ruling says otherwise

Tony Ortega — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 11:00:47 +0000

[No surprises in Judge Hammock’s ruling on Leah’s suit. So why pretend there was?]

On January 16, after Judge Randolph Hammock issued a tentative ruling in Leah Remini’s lawsuit against the Church of Scientology, the Courthouse News Service reported that the judge intended to grant parts of Scientology’s anti-SLAPP motions and “trim” Leah’s complaint, but her lawsuit was still “likely to survive.”

“In his tentative ruling, LA County Superior Court Judge Randolph Hammock wrote that he was likely to dismiss most, but not all, of the defamation claims against the church and leave most of the harassment claims more or less in place,” the article from CNS said that day.

On Tuesday, Judge Hammock finally did make his ruling final, and indeed he did dismiss most, but not all, of the defamation claims against Scientology and left in most of the harassment claims, just as CNS described in January.

But the Courthouse News Service, for some reason, has completely changed its tune about that.

“Judge guts Leah Remini’s harassment lawsuit against Church of Scientology,” CNS declared in a headline last night, even though the “harassment” portions of the lawsuit are still intact.

Judge Hammock’s final ruling is almost identical to his previous tentative rulings, but the Courthouse News Service is declaring that Leah’s lawsuit is on life support, and the Church of Scientology has won a great victory…

Church of Scientology spokesperson Karin Pouw called the ruling “a resounding victory for the Church and free speech,” adding in an email, “the Church is entitled to its attorney fees and will be seeking them.”

What’s bizarre is not only that CNS has decided that what it called a “trimming” earlier is now a “gutting” (even though nothing changed), but also the final ruling specifically states that given the mixed nature of it, either side “may” apply for attorney’s fees, but “This Court makes no finding at this time whether there actually is such a right to attorney’s fees and costs by any party.”

In other words, not only is the Courthouse News Service creating a false impression about the ruling, but it allowed Scientology’s spokeswoman Karin Pouw to make a statement that simply isn’t true.

What the hell?

We’re very curious to see how other news organizations report on this ruling, and if they’re swayed by the Courthouse News Service coverage and also claim that Leah’s lawsuit is on life-support, because it most definitely is not.

Let’s go over what has actually happened.

Leah made public her defection from Scientology in 2013. In the decade since then, she says she has been subjected to a constant barrage of retaliation from Scientology, but it has taken different forms.

Online, for example, Scientology constantly calls Leah a “bigot,” a “rape apologist,” a “racist,” and other pretty horrendous things. So part of her lawsuit is for defamation, and Leah alleges that Scientology says untrue things about her that harm her reputation.

However, Judge Hammock found that Leah and the church are both public figures, and that both sides have engaged in a very public war of words. He has stricken a number of paragraphs from the lawsuit that describe Scientology’s online attacks because, he found, they were opinion, and not statements of fact.

In other words, Leah can’t really do anything about Scientology calling her names, as long as they aren’t making factual claims that she could prove are untrue.

However, she is also alleging that Scientology is harassing her and her family, interfering with her business matters, and inflicting emotional abuse on her.

Judge Hammock has ruled that she has met the minimum standard for evidence of these claims so far, and so they are staying in the lawsuit.

Other major parts of the ruling:

The Religious Technology Center remains a defendant in the lawsuit after Mike Rinder and Claire Headley submitted declarations explaining how this Scientology subsidiary, chaired by church leader David Miscavige, routinely oversaw harassment campaigns of former Scientologists. That’s huge.

Alleged interference with Leah’s business contracts with Audioboom, iHeart and the Game Show Network remains in the case. This is also really important.

The harassment claims remain.

And actual malice in the remaining defamation claims is intact — another big victory for Leah. We were present in the courtroom when Judge Hammock said it was “common sense” that there was malice in Scientology’s unrelenting attacks.

Here’s the scorecard:

Count 1: Civil Harassment (REMAINS)
Count 2: Stalking (REMAINS, but needs to be re-pled)
Count 3: Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (REMAINS)
Count 4: Tortious Interference With Contractual Relationship (REMAINS)
Count 5: Intentional Interference With Prospective Economic Advantage (REMAINS)
Count 6: Defamation (Some paragraphs stricken)
Count 7: Defamation By Implication (Some paragraphs stricken)
Count 8: False Light (Some paragraphs stricken)
Count 9: Declaratory Judgment (Stricken)

In that last count, Count 9, Leah was asking the judge to issue a declaration about Scientology’s harassment of her. It was Leah swinging for the fences, and the judge didn’t go for it. But losing such a count is not “gutting” a lawsuit, just as losing some of the defamation claims isn’t.

Leah Remini still has a major lawsuit that will seek to show that Scientology uses its “Fair Game” policy to destroy former Scientologists who dare to speak out.

But sure, Karin Pouw can declare victory all she wants. The point is, why would anyone give her any credence?

——————–

Technology Cocktail

“Scientology objectives are so far above anything man has any hope for that he at once thinks of them as healing activities. They are not. Dianetics is the healing activity. Therefore all Dianetic course materials are refined with that objective fully in view. And when a Scientology auditor finds himself with a Dianetic preclear on his hands and if that auditor learned his Dianetics well, then he will apply Dianetics and when the preclear is ready for it, only then will he apply Scientology. Any Scientology failures are totally owing to the auditor not learning his Dianetics in the first place.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1969

——————–

——————–

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— 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

——————–

“It was a lovely party. A smashing cake, a lovely present, the Snipes songs and all your happy smiles and applause made it a truly wonderful birthday. (I didn’t know how old I was this life, was sure I was several years younger, until the congratulations and best wishes. I added it up. 60. I still don’t believe it. Are you sure we haven’t skipped some calendar years somewhere?) It was a great day. And I appreciate you more than you will ever know.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 14, 1971

——————–

“HIGHEST EVERS: Thank you for the very happy birthday. I received some lovely presents including a new dining room table and chairs for the A Deck lounge — truly gorgeous. I now hear the Ship’s Rep flew to a nearby area to get some lovely presents for me from MSH. Very appreciated. Both the presents and the flight. Cards, telexes, lovely presents and remembrances. And HGC had a present — 639 w.d. auditing hours! Just by changing its lines and hard work. And the HCI’s FEBC stats are highest ever. The International Gross Income was the HIGHEST EVER! And the Planetary G.I. (not including AOUK, UK, EU, AF or ANZO Orgs) (including only US (Sea Org, Scn) and AOSH DK) hit over a quarter of a million in one week!” — The Commodore, March 14, 1971

——————–

“Unlike the 8th dynamic, MEST can be experimented with and gives repeatable results. Exactly how does a thetan interact with a body? We do it effortlessly but what is the mechanism? Can we interact with another bit of MEST in the same way? Why not? MEST exists apparently timelessly. That is to say, the interactions between MEST particles and fields purely and only exist in the present moment — there is no memory, no effect from earlier states. Obviously things change, but at each moment MEST things only react to present-time forces. We ourselves do not exist in that present moment, by the time our brains have processed information we are most of a second out of date. Hence when we try to affect MEST we can’t since it isn’t there in the past in which we are existing.”

——————–

1999: The Tampa Tribune published an article describing the relationship between Scientology and the city of Clearwater, Florida, and the new Super Power building. “A 10,000-pound hammer drove another 40-foot-long sheet of metal into the ground across the street – the site of a planned 324,000-square-foot Scientology training and counseling center in downtown. The six-story complex will be one of the largest buildings in Pinellas County. Work on the foundation, which began in early February, confirms what some Clearwater residents and downtown merchants consider anathema and others accept without emotion: The church is growing. From a large video screen in the hotel mezzanine, parishioners are guided on a computer-generated tour of the new complex. The center will mirror the hotel’s Mediterranean style, with a 150-foot decorative tower on its west side. Sculptures depicting the fundamentals of Scientology will greet guests as they enter a three-story atrium. City officials and Scientology representatives held meetings last summer and fall after Roberto unveiled a long-term redevelopment strategy for key areas of the city, including downtown. Observers say the church and city are trying to be better neighbors. About a year ago, the church replaced its staff’s blue uniforms with more casual clothing. It also sponsors a variety of community events. Scientology officials also agreed to a city suggestion to move their staff dining facility from a building on downtown’s main drag to the new training complex. Church staffers and parishioners will be able to access the new facility from the hotel and the future auditorium via overhead pedestrian walkways. Glenn Warren, chairman of the Clearwater Downtown Development Board, says merchants hold mixed views about the new church facility despite additional tourists and more property taxes. ‘Many of my friends are dead-set against them,’ says Warren, whose father started the family business downtown in 1930. ‘But damn if I can tell the difference between a Scientologist’s dollar and a Baptist dollar or a Presbyterian’s dollar. And that’s the point. My personal feeling is that anything that large is going to have a positive impact within the community.'”

——————–

“Hey, if chronic drunkenness, drug addiction, and debauchery were good enough for L. Ron, they’re good enough for me!”

——————–

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

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Complaint filed August 2, motion to strike/anti-SLAPP motions by Scientology to be heard January 9, 2024.
— 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: motion to file new complaint, hearing on March 20.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, hearing on March 26.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Ordered to mediation.

——————–

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

——————–

THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Scientology got its arbitrators, but also wants $107K in sanctions from Valerie Haney
[TWO years ago] A drone’s eye view of Scientology’s mecca, including Tom Cruise’s penthouse
[THREE years ago] Leah Remini spots Scientology’s best self-own in a long, long time
[FOUR years ago] Danny Masterson’s victims speak out in sworn documents in lawsuit against Scientology
[FIVE years ago] David Miscavige presides over Scientology’s holiest annual celebration of L. Ron Hubbard
[SIX years ago] Lori Hodgson’s fight with Scientology for her kids is now a book you can pre-order
[SEVEN years ago] Memories of a Scientology warrior: Marty Rathbun’s curious career as church rebel
[EIGHT years ago] Turns out at least FOUR employees sued Pasadena firm that forced Scientology on them
[NINE years ago] Outtakes from the 1997 ‘Secret Lives’ doc — an eyewitness at the Jack Parsons house
[TEN years ago] TEXAS JUDGE DENIES SCIENTOLOGY’S ‘ANTI-SLAPP’ MOTION IN RATHBUN SUIT
[ELEVEN years ago] Your Life as Sperm or Egg: L. Ron Hubbard’s Mad Genius

——————–

Scientology disconnection, a reminder

Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 2,839 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,334 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,849 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,399 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,389 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,270 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,574 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,445 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,997 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,338 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,905 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,824 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,992 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,573 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,834 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,870 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,586 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,150 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,465 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,640 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,191 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,322 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,660 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,515 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,633 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,990 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,293 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,399 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,797 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,673 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,238 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,751 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,005 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,114 days.

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on March 14, 2024 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.

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.

Judge’s tentative ruling in Leah Remini lawsuit: David Miscavige, YOU ARE SERVED!

Tony Ortega — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 12:00:39 +0000

[David Miscavige and Judge Randolph Hammock]

See the update below.

Just last week, in Jane Doe 1’s lawsuit against Scientology, Judge Robert Broadbelt granted David Miscavige’s motion to quash his summons, telling Jane Doe that she’s going to have to try even harder to find the elusive Scientology leader before he is considered served and an official defendant in her case.

We pointed out at the time that this didn’t seem to bode well for Leah Remini, who is not only suing Scientology in a separate lawsuit, but is using the same attorneys and process servers and has even submitted the same reports from those process servers in her case that Jane Doe did in hers.

If those efforts weren’t good enough in Jane Doe 1’s case, would they also be deficient in Leah’s?

We were hoping to get an answer to that question today in a hearing scheduled in Judge Randolph Hammock’s courtroom, but then we noticed last night that once again, the judge posted a tentative ruling ahead of the hearing itself.

And that tentative ruling indicates that Judge Hammock is planning on doing the opposite of Judge Broadbelt, and he will tell David Miscavige that Leah has done enough to serve him and Miscavige will have to respond officially to Leah’s lawsuit within 30 days.

That’s kind of amazing, but once again we have to ask, will Judge Hammock actually make a ruling today, or will his tentative ruling, like a couple of others in this lawsuit, remain in limbo?

Well, setting aside that concern with Judge Hammock’s recent inability to make a decision, we want to turn to this tentative ruling, because Judge Hammock is literally ridiculing Miscavige and the arguments made by his attorney, Jeffrey Riffer.

After reviewing the facts, that Leah’s process servers left papers with various security guards at four different Church of Scientology addresses, Judge Hammock says that Miscavige’s motion complained that none of them were locations where Miscavige lived or worked, and that Leah’s team had not made “reasonably diligent” attempts to find the church leader.

“Now that the guffaws have subsided, the speciousness of that argument becomes readily apparent when one actually examines the facts,” Judge Hammock writes.

Seriously, he said that! (We told you that we like this judge.)

Two or three attempts to serve someone at a proper location is usually considered “reasonably diligent,” he says, but in this case…

Plaintiff attempted service at seven addresses, on multiple dates, believed to be affiliated with the Church and/or Miscavige. Plaintiff’s counsel has spent “nearly $10,000.00 thus far in [their] attempts to serve Miscavige.”
Admittedly, it is difficult to identify which of the numerous properties owned or operated by the Church is Miscavige’s “usual place of abode” or “usual place of business.” The difficulty in doing so comes from the Church’s use of gates, lawyers, and private security to obscure Miscavige’s whereabouts…
Under the circumstances, service on security guards — who were apparently in charge of the properties and could and did deny the process servers access to various Scientology properties — was sufficient to serve Miscavige. This cat-and-mouse-game has run its course.

Wow! How long have we been waiting for a judge in Los Angeles to say something like this? (A federal judge magistrate in Tampa said something similar a year ago and also ruled that Miscavige had been intentionally evading service.)

And so Judge Hammock — again, this is the tentative ruling and not yet official — rules that substitute service has occurred and Miscavige’s motion to quash is denied.

However, the judge isn’t done! He feels compelled to add this amazing coda to his ruling…

Concluding Observations
Advertisement
As this Court commented at the most recent hearing in this case, this motion should never have been filed. This Court had encouraged the lawyers for both sides to resolve the issue of service against Miscavige without the need for court intervention. Be that as it may, this Court recognizes that Miscavige certainly has the right to be served by proper process of law. Although we are well within the 21st century, these rather antiquated service laws still exist and must be enforced by the courts. So be it. Miscavige was, in fact, properly served.
But the arguments put forth by Miscavige, while mostly technical in nature, still must be reasonable. For example, to contend that Plaintiff has not made “reasonably diligent” efforts to serve him simply stretches one’s credulity.
It is simply time for Miscavige to simply step up, as a responsible member of our community, to generally appear in this case and defend himself against the serious allegations being made against him by the Plaintiff in this case. He is the apparent leader of a worldwide religious organization with considerable funds and support. He has (literally) teams of lawyers to defend him. Now is the time to utilize them to defend this case on its merits.
IT IS SO ORDERED.

Oh wow, Jeffrey Riffer is going to blow a gasket. And Dave has to respond to Leah’s lawsuit!

That is, if Judge Hammock actually adopts this ruling today. Twice now, he has come to court with tentative rulings — one about removing some of Leah’s defamation claims, and another about keeping the Religious Technology Center in as a defendant — and then didn’t rule on them.

Will he finally adopt these tentative rulings, or will Scientology’s attorneys once again make so much noise that he’ll put off making another decision?

Well, there’s an additional wrinkle that came up last night: We noticed that today’s hearing had been taken off the docket, and we have been unable to get some indication of whether that’s significant or not. The tentative ruling is posted on the court’s website, and it says it’s for today’s hearing. But has today’s hearing been put off? We’re trying to find out, and we’ll let you know as soon as we find out.

What there’s no denying, however, is that Judge Randolph Hammock has had enough of Scientology’s games.

UPDATE: The hearing won’t be happening because Miscavige did accept service, but Judge Hammock had his tentative ruling posted anyway. How’s them apples, Dave?

——————–

Technology Cocktail

“A degraded being lies to his seniors, avoids orders covertly by alter-is, fails to comply, supplies only complex ideas that can’t ever work (obstructive) and is a general area of enturbulence, often mild seeming or even ‘cooperative’, often even flattering, sometimes merely dull but consistently alter-ising or non-complying. This datum appeared during higher level research and is highly revelatory of earlier unexplained phenomena—the pc who changes commands or doesn’t do them, the worker who can’t get it straight or who is always on a tea break.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1967

——————–

——————–

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— 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

——————–

“The matter of communication is a very serious one. People who are wearing glasses have a break in communication — the communication between the outside world and their minds. It is something which makes it hard for them to see. Myopic astigmatism, unless caused by an accident, is a psychosomatic affair caused by the mind. There is a communication break relating to sight. Those breaks culminate in glasses. Statements in engrams like ‘You just can’t see anything’ will cause the command power to shut off vision. Those people who have achieved optimum personality often drop off the need for glasses.” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 14, 1951

——————–

“MOLLY McBRIDE and CLARISSE BARNETT are appointed Commodore’s Messengers. They are cadets in rank and wear a blue lanyard. When they have done their AB, Mission School 2nd Class, SSI and SSII, if they perform duty well, they will be made midshipmen. Anne Tidman as Cmdr’s Messenger I/C will assign their watches and groove them in (Terri Gillham is on Mission). Molly McBride and Clarisse Barnett should turn over any duties they have to the next in line on their posts and groove them in so as not to leave a hole. A poor turnover of former post can drag one back into it as Mr. Warren has learned lately to his sorrow!” — The Commodore, February 14, 1971

——————–

“So there is this static potential we call theta. It has no mass, no motion, no space, no time, no wavelength but it has the ability to postulate and perceive. It is a life potential creator that all things you see have been created out of. So from this theta, pieces broke off and pieces of the pieces broke off these pieces, and they became the spirit beings that created this ‘agreed upon universe.’ It is agree upon because we agreed to the laws that it operates, by like for example gravity. Now imagine creating a block of space the size of a swimming pool. This space is NOT a nothing. It appears to be a nothing but it’s NOT. Some of these UFOs travel from one part of the universe to the other by just swapping space. That means take the coordinates of a block of space here and an identical size of space say 10 light years from here and swap spaces. Whatever is in this block of space, (like a space ship), goes to the other block of space and whatever is in that block of space comes to this block of space. The space will vanish the second time we look at it because looking at it twice violates a law that ‘no two identical objects can occupy the same space.’ So we have to trick it somehow to make it persist. We do this by creating another space in the exact same space in an instant later and DON’t LOOK AT THE ORIGINAL SPACE YOU CREATED. In fact lie about it and say someone else created it. By the continuous creation of new space in a new time we have space that persists, a space time continuum. Now we are creating this from the static called theta so we now have to create a viewpoint from the broken pieces (spirits, thetans) to go into this block of space the size of a swimming pool to create and view what we create. We try many different creations over and over again until we got the idea of creating atoms. These atoms are just a new particle created in each new space that is create and had its position in space moved so it can manifest a particle moving in a circle. Over a period of time we make all these combinations of atoms and give them properties we add so eventually over millions of years of experimentation we have finally got a workable model with suns, moons, planets. That is the most basic simple model I can think of.”

——————–

1998: The New York Post reported that U.S. President Bill Clinton has offered to help John Travolta with Scientology’s standing in Germany. “John Travolta says President Clinton offered to help him with a pet project – getting Scientology accepted as a religion in Germany – just as he was about to play a character based on the president. The movie is based on Joe Klein’s best-selling novel about a lying, womanizing Southern governor – modeled on Clinton – who is running for president.. George says the final product, set for release next month, is far more sympathetic to ‘Clinton’ than is the book. ‘You have to be dead not see that the film favors Clinton,’ admitted Travolta, who gained 20 pounds and streaked his hair gray to look presidential in the film. Travolta told writer Josh Young that just before ‘Primary Colors’ went before the cameras last April, the actor was in Washington to promote Scientology – a controversial belief Travolta and scores of other Hollywood types embrace. ‘The next day, I met with Clinton,’ Travolta told George. ‘He told me: ‘Your program sounds great. More than that, I’d really love to help you with your issue over in Germany with Scientology.’ For Travolta, Clinton reportedly went to the extraordinary length of assigning National Security Adviser Sandy Berger to be the administration’s Scientology point man. Berger briefed Travolta in the same manner he would a senior senator, George reports. A White House official said last night, ‘it is perfectly normal and logical’ for Berger to get involved in the Scientology issue because ‘it is in the general area of human rights concerns and this is something we have raised with the German government.'”

——————–

“The idiots show up like clockwork on a Thursday, leave a couple of barely comprehensible comments and scurry away, and they’ve done their job for the week! I think Miscavige is overpaying them.”

——————–

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. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7.
— ‘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 January 29, 2024.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud.

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Complaint filed August 2, motion to strike/anti-SLAPP motions by Scientology to be heard January 9, 2024.
— 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: Discovery phase.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Ordered to mediation.

——————–

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Chicago’s big Scientology event looked like a bust: Will this city ever be ‘ideal’?
[TWO years ago] A day in the life of a pilgrim at Scientology’s spiritual mecca in Florida!
[THREE years ago] Post-Super Bowl, Scientology is on fire and will soon clear the planet
[FOUR years ago] Masterson accusers in court today seek changes to deal with Scientology ‘arbitration’ motions
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s street theater in New York: A bid to head off a 4th ‘Aftermath’ season?
[SIX years ago] PROSECUTORS PREPARE CHARGES CARRYING LIFE SENTENCE FOR DANNY MASTERSON
[SEVEN years ago] 25 years ago today: Scientology leader David Miscavige’s ‘Nightline’ appearance
[EIGHT years ago] Karen de la Carriere: Scientology is smearing me again, and this time is hitting below the belt
[NINE years ago] More secrets from Scientology’s vanished entity, Narconon International
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s $100,000 girl records a video promoting a fundraising event in California
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s Spiffy Golden Era Studios Has Its Own Dentist!

——————–

Scientology disconnection, a reminder

Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 2,810 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,305 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,820 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,370 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,360 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,241 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,545 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,416 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,968 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,309 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,876 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,795 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,963 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,544 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,805 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,841 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,557 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,121 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,436 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,611 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,162 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,293 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,631 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,486 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,605 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,961 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,264 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,370 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,768 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,644 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,209 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,722 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,976 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,085 days.

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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 14, 2024 at 07:00

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