In 2020, Mark Bunker was in a five-way race for a seat on Clearwater, Florida’s city council, and he received a plurality of 6,170 votes and a stunning victory.

Four years later, running for re-election, Bunker increased his number of votes to 8,682. But this time he was in a three-way race, and one of his [...]]]>

In 2020, Mark Bunker was in a five-way race for a seat on Clearwater, Florida’s city council, and he received a plurality of 6,170 votes and a stunning victory.

Four years later, running for re-election, Bunker increased his number of votes to 8,682. But this time he was in a three-way race, and one of his competitors was a firefighter, Ryan Cotton, who had been endorsed by several Republican figures in this nonpartisan election. And that helped in a primary election that had Donald Trump on the ballot but not Joe Biden. Cotton edged Bunker out with 9,351 votes.

We called Bunker up last night after we saw the returns, and he sounded like his usual upbeat self. We asked him if he might give us some thoughts about the election and his path forward, and so he sat down and put together this statement for us.

 
While I was hoping to have a second term, I was aware it was going to be a very rough battle with both Scientology and the establishment trying to get rid of me. In some ways it is remarkable that I fell short by just 669 votes. Over the course of these four years, I am proud that members of the community recognized I was working on their behalf on more than just Scientology, and they showed their support for me in many ways, not least in the way they helped me in this run for reelection.

The firefighters, the police FOP, members of neighborhoods I worked to improve, the volunteers at the Bread and Roses women’s clinic who appreciated my efforts to bring them a buffer zone to give them more safety from protestors, and all of you from around the world who cheered me on and those in the U.S. who were kind enough to donate to my campaign. In many ways I feel like George Bailey from It’s a Wonderful Life, realizing how lucky I was to have all of these people in my life.

I won’t stop trying to make a difference on Scientology, and there are issues I still plan to fight for here in Clearwater. The first thing I asked for when elected was to change the code to allow ADU’s like tiny homes, granny flats and garage apartments. It took four years to do it, but we just enacted those changes. Now that I am out of office I no longer would have a conflict as I try to bring this Detroit program to Clearwater. I’ve lined up people who are interested in being part of this and I’ll try to get this accomplished.

So thank you to everyone who made this opportunity possible. On Monday, the mayor was under the weather, which allowed me to chair the meeting. At the end of the night, I used my closing comments to thank everyone, knowing it could be my one chance.

So Citizen Bunker appreciates you all. I thank my campaign manager Scott Thomas who worked hard to get me reelected, Aaron Smith-Levin for raising an astonishing $55,000 dollars for the race, and all the volunteers who worked hard for me during this campaign.

I also have to acknowledge Tony for all work he has done to cover Scientology through the decades, as well as point out how lucky Clearwater is to have the amazing reporters who have covered Scientology for the Tampa Bay Times, including Joe Childs, Tom Tobin, and Tracey McManus. I am perhaps the only councilmember to keep their photos framed in my office. Tracey has been great. She is always fair and does a remarkable job breaking stories.

So, one chapter done and another started. I ain’t finished yet.

— Mark Bunker

 
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Technology Cocktail

“Literally millions of complications can stem from the simple fact that a preclear records experiences in mental image pictures and that these thereafter can affect HIS
BODY adversely. Once one really understands that mental image pictures are all there is in the preclear’s ‘mind’ one has understood the total of aberration. There is NOT something else there. No ‘id,’ no ‘ego.’ There are only mental image pictures.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1969

 
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON

We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.

 
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH

— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see

[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [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

 
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Source Code

“Some fellow by the name of Snitz, or Smutty, or something out in some state or another has written a book called, ‘What Happened To The Tens of Thousands.’ I’ve never read this book, but I think this is probably a very interesting piece of slander if I know anything else of this young commie. But, I didn’t say he was a commie, he said so. He said he left the party a long time ago, though, last October….What happened to the tens of thousands, he wants to know. What happened to the tens of thousands of people who were in there in Dianetics. Well I can tell you what happened to the tens of thousands of people, is Hubbard didn’t hypnotize them. He told them the truth….Everybody knew everything was being run at sixes and sevens. This wouldn’t be news to anybody. It wouldn’t have anything to do with whether or not there was horrible scandal, or upset, or good jobs of processing or bad jobs of processing. Just nobody started out to make a large cult composed of numerous people. Somebody set out to inform people of everything he knew that was true. And of course it didn’t make a population heavy game. And then a few of us kept on going because we weren’t satisfied that all the answers were in sight. We weren’t satisfied that we knew all the procedures which could be best employed. And we have actually invented a bunch of brand new games on top of games, in some cases. But we’re not aware of these, we’ve just learned how to teach somebody, seven years after Dianetics. What happened to the tens of thousands? They weren’t hypnotized. If those had been tens of thousands of people in psychology they would not now we a hundred million. This is for sure. When you start out to set people free then you have to inform them.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 20, 1957

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“For using incorrect ethics action, for damaging another and for failure to take any action to ensure MO or auditor action to correct, PAUL PRESTON is declared in a Condition of STUPID.” — Capt. Mary Sue Hubbard, March 20, 1971

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“I doubt there is any Planetary Engram and now believe the K–T extinction — abbreviated Cretaceous–Tertiary extinction, also called K–Pg extinction or Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction — is factually the basis of his claim of a wall of fire, though I know there to be such a thing that is capable of producing perceived heat that can for-fact reduce a self to a blithering idiot. If we go off-world this gets wild but there is just no chance of inter-stellar travel by physical craft. The mind has no such limitations.”

 
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Past is Prologue

1998: Neal Hamel reported on Eugene Ingram, who was used to harass picketers in Los Angeles during protests. “Ingram has been harassing the manager of the Days Inn Motel in Hollywood. The Days Inn was where the majority of picketers stayed during the picket. Ingram stated to the manager that he was a police officer. He told the manager that we had a bomb! He stole some communication I had given the manager under false pretenses. This was from the owner of the motel. Beginning yesterday Ingram has been regularly calling her and asking for details. Someone kept calling the manager last night until the early hours of the morning. About two weeks ago in the meeting with the manager and the motel owner, Ingram implied or told both of them that the picketers would be carrying a bomb. He also got a copy of one of my letters which had my name and phone number on it. Ingram did not recontact the motel manager until this Friday apparently while were picketing. He started asking lots of questions and told the manager that he was a policeman. The manager was wary because his story did not fit. Last night a person named Joanne who said she worked with Ingram, called several times after 10 pm asking for more information about motel guests. The manager refused to give any details of the guests. When Ingram called today she confronted him with his claim that he was a policeman. Ingram told the manager to not tell police that he had claimed that he was a police officer or, in the words of the manager, ‘it would blow the whole thing up’. However, despite Ingram’s veiled threats, the manager did tell the police that Ingram had claimed he was a police officer and they told her that if he showed up again to call the fraud division immediately.”

Random Howdy

“I’m surprised Gary Glitter didn’t become a Scientologist. It would have been the perfect cover for his degraded beingness.”

 
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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 March 26, 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: 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.

 
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SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z

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

Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?

 
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THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] David Miscavige irked by evidence of his Florida ties, but judge doesn’t want to hear it
[TWO years ago] Ginger Sugerman: Her way out of Scientology was marred by trauma
[THREE years ago] What Scientology doesn’t tell you about its ‘Bridge’ of courses until it’s far too late
[FOUR years ago] Brian Statler’s daughter joins lawsuit over his police shooting death at Scientology church
[FIVE years ago] An eyewitness report from Scientology’s LRH Birthday Event Saturday in Los Angeles
[SIX years ago] Ginger Sugerman is facing enormous challenges — and here’s how you can help
[SEVEN years ago] Judge: Testimony about Scientology’s abuses so bad, it should get kicked out of the country
[EIGHT years ago] Got a war wound? Scientology can help you with that, and more in our social media review
[NINE years ago] ‘Going Clear’: Jason Beghe, the actor who left Scientology and made a stink about it
[TEN years ago] What will you do with your Scientology E-meter tchotchkes?
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Ordered to Turn Over Confidential Files in Forced-Abortion Lawsuit

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 20, 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, 1995-2022 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2022), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

 

Tony Ortega at Rolling Stone

 I was reading your Whole Track flashback article from 7 years ago in which Rod Keller gives an alarming look at the future of downtown Clearwater in 2017 as the city launched its efforts to revitalize the area with Imagine Clearwater. Things sure looked bleak and we still have enormous challenges ahead as Miscavige plots [...]]]>

 
I was reading your Whole Track flashback article from 7 years ago in which Rod Keller gives an alarming look at the future of downtown Clearwater in 2017 as the city launched its efforts to revitalize the area with Imagine Clearwater. Things sure looked bleak and we still have enormous challenges ahead as Miscavige plots and schemes while ducking process servers at every corner but we are fighting back and I thought it might be a good time to look at our progress.

Imagine Clearwater has been a huge success. Tens of thousands of people come to the park and to events at the amphitheater called The Sound and they love what we have created for the people of Clearwater and all who visit. When people are given a reason to come downtown, they do. Our problem remains the empty buildings which should be filled with shops and restaurants and would be if it were not for Miscavige’s criminal racketeering scheme of buying everything he could get his hands on and using it as leverage to bring the city to its knees. We’re not bowing yet. In fact, we’re fighting back.

We just finalized the contract to build 400 apartments on the old city hall property with retail, restaurants, a hotel and a beer garden going up to compliment the park and create new spaces for business that Miscavige can’t control. Our contract with the developer, Gotham, has safeguards built into it that will prevent Scientology from buying the project in a future downturn should one happen.

The county will be vacating all the properties they hold in downtown Clearwater in just a few years and the county is committed to keeping those properties out of Scientology’s hands and working with us to ensure that developers can create a thriving downtown despite Miscavige’s best efforts. Lex Luthor’s diabolical property schemes fail in every Superman film as will Slappy Miscavige’s plans. He will ultimately fail in this little game he is playing.

Four years ago, when I first ran for city council, a line of OT’s appeared in council chambers to warn that I was going to cost the city millions in lawsuits (hasn’t happened), that I would be leading riots in the street (hasn’t happened) and they demanded that I not be allowed to sit on the Downtown Development Board as that would be akin to having the head of the KKK or Hitler in their midst. Wild efforts were made to get rid of me once I was appointed to the board and for what? For merely suggesting that as respected high level members of Scientology they were in the best position to get answers as to why Miscavige and fellow members of Scientology were secretly buying property at up to 4-6 times market value and leaving them sit empty for years. Wow, what a shocking suggestion…but they couldn’t bang the gavel fast enough or loud enough to try to shut me up.

The DDB attorney concocted some nonsensical excuse to try to kick me out of the meetings. “Why do we need two ex-officio members on the board,” explained attorney Else Winters. “We’re just taking up some of Mr. Bunker’s valuable time.” I volunteered to be the member to stay on the board but that wasn’t her goal. To Mayor Hibbard’s credit and that of the rest of the city council, they weren’t going to let the DDB get away with their obvious ploy and they voted the keep me on the DDB to the mounting frustration of Ms. Winters.

Toward the end, she tried to use the 24 year old injunction against me in a meeting and that was one of her last moves. Unhappy with the terrible performance of the board under her guidance, the city council voted to dissolve the board and take over control of the DDB to properly lead the downtown in a new direction. Having a board primarily of Scientologists gave the appearance to many that Scientology runs the city which they don’t. If those Scientologists had just run the board effectively, they would still be in those positions. You’d think Hubbard management tech would have given them an advantage…and it might have if it hadn’t been pulled out of his ass like everything else Hubbard gave the world.

In 2017, when Miscavige didn’t like how the last council turned down his generous offer to control all of downtown and turn it into a sparkling wonderland if we just sold him the CMA property he coveted, he told the paper he would wait until he gets a new council. He then set in motion his scheme to own every available piece of property he could get his hands on. In a move of bad luck for Slappy, in 2020, the citizens put me on the next council and I have made it clear that in order for a land swap to move forward, Slappy has to move first. Come through with everything he promises and then we’ll sell him the CMA property. Short of that, the CMA property would best be used for a parking structure supporting the park and amphitheater.

There have been many discussions on how best to deal with Scientology’s interference with downtown. Eminent domain is one of the strongest possibilities. Here’s what you should know. If we were to seize a property, there has to be a valid reason for doing so and parking is crucially important, especially for the Sound. The city would have to pay market rate for the property which Scientology has vastly inflated with their under-handed secret purchases. On top of that, Scientology would undoubtedly sue the city. As I said, parking is a valid defensible use so it is not out of the question. Can it be used for every building they are leaving empty? No. The city couldn’t afford to pay the hundreds of millions needed to buy them, but also, anything bought through eminent domain has to be put to public use. A parking garage qualifies but you can’t seize a property and give it to a developer to put up retail stores. We continue to explore options.

Scientology remains the reason much of downtown is a nuclear wasteland but we are making progress. There is an election on March 19th and I hope I will get re-elected to continue standing guard as I believe former Mayor Gabe Cazares and police Lt. Ray Emmons would wish me to do. I sure wish I had their guidance but I did have their example of standing strong, unafraid of the dangerous organization in our midst.

I have something else this election. In my first race, I had the support of Leah Remini, the readers of the Bunker and the citizens of Clearwater. In this race, my opponents are not just Scientology but also the good-old-boy establishment who want to get rid of me every bit as much as Slappy does. But I am overwhelmed to see that in this race, I have earned the support of people who never would have backed someone taking on Scientology four years ago. The Clearwater firefighters and the Clearwater police FOP have endorsed me in this race and I have people and groups throughout the community that have seen that I am fighting for them in every way I can and not just on Scientology and they are giving me much more widespread support. Plus, people all around the country have been donating generously to the campaign allowing me to reach many more people in Clearwater than I ever could four years ago.

A former council member a couple of years back set in motion a change to the way we run elections to make sure that someone like me could never win a race again. A question on the ballot will ask if we should start doing run-off elections. If a candidate wins less than 50% of the votes, as I did last time in the five person race, we would have to immediately mount another expensive campaign. Run-offs favor the wealthy and the powerful, the good-old-boys who have always ruled. Minorities and those without funds are at a huge disadvantage in a run off. I limped to the finish line last time, exhausting what little funding we had by election day. If I had to campaign for another six months in a run-off I would have been buried. That’s the whole point.

Those rules wouldn’t apply in my race on March 19th, but I’m hoping that the rules aren’t changed for future candidates because I have seen first-hand how the establishment operates. Mayor Hibbard is a man I respected and liked. He lost two votes, one on bringing safety to a dangerous stretch of Drew Street which he and the business community didn’t want touched because it would add an extra three minutes for the drive from the highway to downtown. The other was when we voted four to one to finally proceed with a new city hall which had $30 million dollars set aside since we closed the old city hall in 2017 for the project. He quit mid meeting and went on a nationwide tour to burn us to the ground, telling Fox News we were building a $90 million dollar Taj Mahal for ourselves. That lie spread quickly and it continues to be used to try to defeat candidates in this race.

We’re spending $31 million wisely for needed infrastructure that will allow several key departments, now scattered, to be working under one roof, easily accessible to the public with a council chamber that hopefully will be as iconic as the one where Clearwater held a week’s worth of hearings on Scientology back in 1982. I was always in awe when I spoke to the council in those chambers back in 2000-2001. Mayor Hibbard wanted us to take over the library on the bluff next to the amphitheater for city hall, but we just spent $84 million dollars to activate that area for the public. The council doesn’t need offices with beautiful waterfront views. We have tiny windowless offices now and that is perfectly fine. The library needs to remain there for the public and we have something really amazing in store for the ground floor that will activate the building in a way that will be exciting for people who live in Clearwater and for those visiting. Another great way we can activate the bluff and enhance it as a destination.

Politics, like Scientology, can be dirty but I refuse to play that way and I am unwilling to shut my mouth. Mayor Hibbard once threatened to “take me outside” during a meeting when I pointed out that he was the only one on the council who knew Scientology had been interfering with an affordable housing project we had approved for downtown. That interference drove the project and the developer out of town. Mayor Hibbard was also the only one who voted against that project.

I will continue to stand up and speak out when I see injustice. I am proud when citizens in Clearwater thank me for that and I’m hoping to have another four years of fighting for them from within City Hall.

If Clearwater becomes the first “Scientology City,” it won’t be on my watch.

— Mark Bunker

Mark Bunker for Clearwater City Council 2024
www.markbunker2024.com

 
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Technology Cocktail

“Some thetans are bigger than others. None are truly equal. But the degraded being is not necessarily a natively bad thetan. He is simply so PTS and has been for so long that it requires our highest level tech to finally undo it after he has scaled up all our grades. Degraded beings are about 18 to 1 over Big Beings in the human race (minimum ratio). So those who keep things going are few. And those who will make it without the steam of the few in our orgs behind them are zero. At the same time, we can’t have a world full of them and still make it. So we have no choice.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1967

 
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON

We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.

 
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH

— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see

[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [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

 
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Source Code

“Greece, in its Golden Age, could be said to have been at Tone 4. Perhaps in the first days of this country, when we were searching out a wilderness and building the nation, we could be said to have been at Tone 4. A nation follows in its cycles the same tone scale as individuals. A person can be as high as Greece was, or in a state of apathy as were the American Indians when they were destroyed as a nation. You can tell just what the mental health of a nation is by observing its actions. A country like Russia that is always angry is at 1.5 or 2. It is either angry or in a state of war. If a human being were in this band he would be titled insane. A state in this band could not help being a police state. The United States for a while was rather bored but getting along. However, this last war reduced us to around 2.1, which is rather overtly hostile — ready to fight. We are drifting back down the tone scale. Between here and death is totalitarianism.” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 15, 1951

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“The actual value of a trained SO member is very high, yet is not being assigned a value. The wogworld tends to impress on people that the individual has no value. Welfare states deplore having people. Yet we run on and because of people. The value is actually too high to be calculated easily. Because value to self is all the wide world thinks of. Value to the group is discounted. Yet the whole value of a being is to his group and not to himself at all. The aberrated think of modern times says one has no real value to the group. Yet that is a being’s greatest value. We should work more on these lines in a practical sense.” — The Commodore, February 15, 1971

Overheard in the FreeZone

“After being audited by trey I was trying to find a source point to all the time lines. I had found about 10 in the stars and a million sent back to raise the vibration of the planet. So if the spirit is in the static it is all knowing so it can’t see the physical universe being source. because if it knows everything then it knows the creation and that would vanish the creation, so there must be another viewpoint that is in the physical universe that can create all the timelines. So I think that is where I go when I pop out of this time and go to a void and then pop into another point in time. And since all the timelines come from the same spirit then I would be able to view all of them from there and even repair them from there. So then if we could get to that point it would be like being 3 feet behind your head you would just KNOW HOW to heal it. So that was my realization. If there was a way we can get to that source point which is in the physical universe and can see it and all its time lines we could fix this place pretty easy.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

1999: Danish newspaper Politiken published an article on Scientology’s filtering software, which prevents access to a large number of critical web sites. “‘Members have their own choice if they want it or not, but we give it to them to protect them, not for controlling them’, says Anette Refstrup (PR OSA Denmark). ‘We want to protect them against manipulated thoughts when they are at such a spiritual level that they can’t deal with criticism’. Scientology have 13000 web sites for their members and they are all identical. One can only contact a member through the org’s PR people. Catarina Pamnell left the movement in 1995 and tells that ‘Scientology wants to control peoples thoughts and that’s why Internet is such a huge problem for them’.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“Jenna Elfman is jihadi-level crazy. She wouldn’t hesitate to go on a martyr mission if D.M. ordered her to.”

 
——————–

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.

 
——————–

SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z

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

 
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?

 
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] So David Miscavige is now a defendant: But can the trafficking lawsuit avoid arbitration?
[TWO years ago] How Scientology kills without pulling a trigger: The story of a sister who was loved
[THREE years ago] Scientology spying on Anonymous: Leaked from the files of a church private eye
[FOUR years ago] DRONE FLYOVER: First look at Scientology’s drug rehab at Larry Hagman’s estate
[FIVE years ago] The Axioms of Dianetics: L. Ron Hubbard’s science-y foundation of Scientology ‘tech’
[SIX years ago] Scientology mag: Why aren’t you in Florida already dumping all that sweet cash?
[SEVEN years ago] Federal judge once again finds for Scientology’s nonexistent and Orwellian ‘arbitration’
[EIGHT years ago] Chuck Beatty is right: L. Ron Hubbard lofted culty cosmic ideas a decade before ‘Dianetics’
[NINE years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: New ‘Continental’ Narconons opening soon?
[TEN years ago] Did John Travolta reveal too much about Scientology?
[ELEVEN years ago] Blogging Dianetics, Part 7: The Hard Cell

 
——————–

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on February 15, 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, 1995-2022 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2022), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

 

Tony Ortega at Rolling Stone

In May Tampa Bay Times reporter Tracey McManus revealed that an Alabama man named Ricky Myers had been arrested for making a series of threats against Clearwater city councilman Mark Bunker.

Bunker is known for his criticism of Scientology’s grip on Clearwater, but the threats by Myers did not reference Scientology. Instead, [...]]]>

In May Tampa Bay Times reporter Tracey McManus revealed that an Alabama man named Ricky Myers had been arrested for making a series of threats against Clearwater city councilman Mark Bunker.

Bunker is known for his criticism of Scientology’s grip on Clearwater, but the threats by Myers did not reference Scientology. Instead, he accused Bunker of having “cut his throat” and putting him in prison for 17 years, and Myers vowed to cut off Bunker’s head.

Bunker told us in May that he didn’t want to say too much about it at the time, not as long as Myers, who had been arrested and extradited to Pinellas County from Alabama, was still going through the justice system.

Yesterday Myers pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, and so now Bunker turned over to us evidence of the threats that he had received. We’re glad he’s fine, and that he had calmly saved these threats and turned them over to police.

We asked him if he had learned anything about why Myers might have made these threats, which didn’t seem to bear any resemblance to reality.

“No, I have no idea. I asked the state attorney’s office if he gave a reason but if he did it wasn’t shared with me,” Bunker said.

We know you’re curious about the threats themselves, so we put the three calls together in a single sound file, and you can listen to them yourself. Just please be warned that the language is awful and there are vivid suggestions of violence. The three separate voice mails were left at different times on October 19, 2022.

[Listen to the recording here.]

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail/

“When Basic on any chain is found flatten it fully and permit it to be stripped of any lock engrams or earlier incidents that appear. (In finding basics remember that the Time Track by my most recent measurements considerably exceeds a trillion, trillion, trillion years. Basics may occur as early as they occur but seldom nearer PT than 200 trillion years ago, and quite ordinarily at 15 trillion, trillion years ago.)” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1963

 
——————–

THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON

We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.

 
——————–

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

[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

 
——————–

Source Code

“The only other thing I could tell that you really need to know about this meter is, when it’s all the way up to the vicinity of 6.0 or even into the black, you’re reading a thetan who believes he is dead. Completely aside from the theta bop, these are the readings of a body if it were dead: But the thetan believes he’s dead up that high. I learned this from plants. When plants think they’re dead, man, they rise right up there and there they are. And a plant can conceive that it’s dead long before it departs. It says, ‘I’m dead,’ goes right on up here to 6.0. After that, you get no needle motion. You get nothing.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 16, 1959

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“You know, I get an idea of what it must be like for the Space Command Vessel ‘Astra’ to land amongst the Ooglie-Booglies and try to explain their perfectly innocent but super modern procedures for measuring gravity and communicating. They turn on an intercomm and the Ooglie-Booglies go into terror rumours that the Astra keeps live men in little boxes! Even staid old England has it that we deal in black magic! Certainly anything that works as fast as our tech and admin MUST be magical! REASSURANCE is the keynote of showing anyone around this ship. Show them the fire detectors, the gyro room, the electro-log, the two radars, where they are on the chart, how lifeboats work, copies of the SWPB. Feed them well, give them lots of drinks. Whoever is in charge of the guests should be inventive of things to interest them and be REASSURING, noting and cheering up any misunderstoods. Make good friends out of the guests.” — The Commodore, November 16, 1969

——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“Don’t forget that LRH did a lot of research. I.e., why does the body sleep? Because of the photosynthesis cycle? Even if bodies were manufactured, why do cells retain memory in the form of engrams? Hmm. Also if bodies are manufactured you have to have a thetan in them to animate them, yeah? Hence an entity, yeah? Hmmm when people think they are famous well that’s a matter for auditing. The track is very long and there are many similar planets and times and lives operating on the same implants. Before bodies there were thetans and theta traps and war with MEST biengs. I don’t care who thinks what they were and how fantastical it gets just if they blow charge.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

1998: Gerry Armstrong posted a declaration this week describing Scientology’s private investigator tactics. “A San Anselmo Police cruiser pulled up in front of my car with its lights flashing. The officer driving the cruiser ordered me to stay in my car, and then within a minute or so approached my car to communicate with me. He told me that a woman had made a report at the San Anselmo Police Department that I had chased her. The officer told me that she had specifically identified me, the car I was driving and the exact location where I had parked it. I had at no time chased a woman or anyone or even encountered a woman or anyone either while in my car or while walking from my car, and I advised the officer of those facts. The officer detained me for approximately 30 minutes during which time he essentially accused me of chasing the woman, whom he would not identify, and needled me about being nervous. Finally he let us go. I believed at the time that the ‘police report’ made by the ‘woman’ was part of an operation by Scientology agents, and that it was likely that the police officer was a knowing participant in the operation. I believed that Scientology agents initiated this operation with the expectation that a call to the dispatcher would reveal a bench warrant for my arrest and
that I would be arrested and jailed. I also believed that it was likely that the officer was attempting to get me to react so that I could be apprehended and charged. In June, 1998 I received a declaration of Janet L. Holsclaw which confirms that as early as December, 1997, agents of Scientology had improperly obtained private and confidential information from Budget
Rental Car Company concerning my rental of Budget cars, and had identified cars I had rented from Budget. I am therefore now completely convinced that the incident in San Anselmo in March was a Scientology operation.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“My wife used to say the reason I was a such a morbid negative weirdo was because of all the horrible stories my dad use to tell me about Korea and WWII and all the other mondo cane shit he saw during his time in the merchant marines. I think she may have been right.”

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 October 30.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud.

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Complaint filed August 2, Scientology submitting anti-SLAPP response Oct 26.
— 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.

 
——————–

SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z

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

 
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?

 
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] And now we wait: Jury deliberations in the Danny Masterson trial
[TWO years ago] How do we know the ‘Chase Wave’ happened? ‘Aftermath’ guest Mark Fladd: ‘I was part of it’
[THREE years ago] Judge in Danny Masterson lawsuit doubts Scientology ‘arbitration,’ sets hearing
[FOUR years ago] Scientology banned his book and trashed him as an apostate. Here’s his full-throated reply!
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s ‘Super Power’ poster boy gets dunked on by yet another irked judge
[SIX years ago] How Pete Griffiths sued a Scientologist and ended up being vilified by former friends
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s websites try a little too hard to convince you that all is right in crazy town
[EIGHT years ago] Lisa McPherson in Orlando: What her hotel roommate witnessed, and the Slaughter rule
[NINE years ago] Sunday Funnies: Get yer boots on for some Scientology line dancing in Austin!
[TEN years ago] Jon Atack: Did Mary Sue Hubbard Doubt Scientology’s Key Experience?
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s Big Gamble: “Golden Age of Tech 2” Is Here!

 
——————–

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on November 16, 2023 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.

Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2022 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2022), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

 

Tony Ortega at Rolling Stone

 Attorney Elise Winters has hated the idea of me on the Downtown Development Board since I was elected. She previously tried to get me kicked off the board with some very transparent maneuvers and failed. She has me exiled to the kids table out of sight with a mic that often isn’t working.

Last night, [...]]]>

 
Attorney Elise Winters has hated the idea of me on the Downtown Development Board since I was elected. She previously tried to get me kicked off the board with some very transparent maneuvers and failed. She has me exiled to the kids table out of sight with a mic that often isn’t working.

Last night, the other council member that sits with me on the board couldn’t attend so I took her seat on the dais and apparently freaked out the attorney. With a minute or two to go before the meeting began she called out to one of the Scientologists closest to me and told her you have to move down a bit and I knew what she was up to.

“Oh, come on,” I said quite loudly, seeing she was suggesting I may break the injunction that the police department has said for years they won’t enforce.

She replied, “I’m an attorney. I have to take it seriously.”

“She is definitely more than ten feet away from me,” I said. She replied, “I know. I measured it.”

Well, then what the hell is she worried about? Why even bring it up? She seems to believe I am going to leap out of my chair and attack the Scientology board members while frothing at the mouth. I’ve never done anything like that in my life and I’m not going to start now so she can relax. Her biggest fear seems to be that I will mention Scientology, the one issue that the Scientologists on the board refuse to do anything about.

At the end of the meeting, I talked about the great success of the re-opened Coachman Park and amphitheatre and said Scientology is the one remaining obstacle to turning the downtown around, and they (the majority of the board are Scientologists) were in the best position to do something about it. That should probably be the central topic of each meeting. They could report on the progress they are making to convince owners to allow businesses to open, and ask the almighty David Miscavige to make it go right.

Instead, board member and Scientologist realtor Terri Novitsky angrily said I was being unfair. “Other business owners who aren’t Scientologists are leaving their buildings open as well,” she argued.

Yes, well, they suck too, but they’re a drop in the bucket compared to the massive holdings of Scientology. Ironically, she is in the best position to do something about it. She is the broker for many of those purchases and I’m sure pocketed a pretty penny. Much of it was likely donated to Scientology to get a shiny medal and big gold cup. Hip, hip, hooray!

As we ended the meeting, I told the one member of the board who is not a Scientologist that he must be a very brave man. I could snap and rush the dais and he would be their last line of defense. He was cool with it.

— Mark Bunker

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“A Mest Clear has not been through a total confrontingness. He arrived by what was a shortcut. His regained ability to postulate operates unexpectedly. He puts himself into things he hadn’t confronted yet. He doesn’t confront them. And there he goes.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1959

 
——————–

THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON

We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.

 
——————–

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

 
——————–

Source Code

“Faith is a very fascinating subject. Faith can be artificially installed. You can take a person as a clinical experiment, hypnotize him and install the Great God Motaw. You tell him that the Great God Motaw is now taking care of his life, safeguarding him, looking after his concerns, will see that the future is all arranged for him, will see that all goes well and that everybody loves him, and will, beyond everything else, give him absolutely correct data every time he asks for it. The Great God Motaw, installed in such a circuit, more or less takes the whole computer, moves it over, and now he has the Great God Motaw sitting there. You can even install it so that the Great God Motaw has sonic, which is strictly hallucination.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 13, 1950

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“The Supreme Test of a thetan is to make things go right. I want every divisional officer to spot those on the ship who pass this test.” — The Commodore, July 13, 1969

——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“Again a tornado skips hitting the Scientology town of Clearwater, Florida. It happens time and time again. Would you like to know why? Because the church calls in its top wizards to use their thoughts to create reality, and these dudes sit around doing Scientology mind exercises and this sends the tornado away from Clearwater. Lol, I’m not joking, the truth about spiritual abilities is being hidden from us by the powers that be because only they want the powers!”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

1998: Bob Minton was picketed at his New Hampshire home this week, leading to a confrontation when Scientologists entered his property. “2 Scientologists picketed my NH house this evening and tresspassed to photograph me and Stacy Young while we were swimming in the pool. They also yelled obscenities from 200 feet away. After the shots over the heads of OSA boys, somebody called the police to have them checkout the shooting incident in NH. I was called by police and told there were 4 police cars in front of my house and I should walk out of the house, hands above my head and surrender to the police. I was handcuffed and held in my driveway for 20 minutes while the police decided what was going on. Now I am free again and I urge everyone to read my post tonight entitled ‘Scientology versus Democracy Redux.'”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“Scientologists believe that the Narconon treatment can cure you of alcoholism and once completed you can drink in safety again. In fact from what I’ve read they sometimes make you drink before you leave to prove this.”

 
——————–

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

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentencing on 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. Trial scheduled for August 15.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud.

Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration. Plaintiffs allowed interlocutory appeal to Eleventh Circuit.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Appellate court removes requirement of arbitration on January 19, case remanded back to Superior Court. Stay in place at least through sentencing of Masterson on Aug 4.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Next hearing August 1.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: New trial ordered after appeals court overturned prior ruling.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Lawsuit filed by the FTC and state of Georgia in August, now in discovery phase.

 
——————–

SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z

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

 
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?

 
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] ‘Arbitration,’ again: Here’s Scientology motion to derail new labor trafficking lawsuit
[TWO years ago] Scientology’s response in Danny Masterson case appeal: ‘I changed my mind’ is not a defense
[THREE years ago] Kelly Preston dies; Lisa Marie Presley loses son to suicide; Scientology remains useless
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s targeting of children is only getting more blatant as the church struggles
[FIVE years ago] Scientology scrambles to keep Miscavige out of forced-abortion trial
[SIX years ago] Almost 12 years ago, Shelly Miscavige vanished. Here’s why we keep asking about her.
[SEVEN years ago] Hey, thetan: Scientology has a few questions for you
[EIGHT years ago] Hey, Star magazine, why is Tom Cruise afraid of Aussie journo Bryan Seymour?
[NINE years ago] Sunday Funnies: Scientology lets slip the reason it still produces L. Ron Hubbard’s bad fiction
[TEN years ago] Leaving Scientology: Jon Atack Navigates the Labyrinth of Paranoia
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Gets a Smooch from the L.A. Times
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology’s Spy Program: Anatomy of a Covert Operation

 
——————–

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on July 13, 2023 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.

Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2022 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2022), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

 

Tony Ortega at Rolling Stone

 After the new blockbuster from Tracey McManus about Scientology’s sneaky plans in Clearwater dropped Sunday morning at the Tampa Bay Times, we’ve been itching to find out what Clearwater City Councilman Mark Bunker made of it.

Last night, we caught up with him to talk over what came out in Tracey’s story.

A quick recap: The Tampa [...]]]>

 
After the new blockbuster from Tracey McManus about Scientology’s sneaky plans in Clearwater dropped Sunday morning at the Tampa Bay Times, we’ve been itching to find out what Clearwater City Councilman Mark Bunker made of it.

Last night, we caught up with him to talk over what came out in Tracey’s story.

A quick recap: The Tampa Bay Times had obtained an email showing that Scientologists had brought in an outside developer as a “white knight” to mask their involvement in a $350 million plan for the North Marina district. The outsider, Rodney Riley, would make the project “legit” by masking the actual real players involved, including OT 8 Scientologist Stephen Epstein of Nashville, and wealthy top Scientology donor Trish Duggan.

Thanks to Tracey’s previous investigations, we knew that Scientologists had gone on a buying spree after 2017, more than doubling the footprint of Scientology- or Scientologist-owned parcels and buildings in the city. But now, here was a smoking gun, an email that not only revealed that Riley was being brought in to front the North Marina project, but also that it would be done with the guidance of Church of Scientology flack Ben Shaw (and ultimately, with the direction of Scientology leader David Miscavige.)

All of them — Riley, Epstein, and Shaw — deny what the email suggests, and deny that the Church of Scientology itself has anything to do with what Riley is trying to do in the North Marina district.

So we asked Bunker, now that he’d had more than a day to absorb the story, what did he think?

“In my mind, the key aspect of the story is deception. And if the city and Scientology want to have a partnership, this is no way to go about it,” he said.

Bunker told us he first heard from Rodney Riley several months ago, when the developer invited him to meet at a restaurant to go over his plans for the North Marina area, which included parcels that had been purchased by Scientologists.

“He said he’d been getting some pushback from the city over details. They wanted changes from him about parking and density. And I started off by saying, if there are Scientologists who want to do a project I have no problem with it.” Bunker said he cited developer Moises Agami, for example, a wealthy Scientologist from Mexico City who had rehabbed a vacant former bank building into a new condo tower downtown. “That’s great. That’s fine. So if there are more Scientologists who want to do something with the buildings they purchased, I’m OK with it.”

Bunker says Riley’s reaction immediately struck him as disingenuous.

“He said, ‘Oh, I don’t know about that. There are no Scientologists involved in this.’ So of course I knew he was blowing smoke at that point. And I asked him, ‘Listen, I went online and I couldn’t find any major projects you’ve been behind.’ I expected some developments he could brag about. He said he didn’t like to toot his own horn. I thought, sure, you’re coming in to take over this massive development, and you can’t say, here’s a big success I’ve had in the past? Something didn’t add up,” Bunker said.

And again, Bunker reiterated that he’d have no problem with Scientologists developing the properties they’re holding onto. It was better than simply using empty buildings as leverage against the city’s plans to revive the downtown.

“So I’ve talked to Tracey a few times over the months about this. And I had a general idea of what she was looking into, but then she sent in two emails to Ben Shaw, which laid out the extent of the deception. So I had a couple of weeks to adjust to this before the article was published. And I’m anxious to see what comes of this,” he said.

As for Riley’s project and the variances he wants from the city, Bunker is skeptical about its success after the article appeared.

“I think it’s dead in the water. Which is unfortunate in some respects. But I think the people of Clearwater wouldn’t stand for it now, that Scientology is tricking us into approving their projects,” he concluded.

“If they had just come to us and said, all those buildings we purchased, here’s our plans. OK, fine, we want you to meet code. We don’t want to disrupt the feeling of the neighborhood we want to create. But instead, deception,” he said.

We asked Bunker about something Mike Rinder posted at his blog yesterday: Rinder suggested that Scientology leader David Miscavige’s overall plan was to use Riley to develop the North Marina project but then sell it to Scientology to use as a new extension of the Flag Land Base, and farther away from the bustling commotion of a revived downtown.

“I could definitely see Miscavige trying to get away from the noise, and if they want to move to another area, that’s fine with me. They can move to Largo. It’s nice and quiet there,” Bunker quipped.

We also pointed out that according to Tracey’s article, Riley is living in a condo unit owned by Epstein’s company in a tower built by Snow White Program unindicted co-conspirator and former Guardian’s Office spy Brian Andrus. Does that tend to undercut Riley’s assertion that he’s not in Clearwater to do the church’s bidding?

“Well, it was just the most convenient place to live, according to what he said,” Bunker said sarcastically. “Here we have this guy with no connection to Scientology, and he has a connection to an unindicted co-conspirator in crimes against the US government? That’s just a fine, wonderful partner.”

Another thing that concerned us was that Tracey reported that Riley’s land use attorney, Brian Aungst Jr, had assured the city manager that Riley was just an independent businessman with no connection to the church. That not only isn’t true, but Brian’s father, former Clearwater Mayor Brian Aungst Sr, was selected unanimously by the city council recently to be acting mayor for the next eleven months after Mayor Frank Hibbard suddenly and unexpectedly resigned in the middle of a council meeting, and with nearly a year left on his term.

Does it concern him, we asked Bunker, that the son of the new interim mayor, who is scheduled to be sworn in today, was running interference for a developer acting as Scientology’s shill in Clearwater?

“I find it hard to believe that Brian Aungst Jr does not understand what’s going on here. It sounds like to me like an attorney who doesn’t want to dig any deeper, just taking his client’s word for it,” he said.

Bunker also wanted us to know that although the vote for Brian Aungst Sr was unanimous, he had concerns about bringing back the former mayor, even temporarily, because of his son’s involvement with a Scientology project.

“I had put forward Kathleen Beckman. Everyone else wanted Brian Aungst Sr. There was this massive lobbying campaign for him, and from some people I really respected. They said this is the guy who can come in and steady the ship for a year,” Bunker said. But Bunker said he asked the new mayor to recuse himself regarding any project that involved his son.

“Any project your son is representing, the mayor would have to guarantee that he would put no pressure on the city manager or staff, or do anything to push those projects along. You have to step back completely. And he put that in writing, apparently,” he said.

Bunker said he was looking forward to meeting Aungst Sr as the interim mayor was sworn in later today.

And Bunker is also looking forward to it for another reason: He’s scheduled to be sworn in as Clearwater’s vice mayor.

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“Only a clear could think and act fast enough to live in a disaster and to make others live. Only a clear could Survive in Space. Only a clear could enjoy the fast pace of the game to come.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1957

 
——————–

THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON

We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.

 
——————–

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

[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

Source Code

“A fellow made a postulate. He said, ‘I’m going to square this all up. To be a pirate. That’s what I’m going to do, I’m going to be a pirate.’ And a few trillennia later, he sees a pig going down the road with a ring in its snout. And he faints and has a heart attack. Everybody says, ‘Look at what the hot weather has done to him.’ No! The hot weather might have assisted all this, but who did it to him? He did it to himself Way back down the track he said, to be a pirate. And, of course, pirates wear rings in their noses. There it is. Who did it? He did it. Well now, you can’t go around condemning this person for having done it to himself…you don’t have to blame him if you can eradicate it. Well, all of these causations for his ‘misfortunes’ are initially and basically resident in the GPM. Now, those of yesteryear have actually far more force on him, than those of today. These items here in present time — oh, those items are terribly important. Maybe he’s sitting in something that says, ‘Women who look like beatniks.’ You know? Maybe that’s the oppterm, see…And his wife’s a very neatly dressed girl and everything else and he’s always calling her a beatnik and she never can figure it out and he never can figure it out. And here are these items here, a chronic present time problem…He knows, you see, that the source of his ulcerous condition, you see, is because he eats too much harsh food. No, no. That’s the somatic ‘all women are beatniks.’ And what does he have to be? He has to be a Turk in order to combat this in some aberrated way. Well, there’s his ulcers and there’s his opposition. And he begins to think the whole environment is against him when in actual fact it’s just ‘women are beatniks.’ He sees some uncombed hair, he gets ulcers. Bang, bang, just like that — one, two!” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 4, 1963

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“ENEMY FINANCES: I found Scientologists do not know (and the world sure doesn’t) the size and state of the enemy. For years, our orgs have made more in a week than Swersh does in a year. Two years ago Swersh was 25,000 in debt with little income in sight. Last year it was far worse. Brock Chisholen their world leader, just died, very few key figures are left. Their mouthpiece ‘The Daily Mail’ has just folded and Peter Younghusband who caused the Rhodesian upset has been sacked. We have traced their origins to 2 years before Hitler and have traced the Nazi death camps and Nazi Philosophy to this group. There were not 200,000 members at their peak. So over the world we outnumber even their rank and file 25 to one at a very low estimate. We could buy all they own out of a week’s income and never miss it. Although a few skirmishes or even battles are still ahead of us, there is now no slightest question as to who is winning this war. The Nazi Psychiatrist and Nazi psychologist will most surely go the way of the dinosaur. No, there is no question now as to who will win this war. We will.” — The Commodore, April 4, 1971

——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“There are currently three versions for the aplication of Scientology. 1. Anti ex-Scientologists (in our friends lists) applying reverse Scientology tech on USA (California and Democratic states). This is evolving fast into widespread implanting the likes of Gray ET underground/US military bases in the Western USA. 2. Church of Scientology applying a Marcabian version of Scientology (includes the Tax Compliance Offices in OSA). 3. And the standard application of Scientology in the Freezone.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

1996: Karin Spaink, recent victor in court in The Netherlands when the legality of her Fishman Affidavit web page was upheld, also posted a letter to Judge White. She is protesting the inclusion of her email in the Grady Ward deposition list. “I am a Dutch citizen, a writer, and I am currently being sued by Scientology (in their personae of RTC, CST and New Era Publications) for alleged copyright infringements. I fail to understand why my name is on the list plaintiffs have presented Mr. Ward with. Mr. Ward and I do not know each other, and to the best of my knowledge the first e-mail I ever addressed to him was sent on March 24, 1996, upon hearing that your court had issued a TRO against him at Scientology’s request. I mailed him some advice and later offered him the use of my personal archive of alt.religion.scientology postings, should he need it. Under Dutch Law, Grady Ward would not even be allowed to produce any e-mail communications we might have had. The Privacy law in this country only allows him to do so when a court order has been issued. It is my understanding that US law has an Electronic Communications Privacy Act (section 2700-2707 of Title 18 USC), which also states that lawful access to stored electronic communications requires a warrant or a court order. I cannot understand why Scientology would expect to find any communication between Mr. Ward and me – if it had existed – to be of any relevance to the pertaining case. I can only assume that Scientology either considers all critics to be linked in some kind of global conspiracy, and thus expects us to be scheming deviously, or – worse – that Scientology is hoping to use the mere fact that my name will be mentioned in your court as a means to thwart legal proceedings here and put me at a disadvantage in their upcoming appeal – for instance, by suggesting that _I_ am a part of Scamizdat or was at some time suspected to be connected with it, or with any other copyright infringing person or group. I must therefore protest to being in any way included in this ‘Notice of Deposition’.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“Some of my greatest wins have come from applying the ‘you seem kind of tense’ back rub tech. Last thing we want is for the WOGs — a/k/a Women On Guard — to become aware of this wondrous technology.”

 
——————–

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

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Mistrial declared November 30. Retrial scheduled, jury selection begins March 29. Next pretrial hearing: Feb 16.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing Feb 13.
— Rizza Islam, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for March 1 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next status conference Feb 13.

Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Complaint filed April 28 in Tampa federal court, Scientology moving to compel arbitration. Plaintiffs filed amended complaint on August 2. Hearing November 17 to argue the arbitration motions, awaiting ruling.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Selection of arbitrators underway. Next court hearing: March 15, 2023.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Appellate court removes requirement of arbitration on January 19, case remanded back to Superior Court. Stay in place at least through February 7.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: New trial ordered after appeals court overturned prior ruling.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Lawsuit filed by the FTC and state of Georgia in August, now in discovery phase.

 
——————–

SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z

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

 
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?

 
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Scientology private eye found guilty of contempt after judge sees alleged rape on video
[TWO years ago] Scientology social media: Does an E-meter count as a concealed weapon?
[THREE years ago] Scientology, stop being so stupid during the pandemic. We have some advice for you.
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s bogus ‘arbitration’: The Garcia appeal brief is here, and it’s a beauty
[FIVE years ago] Scientology cranks up its ‘noisy’ investigation of Leah Remini, and she fires back
[SIX years ago] David Miscavige: Scientology TV launches by June 21, to show ‘planet’s coolest religion’
[SEVEN years ago] VIDEO: David Miscavige’s entire speech at Scientology’s Atlanta ‘Ideal Org’ opening
[EIGHT years ago] ‘Going Clear’ subject Tom DeVocht visited by Burbank PD after suspicious anonymous tip
[NINE years ago] Video Vault: Hear L. Ron Hubbard unite Dianetics and Scientology in connubial bliss!
[TEN years ago] The Secret to Scientology’s “Wins” Revealed?
[ELEVEN years ago] Mike Rinder on “The Hole,” Indoctrination, Confessions, and His Ultimate Escape

 
——————–

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on April 4, 2023 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.

Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2022 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2022), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

 

Tony Ortega at Rolling Stone

Yesterday was Neighborhoods Day in Clearwater. It is a festive day every year where individual neighborhoods throw their own block parties and we council members, along with police officers, city staff and officials travel around and visit as many of the get-togethers as possible. It’s a fun tradition [...]]]>

Yesterday was Neighborhoods Day in Clearwater. It is a festive day every year where individual neighborhoods throw their own block parties and we council members, along with police officers, city staff and officials travel around and visit as many of the get-togethers as possible. It’s a fun tradition and a good chance to find out what is on people’s minds.

Things were going swimmingly until I got to the Country Club neighborhood. I noticed signs asking for us to support some changes to Drew Street to make the neighborhood safer. I explained to one woman that we have the votes to make that happen so help is on the way. She was so excited she asked me to join her to tell that to a friend at the end of the block. We headed that way when suddenly this woman was grabbed and pulled away from me. I figured this may be the woman she wanted me to meet so I approached them…and they both ran away.

Suddenly, a woman I hadn’t seen in a couple of decades popped up at my side and angrily demanded, “You need to leave!” It was Maureen O’Keefe, who was much nicer when I met her on the streets of Clearwater back in 2000…

 
Maureen also was at the Chicago Org in 2000 when I was arrested for trespassing on a public sidewalk while trying to interview two dentists defrauded out of $20,000 by Scientology. Maureen actually signed the arrest report which I have had hanging on my wall for decades. That happened shortly before the video you see above this which I referenced in the video.

Maureen continued her Tone 40 demands that I leave but I told her no and reminded her that the injunction she kept mentioning also applied equally to her. It is not “the Mark Bunker injunction” no matter how many times Scientology tries to paint it in that light. I told Maureen I was there as a city official and wasn’t leaving. When she hit me again with, “You have to leave,” I matched her tone with, “How dare you!” and kept repeating that as we went to talk to a police officer she insisted on meeting. That was fine with me because that officer was escorting me around to the various events. We spent the whole day together. Her arguing that there was an injunction was not convincing and the officer told her we were staying.

 
She wasn’t happy about that but she went about informing every Scientologist to beware the SP. That left one nice guy with a doggie who told me that the neighborhood had become 85 percent Scientologists. We had a fun lengthy conversation about the nuttiness around us. Besides constantly trying to recruit him, the only complaint he had was being cajoled to bake a pie to enter into a pie contest.

 
I didn’t stick around to see the judge’s decision, but after everyone watched him speaking with me I have a feeling he didn’t win.

The odd thing is I was there to be friendly and to help. I answered questions and when the first woman wanted me to walk with her to look at an overgrown area that needed some clearing, I genuinely felt I could get that done for her. If she had told me she was a Scientologist I still would have helped her because I like to believe I am a decent guy and don’t harbor any ill-will for its members. I would have been happy to speak to every one of them and answer their questions but that is something these highly advanced individuals cannot do. I never saw the overgrown area because the woman was snatched away from me to kick off this insanity.

It was time to move on to the next neighborhood where people recognized me from Scientology and the Aftermath and wanted to share stories about how Scientology has ruined the downtown. One woman even told me her mom had helped a Sea Org member flee from the organization.

Other cities may have Neighborhood Days but none of them are quite like this.

This is true.

— Mark Bunker

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“When you can process a catatonic schiz, a five-day-old baby, you’ve got it made in the world of homo sapiens. The only further adventure we might adventure upon would be the processing of the thetan not connected with the body, and that would be an entire field about which we know practically nothing.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1957

 
——————–

Jon Atack looks at a Scientology knockoff

 
——————–

THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON

We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.

 
——————–

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

[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

 
——————–

Source Code

“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

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“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

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“I see there’s a whole bunch of new people here. If you’re serious about Scientology, I’d recommend you find a good indie group (there’s lots, just type in independent Scientology) and leave this one. The admin is NOT a Scientologist, and he will ruin your case. Please trust me on that, he posts things contrary to what Scientologists actually believe in, confidential cognitions, and is increasingly more antagonistic towards Scientology, Scientologists, and LRH. I’m only making this post for your own good.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

2001: Keith Henson posted an update on the legal situation of attorney Graham Berry, a long-time opponent of Scientology. “The clams got Graham’s car by assuring a bankruptcy judge that his 14 year old jeep, bald tires, marginal brakes, electrical problems, and water leaks would sell for $6700. Since in bankruptcy you can’t have a car worth more than $1900, they will sell it at auction to some public scn and give Graham $1900. There is a deposition of Donald Wager; in it he admits to a string of criminal actions in the Hurtado v. Berry case and related. Wager admits paying a street person in jail for false testimony and being paid back by Moxon. He also talks about taking the street person’s false testimony to the Sheriff in an attempt to get Graham arrested.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

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

 
——————–

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

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Mistrial declared November 30. Retrial scheduled, jury selection begins March 29. Next pretrial hearing: Feb 16.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing Feb 13.
— Rizza Islam, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for March 1 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next status conference Feb 13.

Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Complaint filed April 28 in Tampa federal court, Scientology moving to compel arbitration. Plaintiffs filed amended complaint on August 2. Hearing November 17 to argue the arbitration motions, awaiting ruling.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Selection of arbitrators underway. Next court hearing: March 15, 2023.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Appellate court removes requirement of arbitration on January 19, case remanded back to Superior Court. Stay in place at least through February 7.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: New trial ordered after appeals court overturned prior ruling.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Lawsuit filed by the FTC and state of Georgia in August, now in discovery phase.

 
——————–

SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z

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

 
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?

 
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK

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

 
——————–

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on March 26, 2023 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.

Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2022 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2022), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

Late last night we heard from Mark Bunker, who wanted us to know about some comments he had made at last night’s Clearwater, Florida city council meeting.

To help explain his comments, he wanted us to know that Tracey McManus is apparently about to unload another whopper of a story [...]]]>

Late last night we heard from Mark Bunker, who wanted us to know about some comments he had made at last night’s Clearwater, Florida city council meeting.

To help explain his comments, he wanted us to know that Tracey McManus is apparently about to unload another whopper of a story at the Tampa Bay Times, and Scientology is freaking out about it.

So much so, local Scientology spokesman Ben Shaw sent a couple of letters to McManus and copied them to Clearwater’s mayor and other officials, making them public documents.

Bunker sent along the second of these two letters, and yes, you really have to see it in its entirety to get the full flavor of it.

We can’t wait to see what Tracey has in the works, but in the meantime, savor this freakout from Scientology about its supposedly grassroots propaganda operation, the STAND League, which we have multiple times in the past proved has operated social media accounts with bogus names and stock photos.

Here’s the letter in its entirety…

 
So, to summarize, a city official noted that Clearwater had been tagged in tweets by something called Hate Monitor.

Tampa Bay Times reporter Tracey McManus helpfully explained to that city official that Hate Monitor is operated by Stand League, a propaganda effort of the Church of Scientology.

To give you some idea of the kind of thing that Scientology is constantly putting out supposedly from this grassroots group, here are a couple of items that represent the repeated attacks it makes on Leah Remini and Tracey McManus…

 
And here are Bunker’s comments about this at last night’s city council meeting…

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“I have lectured on writing to Harvard university students many times, and they have asked me how one develops style. Personally, as far as style was concerned, all one had to do was express what he wanted to say and that was style. It is no more complicated than this and sometimes, just for gags, why, write in the valence of Shakespeare or other literary figure. I have said to these students, ‘Style — well, I can tell you how you would find out whether you had a style or not, or how to develop one. Just sit down and write a hundred thousand words.’ The class fainted.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1957

 
——————–

THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON

We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.

 
——————–

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

[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

 
——————–

Source Code

“With governments leaning all over Scientology and looking down our throats, for instance, the probability — Mary Sue was always curious. She always said, ‘The government wants something out of Scientology.’ She’s always saying this. ‘The government wants something. There’s some reason for this.’ And we finally found it. They want the E-Meter for front-line combat troops. I thought that was very interesting. Yeah, it’s pretty crazy, isn’t it? Typical. You see, they get so much infiltration — this is serious — they get so much infiltration in modern warfare of the type that is being fought, that they can’t tell friend from foe. So they’re going to equip front-line combat troops with portable lie detectors. And, of course, there’s only one portable lie detector in the world, the E-Meter. I knowed something was getting those chilluns, you see? But apparently they have some kind of an interest in it. And you would — a thief or a criminal never can ask you for something. They’ve got to steal it. And I wasn’t saying all the governments are thieves or criminals. Don’t get me wrong. I think there’s one or two that aren’t. I know this is about the wildest curve you ever heard of and it’s completely unbelievable. You can see a soldier walking around carrying an E-Meter. Before he shoots the guy, you see, he puts the electrodes in his hands, you know? Bunch of psychotics. I know, it doesn’t sound right. But it sounds just exactly what a government would do.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 17, 1964

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“Norman Starkey is welcomed to the post of Deputy CS-2. Student riots are really tearing the ground up. The Office in the Capitol is now acting to help the government. Things are cool on lines. ASHO is down again, measures are being taken. London has some out Ethics. DK needed help — they had 3 minor blows and a stat drop for 2 weeks — and are getting it. Their stats are now up again.” — The Commodore, March 17, 1970

Overheard in the FreeZone

“Genocide on a galactic magnitude does not work. Look what happened after a galactic ruler attempted that on us. The solution for these hivemind Gray ETs is auditing, not genocide. The problem is that there are good Grays and bad Grays. They come from Andromeda. They are minions of the reptilians, but I see the lizards from Buckingham Palace very alive and kicking. That without mentioning that they seem to RULE THE WORLD including the USA. Also, remember that LRH said the future civilization for Earth is a Galactic Confederacy type of society described in the taped lecture ‘The Free Being.’ In it the society includes all kinds of beings, from OTs, limited OTs, Doll Bodies, Meat Bodies and in the meat body bracket comes the Gray ETs and their ant hills. It is probably not well known that, according to Bill Robertson, the government of this Galaxy met with the good Grays from the government of Andromeda to reach an agreement.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

1999: The St. Petersburg Times reported that the judge in the Lisa McPherson civil case has ruled that the McPherson estate have access to Lisa’s auditing folders. “Two boxes of notes jotted in a unique shorthand sit in the office of a Tampa judge while the Church of Scientology fights another legal battle for what it says are its religious rights. The notes were written by Scientology ‘auditors’ who ‘counseled’ Scientologist Lisa McPherson in 1995, the year she died after a 17-day stay at a church retreat in Clearwater. On Monday, Hillsborough Circuit Judge James S. Moody Jr. rejected for a third time Scientology’s attempts to keep those records private. But the church, fielding a battery of seven lawyers, said it would immediately appeal. It contends the records of McPherson, like those kept on all Scientologists, are as private as disclosures in a Catholic confessional. Scientology indicated it would appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary. Releasing the records, the church’s lawyers said, would undermine the ironclad promise of privacy in an auditing session, the core practice of Scientology in which parishioners are said to purge psychological and physical problems. McPherson’s auditing records are sought by Tampa lawyer Ken Dandar, who represents McPherson’s family in a wrongful-death lawsuit against the church. Dandar says the records could help prove his contention that McPherson wanted to leave Scientology and was held captive. Church lawyers reject that theory and say Dandar has many other ways to try to prove his case.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“Capt. Howdy swears by some Dr Pepper and Jim Beam Black at the end of another lackadaisical day.”

 
——————–

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

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Mistrial declared November 30. Retrial scheduled, jury selection begins March 29. Next pretrial hearing: Feb 16.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing Feb 13.
— Rizza Islam, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for March 1 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next status conference Feb 13.

Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Complaint filed April 28 in Tampa federal court, Scientology moving to compel arbitration. Plaintiffs filed amended complaint on August 2. Hearing November 17 to argue the arbitration motions, awaiting ruling.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Selection of arbitrators underway. Next court hearing: March 15, 2023.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Appellate court removes requirement of arbitration on January 19, case remanded back to Superior Court. Stay in place at least through February 7.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: New trial ordered after appeals court overturned prior ruling.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Lawsuit filed by the FTC and state of Georgia in August, now in discovery phase.

 
——————–

SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z

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

 
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?

 
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] This is what it’s like to become a super being at Scientology’s Florida ‘mecca’
[TWO years ago] ‘Cult City’ Ted takes a body blow from the Tampa Bay Times, but says it won’t slow him down
[THREE years ago] Clearwater takes a stand against Scientology: MARK BUNKER WINS!
[FOUR years ago] Scientology pitches a fit about sensible mental health reform in wake of Parkland shooting
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s L. Ron Hubbard considered James Bond’s nemesis SMERSH his biggest enemy
[SIX years ago] A HowdyCon 2017 announcement: Special guests and performances!
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s ‘personality test’ taken apart like never before, and by a former member
[EIGHT years ago] More proof that Scientology used the ‘R2-45’ method to intimidate enemies
[NINE years ago] Here are the wealthy people keeping Scientology alive
[TEN years ago] ABC finally takes on Scientology…with General Hospital
[ELEVEN years ago] Why Irish (Ex-Scientologist) Eyes are Smiling

 
——————–

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on March 17, 2023 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.

Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2021 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2021), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

 Over the last few days, you’ve probably noticed some breathless tabloid claims that Scientology’s leader David Miscavige has gone “missing.”

This is a mischaracterization of a story that we’ve been covering for more than three years now — that Miscavige has gone to extreme lengths to evade process servers in a few different lawsuits that are [...]]]>

 
Over the last few days, you’ve probably noticed some breathless tabloid claims that Scientology’s leader David Miscavige has gone “missing.”

This is a mischaracterization of a story that we’ve been covering for more than three years now — that Miscavige has gone to extreme lengths to evade process servers in a few different lawsuits that are attempting to name him as a defendant.

In other words, as our podcast subject Clearwater City Councilman Mark Bunker explains, Miscavige isn’t missing, he’s hiding.

Bunker attended a key court hearing for us last week, and wrote an inspired report about the shenanigans coming from Miscavige’s attorneys, who are trying to justify the evasive behavior of Scientology’s diminutive leader.

We really enjoyed getting into it with Bunker, and also revisiting some other instances of Miscavige trying not to be seen, including a wild day in Portland that Mark Bunker reminded us of. What a great trip down memory lane.

We hope you enjoy it!

And hey, here’s a bonus. Mark mentioned shooting this video in the Tampa Ideal Org when it opened in 2011. What a great look at that time!

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“When Scientology founded Bio-physics, it did so because of the various discoveries which had accumulated concerning mental energy in its reaction against physical energy, and the activities which took place in the body because of these interactions. Bio-physics only became feasible when it was discovered in Scientology that a fixed electrical field existed surrounding a body entirely independent of, but influenceable by, the human mind.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1956

 
——————–

THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON

We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— The Underground Bunker Podcast

[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH

— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see

[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf

— SPECIAL: Your Proprietor’s updates on the Danny Masterson trial

[1] Sep 21 [2] Sep 28 [3] Oct 4 [4] Oct 10 [5] Oct 11: Day One [6] Oct 12: Day Two [7] Oct 13: Day Three [8] Oct 17: Day Four [9] Oct 18: Day Five [10] Oct 19: Day Six [11] Special interview with Chris Shelton, Oct 19 [12] Oct 20: Day Seven [13] Oct 21: Day Eight [14] First week in review, with Jeffrey Augustine [15] Oct 24: Day Nine [16] Oct 25: Day Ten [17] Oct 27: Day Eleven [18] Oct 28: Day Twelve [19] Second week in review, with Jeffrey Augustine [20] Halloween special [21] Nov 2: Day Thirteen [22] Nov 3: Day Fourteen [23] Nov 4: Day Fifteen [24] Third week in review [25] Nov 5, Saturday special [26] Nov 6, Sunday special [27] Nov 7, Day Sixteen [28] Lisa Marie Presley breaking news [29] Nov 8, Day Seventeen [30] Nov 9, Day Eighteen [31] Nov 10, Day Nineteen

 
——————–

Source Code

“Parents are supposed to raise children so that children can grow up and become parents; there is a basic law in operation. So one day this little kid is standing there and his parent turns around, picks him up by the heels and bashes his brains out against a tree. This is unexpected, unusual. If you don’t think that incident is on record — anybody here want a headache? You have had your brains dashed out one way or the other. But we don’t necessarily have to turn these things on, because you are handling that. After all, what is getting one’s brains dashed out? But getting one’s brains dashed out by a parent would be some kind of a problem; that would be a bit of a problem, wouldn’t it? A parent is supposed to raise you and take care of you; you are supposed to be nice to the parent and yet the parent kills you. Well, it would be very upsetting. But of course, the funny part of it was the parent thought you were a wild animal and you rushed out from behind the rock, and you never got this equation at all because your brains were dashed out at the time. Sounds pretty wild, doesn’t it?” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 28, 1952

Avast, Ye Mateys

“The only trouble with Scn orgs is that they are not promoting, selling and delivering. Seems so elementary. Possibly they think we are asking for something strange or fantastic when we say ‘Raise your GDSes.’ Possibly org boarding and hatting does not seem complicated enough to produce a result. Possibly raising GDSes does not seem to be the result of recruiting, org boarding and hatting. Whatever it is the task is so simple that one gapes when it is not done. Although New York is doing better, its troubles are just failures to recruit, org bd and hat and then promote, sell and deliver. In NY they actually think they have an HGC but are only selling ‘Interiorization Rundowns and Life Repairs.’ That’s like walking up to a candy bar and asking to buy some candy and being told ‘Oh, we just sell the wrappers.’ Student training is going better. But I never was able to run an academy where students were co-auditing without selling and delivering an awful lot of Reviews and grades. It’s best to stress training in an org but not to the extent of not running a busy HGC. NY has ‘low pay.’ They probably lose about $20,000 a week in unpromoted unsold undelivered potential. That’s the loss in an org, not the wasted paper clips. The answer is recruiting org boarding hatting and thus promoting selling and delivering. I trust our FEBCs going back there learn this lesson well. That’s why they’re here.” — The Commodore, January 28, 1971

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“Scientology is for people that want to increase their IQ, decrease mental impediments, increase their understanding of the world or universe. These do not necessarily result in agreements as to how things are or should be. Even people at the top may not agree as to how this universe was created.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

2000: Mark Bunker, the creator of Xenu-TV, was arrested in Chicago this week for allegedly trespassing during the filming of a couple attempting to get a refund at the org. A description of the events from the couple was posted to a.r.s. “We were walking up to the door, I was behind [my husband] and Mark was behind me. And I remember two guys in black jackets coming up and they start grabbing Mark. They really roughed him up! They grabbed his arms and he started saying, ‘Who are you?’ They tried to get the camera out of his arms but he had a grip on it. They then said, ‘We’re Chicago Cops’ and we said, ‘Where’s your uniform? Where’s your ID?’ and he said, ‘Forget it lady, it doesn’t matter who I am’. I said ‘Why are you doing this to him, why are you pushing him around?’ Then they knocked his cell phone to the ground. This whole time he was holding his camera, he wouldn’t let go of his camera. He didn’t provoke anything! We were only on the sidewalk, we weren’t even on their property. They told us to come for the meeting at 7:30 so we come to the meeting and they attack this guy for nothing. We were standing away from the door, I’m behind [my husband] and Mark was behind ME so he was WAY outside! They took the camera he had a cell phone on and he was trying to call someone he said, ‘I wanna call my lawyer, I wanna call somebody.’ And they said ‘You’re going down, we’re going to lock you up and that’s it’. They wanted his camera and they were gonna lock him up. They never said ‘turn off the camera, back up’. I didn’t go inside because I said to the policeman that I knew, ‘I’m scared. What if they get me in there and never let me out? The lady (Pam?) from New York, she said they were hired to protect them. So they were hired by the org, and that’s why they jumped him. So they wanted us to come inside, they said, ‘We have a nice warm place for you inside, you know, with a dictionary and blah blah blah.’ She said, ‘I want you to sign the waiver’ I said, ‘We have a lawsuit against Marcus. You think I’m going to sign this? Do you think I’m crazy? You’d better give me all my money back.'”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“Sometimes people in official positions ask me if I have any living relatives and I’m yeah, but…then I feel sad.”

 
——————–

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

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Mistrial declared November 30. Retrial scheduled, jury selection begins March 29.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Plea deadline scheduled for December 16.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff scheduled to time served with three years supervised release, restitution of $9.7 million.
— Rizza Islam, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for March 1 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial hearing December 9.
— Yanti Mike Greene, Scientology private eye accused of contempt of court: Found guilty of criminal and civil contempt.

Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Complaint filed April 28 in Tampa federal court, Scientology moving to compel arbitration. Plaintiffs filed amended complaint on August 2. Hearing November 17 to argue the arbitration motions, awaiting ruling.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Selection of arbitrators underway. Next court hearing: February 2, 2023.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Appellate court removes requirement of arbitration on January 19, case remanded back to Superior Court. Stay in place at least through February 7.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Case settled ahead of scheduled Dec 6 trial.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: New trial ordered after appeals court overturned prior ruling.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Lawsuit filed by the FTC and state of Georgia in August, now in discovery phase.

 
——————–

SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z

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

 
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?

 
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Is this the greatest (and most disturbing) Scientology recruitment video ever?
[TWO years ago] Scientology in Russia, a series by historian Chris Owen, part 2: The Putin years
[THREE years ago] Scientology TV premieres episode about legendary Saint Hill Manor to… total silence
[FOUR years ago] Scientology wants you to bring your kids to its creepy ‘mecca’ in Florida — it’s an adventure!
[FIVE years ago] Sunday Scientology sermon: L. Ron Hubbard on freeing kids from their bodies
[SIX years ago] Move over, Xenu: Scientology’s other great space opera figure, the Duke of Chug
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology, in forced-abortion case: We treat people no worse than the Catholic Church does
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology secrets in government docs: Did the feds have a chance to stop ‘Snow White’?
[NINE years ago] Drug flashbacks from one million years B.C.? It’s time for Scientology’s New OT 4!
[TEN years ago] Lawrence Wright’s Scientology Book Gets Some Thrashing from Cult Expert Steven Hassan
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Half-Cocked: Commenters of the Week!

 
——————–

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on January 28, 2023 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.

Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2021 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2021), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

 We’re finally getting a chance to go through our backlog of email that piled up during the Danny Masterson trial, and we were glad to see that we’d been sent a message from our old friend Mark Bunker, the Clearwater, Florida city councilman.

He wanted us to know that he’s been targeted with what appears to [...]]]>

 
We’re finally getting a chance to go through our backlog of email that piled up during the Danny Masterson trial, and we were glad to see that we’d been sent a message from our old friend Mark Bunker, the Clearwater, Florida city councilman.

He wanted us to know that he’s been targeted with what appears to be a small campaign by local Scientology members.

“There seems to be a push to have Scientologists complain about my behavior on the council as a handful of emails have come trickling in,” he told us, and he thought we’d like to see a couple of them.

If you’re not familiar with the situation, Bunker has been working to expose Scientology abuses for many, many years, and always in the most friendly manner possible. As he has said many times, he never complains about a Scientologist’s involvement in the church, but about the policies and practices of the organization under leader David Miscavige. And in particular, the way those practices keep Clearwater from becoming a more lively place downtown, where Miscavige has control of so many properties. In 2020, Bunker was elected to the city council after running on his record of opposing Scientology.

And since then Bunker has repeatedly brought up Scientology’s controversies in city council meetings, something that has not exactly endeared him to Mayor Frank Hibbard.

On October 21, the mayor received a complaint about Bunker’s “discriminatory” comments on the council.

Mayor Frank Hibbard
City of Clearwater

Dear Mayor Hibbard,

I have been operating a business in downtown for the past 20 years I have owned other businesses in Clearwater for over 30 years. I pay taxes and have volunteered many many hours in this community.

I attended law school at Boston University and graduated from Morehouse College. I grew up in Mississippi where I suffered from and fought against violations of civil rights as an African American.

As you might imagine, I am shocked to see, in this day and age, a City Councilman being so disgustingly discriminatory. I am talking about Mark Bunker who continuously operates as a hate monger against my church, including at the past city council meeting.

Mark Bunker is similar to the bigots in Mississippi who did everything they could to put people like me down.

No government, nor its individual members in official capacities, should be discriminating against their own constituents based on race or religion.

Sincerely,

[Redacted]

(We’re going to leave the name off since we didn’t get a chance to reach out to the business owner.)

Bunker tells us he figures the comments that had angered the letter writer occurred the night before, when he’d urged local voters to approve a referendum that would result in the sale of some downtown land to developers in a major improvement that Scientology leader David Miscavige opposed.

“I was making a closing pitch why people should vote yes to allow new development on our downtown bluff. These are points the business community wanted me to make because I was the person who could allay the fears of those avoiding downtown because of Scientology. I would hardly consider these comments harsh,” Mark says.

He also showed us another fun letter that came in on November 4…

Dear Mr. Hibbard,

As a Resident of Clearwater, I am shocked that Mark Bunker is allowed to continually discriminate at the City Council Meetings.

I am a licensed Real Estate Broker, and I would be fined and possibly lose my license if I demonstrated Religious Discrimination like Mark Bunker does.

Mark Bunker continues to display this behavior freely in the City Council meetings, without objections from anyone else at the meeting.

Voting is a personal decision. I personally make my decisions by researching issues and making my own determination about how I choose to vote.

As the Executive Director of the Clearwater Community Volunteers, I have personally built, decorated, and manned Winter Wonderland for more than 20 years. Each year we bring tens of thousands of people into downtown Clearwater. The Church of Scientology sponsors this wonderful event, giving an incredible experience to thousands and thousands of Clearwater residents.

I personally have met people that came as children and now bring their children because Winter Wonderland is such a special place to visit. In addition, Winter Wonderland is a food and toy drive, so we provide Christmas to many, many families that cannot afford Christmas. This is possible because of the support from the Church of Scientology.

I sincerely hope that Mark Bunker is not allowed to continue spreading hate and lies to our residents at the meeting and wasting the valuable time of our other City Councilmembers.

Very Sincerely,

[Redacted]

“I guess I won’t be invited to officiate the opening of Winter Wonderland this year,” Bunker told us last night.

In fact, according to a report in the local Patch, the Clearwater version of Scientology’s Winter Wonderland opened last week.

For those unfamiliar with Winter Wonderland, here’s what we said about Scientology’s interesting relationship to Christmas last year at this time…

Scientology has a long and complex relationship with the R6 Christianity implant that each of us thetans struggles with thanks to the galactic warlord Xenu.

According to Scientology scripture, the story of Christianity (including the birth of Jesus) never actually occurred, it’s all an “implant” in our heads that Xenu put there when he committed a massive genocide on this planet 75 million years ago.

However, even though Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard belittled Christianity in his lectures, he knew a good thing when he saw it, and so in the early 1970s his Los Angeles followers began co-opting Christmas by putting a big tree up in Hollywood.

“Winter Wonderland” they called it, and it became a staple of Scientology’s outreach.

So even though Scientology scripture has it that the story of Christianity was just something made up by the galactic overlord Xenu 75 million years ago, a Scientologist business owner can claim today that with its Winter Wonderland setup, “we provide Christmas to many, many families that cannot afford Christmas.”

Slick.

Bunker pointed out to us that he’s written each of the letter writers, offering to meet with them and discuss their issues about his comments.

Also, he’s put up a couple of new videos at his channel in response to the letter writers.

“The first one is my report on the court hearing on coercion and the second one is about Miscavige not supporting the bluff property vote but happy to tell people not to vote for me.”

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“The wide-open case (delusive but clear recalls of non-factual material) is distinguished by having the same manifestations in life as the occluded case, which is to say, a fear of and protest against sound, a general protest against life, a defensive and defeating attitude. But this case is in far worse condition than the occluded case and this condition is most easily noticed by endocrine disorders. This is denoted by sterility, untimely fat on the back of the ankles (startlingly common in the current civilization) and perceptic difficulties.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1953

 
——————–

THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON

We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.

 
——————–

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— The Underground Bunker Podcast

[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH

— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see

[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf

— SPECIAL: Your Proprietor’s updates on the Danny Masterson trial

[1] Sep 21 [2] Sep 28 [3] Oct 4 [4] Oct 10 [5] Oct 11: Day One [6] Oct 12: Day Two [7] Oct 13: Day Three [8] Oct 17: Day Four [9] Oct 18: Day Five [10] Oct 19: Day Six [11] Special interview with Chris Shelton, Oct 19 [12] Oct 20: Day Seven [13] Oct 21: Day Eight [14] First week in review, with Jeffrey Augustine [15] Oct 24: Day Nine [16] Oct 25: Day Ten [17] Oct 27: Day Eleven [18] Oct 28: Day Twelve [19] Second week in review, with Jeffrey Augustine [20] Halloween special [21] Nov 2: Day Thirteen [22] Nov 3: Day Fourteen [23] Nov 4: Day Fifteen [24] Third week in review [25] Nov 5, Saturday special [26] Nov 6, Sunday special [27] Nov 7, Day Sixteen [28] Lisa Marie Presley breaking news [29] Nov 8, Day Seventeen [30] Nov 9, Day Eighteen [31] Nov 10, Day Nineteen

 
——————–

Source Code

“If you went into this technical society and you could just make better screwdrivers than anybody else, why, if you had any acumen at all, you eventually would make some kind of a minor success of the situation. But we’re not talking now about screwdrivers. We’re talking about the stuff of which life is made: life itself. And any time you get a technology of that character going forward, and you have a grasp of that technology, you cannot help but win. You don’t even have to try to win. People will come ahead and present you with large sections of Earth. That is all. I mean, it can’t help it. For instance, right now I’ve told them occasionally, from time to time, they’d never get into space without us. I’ve told them that from time to time. Well, what do you know? Cape Canaveral just sent for a Scientologist. They won’t get into space without us.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 12, 1961

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“NO ONE is to send telexes, telegrams, telephone messages or mail ashore without security clearance of CS-1. This includes the Ships Rep and Operations on international and mission lines but does not affect daily purchasing, PRO and port/agent cycles. This DOES include personal favors asked of persons leaving the ship on mission or on leave — they may NOT be given things to send specially for crewmembers or money to be transferred off normal org lines that are set up to handle just that.” — Ellen Klayman, F/Communicator, approved by Lt. Brian Livingston CS-1, December 12, 1969

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“While Facebook is a tool to connect, and it could have been a great tool for dissemination, it has now become a cesspit for counter-intentions, ARC breaks, and suppression of the subject. This is something I want no part of. Scientology is meant to be the exact opposite of that. Therefore, I have made a decision to disconnect from groups that are not AOGP owned. This is me ‘delivering a successful blow’ if you will. Now probably nobody gives a shit, I certainly have seen the apathy amongst Indies so I’m not expecting a farewell or anything. But in some small way I am hoping to inspire others to get active and make their own stand against some of these cultish individuals as well.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

2001: Caroline Letkeman reported a protest at the Vancouver Scientology. “We brought hundreds if not thousands of people uptone with our very positive picket signs and very positive presences. Dozens of people came by to find out what we were picketing and to take one of our flyers. One woman came out of the building to hand out copies of a new scn publication ‘Voice of the Volunteer Minister: The Volunteer Minister’s Newspaper. Gerry charmed her out of a copy and contributed it to the International Archives. We had some actual contact by a Scientologist who spoke on the subject of the picket. His name is Ty-bor or Ty-borg, we weren’t sure which. I asked Ty-borg his last name but he wouldn’t say. Ty-borg confronted us with some very unusual questions. He began with a series of questions such as, ‘How many people die in hospitals a year?’ and ‘Why aren’t you picketing them?’ ‘How many people in Canada die from prescribed drugs?’ Gerry gave him his best estimates, and nope, he was wrong on all numbers. But Ty-Borg had the numbers right at the tip of his analytical mind. Gerry told him that we were doing a Lisa McPherson Memorial Picket, and Ty-borg responded that he had ‘studied her case and she died of a blood clot.’ That’s why it was so odd when Ty-borg seemed to want to impart information of a medical nature about ‘my daughter.’ Later, I realized it was simply that he had mistaken me for Lisa McPherson’s mother. Obviously he didn’t know she was deceased. It was kind of a tense few minutes when I kept on demanding that he explain what he meant by ‘your daughter’s medical information.’ At first, I thought he was being exceptionally cruel in his bullbaiting, but it was just a case of mistaken identity. I gave Ty-borg a copy of our handout, and pointed out which side of the handout had to do with my daughter, Ann. As Ty-borg disappeared back into the scn building, he encouraged me to study the Lisa McPherson case.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“I remember one time I was talking to vaLLarrr and she let slip that the universe was 76 trillion years old. The next day she tried to make out she had been talking about the multiverse theory, but when I pressed her on it she admitted that wasn’t what she originally meant — she was honest in a weird way. That was a big win for me to get her to engage in verbal tech because normally she was super slick about avoiding that.”

 
——————–

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

Criminal prosecutions:

Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Complaint filed April 28 in Tampa federal court, Scientology moving to compel arbitration. Plaintiffs filed amended complaint on August 2. Hearing November 17 to argue the arbitration motions, awaiting ruling.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Selection of arbitrators underway. Next court hearing: February 2, 2023.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Appellate court removes requirement of arbitration on January 19, case remanded back to Superior Court. Stay in place at least through February 7.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Case settled ahead of scheduled Dec 6 trial.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: New trial ordered after appeals court overturned prior ruling.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Lawsuit filed by the FTC and state of Georgia in August, now in discovery phase.

 
——————–

SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z

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

 
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?

 
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Lose weight, regrow hair, and best of all, help an OT 8 donate to Scientology!
[TWO years ago] Wild scene in court papers: Scientology leader David Miscavige finally, really served?
[THREE years ago] The LAPD has evidence a Scientology official it’s seeking has been sent to the Freewinds
[FOUR years ago] Tiponi Grey, 1968-2018, a woman who told off Scientology for its lack of compassion
[FIVE years ago] For the first time: The FBI file of Gabe Cazares, the Clearwater mayor targeted by Scientology
[SIX years ago] Scientology and ‘aliens’: What did L. Ron Hubbard actually say about space invaders?
[SEVEN years ago] More leaked video: Watch Scientology welcome 2007, a year David Miscavige would regret
[EIGHT years ago] Jon Atack packs a lot into a new short book — ‘Scientology: The Cult of Greed’
[NINE years ago] Judge Whittemore grants Luis Garcia discovery of Scientology’s murky trusts in fraud lawsuit
[TEN years ago] Only 2,418 Scientologists in England and Wales, Vastly Outnumbered by Jedi Knights
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Leader David Miscavige Digs Israel; BONUS: Black People are Cool!

 
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——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on December 12, 2022 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.

Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2021 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2021), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

This is the last thing Scientology leader David Miscavige needs right now. What with so much going on, including Scientology getting a drubbing in trials on two coasts, Mike Rinder still on his media rounds for his excellent new book ‘A Billion Years,’ and the two mayoral candidates in Los Angeles trying to outdo [...]]]>

This is the last thing Scientology leader David Miscavige needs right now. What with so much going on, including Scientology getting a drubbing in trials on two coasts, Mike Rinder still on his media rounds for his excellent new book ‘A Billion Years,’ and the two mayoral candidates in Los Angeles trying to outdo each other trashing Scientology, the organization’s slow recovery from the ravages of the pandemic has been a nightmare.

And now this. We have just learned that Platinum Meritorious donor and OT 8 Scientologist Steve Anderson died suddenly last month. He was only 53 and newly retired after the company he ran in Clearwater, AutoLoop, had merged with Affinitiv, a Chicago company, and he’d parachuted out as chairman after the transition.

The two companies merged after competing to grab the market of delivering data solutions to car dealers, selling packages that tracked everything from sales to ordering to service and everything else in the car-buying experience.

And while his company was growing in Clearwater, Anderson was not happy that Scientology critic Mark Bunker had been elected to the city council in March 2020 and was then asking to be added to the Downtown Development Board.

Anderson was one of a handful of prominent local Scientologists who made quite a showing at a public meeting in order to protest Bunker’s addition to the board. Here, take a look at Anderson’s contribution, it’s just a couple of minutes long as he warns that Bunker is going to bring back noisy protests against Scientology to Clearwater’s quiet streets…

 
OK, so that proved to be a faulty prediction. Mark Bunker has done no such thing. But Anderson moved on from AutoLoop-Affinitiv and in his brief retirement pursued his interests in an active life of kite-surfing, piloting, and then, this last year or so, race car driving. He was really living life to the fullest.

But then, on October 8, he suddenly died of what sounds like a heart attack. A memorial for him is being held in Clearwater on November 19.

We looked, but we were unable to find any statement about Anderson’s passing from the Church of Scientology, where he was not only OT 8, but he was also a major donor. He and his wife Jennifer were named “Patrons Meritorious” in 2006, which indicates a cumulative donation of $250,000 to the International Association of Scientologists, the membership organization of Scientology. And by 2014, they had really stepped up their game and were named “Platinum Meritorious” for a cumulative total of $2.5 million to the IAS.

 
An OT 8 who not only was loaded but who turned over millions to Dave’s coffers and was willing to step up at a public meeting and advocate against an arch Scientology villain?

Oh, Dave, we feel your loss.

Hey, speaking of Mark Bunker, he put out this video a few days ago encouraging the citizens of Clearwater to vote tomorrow for a ballot referendum to approve a $400 million sale of two bluff properties to a developer. And in the process, he really does a great job summarizing the current and past situation in that town with Scientology…

 
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Motions and jury instructions at the Danny Masterson trial

Today, Monday, we’ll be at the courthouse as the Danny Masterson trial takes a break from testimony. Judge Charlaine Olmedo indicated that she would be dealing with motions, and that they would also begin talking about jury instructions.

So we expect there to be considerable news and we’ll get you those reports as soon as we can.

Testimony in the prosecution’s case will resume at 1:30 pm on Tuesday.

Yesterday we sent out a short message to our subscribers on a day off from the Danny Masterson trial. We’re releasing it to everyone this morning, and here’s also the version at our YouTube channel.

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“Working on the basis that the individuality and the actual substance of the person is an electronic field, L. Ron Hubbard spent considerable time investigating all the manifestations of energy and its behavior. These manifestations are few in number, and are readily identified. Once their manifestation on the life field is understood, the running of the basic incidents of the case becomes quite simple.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1952

THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON

We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.

 
——————–

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

— The Underground Bunker Podcast

[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH

— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see

[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf

— SPECIAL: Your Proprietor’s updates on the Danny Masterson trial

[1] Sep 21 [2] Sep 28 [3] Oct 4 [4] Oct 10 [5] Oct 11: Day One [6] Oct 12: Day Two [7] Oct 13: Day Three [8] Oct 17: Day Four [9] Oct 18: Day Five [10] Oct 19: Day Six [11] Special interview with Chris Shelton, Oct 19 [12] Oct 20: Day Seven [13] Oct 21: Day Eight [14] First week in review, with Jeffrey Augustine [15] Oct 24: Day Nine [16] Oct 25: Day Ten [17] Oct 27: Day Eleven [18] Oct 28: Day Twelve [19] Second week in review, with Jeffrey Augustine [20] Halloween special [21] Nov 2: Day Thirteen [22] Nov 3: Day Fourteen [23] Nov 4: Day Fifteen [24] Third week in review [25] Nov 5, Saturday special [26] Nov 6, Sunday special [27] Nov 7, Day Sixteen

Source Code

“The ship in question — the ship in question was a heavy cruiser and its four-stripe captain had first come ashore and had looked at me, you know, ‘What! You’re Senior Officer Present ashore?’ and had sniffed. And I was trying to get him orders and he was trying to get orders and everybody was trying to do something to get it out of here, because the Japanese might strike in the north at any time. He finally came in the office, you know, all four stripes and gold braid and so forth, and he said, ‘Mr. Hubbard,’ he said, ‘if you will sign — if you will sign sailing orders for me, I’ll sail.’ So I scribbled out: ‘You are hereby detached from this station and shall proceed upon your way as befits your duties and missions. Signed, L. Ron Hubbard.’” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 7, 1959

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“SUCCESS: My sincere gratitude to L. Ron Hubbard, Commodore, for my recent auditing program. Thanks to Tommy Klingvall my auditor for helping me to see the TRUTH and as-is the lies and take responsibility for the overts on the old Time Track. This IS what Total FREEDOM is. Nothing there but me.” — Lt. N.F. Starkey, Clear OT, November 7, 1971

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“Apparently only OT Scientologists know that the Matrix/Cabal/NWO is triggering/keying in the R6 implant against Trump. Namely the implant to force the population to lynch anybody that is trying to save the world. In this case, Make America (and the world) Great. OTs know the handling/destimulation for that… auditing.”

 
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Past is Prologue

2001: The St. Petersburg Times reported that the city of Clearwater, Florida has agreed to give small parcels of land to Scientology. “Clearwater commissioners voted Thursday to give several city alleys and easements on a block of land downtown to the Church of Scientology despite objections from a Pinellas County official, who argued that the county should receive some of the land. “Ed Armstrong, an attorney for the church, said that laws governing the vacation of property should determine who gets the land if the city has no use for it. Armstrong contended that legally only the church was entitled to the property on a block southwest of Franklin Street and East Avenue, where the church plans to build a parking garage to serve its new $50 million Flag Building that is under construction. City officials agreed.”

 
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Random Howdy

“I’m still nursing injuries from slam dancing.”

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

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Trial began October 11 in Los Angeles.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Arraigned on August 29.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff scheduled to be sentenced on Oct 28.
— Rizza Islam, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for March 1 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for September 19.
— Yanti Mike Greene, Scientology private eye accused of contempt of court: Found guilty of criminal and civil contempt.

Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Complaint filed April 28 in Tampa federal court, Scientology moving to compel arbitration. Plaintiffs filed amended complaint on August 2. Hearing scheduled November 17 to argue the arbitration motions.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Selection of arbitrators underway. Next court hearing: February 2, 2023.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Appellate court removes requirement of arbitration on January 19, case remanded back to Superior Court. Stay in place at least through December 13.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Case settled ahead of scheduled Dec 6 trial.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: New trial ordered after appeals court overturned prior ruling.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Lawsuit filed by the FTC and state of Georgia in August, now in discovery phase.

 
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SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z

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

 
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?

 
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THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Spanish news website calls out Scientology volcano vultures at La Palma
[TWO years ago] Medal by medal, Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s ‘stolen valor’ is laid bare
[THREE years ago] Scientology proudly now displaying miserable secret deal it offered Clearwater leaders
[FOUR years ago] Here’s an example of how Scientology’s ‘disconnection’ is designed to eat away at you
[FIVE years ago] Tonight on ‘Leah Remini’: ‘I just walked away from Scientology after seeing Leah’s show’
[SIX years ago] On the ballot tomorrow: The former lawman who let Scientology’s drug horror clinic off the hook
[SEVEN years ago] Desperate to hurt Going Clear‘s Oscar chances, Scientology goes down a dangerous path
[EIGHT years ago] Scientologist (and Tea Partier) Brent Jones is elected to Nevada’s legislature
[NINE years ago] Statistically Speaking: Jefferson Hawkins Takes Us Into Scientology’s Numbers Fixation
[TEN years ago] FOUR MORE YEARS!…Of Inaction On Scientology?
[ELEVEN years ago] Tom Cruise and Stacy Francis Singing Together on Scientology’s Ship Freewinds

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 7, 2022 at 09:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.

Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2021 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2021), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast