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When Scientology sent out its baddie to ‘handle’ the Lisa McPherson protests

[The protest, memorialized at Jeff Jacobsen’s Lisa McPherson website]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Some new photos have surfaced that document one of Scientology’s darkest scandals and how it handled public criticism. And wait till you see who shows up []

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Scientology says construction has begun on its next Ideal Org — in Puerto Rico!

[The money is flowing in PR!]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Thanks to one of our readers, we have another Scientology fundraising letter, and this one claims that construction has begun on the Ideal Org project in Puerto Rico. Didn’t []

The telex machine wasn’t Scientology’s only old-tech obsession

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Val Ross is back with another great look at her time in Scientology and the bizarre ways of the Sea Org, and the slavish dedication to old technology that was demanded by founder L. []

A lost tradition? Summer was when Scientology celebs partied in Hollywood

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: This August, Scientology’s Hollywood Celebrity Centre should be holding its 55th Anniversary Gala. But the last time it held one appears to be ten years ago. Geoff Levin reminds us what the annual bash []

Scientology-friendly, gun-toting Nevada politician indicted in charity scam

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Over the years we’ve been fascinated by fiery conservative Nevada politician Michele Fiore and her ties to Scientology. Well, she’s suddenly in a world of trouble, facing federal charges for a charity scam. And []

‘Going Clear’ is at Netflix, and Scientology still doesn’t want you to see it

[Alex Gibney and Lawrence Wright]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Is it really more than 9 years since ‘Going Clear’ premiered at Sundance? Seems like just yesterday we were there with the celebs to take it in. Pardon us as []

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

[Leah Remini and her new attorney, Daniel Saunders]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Leah Remini has a new lawyer for her lawsuit against Scientology, and he’s a heavy hitter. A former federal prosecutor who put private investigator Anthony Pellicano in []

Scientologists into the breach! A fundraising juggernaut, with eyewitness testimony!

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: If there’s one thing that characterizes Scientology today, it’s the heavy pressure to donate money so church leader David Miscavige can open up new ‘Ideal Orgs.’ That resulted in an interesting experience this week []

US government proposes new rule on ‘religious visas’ Scientology is obsessed with

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: There’s little doubt that Scientology is abusing ‘R-1’ religious visas in order to bring indentured servants to its ‘Sea Org’ operations. Now, a the government is making changes and it’s a mixed bag for []

Mike Silverman: A popular figure in Scientology, an enigmatic figure after leaving

 TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Ron Kasman has written for us about his journey into and out of Scientology, and his life as a comics creator. He was kind enough to send us this remembrance of his cousin, Mike []