FOLLOW ME ON
Daily Notifications
Sign up for free emails to receive the feature story every morning in your inbox at tonyortega.substack.com

Categories

Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard and the Georgia Guidestones: Here’s the truth

 
After someone blew up part of the Georgia Guidestones on July 6 and then Georgia’s GBI knocked down the rest as a precaution, the enigmatic structure was in the news like never before, and that meant that rumors about a tie between the Guidestones and Scientology would start up again.

Continue reading Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard and the Georgia Guidestones: Here’s the truth

A 2004 photo reminds us of Danny Masterson’s punchy DJ persona. But will his jury see it?

[Danny and Wilmer]

We want to thank the tipster who dug up a very interesting photo of Danny Masterson from his “DJ Donkey Punch” days.

Continue reading A 2004 photo reminds us of Danny Masterson’s punchy DJ persona. But will his jury see it?

PODCAST: Bruce Hines on Scientology Sea Org insanity, and a Shelly story we hadn’t heard

[Bruce Hines]

We have been so fortunate that Bruce Hines continues to mine his experience as one of Scientology’s top auditors in a series of pieces that he’s written for the Underground Bunker. His tales from the Sea Org not only capture the paramilitary group’s insanity, but Bruce is better than most at describing what he went through mentally in that “prison of belief.”

Continue reading PODCAST: Bruce Hines on Scientology Sea Org insanity, and a Shelly story we hadn’t heard

She used a Scientology rehab for fraud. Then she died. Now she’s wanted for arrest.

[Rizza and Hanan Islam]

On March 31, we reported the startling news that Hanan Islam, 62, had died of cancer, which also happened to end the prosecution against her for stealing about $4 million from the state of California through Medi-Cal fraud, and with the use of a Scientology rehab clinic.

Continue reading She used a Scientology rehab for fraud. Then she died. Now she’s wanted for arrest.

The nice Scientologist who was caught writing code for ransomware scammers

[Alla Witte]

We recently became aware of a rather strange situation and we’re not sure what to think about it. But we thought we’d just lay it out and give our commenters a chance to discuss it.

Continue reading The nice Scientologist who was caught writing code for ransomware scammers

‘Arbitration,’ again: Here’s Scientology motion to derail new labor trafficking lawsuit

 
Last week, we reported that Scientology had tipped its hand that, once again, it would be trying to derail a lawsuit filed by former Scientologists with its “religious arbitration” strategy.

Continue reading ‘Arbitration,’ again: Here’s Scientology motion to derail new labor trafficking lawsuit

Singing for David Miscavige: What it was like in Scientology’s indentured servitude

[Bruce Hines and the ‘Cine Castle’ at Scientology’s Gold Base]

In Scientology, “Gold” refers to Golden Era Productions. It is one of the units, considered to be its own separate organization, located at the Int Base, or the international headquarters of Scientology. Back when I was briefly part of it, Gold made movies, produced CDs and tapes, made and repaired E-meters, had a band, took care of the marketing of Scientology, put together various publications, tended to the grounds and buildings on that property, made promotional videos and still photographs, supplied other Scientology organizations in the world with projectors and audio players, ran training courses and provided auditing for the staff of the base, and other stuff.

Continue reading Singing for David Miscavige: What it was like in Scientology’s indentured servitude

How it went down: Transcript of Judge Olmedo denying Danny Masterson’s motion to dismiss

[Judge Charlaine Olmedo and Danny Masterson]

On June 30, we told you that Danny Masterson was getting perhaps his last chance to disrupt his criminal rape case. His attorneys Philip Cohen and Shawn Holley were in court that day, arguing that the first of the three counts against him, the allegations of Jane Doe 1, should be dismissed.

Continue reading How it went down: Transcript of Judge Olmedo denying Danny Masterson’s motion to dismiss

Scientology fundraising is getting both desperate and weirder than usual

 
For years now, we’ve posted the especially lengthy fliers that Scientology puts out crowing about the latest fundraiser. And recently, we’ve noticed something new: Scientologists in one part of the country being asked to fork over huge amounts of money in order to fund a new “Ideal Org” in a completely different place.

Continue reading Scientology fundraising is getting both desperate and weirder than usual

Podcast: It’s Scientology’s move in several court cases, and we try to keep it all straight

 
It’s an interesting moment when it comes to the several cases of Scientology litigation that we keep an eye on: Right now, we’re waiting on the edge of our seats for Scientology to make its next move in several big cases.

Continue reading Podcast: It’s Scientology’s move in several court cases, and we try to keep it all straight