Scientology under scrutiny? A stunning new document in the Danny Masterson case

[Danny and Dave]

Sometimes, we just have to ask the question and see where it takes us.

Continue reading Scientology under scrutiny? A stunning new document in the Danny Masterson case

The Scientology celebrity exodus from LA to Clearwater continues

[Michael Peña and Brie Shaffer]

A year ago, we noted that there was anecdotal evidence to back up an assertion we’ve been making for some time, that Scientology’s gravitational center has been moving from Los Angeles to Clearwater, Florida.

Continue reading The Scientology celebrity exodus from LA to Clearwater continues

The Insider speaks: Scientology’s recent crises, now in a podcast with Chris Shelton

Late last year, we got some eye-opening reports on how hard the pandemic has been on Scientology from someone inside the organization. We dubbed them The Insider, and they told us about chaos caused by Covid, new details on the ‘Chase Wave’ financial debacle, a detailed description of the Ideal Org scam, and even told us about the new ‘Golden Age of Admin’ that was on the way.

Continue reading The Insider speaks: Scientology’s recent crises, now in a podcast with Chris Shelton

What Scientology’s nutty ‘OT 3’ — the Xenu tale — taught one member about Sea Org slavery

[An artist’s conception of Xenu from HBO’s ‘Going Clear’]

Summer 1984, Advanced Org Los Angeles. Alone in the small study room, heart pounding, mind overflowing with anticipation, I flipped open the folder containing the auditing instructions for OT 3, the secret level of Scientology known as the “Wall of Fire.” Finally, finally, after sixteen years in Scientology, ten of which were spent toiling as a devoted Sea Org member, all was revealed. This was the ultimate reward for my service. Sadly, it did not come while I was actually in the Sea Org. I had been on an extended leave of absence since 1979, and now five years later I was paying for my OT levels as a public Scientologist.

Continue reading What Scientology’s nutty ‘OT 3’ — the Xenu tale — taught one member about Sea Org slavery

Le Monde & Vanity Fair: FBI probes Russian oligarch financing of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’

[Yesterday’s breaking news: California supreme court denied Danny Masterson petition.]

On Sunday, just after our story about Tom Cruise and Scientology hit the home page of The Daily Beast, we received an email from a man named Andrew Eksner. He claimed that he was working with the FBI’s “Transnational Anti-Corruption Partnership with the headquarters at the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria,” and that it was looking into something he figured we’d be interested in: Russian oligarch money funding several Tom Cruise movies, including the just-released Top Gun: Maverick.

Continue reading Le Monde & Vanity Fair: FBI probes Russian oligarch financing of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’

CA Supreme Court denies Danny Masterson petition to review rape case motion

Just in: After soliciting briefs from both the prosecution and the defense, the California State Supreme Court has denied Danny Masterson’s petition to review a motion to dismiss his rape charges that was struck down in February.

Continue reading CA Supreme Court denies Danny Masterson petition to review rape case motion

Scientology co-opts ‘Top Gun’ success for its own fundraising needs

In perhaps the most predictable move ever, Scientology is jumping on the success of celebrity member Tom Cruise’s biggest ever box office opening weekend for one of its own fundraising campaigns.

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Danny Masterson: Attorney Tom Mesereau is out, trial delayed to October 11

[Danny Masterson and his former lawyer, Tom Mesereau]

Judge Charlaine Olmedo denied Danny Masterson’s motion to sever two of the counts against him, but she’s asked for more briefing on the other motion to dismiss he filed in his criminal rape case, delaying a ruling. But perhaps the bigger news from today’s hearing is that Danny’s trial has been moved back from August 29 to October 11 after it was revealed that Tom Mesereau and Sharon Appelbaum are no longer on his defense team.

Continue reading Danny Masterson: Attorney Tom Mesereau is out, trial delayed to October 11

Judge Olmedo to hear Danny Masterson’s latest motions to dismiss and sever rape charges

[Judge Charlaine Olmedo and Danny Masterson]

On Friday we spelled out in more detail what Danny Masterson’s defense is arguing in its latest motions in his criminal rape case. Today, Judge Charlaine Olmedo is scheduled to hear those arguments as Masterson’s attorneys try to convince her to dismiss the count of forcible rape in regards to the victim known as Jane Doe 1, and to sever the other two counts, against Jane Doe 2 and Jane Doe 3. (We don’t expect Masterson himself to be in the courtroom. UPDATE: Danny showed up.)

Continue reading Judge Olmedo to hear Danny Masterson’s latest motions to dismiss and sever rape charges

The subchaser that never was: L. Ron Hubbard’s farcical first command

It’s Memorial Day here in the US, and once again we’ve asked Chris Owen for an excerpt from his excellent book Ron the War Hero to commemorate L. Ron Hubbard’s war service. Make sure to pick up a copy of the book if you haven’t already.

Continue reading The subchaser that never was: L. Ron Hubbard’s farcical first command

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