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We learned yesterday that next week, Gawker will shut down. For some of us who toiled in the trenches of New York journalism of a certain era, the news is hard to believe. Gawker had a big effect on the way online journalism is done (not all of it positive, some will tell you), and it certainly changed the way we think about writing and reporting. Continue reading Gawker goes dark, but its impact on Scientology — and Tom Cruise — will never be forgotten
[David Miscavige visiting Narconon Arrowhead in the mid-2000s]Contributor Jeffrey Augustine keeps a close eye on Scientology’s financial documents. And he has some new information today that backs up what we’ve been told anecdotally by our other sources — that Scientology’s flagship drug rehab center in Oklahoma, Narconon Arrowhead, is in serious trouble. Take it away, Jeffrey… Continue reading New Scientology financial disclosures reflect the dire state of its chief drug rehab
Once again our great tipsters come through, and we just want again to express our gratitude. We’re deep into several big projects that we expect to turn into good things down the road, so for now we appreciate all the help we get from our great correspondents. (Speaking of big projects, these dog days of summer will soon end, and Scientology is going to have a very interesting autumn. We know of at least four major newspaper pieces coming, two television series, and several books, and that’s all on top of Louis Theroux’s movie, coming out in Australia in September and the UK in October. It’s going to be some cornucopia at harvest time this year!) Continue reading A rare gem from 1968: When the Daily Mail tracked down L. Ron Hubbard in Tunisia
Underground Bunker reader Once Born, who runs the always informative blog, Scientology Books and Media, got his hands on a fascinating 1951 issue Marvel Science Stories that contains a three-part debate over Dianetics, L. Ron Hubbard’s invention that had been released the year before. In this piece, being released simultaneously here and at his blog, Once Born goes through the magazine debate, which featured Hubbard himself. Continue reading In 1951, L. Ron Hubbard’s fellow SF writers debated him about ‘badly-written’ Dianetics
[Tommy Davis as Scientology mouthpiece; his new BFFs in Hollywood, James Packer and Mariah Carey]In May, we broke the startling news that former Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis had started a new job: He’s working for Australian billionaire James Packer, who at one time was Scientology’s richest customer. According to his LinkedIn profile, Tommy started his new job in February as “general manager North America” for Packer’s investment firm, Consolidated Press Holdings. That position comes with a role helping to run Packer’s partnership with filmmaker Brett Ratner in their movie-funding business, RatPac Entertainment. After our story came out, we heard that Ratner was surprised to learn that Davis may still have some connection to Scientology. But new photos suggest that things have been smoothed over, and Davis is fitting in as a mover and shaker in Hollywood. Continue reading Former Scientology mouthpiece Tommy Davis is settling into his new role as Hollywood exec
Rod Keller keeps an eye on Scientology social media for us, and this week he spotted something he decided to dive into in more depth. Take it away, Rod… Continue reading Got a Purple Heart? Scientology wants to exploit you
On Thursday, we had a special treat for you: A photograph of Diana Hubbard taken in 1982 that had sat in a photographer’s collection for 34 years before he dug it out and sent it to us. It was a stunning image of the daughter of L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology’s founder, and it produced a flood of really interesting memories of her from some of our commenters. Continue reading Scientology’s fiery ‘Guardian’ before she hooked up with Ron, and other gems from our readers
We’ve been talking to Florida attorney Richard Celler about the religious discrimination lawsuit he filed on behalf of a man name David Bunting who is suing a Tampa medical services CEO, Vick Tipnes, for allegedly forcing Scientology courses on him, and firing him when Bunting refused. We told Celler how much Tipnes reminded us of another colorful businessman, motivational speaker Grant Cardone, who is also a Scientologist and is someone Tipnes cites as a mentor. What a coincidence, Celler told us. He had clients who were also making religious discrimination claims against Cardone. Continue reading Former workers file EEOC complaints saying Grant Cardone forced Scientology on them
This has been a great week for tipsters here at the Underground Bunker. We’re very fortunate that so many people think of us when they find interesting news and documents about Scientology. In today’s case, however, it was something a photographer had been holding on to for more than 30 years. Continue reading Never-before-seen photo of Diana Hubbard, daughter of Scientology’s founder
Bob and Trish Duggan are the proud new owners of a pretty spectacular 142-acre parcel in California near Los Gatos, and we can’t wait to find out what they plan to do with it. Continue reading Scientology’s richest couple buys ‘Holy City,’ a California ghost town and former cult site
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