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Bruce Hines: Scientology, its spies, the World Cup, and an irrepressible friend

[Mick Wenlock loved to root for the Englanders]

I just learned about Mick Wenlock’s passing. It’s sad. I’ve read a few tributes to him and decided to add my own.

Continue reading Bruce Hines: Scientology, its spies, the World Cup, and an irrepressible friend

After success in England, Scientology planning major end-of-year blowout in LA

We want to thank the tipster who forwarded to us a flier from Scientology that really has us doing a double-take.

Continue reading After success in England, Scientology planning major end-of-year blowout in LA

After Jane Does make calm legal response, Scientology attorneys are angry — real angry

[Scientology’s lawyers, William Forman and Matthew Hinks]

We told you a week ago that what really struck us about the court filing made on behalf of Danny Masterson’s victims regarding the Church of Scientology’s attempt to gut their lawsuit was how calm and logical it appeared, in distinct contrast to the way Scientology’s court briefs tend to be screechy and petty sounding.

Continue reading After Jane Does make calm legal response, Scientology attorneys are angry — real angry

Hear the threats that an Alabama man pleaded guilty for sending to Mark Bunker

[Ricky Myers and Mark Bunker]

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.

Continue reading Hear the threats that an Alabama man pleaded guilty for sending to Mark Bunker

Mick Wenlock, 1953-2023: A Scientology escapee who helped others recover their dignity

[Mick and Nancy at their wedding, 1978]

Mick Wenlock died last week at the age of 70. His name did not show up here at the Underground Bunker very often, but we had communicated with him years ago and we admired him for starting one of the early online meeting places for former Scientology Sea Org escapees, the XSO Yahoo message group.

Continue reading Mick Wenlock, 1953-2023: A Scientology escapee who helped others recover their dignity

Leah Remini and Scientology agree to slow down her lawsuit a little after heated exchanges

[Leah Remini and Scientology leader David Miscavige]

We’ve been telling you about the way that Scientology attacked Leah Remini’s lawsuit, with a massive motion to strike and anti-SLAPP in an attempt to cripple the suit before it really gets going. We’ve been looking forward to Leah’s reply, but it turns out we’re going to have to wait a little longer.

Continue reading Leah Remini and Scientology agree to slow down her lawsuit a little after heated exchanges

PHOTO: Jenna Elfman emceeing Scientology’s concert, and more IAS fallout

Once again we have Alex Barnes-Ross to thank after he sent over the photo you see above, our first image of Jenna Elfman actually emceeing last week’s Scientology IAS charity concert, which occurred on the final night of the big IAS three-day series of events at Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead, England.

Continue reading PHOTO: Jenna Elfman emceeing Scientology’s concert, and more IAS fallout

Gottfried Helnwein: The celebrated artist and his loud silence on Scientology

Over the years, we’ve told you about Gottfried Helnwein, the Austrian artist who is most well known in this country for iconic album covers with their gritty style. But he’s most interesting to us for his Scientology involvement, which has come up numerous times over the years. Austrian journalist Peter Reichelt has spent the most time investigating Helnwein, and he let us know he had a new piece about the artist in the publication STANDARD there. With his generous approval, we’re excerpting some of that story here, which he wrote with journalists Olga Kronsteiner and Fabian Schmid.

Continue reading Gottfried Helnwein: The celebrated artist and his loud silence on Scientology

PODCAST: Fresh off protest success, getting into a Scientology org to judge its futility

Alex Barnes-Ross, the former London Scientology staffer who goes by ‘Apostate Alex,’ just can’t stop getting into trouble.

Continue reading PODCAST: Fresh off protest success, getting into a Scientology org to judge its futility

Danny Masterson’s victims strike back at Scientology’s attempt to gut their lawsuit

[Attorney John Kucera and Danny Masterson]

 
We have a couple of legal developments for you this morning. First, in the Bixler lawsuit, the plaintiffs have answered Scientology’s motion to strike.

Continue reading Danny Masterson’s victims strike back at Scientology’s attempt to gut their lawsuit