Tony Ortega's Blog, page 11

We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.

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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH

— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see

[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

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[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones

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“One day I was doing some processing on a Theta Clear and I had just lit a cigarette. And the Theta Clear was running this and running that, and trying to straighten himself out on this and change postulates on that and so forth, and all of a sudden the body sort of went rigid for an instant. And the Theta Clear must have been up in the corner or something of the sort, and the ashtray was out of my reach on a concrete floor, very slippery floor. And the ashtray was out of my reach and I had my cigarette and I was about to light it and I was looking around for an ashtray. And the ashtray came over, bzzt!, and I dropped a match in it. The thetan was just being polite, that was all, and had never thought twice about it. And I said, ‘Thank you,’ and the person became very confused. Because this person wasn’t up at the level where they were supposed to see or supposed to be or supposed to do things like that yet, you see?” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 22, 1952

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“The WHY of departure from the Ideal Scene personally and organizationally came back to recruiting and hats. Everywhere I look hats fell out on all posts. Some of the wows! I am hearing and the cogs and enthusiasm to get this back in promise fast progress for this action. It is interesting that it has taken 13 months of very hard work on my part to run down and isolate this WHY. THE WHY WAS THE ABSENCE OF FULLY CHECKED OUT HATS. Simple now you see it. Nothing is quite as obscure as an omitted datum. Now, with this hat project rolling I can get back to my own hats!” — The Commodore, September 22, 1970

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“I wouldn’t be surprised if Mark Twain and LRH were the same being. Both were prolific writers. Both were very well traveled at a young age. Both achieved notoriety.”

Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});——————–

1995: “A US Supreme Court justice yesterday denied an appeal by the Church of Scientology to stay a district court order that it return computer materials to a man the church has accused of stealing church secrets, an attorney said. The stay was denied late yesterday by associate Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, according to Natalie Hanlon-Leh, an attorney for Lawrence Wollersheim of Boulder.” And from UPI: “Justice Stephen Breyer refused without comment Wednesday to enforce federal judge’s order authorizing the seizure of Church of Scientology materials published on a computer network. A federal judge in Colorado had authorized the seizure, but that order was vacated, or thrown out, by a senior judge. According to papers filed Tuesday with the Supreme Court, a director of F.A.C.T.Net Inc. posted 64 pages of the church’s ‘confidential material’ on the Internet in early August. The church sued the director and obtained an order seizing the material on Aug. 12.”

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“Scilon is a play on ‘Cylons,’ the robotic invaders in Battlestar Galactica. It is particularly appropriate because Hubbard was a science fiction writer, and the top-seekrit ‘OT levels’ are based on the belief that we are infected with ‘body thetans,’ the confused, immortal souls of space aliens who became disoriented 75 million years ago when the evil space warlord Xenu brought them to Earth (or Teegeeack, as it was known then), dropped them into volcanoes and blew them up with nuclear weapons. ‘The Scilons tried to talk me into taking a Free Personality Test.’”

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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due August 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing December 1.

Civil litigation:

Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief was filed June 3. Respondent briefs are due September 2.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Jane Does’ response to Scientology’s appeal brief submitted July 30. Scientology’s reply due October 20.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.

——————–

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?

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THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Your Scientology superpower is here, Thetan, and it’s for the birds!
[TWO years ago] Predictable: Scientology tries to derail Jane Doe 1 lawsuit with ‘religious arbitration’
[THREE years ago] Scientology is fuming about Mike Rinder, Valeska Paris testimony in trafficking case
[FOUR years ago] Scientology and anti-vaxx, a marriage made in heaven?
[FIVE years ago] VIDEO: See Danny Masterson’s initial court appearance on rape charges
[SIX years ago] Scientology is making plans for a Narconon drug rehab in the land of the rising sun
[SEVEN years ago] Get a look inside Nathan Rich’s unique book about his Scientology upbringing
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s tiger: How L. Ron Hubbard created a language trap
[NINE years ago] ‘The Unbreakable Miss Lovely’ goes on sale as an audiobook on September 29
[TEN years ago] Visualizing Scientology’s latest ‘Going Clear’ public relations disaster
[ELEVEN years ago] New videos leaked from Scientology, including a sobering call for help from Nashville
[TWELVE years ago] The Scientology Guide to Craigslist

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Scientology disconnection, a reminder

Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,394 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,898 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,404 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,954 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,944 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,330 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,825 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,129 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,780 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,998 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,552 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,893 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,464 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,380 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,547 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,129 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,388 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,425 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,141 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,705 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,020 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,195 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,877 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,214 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,067 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,183 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,545 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,956 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,344 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,228 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,793 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,304 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,564 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,668 days.

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Posted by Tony Ortega on September 22, 2025 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.

Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele

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Published on September 22, 2025 06:13

The Horst Wessel Song was better in the original German

Some links to Q-related items today

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Trump: The same commentators who this week are screaming fascism over a canceled late night TV show where the anchor had no talent and no ratings, last week were implying that he deserved what happened… pic.twitter.com/2gKJ7RNl1J

— Acyn (@Acyn) September 21, 2025

He knows what he is saying and he knows the audience he is saying it for. https://t.co/cXihBHFELd

— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) September 22, 2025

Truly insane for the FBI Director to list out every conspiracy theory about this assassination as if the crazed ranting of a TikTok influencer is running the assignment desk for his professional investigators https://t.co/E7zCpz4OIZ

— Tim Miller (@Timodc) September 21, 2025

Wow, Kash Patel knew Charlie Kirk was getting death threats months ago? https://t.co/cygmWENeMG

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 21, 2025

A lot of people don’t know that Charlie Kirk openly attacked churches who refused to preach pro-Trump politics.

Here is Charlie Kirk attacking Arizona’s Christ’s Church of the Valley (CCV) for not proclaiming MAGA politics from the pulpit. pic.twitter.com/zJE6JmfbLf

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 21, 2025

Everything Trump does is intended to enrich himself and his wealthy cronies while incrementally seizing power from Congress in a variety of areas to wield himself as an authoritarian while Republicans in Congress acquiesce. pic.twitter.com/xhrDjwBXf7

— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) September 21, 2025

The problem for all the people trying to use Charlie Kirk's death to attack their enemies with it is that the conspiracy theorists are too far gone to accept anything other than their bonkers conspiracy theories about what really happened. Here we got Superman Comms. pic.twitter.com/TpiCEwVX7v

— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) September 22, 2025

Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.

THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.

Posted by Tony Ortega on September 22, 2025 at 08:00

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Published on September 22, 2025 06:13

Scientology catches Masterson victim attorneys with AI-fudged citations in court filing

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Just what the Danny Masterson victims did NOT need. Their attorneys at prestigious Boies Schiller Flexner have admitted their ’embarrassing’ mistake after Scientology caught them including bogus AI-generated citations in an appeal briefing. Will the court accept a do-over? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

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Technology Cocktail

“As one of the most destructive things an auditor can do is miss a withhold on a pc and as missing a withhold stems exactly from being inexpert, out-metering, out-TRs, or mutual out-ruds, and as pcs and staff can blow and cause a great deal of trouble when withholds have been missed in Sec Checking or Confessionals, the penalty for missing a withhold on a pc is as follows: Comm Ev, and if found guilty, suspension of certificates until retrained. This penalty has been issued in the past but was omitted in modern compilations. It is no light thing to mess up Sec Checking on a pc.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979

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We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.

——————–

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH

— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see

[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

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[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones

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“Today we’re processing the present. We’re processing energy flow — live energy flow — in present time. We’re processing ‘right now.’ And ‘right now’ gets affected by ‘then,’ just as you learned in the first book and just as you learned in subsequent publications, and all you’ve been practicing to date. ‘Then’ affects ‘now.’ But all you will have to process, really, to get rid of ‘then,’ is ‘now.’ So you can process ‘now.’” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 21, 1952

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“The WHY we face now is absence of recruiting, lack of full hats with checksheets and packs. The why of that was failure to make the materials filed accessibly and collateable. So it’s a snake eats its tail. No hats then brought a condition of no data available in files. A true dwindling spiral. And no hats traces to the introduction of Ethics into HCOs and that it is easier to assign a condition than to compile or checkout a hat. Hats went out when Ethics came strongly in. Without Ethics in HCO, HCO can only make stats recover by org form and hats. Ethics has a role — after all else fails. But hats and Ethics can’t belong in the same Division.” — The Commodore, September 21, 1970

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“American independents were indoctrinated into believing that the Galactic Confederacy is fairy tales. And that Galactic Patrol stories are as dangerous as Ebola.”

Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});——————–

2001: Mark Plummer reported a protest in Austin, Texas this week. “For approximately one hour and fifteen minutes yesterday I engaged in an information campaign near the University of Texas at Austin. I arrived on Guadalupe Street around 1PM. I had been joined shortly before by ‘Icee’ and ‘Roscoe’, who offered to help leaflet as well as document my activities with a Hi-8 video camera and a digital camera. After a few minutes, a young, pimpled fellow, perhaps around 5’4′, with blonde hair and a wrinkled blue shirt approached me asking, ‘Why are you doing this?’ I inquired whether he was a Scientologist, to which he stated, ‘No; I’m just curious.’ Sensing that he was lying to me, I handed him a flier with ‘www.xenu.net’ printed on it, and I told him to read the web site, saying, ‘The information is all there.’ A little while later I noticed Cathy Norman, Director of Special Affairs of the Austin Org, standing outside of her cult’s building. In the 75 minutes we were there, ‘Icee’ managed to pass out approximately 125 fliers, all with ‘www.xenu.net’ on them. I continued walking back and forth on Guadalupe Street with my two signs, occasionally stopping to answer questions from some of the curious wogs. An Austin policeman approached me asking whether he could speak to me. He was accompanied by another cop who just stood by and listened. Cathy Norman began taking photos of me talking with the police. I asked the first policeman if I had been accused of having committed a crime, to which he responded, ‘Yes, she says that around a year and a half ago you put graffiti on their building.’ I assured him that I had not, to which his response was, ‘Do you know who did?’ I told him that I do not know, and in fact that I hadn’t even seen the graffiti alleged to have been put on their building. I explained ‘FAIR GAME’ to the policemen, and told them why the culties were harassing me by making false allegations in an attempt to get me arrested. The first policeman assured me that I was completely within my rights to engage in my information campaign, and I thanked him while handing him a ‘www.xenu.net’ flier.”

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“I wish that the OSA or their private dickheads would show up were I live because I live in the toughest building on the toughest street in my city. The cops are afraid to come in here. Also, I am much beloved by the denizens.”

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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due August 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing December 1.

Civil litigation:

Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief was filed June 3. Respondent briefs are due September 2.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Jane Does’ response to Scientology’s appeal brief submitted July 30. Scientology’s reply due October 20.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.

——————–

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?

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THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Scientology celebrates 20 ‘Ideal’ years in Madrid — but leaves out Tom Cruise!
[TWO years ago] When Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard tried for the 2nd time to become a bigamist
[THREE years ago] What is this ‘Substack’ thing anyway, and what’s going on at the Underground Bunker?
[FOUR years ago] A very brief note on Tom Cruise and his daughter Suri
[FIVE years ago] SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS, Episode 6: Dirty tricks are a sacrament in this ‘church’
[SIX years ago] The new ‘Freewinds’: Founder L. Ron Hubbard says Scientology is ‘supermagic’!
[SEVEN years ago] Is David Miscavige making changes to Scientology to fend off media glare?
[EIGHT years ago] Federal judge says he has the Scientologists for a justice panel, but Garcias say, ‘not so fast’
[NINE years ago] DRONE FLYOVER: Scientology’s secret ranch where L. Ron Hubbard departed this Earth
[TEN years ago] United Kingdom sees Scientology documentary ‘Going Clear’ tonight on Sky Atlantic
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: Turning begging for cash into an art form
[TWELVE years ago] FEAR: Jon Atack on Scientology’s Essential Ingredient

——————–

Scientology disconnection, a reminder

Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,393 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,897 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,403 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,953 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,943 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,329 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,824 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,128 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,779 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,997 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,551 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,892 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,463 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,379 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,546 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,128 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,387 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,424 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,140 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,704 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,019 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,194 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,876 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,213 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,066 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,182 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,544 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,955 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,343 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,227 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,792 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,303 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,563 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,667 days.

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on September 21, 2025 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.

Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on September 21, 2025 06:11

Nothing to see here: DOJ drops probe of Homan taking cash in FBI sting

Some links to Q-related items today

Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
If this were discovered in a leaked email and published in the New York Times, it might get more attention. But Trump just tweets it out, and most people move on with their day. This is blatant corruption. Blatant weaponization. It is undeniably an impeachable offense. https://t.co/v4M8w25Be4

— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) September 20, 2025

Exclusive: Tom Homan investigated for accepting $50,000 from FBI agents. Trump's DOJ shut it down. With ⁦@CarolLeonnig⁩ https://t.co/XOmNxE5xmU

— Ken Dilanian (@DilanianMSNBC) September 20, 2025

In October at the Rod of Iron Freedom Festival, Tom Homan went on a very bizarre first person rant about how he wasn't being paid by the Trump campaign, and only worked "in interest" of the campaign. pic.twitter.com/PW9tKxFjTK

— amanda moore 🐢 (@noturtlesoup17) September 21, 2025

Who’s the illegal now @RealTomHoman https://t.co/yTr7mVi9yb

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) September 20, 2025

Thank you Flat Earth Library for this critical update into the shooting of Charlie Kirk. pic.twitter.com/LKbLer0YiB

— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) September 20, 2025

Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.

THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.

Posted by Tony Ortega on September 21, 2025 at 08:00

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on September 21, 2025 06:11

Scientology’s shills line up to sing its praises for crucial planning application

[Nancy Cartwright with last year’s charity recipients]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology is rolling the dice, waiting until the last minute to apply for big changes at its UK headquarters ahead of a major annual event usually attended by Tom Cruise. And to make sure it succeeds, they’ve lined up various shills to make it sound like the best thing ever. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

——————–

Technology Cocktail

Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

“In dating and locating there is a possible source of bypassed charge (BPC), peculiar to dating and locating. A correct date for one incident or mass can act as a wrong date for another incident or mass, as it is a wrong date for it. A correct location for one incident or mass can act as a wrong location for other incidents or masses, as it is wrong for the others. It is peculiar to dating and locating that a right date or a right location can cause BPC by also being a wrong date or wrong location for other incidents or masses. This does not always occur, but is noted here should an auditor or C/S encounter it. Manifestations of this are: a) pc getting upset inexplicably; b) getting a read on both ‘Correct date?’ and ‘Wrong date?’; c) TA going up; d) increase of mass or pressure. It will relieve on the indication that the date found is a wrong date for other incidents or masses, and on the indication that the location found is a wrong location for other incidents or masses.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979

——————–

We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.

——————–

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH

— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see

[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones

Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

——————–

“Age is hooked on to the body, normally, by the thetan himself as self-expression. And it is held in place in terms of engrams and secondaries. It’s held right there, man. Anything that is wrong with a body is held into it and on it by the thetan who has that body. That’s it. As long as he believes he can’t grow a new leg, he won’t have one, either.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 20, 1962

——————–

“FESTIVAL: Completions are up! The Ringmaster was gone for a while but made it anyway. Ten lions failed to report to their pedestals. A difficult knot will now be tied in their tails to give them enough problems. Then they’ll be able to audit. Somehow the show went on and went on very well. TODAY we are going to shoot the roof off.” — The Commodore, September 20, 1971

——————–

“I find Mission Earth insanely good, the only thing is that Hubbard uses so many unusual words, man was he a writer! you have to use study tech all the way through, then read it for a second time and the second time you can enjoy it much more, its so deep that earthlings cant appreciate it.”

——————–

Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

2000: Tory Christman reported that a Scientologist-owned restaurant in Clearwater attempted to refuse her service based on her being a former Scientologist. “I walked across Fort Harrison to a restaurant called Daniella’s. I walked in and stood by the counter. Suddenly the phone rang, and I heard what looked like the owner say ‘Blue top, white pants?’ I realized I was the only one in there in a blue top and white pants. As she skulked behind the wall, and whispered into the phone I realized this is a security issue. I left quickly, and went back across the street to LMT to get a back up. I got Karin Case and we returned and I ordered a salad. No sooner had I ordered than the same lady on the phone earlier came up to me from behind the counter. ‘Are you from across the street?’ I said ‘Yes’. She asked ‘What do you do there?’ I told her it was none of her business. She told me she was a Scientologist and was against what ‘they’ were doing and thus wasn’t going to serve me. I reminded her this was a PUBLIC business, and I had every intention of eating there. She said no, so I said ‘Well then call the police darlin,’ as THAT is Discrimination and is against the law. One of the workers got me my salad, as she looked on reluctantly.”

——————–

“Seeing as how there’s no objective reality in Scientology, everything is a game. The Thetans created the MEST universe so they could have a playground to play in.”

——————–

Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due August 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing December 1.

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief was filed June 3. Respondent briefs are due September 2.

Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Jane Does’ response to Scientology’s appeal brief submitted July 30. Scientology’s reply due October 20.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.

——————–

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?

——————–

THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Tracey McManus heading to Dallas after stellar Scientology reporting in Florida
[TWO years ago] Bijou Phillips divorcing Danny Masterson: A marriage over, or a purely legal maneuver?
[THREE years ago] Olmedo rules: After grand jury revelation, the court’s words for Danny Masterson’s lawyers
[FOUR years ago] Eureka! Clearwater Scientology member sells quantum protection from 5G and Covid 19
[FIVE years ago] How should we judge the rejection Scientology received in the heartland this week?
[SIX years ago] Garcias answer Scientology’s cross-appeal, COSRECI coughs up dox, and a new church vid!
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology ‘disconnection’ and the incalculable damage it does to children
[EIGHT years ago] Of course Jada Smith was a Scientologist, says principal who ran her Scientology school
[NINE years ago] Marty Singer: Cat White asked Jim Carrey to marry her and he turned her down
[TEN years ago] L. Ron Hubbard, would-be conqueror: Scientology’s fable about Rhodesia is a riot
[ELEVEN years ago] Sneaky Scientology finds another way to get access to high school students
[TWELVE years ago] JENNA HILL RESPONDS TO BARBARA WALTERS ON SCIENTOLOGY EDUCATION

——————–

Scientology disconnection, a reminder

Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,392 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,896 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,402 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,952 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,942 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,328 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,823 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,127 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,778 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,996 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,550 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,891 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,462 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,378 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,545 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,127 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,386 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,423 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,139 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,703 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,018 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,193 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,875 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,212 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,065 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,181 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,543 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,954 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,342 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,226 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,791 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,302 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,562 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,666 days.

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on September 20, 2025 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.

Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on September 20, 2025 05:51

AOC: Trump government on an all-out assault on free speech in US

Some links to Q-related items today

Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Trump posts another video of a U.S. military execution of individuals in international waters, striking a boat he claims was trafficking narcotics. pic.twitter.com/ferrzWKQjl

— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) September 20, 2025

Not fit for office https://t.co/NvUEvgkflg

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 19, 2025

Trump does a lot of negative things and gets a lot of negative stories https://t.co/WfhGLhDz12

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 19, 2025

AOC: It is equally important that congress does unite to reject the government's attempt to weaponize this moment into an all-out assault on free speech across the country.

All in the name of Charlie Kirk, President Trump and the FCC are now cynically threatening to shut down… pic.twitter.com/qKk8iV6t5l

— Acyn (@Acyn) September 19, 2025

Encouraging political violence on TV is back! Watch the newest edition from the network that brought you hits like “euthanize the homeless” https://t.co/ACpgCsD4hH

— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) September 20, 2025

MAGA Rapper Featured at Trump’s RNC Drops “Make America White Again“ Album

Forgiato Blow calls himself a “white [n-word]” on his title trackhttps://t.co/BfJpzVv1iS https://t.co/BfJpzVv1iS

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 19, 2025

Trump finally ships off Don Jr’s ex-girlfriend pic.twitter.com/HT9x87wdVa

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 19, 2025

Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.

THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.

Posted by Tony Ortega on September 20, 2025 at 08:00

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on September 20, 2025 05:51

Clearwater council not into Scientology donor’s glass art, will try again

[Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector wants the city to think big]

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Clearwater’s city council doesn’t want Scientology’s richest donor putting a branch of her existing Tampa Bay glass art museum in their library, so they decided this week to try again for a better tenant. And former vice mayor Mark ‘Wise Beard Man’ Bunker has a suggestion! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

——————–

Technology Cocktail

Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

“Point. Distance? What galaxy? What star? What planet? What country? What city? What street? What house? Position on street? What room? Distance from front of house? Where in the room? How far from each wall? How far off the wall? How far from the ceiling?” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979

——————–

We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.

——————–

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH

— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see

[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones

Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

——————–

“I remember one space academy, I think the curriculum was two thousand years. I was a student there.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 19, 1961

——————–

“The ‘letters to Ron’ line was backlogged in being answered in some orgs and the backlogs have been called to Flag for answering. LRH Comm has just given me a verbal report on these letters from various parts of the world. The line is very very theta, very friendly, very open. It has improved even over what it was a year ago. There are no critical comments. There is only great appreciation. This means that my own public image is high and has not been injured by last summer’s events. The orgs only injured themselves somewhat with crush sell and checks. It also means our tech is better. It does NOT mean our org image and friendliness must not be improved. It MUST be. It is very nice to hear from all these good people. I love them too. That’s why I work as hard as I do. It becomes more and more evident in this declining world that Man, above all things, knows he needs a friend.” — The Commodore, September 19, 1971

——————–

“I charge $620 for a Life/auditing repair. That would include repairing TRs.”

——————–

Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

1999: The Knoxville News-Sentinel published an article this week on a Tennessee dentist who committed insurance fraud as part of his Scientology management training. “A retired Campbell County dentist admitted Friday in federal court to defrauding the Medicaid/TennCare program and private dental insurance plans out of more than $200,000 over a five-year period. The illegal activity began in 1992, the same year Dr. Richard E. Brittain Jr., 44, started awarding his staff free cruises or cash bonuses if they met revenue goals, according to plea agreement papers. In 1992, Brittain attended a management training program in California conducted by the Church of Scientology, the plea papers stated. The church’s members also came to LaFollette to train Brittain’s staff to ‘boom the practice’ by offering incentives to them to increase monthly billing. As part of the program, Brittain set revenue goals for each month, according to the papers. If the staff met those goals within a three-month period, the dentist would award them with free cruises or with$1,000 cash bonuses. ‘After the implementation of the financial incentive program, monthly revenues increased by 100 percent,’ the papers stated. Brittain, who will remain free on a $15,000 bond pending a Nov. 18 sentencing, faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release for the offense.”

——————–

“I always wanted to start my own cult even more than I ever wanted to be a rock star. I’m going to go watch some gun videos and start winding down. Goodnight Sherb, get some sleep.”

——————–

Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due August 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing December 1.

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief was filed June 3. Respondent briefs are due September 2.

Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Jane Does’ response to Scientology’s appeal brief submitted July 30. Scientology’s reply due October 20.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.

——————–

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?

——————–

THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Mitch Brisker sheds light on Emily Armstrong’s ties to Scientology mom
[TWO years ago] Scientology targets another international capital city, and we have the hype video!
[THREE years ago] My Scientology wins: A personal testament of OT powers
[FOUR years ago] Scientology wants you to take advantage of the CARES Act and donate to Dave while you can!
[FIVE years ago] Read Danny Masterson’s ‘demurrer’ he’s hoping will get his criminal charges dismissed
[SIX years ago] Here’s the Kent team’s 3rd lawsuit against Scientology and David Miscavige — dive in!
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s minion lawyer stretches his ‘theta arm’ to touch the future!
[EIGHT years ago] Tonight, Paul Haggis calls out Scientology’s celebs: ‘Damn them for being purposely blind’
[NINE years ago] Talking highlights of ‘Fair Game’ with its author, Aussie journalist Steve Cannane
[TEN years ago] THE GETTING CLEAR CONFERENCE: How to see the videos that lay Scientology bare
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s tent party in England: The 9-minute trailer!
[TWELVE years ago] Scenes from Scientology’s Armageddon

——————–

Scientology disconnection, a reminder

Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,391 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,895 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,401 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,951 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,941 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,327 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,822 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,126 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,777 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,995 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,549 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,890 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,461 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,377 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,544 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,126 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,385 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,422 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,138 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,702 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,017 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,192 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,874 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,211 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,064 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,180 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,542 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,953 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,341 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,225 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,790 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,301 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,561 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,665 days.

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on September 19, 2025 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.

Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele

1 like · Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on September 19, 2025 06:13

Trump: Networks that criticize me can get their licenses yanked

Some links to Q-related items today

Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
This is how dictators talk https://t.co/6mrkQmjpM6

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 18, 2025

“decide what the American people think”🤔 https://t.co/nQe1IThA22

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 18, 2025

Trump says high prices have been “solved” https://t.co/4Jx7Xh9gxT

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 18, 2025

GOP Gubernatorial, Senate Candidates Duck Epstein Files Vote

These 12 Republicans seeking higher office carry transparency refusal into campaignhttps://t.co/eUqwtlxTwe https://t.co/eUqwtlxTwe

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 18, 2025

BREAKING: @RepRobertGarcia announces investigation into ABC, Sinclair, and Trump Administration after firing of Jimmy Kimmel.

"We will not be silent as our freedoms are threatened by corrupt schemes and threats."https://t.co/POYseAmPxF

— Emily Kassner-Marks (@kassnermarks) September 18, 2025

Super creepy https://t.co/H1e7GFmqKL

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 18, 2025

“I need to watch someone be brutally murdered cause I need to make sure I keep my anger and hatred burning strong” sounds like a horrible way to live. pic.twitter.com/UxVXZbwK8G

— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) September 18, 2025

Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.

THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.

Posted by Tony Ortega on September 19, 2025 at 08:00

1 like · Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on September 19, 2025 06:13

Scientology mega-donor Tom Cummins: How can a deathless thetan make a will?

TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: As a Scientology OT 8, mega-donor Tom Cummins can resist invader forces trying to erase his memory during his ‘between-lives’ period, and will remember who he is when he starts out his next lifetime. But what about his stacks of cash? It turns out he’s thought deeply about that! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

——————–

Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Technology Cocktail

“There are two separate drills for dating and locating, and which is used depends upon pc ability to find and give the data. The first drill given is where the pc volunteers or gives the data. The second drill is where the auditor establishes all the data by metering. As with all processing, the pc’s ability increases as you go along, and the auditor must be alert for this and change from meter dating and meter locating to accepting and taking the pc’s data. It can also happen that a pc who was able to find and give the data may run into something particularly heavy and now need assistance from the auditor. The rule is: NEVER RESORT TO THE METER IF THE PC CAN FIND AND GIVE THE DATA, AND NEVER LET A PC STRUGGLE IF HE CAN’T FIND THE DATA. AND NEVER, NEVER USE THE METER TO CHALLENGE, ‘CORRECT’ OR INVALIDATE THE PC’S DATA.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979

——————–

We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.

——————–

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH

— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see

[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

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[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones

——————–

“The fellow wants to get out of the woods and there are two trails. And one trail lies much deeper into the woods and the other trail goes out on to the plain. And all you have to do is put up a sign at the crossroads and point to that trail which goes deeper into the woods and say, ‘This way lies freedom,’ you see, and you’ve promptly trapped a lot of people.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 18, 1963

——————–

“I was looking over Base Order No. 29 from 1967. There is no reason really it had to suffer such radical changes except that it was never checksheeted and packed for posts. The large amount of know-how in Flag Orders was never fully mimeo filed and related to posts by checksheet. This also solved a long standing mystery. The officer corps of some professional armies is terrible while their enlisted ranks up to non-comm are excellent. Germany lost 2 wars because of this. The US armed forces are remarkable examples of this. Suddenly dawn broke. The duties of everyone are well and totally written up and published right up to the top non-comm. Officers from low to high never had to learn any of this, even built up contempt for such knowledge and had no such plain texts for their own duties. I’ve seen it in commercial companies and elsewhere for a long time. Never could figure out why leadershp was so poor even for excellent troops or workers. Well, there it is. Hats, texts training in the lower echelon and almost none in the upper.” — The Commodore, September 18, 1970

——————–

“If you do the bridge your not going to be told about secret weather control programs, about vaccines brain damaging people, about the secret space program, about secret depopulation programs (programs run to kill us), about underground bases being built by the new world order in case of a cataclysm (they have literally built underground towns with all this advanced tech) and they fly around in UFOs which they keep secret from us, i mean there is just so much going on that we are not told about in scientology or in mainstream life, but at least scientology makes us smarter so that then we can investigate and find out about all these things.”

Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});——————–

1998: The Globe Staff published a column this week on Earle Cooley, a lawyer and Scientologist who is also Chairman of the Board for Boston University. “For over a decade, Cooley has zealously defended the interests of the Church of Scientology, which a 1991 Time magazine cover story called ‘a hugely profitable global racket that survives by intimidating members and critics in a Mafia-like manner.’ Cooley says that his alliance with Scientology has never colored his work for what was once one of America’s great Methodist institutions. But whenever Cooley and I discussed the excesses committed by the church – the harassment of a journalist, for instance – he said he had no knowledge of illegal activities. I contend that Cooley is more than ‘just’ a lawyer for Scientology. I say he is deeply allied with one of the great anti-intellectual movements of our time, and his activities are wildly incompatible with his status as a top official of a major American university.”

——————–

“One of the few things I agree with the Scientologists on is that the whole Vistaril thing is weak. Vistaril, a/k/a hydroxyzine, is one theetie-wheetie drug. You need to take a whole bottle of this shit to even remotely get a buzz. Vistaril has never been considered a true psych drug. I know it is an antihistamine, anti itching agent. That’s how I first encountered it. The point is that us trying to say it’s a psych dug like Valium is absurd.”

——————–

Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due August 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing December 1.

Civil litigation:

Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief was filed June 3. Respondent briefs are due September 2.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Jane Does’ response to Scientology’s appeal brief submitted July 30. Scientology’s reply due October 20.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.

——————–

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?

——————–

THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Joe Reaiche, 1958-2024: Former Aussie rugby pro turned Scientology whistleblower
[TWO years ago] ‘Ellen’ from the Scientology ‘Day Care from Hell’ story comes forward
[THREE years ago] Bombshells in Danny Masterson case: Grand jury testimony, and evidence against Scientology
[FOUR years ago] VIDEO: Scientology turns to rock ‘n’ roll to save its soul, and you’re invited!
[FIVE years ago] Scientology celeb Danny Masterson to be arraigned today for raping three women
[SIX years ago] Scientologists facing felonies try ‘sovereign citizen’ gambit in tense L. A. court hearing
[SEVEN years ago] Giving Scientology TV a run for its money — it’s the premiere of the Bunker network!
[EIGHT years ago] Moss wins Emmy for portraying totalitarian cult victim and doesn’t care what you think about it
[NINE years ago] In the wake of raids, Scientology’s sneaky consulting front shrinks markedly in Russia
[TEN years ago] Scientology about to throw its Harlem party — and we need your eyes and ears!
[ELEVEN years ago] RATHBUN SUIT: Scientology’s last swipe in its anti-SLAPP appeal before hearing next week
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology’s “Bridge:” Claire Headley Gets Us to CLEAR!

——————–

Scientology disconnection, a reminder

Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,390 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,894 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,400 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,950 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,940 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,326 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,821 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,125 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,776 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,994 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,548 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,889 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,460 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,376 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,543 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,125 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,384 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,421 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,137 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,701 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,016 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,191 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,873 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,210 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,063 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,179 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,541 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,952 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,340 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,224 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,789 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,300 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,560 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,664 days.

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on September 18, 2025 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.

Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on September 18, 2025 05:55

Trump celebrates Kimmel’s suspension by cowards at ABC, Disney

Some links to Q-related items today

Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Trump says he’s designating “antifa” a terrorist group and launching a probe into finding of antifa activities. The FBI has long said antifa doesn’t really have a centralized structure or leadership. pic.twitter.com/ma3n4dRgh4

— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) September 18, 2025

It's past time to acknowledge that the United States can no longer be viewed as a democracy https://t.co/8Hf40ZBuks

— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) September 18, 2025

Literally the president did back in July.

These people lie so much and have such contempt for their audience. https://t.co/xKkgNChvL1

— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) September 18, 2025

Jennings: Maybe it's just the power of someone in the government forcing a little self-reflection in these media companies for what they've been doing and the way they've been operating.

Phillip: Do you believe in free speech or not? pic.twitter.com/BMv2X8VxXk

— Acyn (@Acyn) September 18, 2025

*offer doesn’t apply to comedians MAGA doesn’t like https://t.co/roSJDNvnKb

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 18, 2025

They aren't planning on having elections and if we have elections they aren't planning on honoring the results. It's already terrifying now, 2026 is gonna even worse. https://t.co/GCGD55XQwa

— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) September 18, 2025

Marjorie Taylor Greene explicitly saying here that Jews shouldn’t run Charlie Kirk’s TPUSA: “I hope…another religion does not take over Christian Patriotic Turning Point USA.” https://t.co/YoI14oZ6oE

— Will Sommer (@willsommer) September 17, 2025

This is the same right-wing media conglomerate that forced reporters to read identical scripts. Musk and Republicans cite it to slam the “fake liberal media,” though it’s pro-Trump—and now it’s forcing MAGA propaganda specials into viewers’ homes. pic.twitter.com/9mD3rR50KZ https://t.co/SuxVTvGh8n

— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) September 18, 2025

Charlie Kirk’s crew talked flippantly about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce dying, suggesting the couple could have a “suicide pact” or that a vaccine could "make Travis Kelce drop in the middle of practice” which would be "more fun."
pic.twitter.com/4WmUz5TMNs

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 18, 2025

I’ve got it: What if we pointed out their hypocrisy? After we point out their hypocrisy, they’ll have no choice but to behave in a manner that is consistent with their purported values.

— Travis View (@travis_view) September 18, 2025

https://t.co/hs73s70al2 pic.twitter.com/W56PdmCEQ9

— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) September 17, 2025

Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.

THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.

Posted by Tony Ortega on September 18, 2025 at 08:00