Tony Ortega's Blog, page 12
September 17, 2025
This is how Scientology is going to turn around its ship of state!
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: So much of what Scientology focuses on now is leveraging the few people it has left. You see it in the recovery efforts to bring back former members, and getting active members to bring in everyone they possibly can. We have a fun new example from one of our helpful readers. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“In locating, the auditor is getting the past physical location. E.g. the auditor gets the direction, distance, what galaxy, star, planet, country, etc., pinpointing it down to the exact location in space where it happened. But these items are not taken up rotely; one uses the questions that apply. For example, if it occurred ‘next door’ one would not ask ‘What planet?’ Or if the pc has said it’s ‘two years ago’ when dating, in locating one doesn’t then ask ‘What galaxy?’ as, of course, it’s this one. Or what star, either. If you start asking ‘What galaxy?’ on an incident on Earth the pc is thrown backtrack. And if it happened outside a town in the open you wouldn’t ask what city, house, or street or room, either. You must use the questions that apply.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
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
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[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
——————–
“Unfortunately, Black Dianetics is inherent in Dianetics. In 1945, this was all the Dianetics there was: how to drive people crazy, how to foul up political systems, how to restimulate individuals just by talking to them, without planting engrams. And in addition to this, how to interrupt life force in an individual. We haven’t gone into that very much. It is a wonderfully smooth way of committing murder.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 17, 1951
——————–
“No one is to play the piano in A Deck Lounge without the written permission of Lt. Cmdr. Diana Hubbard.” — Lt. Nikki Freedman, Sun Deck I/C, September 17, 1971
——————–
“All truly exceptional geniouses will, and perhaps have to be, quite offensive to us, that’s the way things Have to work in this crazy universe. You just can’t get the GREATEST without also getting some horrible personality qualities. The greatest human beings will learn how to assist the Greatest for the greatest good of all Dynamics despite the horrible qualities they have to maneuover around, quietly, and successfully. God Bless LRH forever, and forevermore.”
1997: A transcript of the Howard Stern radio show, with call-in guest Senator Alphonse D’Amato was posted this week. “STERN: What?! You’re hanging out with that wacko? D’AMATO: John Travolta came to Capitol Hill yesterday and testified about the Scientologists who are being persecuted and being denied jobs and being boycotted…. STERN: And what did you do? Did you throw him out of there? D’AMATO: His films aren’t being permitted to be shown in Germany because he’s a Scientologist. STERN: All right, do me a favor. Will you blow up John Travolta too? Did you actually hang out with the Travolta? D’AMATO: No, but he’s a very nice guy. STERN: And where do you stand on Scientology? That can’t possibly be a religion can it? D’AMATO: Well listen, I think you have a right to believe whatever you want. If you want to believe in the sun god I will defend your right, Howard, to believe in whatever you want. STERN: All right, listen to me, Senator. But, in no way I can believe that my senator believes L. Ron Hubbard is god. You should have thrown Travolta right out of there, kicked him down the steps. Do you know John Travolta thinks he can heal people with his hands? D’AMATO: No, I don’t know that. If he believes that, that’s his belief. STERN: I can’t believe it. What are you going to do about Germany now? D’AMATO: Well, what we have done, our commission, Helsinki Commission, will be looking into a number of the charges — people who have lost their jobs because… Yeah, you know, ordinary working families. One lost her license, she ran an employment center, it was revoked just because it was revealed that she was a Scientologist, and they wanted her to renounce this.”
——————–
“I’ve always wanted a goat. A small place in the country with a goat, a couple of pigs, some chickens, a duck or two and of course the usual cats and dogs…oh, and a semi-tamed crow or raven.”
——————–
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:
— 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.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
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.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
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] David Minkoff’s Scientology quackery: the psychiatrist expert’s assessment
[TWO years ago] A Julian Swartz production: The Scientology day-care from hell
[THREE years ago] PODCAST: Jesse Prince is here to shake up your understanding of Scientology
[FOUR years ago] Scientology makes another attempt to defeat its terrible image, this time with Millennial OTs!
[FIVE years ago] Scientology chiro Dennis Nobbe drops dead after being informed he’s going to jail
[SIX years ago] Why isn’t Scientology’s ship the Freewinds hauling emergency supplies to the Bahamas?
[SEVEN years ago] Visit to London Ideal Org shows that the Scientology bubble is still firmly in place
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology leader David Miscavige has empty buildings all over the world — here’s a rundown
[NINE years ago] With Jason Lee out, what does it mean for Scientology’s tightest celebrity clique?
[TEN years ago] Surreal encounter at Scientology’s secretive Int Base shows up in Danish documentary
[ELEVEN years ago] New leaked videos from the super beings at Scientology!
[TWELVE years ago] Jenna Miscavige Hill Talks to Us As Her Book Comes Out in Paperback
——————–
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 3,389 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,893 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,399 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,949 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,939 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,325 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,820 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,124 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,775 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,993 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,547 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,888 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,459 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,375 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,542 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,124 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,383 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,420 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,136 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,700 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,015 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,190 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,872 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,209 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,062 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,178 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,540 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,951 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,339 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,223 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,788 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,299 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,559 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,663 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on September 17, 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
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Bob tried to warn us
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Robert Redford warned us in 2020:
“Four more years [of Trump] would accelerate our slide toward autocracy. It would be taken as free license to punish more so-called ‘traitors’ and wage more petty vendettas – with the full weight of the Justice Department behind them.” pic.twitter.com/mALx5AE3AA
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 16, 2025
Robert Redford on Trump:
“Instead of a moral compass in the Oval Office, there’s a moral vacuum.
Instead of a president who says we’re all in it together, we have a president who’s in it for himself.
Instead of words that uplift and unite, we hear words that inflame and… pic.twitter.com/5lCARh4o1l
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 16, 2025
Holy smokes https://t.co/xxIgW47YbU
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) September 16, 2025
New Tyler Robinson posts leaked to me tell a very different story than you've heard before:https://t.co/kI8EhweRwO
— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) September 16, 2025
Karoline Leavitt Highlights Earthquake as Divine Sign Following Charlie Kirk Shooting
Shared tweet: “The earth trembles when God is angry”https://t.co/R1m2WI0ylUhttps://t.co/R1m2WI0ylU
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 16, 2025
Wow, the judiciary committee hearing blows up as Kash Patel and Cory Booker go at it pic.twitter.com/kAw5FYB8iq
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 16, 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 17, 2025 at 08:00
September 16, 2025
Wall Street Journal unmasks startup’s troubling Scientology ties
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We noted yesterday the investigation of Scientology that appeared at the Wall Street Journal’s website Sunday. But this morning the piece is on the newspaper’s front page. And it’s so rare to see Scientology taken apart at the Journal we figured it was worth pointing out twice! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“When locating something you are using direction and a system of measurement of distance. Just as time is basically a consideration, so is distance. And there are many systems of measuring distance, both on this planet and earlier on the track. Distance can be measured in miles, kilometers, light-years, to name a few. In one whole track space opera civilization, intergalactic distances were measured in terms of how long it took a particular spaceship, called a Hylan and intergalactic distances were measured by the number of ‘days of Hylan spaceflight.’ You will probably find that the pc will tend to use the system of measurement of distance that was used at the time of the past location that he is stuck in. Just as a pc can use a sort of mental computer to convert whole track dates into ‘years ago,’ he can also mentally convert some distances into ‘miles.’ But the auditor never expects him to do so, and never asks him to.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
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
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[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
——————–
“Now, you’ve got the Havingness Process established. And you say, ‘Where isn’t that wall’ or whatever it is, see, whatever the Havingness Process is. ‘Thank you. Where isn’t that wall? Thank you. Where isn’t the ceiling? Thank you. Where isn’t the floor? Thank you. What have you withheld from a home?’ And the guy goes figure, figure, figure, think, think, think, clank, clank, clank, figure, figure, figure, figure, figure, figure, figure, figure, figure, figure. ‘Well, in a past life I used to take all my money down to the pub and I never gave any to the wife. I withheld money from the home.’ And you say, ‘Thank you. Where isn’t the wall? Thank you. Where isn’t that ceiling? Thank you. Where isn’t that floor? Thank you.’ Got the idea?” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 16, 1961
——————–
“More Enormous Events never before seen or held are scheduled for the GRAND WORD CLEARING FESTIVAL! The night of the 22nd, at Sea, at 8PM the Great Radio Show WAR OF THE WORLDS will be played in HCI by LRH Personal PRO. The WORDS that caused riots in the US. These words pouring out of US Radios caused whole towns to empty! Unbelievable bone chilling realism brought direct to this upstat crew. Fantastic, never since heard! Imported at VAST expense solely for this yacht with the express permission of ORSON WELLES himself. Watch this billboard for even further stellar events!” — The Commodore, September 16, 1971
——————–
“There is a connection between race and the tone scale, some races are more likely to be 1.1 than others, then they end up gettting kicked out of many european countries and they claim people are mean racists when its like ‘um maybe you guys have some real bad culture business practices’.”
1996: Attorney Graham Berry announced that he will be opposing the name change of Berendo Street in Los Angeles to L. Ron Hubbard Way. “On Tuesday, October 1, 1996, at 10:00 A.M. in the Council Chambers, Room 340, City Hall, 200 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, California 90012, the full City Council for the City of Los Angeles will consider members John Ferraro and Richard Alatorre’s proposal to change the name of Berendo Street to ‘L. Ron Hubbard Way.’ Berendo Street abuts the Scientology complex in Hollywood. Council sources advise me that Scientology lobbyists have been pressuring each council member to vote for the proposed name change on a daily basis and have been approaching them at public functions for the same purpose. They are also conducting a major letter-writing campaign to council members and can be expected to have a large number of Scientologists turn out at the council meeting on October 1st, 1996, at which time each person wishing to speak will be given two minutes in which to make remarks. Accordingly, as many people as possible who are opposed to the name change, should be at the City Council meeting and sign in for that purpose as early as possible. Those same persons, and those who cannot attend, should at the very least e-mail the City Council members at the e-mail address provided below. The e-mail messages should provide as many reasons, and as much information as possible, preferably in verifiable detail, as to why the City Council should NOT approve the proposed name change.”
——————–
“Their only real motivation is to eliminate the competition. All the humanitarian shit is window dressing.”
——————–
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:
— 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.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
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.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
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] Scientology revives another tradition as it keeps pushing new buildings
[TWO years ago] VIDEO: Russell Miller on how he was targeted by Scientology for his Hubbard biography
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s arbitration contracts are ‘unconscionable,’ say trafficking victims
[FOUR years ago] New witness spills tea on Danny Masterson, ‘The Ranch,’ and attorney Andrew Brettler
[FIVE years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 14: The Los Angeles Times
[SIX years ago] Charles Barkley becomes a slam dunk photo opportunity for Scientology
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s surprisingly weak attempt to turn Hurricane Florence into PR gold
[EIGHT years ago] Disconnected at birth — another infuriating Scientology saga
[NINE years ago] VIDEO: City council candidate exposed as Scientology spy in live public hearing
[TEN years ago] ‘Fundamentalist’ Scientology means chasing the ideal of Neo while turning your back on family
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology says it’s received $5.7 million from Google in advertising grants
TOM CRUISE IN CLEARWATER: Scientology Gathering Big Names For Product Launch
——————–
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 3,388 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,892 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,398 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,948 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,938 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,324 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,819 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,123 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,774 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,992 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,546 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,887 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,458 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,374 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,541 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,123 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,382 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,419 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,135 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,699 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,014 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,189 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,871 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,208 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,061 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,177 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,539 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,950 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,338 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,222 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,787 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,298 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,558 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,662 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on September 16, 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
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Trump skips Kirk vigil for more golf
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Wow pic.twitter.com/rETUuM4nAC
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 15, 2025
One again, no transparency. Just killing for clicks and likes. How do we know there weren’t any human trafficking victims on board? pic.twitter.com/kwBXy0JXBd
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 15, 2025
Trump wants the peaceful protesters who ruined his restaurant stunt arrested https://t.co/rgdCIrn2jV
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 15, 2025
They won’t release it and if they do, you can’t trust anything from this untrustworthy administration https://t.co/Z5Nf57NqCW
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 15, 2025
Reporter: Do you think it would have been fitting to lower the flags for Melissa Hortman who was killed as well?
Trump: Uh, I’m not familiar, who? pic.twitter.com/DWLJrqZe8R
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 15, 2025
"Donald Trump Jr. is admitting Kirk is alive and this is all a trick to lure the Deep State into making a blunder that Trump will pounce on." Never let reality get in the way of the grift. pic.twitter.com/eeG3CNlkSB
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) September 16, 2025
Despite what Pam Bondi personally believes, Minnesota shooter Vance Boelter admitted he was a Trump supporter in a prison interview with the New York Post. pic.twitter.com/dxWKBgs7AZ
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 16, 2025
this is literally just a list of quotes, no justification or incitement for violence
simply repeating Charlie Kirk's own words should be a fireable offense according to conservatives https://t.co/3G8omcG63d
— Cameron (@CameronCorduroy) September 14, 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 16, 2025 at 08:00
September 15, 2025
When Lolita met Xenu: How Scientology targeted Nabokov’s publisher
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Seventy years ago today the unconventional publisher Maurice Girodias published Nabokov’s ‘Lolita’ for the first time. Historian Chris Owen does a deep dive to explain how he then became a target of Scientology’s notorious spy corps. ALSO: The Wall Street Journal takes on the church! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“THE PURPOSE OF DATING IS TO GET A BLOW OF THE PAST TIME THE PC IS STUCK IN. Whether the pc gives the date, or whether the auditor has to meter date it, you must remember that all you are going for is a blow. Sometimes you will get a blow as easily as the pc saying ‘It was a long time
ago.’ A blow is accompanied by a BD and F/N. So be alert when dating for a sudden or BD and F/N. And if the pc doesn’t originate that it blew, ask him so you won’t go on trying to date to blow, something that has already blown! Very often a date has to be dated precisely down to the fraction of a second in order to get a blow.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
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
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[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
——————–
“Now, we are not in conflict with the customs and philosophy of the planet or the universe. Quite the contrary. It’s not a case of everybody is out of step but Jim. It’s a case of others want people badly out of step. And they’re getting them pretty badly out of step. But if you can talk to and communicate with anybody on the subject of Scientology, he agrees with what you’d say. He agrees very rapidly with what you say, unless he misses a word. If he misses a word then he won’t agree with what you’ve said, but you are actually talking to him about things which have been with him as customs, far, far, far longer than any Johnny-come-lately psychology or mental science that has been foisted off on him in recent times.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 15, 1964
——————–
“Now, we are not in conflict with the customs and philosophy of the planet or the universe. Quite the contrary. It’s not a case of everybody is out of step but Jim. It’s a case of others want people badly out of step. And they’re getting them pretty badly out of step. But if you can talk to and communicate with anybody on the subject of Scientology, he agrees with what you’d say. He agrees very rapidly with what you say, unless he misses a word. If he misses a word then he won’t agree with what you’ve said, but you are actually talking to him about things which have been with him as customs, far, far, far longer than any Johnny-come-lately psychology or mental science that has been foisted off on him in recent times.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 15, 1964
——————–
“People of Jewish race are the almost sole promoters of 1.1 stuff like Feminism, Gay Agenda, Communism, Freemasonry, and others, though the real creators of that are a small number of Illuminati, Illuminati create them, Jews promote them.”
1995: A victory this week in the suit against Larry Wollersheim and Bob Penny. A summary of Judge Kane’s ruling from Kim Baker: “In RTC vs. FACTNet, Judge Kane said that RTC did not prove probability of success of their case. Equally, RTC did not show the probability of their claim. FACTNet was entitled to its use of the documents under the fair use provisions under section 107 of the copyright rules. FACTNet’s criticism, comment and debate qualifies it to fair use of the documents. RTC did not show infringement, and did not show that their claim of “trade secrets” was valid. The documents were in the public domain, and were proved to have been on the Internet long before the August raids. It was not proved that the “trade secrets” were the kind that are protected under the law. RTC did not show irreparable injury; any injury they may have does not outweigh the harm done to Lawrence Wollersheim, Bob Penny and FACTNet. The actions of the defendants would not restrain individuals from joining $cientology – if they are interested in participating in $cientology they would anyway. The question of infringement is answered by the fair use
principles. The public interest is more served in the continuation of FACTNet. The balance of the danger of harm is in the favor of the
defendants, rather than $cientology. All computers and peripherals, along with seized documents, are to be returned immediately, in precisely the same condition as when seized, and in precisely the same location when seized.”
——————–
“Jeez, does everybody around here have a sock except me?”
——————–
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.
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.
— 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.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
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.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
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] She denied Scientology’s Xenu to the BBC. Now she’s OT 3. Whoopsie!
[TWO years ago] SCIENTOLOGY PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR UNDER OATH: Quizzed about following Leah Remini
[THREE years ago] Paul Haggis opposes motion to keep Scientology out of next month’s trial
[FOUR years ago] Would you purchase a Scientology E-meter from this man?
[FIVE years ago] Scientologist chiro Nobbe: There’s an innocent explanation, judge. Prosecutors: No there isn’t.
[SIX years ago] Scientology reels in politicians and gets photo ops out of Hurricane Dorian
[SEVEN years ago] Sharp new memoir digs into Scientology’s toxic cruelty experienced by those who grow up in it
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s newest infiltration — Rebecca Minkoff and Meghan Fialkoff at Nasdaq!
[NINE years ago] SCIENTOLOGY DENIED: California Supreme Court rejects appeal in forced-abortion lawsuit
[TEN years ago] Back where it all started: Hoping to see you in Phoenix to talk Scientology then and now
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s secret plans for world domination — even better than the last time!
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: Texas Memories, Valley Whales, and Top Secret Plans!
——————–
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 3,387 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,891 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,397 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,947 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,937 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,323 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,818 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,122 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,773 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,991 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,545 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,886 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,457 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,373 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,540 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,122 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,381 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,418 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,134 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,698 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,013 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,188 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,870 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,207 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,060 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,176 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,538 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,949 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,337 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,221 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,786 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,297 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,557 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,661 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on September 15, 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
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Trump: ‘Smart people don’t like me’
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Trump: “Smart people don’t like me” pic.twitter.com/RSwV5qkL6n
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 14, 2025
Zero. Tariffs are paid by Americans and American businesses. https://t.co/FZwm85d9P6
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 15, 2025
The Epstein files are not in Venezuela https://t.co/TatojBY2II
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 14, 2025
If they don't want to be called Nazis, I'd recommend they stop wearing Nazi t-shirts. Just a little suggestion. pic.twitter.com/96Lc1jVwRO
— Brett Meiselas 🇺🇸🦅 (@BMeiselas) September 14, 2025
Charlie Kirk called for defunding the NFL https://t.co/KZurazsNWR pic.twitter.com/9XBmIUxYvO
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 15, 2025
Charlie Kirk on the Dallas Cowboys:
“The Cowboys are so easy to hate. Why is every Cowboys fan like a 5 foot 6 Mexican with long jean shorts?”
pic.twitter.com/H6g28Wkk4b https://t.co/KZurazsNWR
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 15, 2025
If Trump dies in office in the next year I fully expect Republicans to be primaried by Groyers openly calling for Israel to be nuked. President Vance will have fight off a primary from a Nick Fuentes backed challenger. https://t.co/JOiBcrq8fS
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) September 15, 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 15, 2025 at 08:00
September 14, 2025
The turning point: When paranoia became official Scientology policy
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: By 1959, L. Ron Hubbard was feeling the pressure. He and Scientology were under investigation in the US, and he was increasingly concerned about breakaway groups. So that year he began to write down policies reflecting his increasing paranoia. The result is fascinating. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“When dating anything you are using a system of measurement of time. There are various systems for measuring time and as time is basically a postulate or consideration there is no absolute system for measuring time. Time can be measured in terms of years ago. It can be measured by year, month and day (1918 AD, January 1st). These two systems are applicable to this planet, as the term “year” is the time it takes this planet to complete an orbit around the sun. In larger whole track dates different systems were used. The whole point is to use the system the pc is using, because the whole point of dating is to blow a past time that the pc is stuck in. And the pc will very often use the dating system of the time period he is stuck in. It doesn’t matter what system of time measurement the pc uses. It is important that the auditor accepts and uses the system the pc is using and doesn’t try to change it.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
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
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[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
——————–
“All right now, let’s look at an engram. An engram isn’t very serious if somebody walks up and steps on your toes and says, ‘You skunk.’ That’s not very serious because there’s not very much chaos there into which to put a stable datum. But if this individual walked up to you from behind, slugged you over the head, kicked you in the ribs, wound you up in the hospital, but somewhere in the midst of all of this he said, ‘You’re a skunk,’ you’d probably start to smell like one.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 14, 1955
——————–
“There’s a need for the FEBC like the Sahara needs water. Public demand is high. The contemporary staffs don’t really know how to give service or handle. Well, we’ll make it anyway. A lot of good guys out there. At least we know exactly where we’re going and exactly what to do to get there. Maybe we’re the only ones on Earth who do.” — The Commodore, September 14, 1970
——————–
“All of Ayn Rand’s books are awesome.”
2001: In the wake of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, DC this week, Scientology has participated in services in memory of the victims. The St. Petersburg Times reported the appearance of the phone number on Fox News. “Television viewers who turned to Fox News on Friday for coverage of the terrorist attack also saw a message scrolling across the bottom of their screens – National Mental Health Assistance: 800-FOR-TRUTH. Unknown to the cable news channel, the phone number connects to a Church of Scientology center in Los Angeles, where Scientologists were manning the phones. ‘It was entirely a good-faith attempt to help people,’ said Ben Shaw, a Clearwater Scientology official. Church spokesman Kurt Weiland in Los Angeles said the phrase ‘National Mental Health Assistance’ must have come from Fox. ‘I can assure you it didn’t come from us,’ he said. Scientology firmly opposes psychiatry, and church members campaign to eliminate psychiatric practices in mental health. Fox News spokesman Robert Zimmerman said the station received an e-mail about the hotline and aired the number without checking it. ‘The bottom line is we (messed) up,’ Zimmerman said. ‘Unfortunately, it didn’t get vetted. We apologize.’ The hotline information ran for several hours – once appearing below the image of President Bush and his wife, Laura, at the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance in Washington. The news channel yanked the information Friday after learning of the Scientology connection, Zimmerman said. Michael Faenza, president and chief executive of the National Mental Health Association, called the hotline number ‘outrageous’ and said Scientology ‘is the last organization’ emotionally vulnerable people should call. ‘They just leave a wake of destruction in the realm of mental health,’ he said. The mental health association, based in Virginia, is the country’s oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. ‘This is a very important and sensitive time,’ Faenza said. ‘I’d urge the Church of Scientology to stay out of the mental health side of what happens in the country now.’ In some cases, callers were referred by the four Scientologists answering the phones to agencies compiling information about missing people. In other cases, callers were directed to agencies taking collections, Weiland said. If people called crying and upset, he said, they were told they could visit a Scientology center. When a reporter called, a volunteer said free copies of a booklet, Solutions for a Dangerous Environment, were available to callers. The booklet is a Scientology publication based on the works of L. Ron Hubbard, although that was not mentioned in the phone call.”
——————–
“A question that has crossed my mind in the past is, if someone cynically creates a religion/spiritual movement for their own personal gain, but its followers truly believe in it, does one negate the other?”
——————–
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:
— 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.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
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.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
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] Scientology is the key to happiness! Just ask this guy.
[TWO years ago] Greek church calls BS on Scientology: Why doesn’t this happen more often?
[THREE years ago] Now with no restrictions: Our podcast series on the Scientology docuseries that never aired
[FOUR years ago] Danny Masterson’s civil attorney adds Prince Andrew as a client and Twitter loses its mind
[FIVE years ago] SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS, Episode 4: Tom Cruise’s dirty plot against publicist Pat Kingsley
[SIX years ago] Mark ‘Wise Beard Man’ Bunker: His Scientology-protesting past and political future
[SEVEN years ago] Jesse Prince, witness to Scientology’s ugliest behavior, spills it all in new book
[EIGHT years ago] Is Ohio’s newest legislator a Scientologist? ‘I had him on the cans,’ says our man in Cincy
[NINE years ago] DRONE FLYOVER: Scientology’s secret base where David Miscavige keeps wife out of sight
[TEN years ago] Another rare Scientology video leaks, and this time we see its long vanished president
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: Smile while you write that check, pardner!
[TWELVE years ago] THE TEXAS POST-GAME REPORT: Scientology, Monique Rathbun, and Judge Dib Waldrip
——————–
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 3,386 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,890 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,396 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,946 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,936 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,322 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,817 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,121 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,772 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,990 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,544 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,885 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,456 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,372 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,539 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,121 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,380 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,417 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,133 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,697 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,012 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,187 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,869 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,206 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,059 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,175 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,537 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,948 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,336 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,220 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,785 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,296 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,556 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,660 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on September 14, 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
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Trump working hard on his backswing, on other stuff not so much
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Trump is golfing again as prices soar pic.twitter.com/QS1bvRFoYy
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 13, 2025
This is so fucking reprehensible. A disturbed young white dude raised around guns in a pro-Trump family kills someone and they blame trans people. They still know next to nothing about the dude's actual politics or motivations and run this trash. Trans people have committed well… pic.twitter.com/UDB4PSIvmy
— Brett Meiselas 🇺🇸🦅 (@BMeiselas) September 14, 2025
Kash Patel's FBI is now claiming that they caught the Charlie Kirk shooter through texts with his transgender roommate, which is odd because just yesterday the Governor of Utah was saying that his family turned him in, leading to widespread calls for Patel to resign. pic.twitter.com/L2FRfF13CB
— Ari Drennen (@AriDrennen) September 13, 2025
The Guardian has now completely retracted quotes from an anonymous high school source who had called Tyler Robinson a “leftist.” The source now says they couldn’t accurately recall details of their relationship. https://t.co/ed9fLkvj6C
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) September 13, 2025
Positive change means doxxing and harassing anyone who committed wrongthink about the death of Charlie Kirk. The folks who were obsessed about "Free speech" now want to crush anyone who says anything they don't like. pic.twitter.com/hnq1SVJ0qN
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) September 14, 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 14, 2025 at 08:00
September 13, 2025
Scientology teaches that your life was ruined by your oversexed parents
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: L. Ron Hubbard’s earliest attempts to get the Scientology movement going were rocked by a series of booms and busts. And as a science fiction writer trying to enslave his fellow man, Hubbard wrote himself into some continuity problems! We have a great example. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“While Date/Locate is a precise action, it is by no means a rote procedure. The auditor must know the theory of the action if he is to Date/Locate successfully. He must understand that he takes the pc’s data and he works with the pc. Robotic application of the steps will not only not produce the desired result but can result in messing up a case badly. Definition of ‘blow’: The sudden dissipation of mass in the mind with an accompanying
feeling of relief. (Technical Dictionary.) This definition must be understood by both auditor and pc. It is cleared with the pc before beginning the Date/Locate steps. Have the pc demo it, using a demo kit, if necessary, so he has no confusion on it. A blow is a definite manifestation. Vital data for the auditor is that the pc must say ‘Something blew’ or ‘It disappeared’ or ‘It’s gone’ or ‘It vanished,’ not simply ‘I feel lighter.'” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
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
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[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
——————–
“Handling Security Checks in a society of this particular character, then, runs into a little bit of heavy weather. And you very often run into some heavy weather. Somebody’s sitting there and, good God, they’re the fellow who did it, you know, and what are you going to do as the auditor, you know?…What is your responsibility as an auditor? Well, it’s, your responsibility as an auditor is first and foremost as an auditor, is get the person out of it. You’re not the police force. Don’t you see? And then you actually are not honor bound from that point there on to be under a stamp and seal of total secrecy with regard to the fact that the First National Bank was robbed by Joe, you see. But don’t go calling up the police. They’re on the wrong road. Cops never get a society anyplace. Cops are a short-term proposition, strictly. The more cops, the more crime.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 13, 1961
——————–
“We have so far sent back two FEBC graduates. W/O Owen Starkey to AOSHDK and Wayne Marples to NY. They both left in a hurry to save their orgs. Starkey has halted the GDS collapse and has most of them on a healthy climb. They both had a lot of beautiful things to say about Flag and its people.” — The Commodore, September 13, 1970
——————–
“About 18 months ago, I began to wake up to the fact that I was in the Church of Scientology in my last lifetime. After more auditing and more mind expansion, I realized, ‘oh, maybe I am/was Clear.’ So, I came to believe I was Clear. Today, I don’t think I was Clear, but, I’m almost sure I did believe I was Clear in my last lifetime. In fact, I kind of see I reached OT2. As I said, I’m not sure, and I speculate that I had good auditing, but also bad auditing. I also was probably subjected to Black Scientology.”
2000: Mark Bunker posted an update on the Scientologist who attacked him with a hammer during a video assignment in Clearwater, Florida. “Richard Barnard is now serving a one year jail term in Key West for skipping bail on a cocaine trafficking charge. He lied about his identity to the police at the scene and later when Sgt. Zegzdren went to do a follow up report. The first officer at the scene of the attack, Terrance Kelly, was ordered to do an investigation of the hammer incident but he never even asked Barnard for an I.D. When Sgt. Zegzdren arrested Barnard weeks later, Barnard told him that Scientology had offered to provide him an attorney. A friend of Barnard’s also assured him that he had nothing to worry about since 85% of the Clearwater police force are Scientologists Zegzdren told him he thought that number was a little high. Barnard was working for Joe Duncanson, a member of the OT Committee.”
——————–
“It seems to me that Narconon preys on folks out in the hinterland and down south where detoxes are few and far between and the people are less up on this kind of stuff.”
——————–
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:
— 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.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
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.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
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] Family forced disconnection: A wound Scientology won’t stop pouring salt into
[TWO years ago] More letters — from Ethan Suplee and others — on behalf of Danny Masterson to Judge Olmedo
[THREE years ago] AUDIO: Nation of Islam’s Louis Farrakhan says Rizza Islam is accused of ‘horrible charge’
[FOUR years ago] Scientology sends out creepy letters to lure you back in, and other gems from our mailbag
[FIVE years ago] What Scientologists are telling each other on social media right this very minute
[SIX years ago] No, RadarOnline did not discover a new underground bunker at Scientology’s Gold Base
How a Scientology-run business preyed on Silicon Valley icons in the name of ‘wellness’
[EIGHT years ago] Ford Greene responds to Marty Rathbun, and brings up a previous Scientology secret deal
[NINE years ago] Co-writer Dan Koon answers accusations about the accuracy of Ron Miscavige’s ‘Ruthless’
[TEN years ago] Paul Haggis, Lawrence Wright react to Alex Gibney’s Emmys sweep for ‘Going Clear’
[ELEVEN years ago] Ryan Hamilton files 20th lawsuit against Scientology’s drug rehab network
[TWELVE years ago] MONIQUE RATHBUN VS SCIENTOLOGY, DAY 2: Texas Showdown Shifts Gears
——————–
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 3,385 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,889 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,395 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,945 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,935 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,321 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,816 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,120 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,771 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,989 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,543 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,884 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,455 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,371 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,538 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,120 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,379 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,416 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,132 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,696 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,011 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,186 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,868 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,205 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,058 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,174 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,536 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,947 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,335 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,219 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,784 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,295 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,555 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,659 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on September 13, 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
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Q patriot hopes of a ‘leftist trans’ shooter die hard, but the baking continues
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Trump Retreats to NJ Golf Club Amid Economic Strain
More personal leisure as Americans struggle with high priceshttps://t.co/0YT9F0ij7Ghttps://t.co/0YT9F0ij7G
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 13, 2025
Trump celebrates eliminating Democratic districts in Missouri pic.twitter.com/mBUI1SbmUy
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 12, 2025
Charlie Kirk called the Civil Rights Act of 1964 a “mistake.” That’s the law that banned racial discrimination in the United States. pic.twitter.com/eH73JP7nhh
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 12, 2025
Alleged Charlie Kirk shooter Tyler Robinson wore a Trump costume for Halloween pic.twitter.com/Ycoji89AQ1
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 12, 2025
https://t.co/oyeIFUlwna pic.twitter.com/PXmqE2gw3q
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) September 12, 2025
The tune has changed pic.twitter.com/RL657RVmZI
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) September 12, 2025
It was his teachers’ fault.
He was the internet’s fault.
It was the libs.
They’re sounding like the guy’s public defender at his sentencing hearing.
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) September 12, 2025
President Newsom would personally put the needle in his arm to show he is tough on crime. It’s your guy who pardons criminals he likes. pic.twitter.com/c1A4Ec7vc2
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) September 13, 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 13, 2025 at 08:00
Tony Ortega's Blog
- Tony Ortega's profile
- 19 followers
