Tony Ortega's Blog, page 17
August 23, 2025
GOLD RUSH: Another Scientology youngster asks thousands for online course
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Australian Scientologist Luke Ayers has a slick website where he’s asking 3 grand for photography lessons. Is that a fair price? We don’t know. But we were thrilled to see Ayers again as an excuse to post once again one of our favorite Scientology rap videos of all time! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“The Purification Rundown is simply a program to clean out and purify one’s system. Based on the original Sweat Out Program, it is a new much more thorough and much faster version of that program, streamlined by the introduction of the sauna bath for sweating, and with a much broader use. It should be clearly understood at the outset that the Purification Rundown is not a substitute for any kind of processing. Rather, because of the biochemical problem that besets society today, it is the undercut that has become necessary to prepare the majority of pcs for making optimum
case gain from their processing. In point of fact, the Purification Rundown is for anyone.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979
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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.
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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
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
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“You all dead today — I mean, all alive today? Twenty-third, huh? 23 August, AD 11. Well, I’m glad you made it. I didn’t think you’d ever get to August the 23rd. Back there in the Roman Empire I was damn sure you wouldn’t get here! And I remember one space-opera society when I didn’t think it was very probable that you’d make it. I remember standing there at the edge of the spaceport as the battle planes took off, and I said, ‘Well, they won’t make it.’ I knew, you see, I knew the high command hadn’t given you any ammunition.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 23, 1961
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“Tech is the theta thrust into the society. All new civilizations progressed on new technology. In the main we face what is called a ‘cultural lag.’ The mental health field is stuck about 1450 AD. Dungeons, torture, illegal seizure, the ‘best’ people. We are rolling at about 2050 AD. This time gap makes it nearly impossible for the society’s witch doctors (untrained in logic or mathematics) to grasp what is going on. They lack even a purpose to make anyone well. Not even up to that. So we are impeded by a ‘cultural lag.’ By tying a bridge to medicine and healing we can overcome this to some degree. Therefore the Standard Dianetics Programme was an enormous advance for us, not just in tech but in social advance. So we are doing very well really.” — The Commodore, August 23, 1969
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“You can still be subject to the engrams of beings you have not released yet. This can be very frightening to those who have been assured they are engram-free by reason of their being a Clear or an OT. You experience a wonderful state of release and then, months or years later, you are sitting in a restaurant and the space-age uniforms of the waitresses set you into violent restimulation. Or, you buy a new brand of lox from a neighborhood market and you go into spasms at the first bite because it turns on someone’s incident of being forced to eat raw human flesh. These unfortunate experiences are a result of being on a prison planet that is chock full of tortured beings. You have many beings who have been with you for years and have acted like trusted companions and when one of them goes berserk because of some unexpected stimulus, you can spot the earlier incident in minutes and calm things down. After all, it is their incident, not yours, and knowing this you can take the steps needed to free the being from the incident they are still trapped in. Generally, spotting the incident and what occurred will free the being immediately, but you must be able to stay in present time in order to do this. If you think it is your incident, you may go out of present time and experience the incident yourself. There is no amount of processing that will keep you free from experiencing other being’s engrams if they are close to you. If you are recruiting beings to help you and working in harmony with them, you are knowingly operating in present time and are able to help each other when someone gets restimulated.”
2000: Karin Spaink and Zenon Panoussis reported a multi-day protest at the Scientology exhibit in Amsterdam. “The scienos rented a conference room in the American hotel, fairly posh, very central, for a one-week exhibition. Got demo permits for the entire week, produced fliers in the very last minute. We got it all wrong, the exhibition was starting Monday. In four hours, six of us handed out about 700 fliers to the afternoon shoppers, tourists, saunterers and early evening out-goers. Monday afternoon we met outside the hotel to celebrate the real opening of the exhibition. The scienos knew we had been there on Friday, yet appeared to be taken by surprise when we arrived today. They made some attempts at handling us (surrounding, questioning, insulting, distracting). I called the police, who arrived half an hour later and told them off. In the meanwhile, a couple of tone-40 ‘FUCK THE HELL OUT OF MY FACE!’ at about 120 db proved to be most efficient, since they can’t very well have scenes like this in front of their posh exhibition, with press invited and all. Even the hotel manager came out and told them off. We moved away from the hotel entrance, which is on a side-street to the main street where all the pedestrian traffic is. Some 500 within two hours, we ran out and I had to go make another 800. In the meanwhile the scienos got their counter-picketters ready and came out to apply their usual tactics again, surrounding us, barring us from view, standing in front of us. They came out with balloons and carnations and started distributing them to passers-by. That won them momentary sympathy, which often only lasted until they proceeded to offer an invitation card for their exhibition. Handing out our fliers to the people that got the invitations with the words ‘the other side of the story’ was no problem at all. The Jive Aces took to playing at the nearby square. The people formed a wide ring around them and were given flowers, balloons and invitations. This made it extremely easy for us to walk inside that circle and serve each and every member of that audience with one of our own fliers, while the scienos could hardly disturb their show by trying to handle us inside the circle in full view of everybody. The Jive Disasters broke up and left. They snatch the critics’ flyers out of people’s hands. It tends to irritate people to no end. You see their faces go from stunned to annoyed. But more often, the Scienos try to prevent us from handing out folders. Getting ‘inadvertently’ in our way or downright blocking us. I was in my wheelchair, a huge cardboard sign standing against one of my wheels. An elderly Scieno approached, pushing an old woman in a wheelchair. She parked her right next to me. After some time I moved, wanting more of a view and a better approach to passers-by. The woman was pushed right next to me again. I moved. She was moved. I got out of my chair and used my stick to support myself. The old woman couldn’t. I moved my cardboard sign to the opposite side of the chair, where it wouldn’t be blocked by the old woman. She was wheeled around and parked to block it again. I lifted the sign and moved it back. The old woman was shoved around once more. This lasted some twenty minutes. The woman in the chair was Ms. Van Loon, an IAS Patron With Honours [$100,000]. The woman pushing her was another Ms Van Loon, also an IAS Patron With Honours [$100,000]. I gave somebody a flyer while the scieno was telling him ‘find out for yourself’. The scieno snatched it immediately. I asked ‘really now, is this what you mean by find out for yourself?’ and gave the raw meat guy another flyer. The scieno started moving to snatch it too, so I said ‘put it in your pocket, or she’ll take it too.’ By this time the guy was dying to read my flyer and had no interest whatsoever in going to the exhibition where they were trying to drag him. We placed one huge poster 85×120 cm with the text ‘Scientology is a fraud. See here how they trick you’ on each corner in front of the hotel, so that it was impossible to get to the exhibition without seeing them. It could refer equally well to our OCA table as to the scienos’ own exhibition. The scienos were notably furious. The posters definitely resolved all the confusions on who is who, and it became even easier for us to hand out our flyers without being mistaken for scienos. The hotel was completely surrounded by entheta and the exhibition was under siege. As a result, the scienos moved all their body routing away from the hotel, to the nearby square and elsewhere. One of the posters was tied to a pole, the other was just leaned against one. Within 15 minutes the scienos had stolen it. The police arrived. They had had a constant stream of complaints from ‘annoyed citizens’ all week about our ‘aggressive leafleting’ and our ‘harassing of passers-by’. They had also received complaints from the CoS officials about our ‘offending flyers’ and our ‘disruption of their peaceful exhibition’. It took the police very short time to figure the real situation and the real source of the complaints. They dismissed the ‘aggressive leafleting’ as bullshit, the ‘offending flyers’ as freedom of speech and the ‘disruption of a peaceful exhibition’ as a properly carried out demonstration with proper permits and all. This done, we begun to wonder about the leafleting of the scienos: did they have a permit for it? ‘Right’, said the police to the OSA, ‘can we see your permits now?’ The scienos were ordered to stop leafleting at once, leave the area in front of their own exhibition and not get close to us any more.”
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“Scientology is like doing acid minus the fun.”
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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:
— 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.
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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?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Danny Masterson victims argue again for adding racketeering in Scientology lawsuit
[TWO years ago] We asked Mark Bunker about Scientology developer’s high rise plans for Clearwater
[THREE years ago] Pete’s journey: The long, scary bus ride from active Scientologist to active protester
[FOUR years ago] What is it going to take for the LA Times to take the threat of Rizza Islam seriously?
[FIVE years ago] Half-million dollar man: Scientology donor gives pep talk in leaked video
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s obsession with kids and sex? Nick Lister has the receipts.
[SEVEN years ago] Why Colombia’s military was fertile territory for Scientology — and one general’s stunning role
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology shows no sign of slowing down its use of religious visas for foreign labor
[NINE years ago] Maybe the worst thing about Scientology: It turns you into L. Ron Hubbard
[TEN years ago] Chill EB joins the Sea Org — well, long enough to wish a happy birthday!
[ELEVEN years ago] Jon Atack: How Scientology’s methods of manipulation stay with you after you leave
[TWELVE years ago] PR Director of Scientology’s Las Vegas Celebrity Center Arrested in Plot to Assassinate a Cop
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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 3,364 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,868 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,374 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,924 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,914 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,300 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,795 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,099 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,750 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,968 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,522 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,863 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,434 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,350 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,517 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,099 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,358 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,395 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,111 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,675 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,990 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,165 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,847 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,184 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,038 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,153 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,515 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,924 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,314 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,198 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,763 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,274 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,534 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,638 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 23, 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
Interview with Don’s pal Ghislaine is made public, and it reeks
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Could they make the cover up any more obvious? pic.twitter.com/E8ScUjgiHr
— Ben Meiselas (@meiselasb) August 22, 2025
On Day 1 of Ghislaine Maxwell's interview, she said one of Jeffrey Epstein's clients was a mystery Ohio billionaire whose name she couldn't remember. She told Todd Blanche she'd try to remember for tomorrow.
On Day 2, it just… didn't come up again. pic.twitter.com/dlvJnV5tYY
— Jacob Shamsian ⚖️ (@JayShams) August 22, 2025
Congrats, MAGA! You're complicit in covering up one of the most vile child sex-trafficking rings in history. Jeffrey Epstein thanks you for your service!
Catch up on all of today's news here: https://t.co/ETihyo5zk0 pic.twitter.com/itnWFmR1Ar
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) August 22, 2025
Trump's DOJ has transferred a woman out of the facility with Ghislaine Maxwell after she criticized her being there as a sex offender in an interview. The woman has been sent to another facility with violent offenders. You can't criticize Trump's sex offender friends now. pic.twitter.com/JvxR6GxT5F
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) August 22, 2025
https://t.co/7PWcu3DFHM pic.twitter.com/a4vObhMdfh
— Damin Toell (@damintoell) August 22, 2025
John Bolton recently criticized Tulsi Gabbard’s “Russiagate” efforts as purposely “distracting the public from the Epstein files.”
Now his home has been raided by the Trump administration. pic.twitter.com/8SsfxH2E2n
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) August 22, 2025
From "highly CONFLICTED" to "Highly Respected" in just weeks — and all it took was for him to give away 10% of his company pic.twitter.com/uzEfGcRIUX
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) August 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 August 23, 2025 at 08:00
August 22, 2025
Fed up with Scientology’s court delays, Leah Remini puts her foot down
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’ve pointed out numerous times that Scientology has slowed lawsuits by filing appeals of preliminary matters, and asking for filing extensions. Well, this week Leah Remini apparently decided that she’d had enough of her lawsuit being slow-rolled by David Miscavige. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Some auditors have been known to ‘rabbit’ from auditing sessions or from certain session actions. This is wholly due to out-TRs or shaky metering and the auditor not knowing how to use his tools. Rabbiting shows up in various ways — not getting the pc through the engram and not taking a Dianetic chain to full EP, or calling an F/N when it’s an ARC break needle, or simply ending off when the going gets rough, etc. It’s running away from the action rather than completing it.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979
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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
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“We come along to this bird and we say, ‘Hey, bud, you’re a convict. You live on a planet called Earth; it’s part of the Marcab Confederacy….Now, is there some other planetary system, is there some other empire system which is deeper in to the heart of this galaxy which is going to backfire against this one? I would say probably yes. Probably yes. There, probably this is coming right up over the hill. I mean it probably is not long. Maybe this confederacy or this activity right now is in trouble. But conquerors nearly always spare the jails. Did you realize that? The Allied troops going in — Auschwitz, Belsen, places like that — they didn’t knock those apart. They knocked apart the belligerents’ property, but they didn’t knock apart their jails. All kinds of political situations complicate this picture.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 22, 1963
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“I’ve just okayed the recommendation to sell the Commodore Queen as unsuitable and too costly to repair. They need the Apollo and we need a new ship.” — The Commodore, August 22, 1971
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“LRH made it very clear many times that the goal is to have responsible OTs who are no longer producing Overt actions. Yes, there must be OTs that are evil but use OT abilities — in the Star Wars Universe they are called ‘Sith’ — those guys who trapped us all and overwhelmed us with an intense force like LRH said.”
1999: Scientology attorney Kendrick Moxon is suing the state of Maryland for a task force to investigate cults on college campuses. From the Associated Press: “The suit, filed Monday, alleges that the state General Assembly has ‘determined that it is both unnecessary and harmful for students to think for themselves.’ The plaintiffs, which include the International Coalition for Religious Freedom, funded primarily by Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church, claim the Task Force to Study the Effects of Cult Activities on Public Senior Higher Education Institutions is violating the establishment and free-exercise clauses of the First Amendment. ‘The government cannot, absolutely cannot, get involved in adjudicating what’s a right religion and what’s a wrong religion,’ said Kendrick Moxon, a Los Angeles civil rights attorney representing the plaintiffs. The suit seeks an injunction against the task force, as well as a declaration that the inquiry is unconstitutional.”
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“You should have seen me on stage. I could move, baby!”
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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:
— 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] Alex Barnes-Ross on his win for East Grinstead records regarding Scientology
[TWO years ago] The delightful result when Scientology was infiltrated by a reporter — in Hawaii
[THREE years ago] Academics line up to help Scientology gaslight the US Supreme Court
[FOUR years ago] Tom Cruise’s Scientology superpowers, No. 8: Recovering unspeakable acts from the past
[FIVE years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 20: Gensler
[SIX years ago] The FBI wants recent cases of Scientology fraud? We’ve got them right here, for crissakes
[SEVEN years ago] Colombian senator cites Xenu, ‘the Hole,’ in wild televised hearing about Scientology scandal
[EIGHT years ago] Tonight on ‘Aftermath’: Suicide in Scientology, where sympathy and compassion are outlawed
[NINE years ago] Trump is drawing comparisons to L. Ron, but will Hillary favor Scientology as much as Bill did?
[TEN years ago] A revealing look inside the warped ‘kingdom’ of Scientology leader David Miscavige
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology skates (so far) as OK grand jury says “keep investigating” Narconon Arrowhead
[TWELVE years ago] Report From the Fringe: Underground Bunker Night at The TomKat Project
——————–
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 3,363 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,867 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,373 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,923 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,913 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,299 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,794 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,098 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,749 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,967 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,521 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,862 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,433 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,349 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,516 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,098 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,357 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,394 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,110 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,674 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,989 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,164 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,846 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,183 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,037 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,152 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,514 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,923 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,313 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,197 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,762 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,273 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,533 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,637 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on August 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
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Q patriots see the apocalypse coming in a food chain changing its logo
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});JUST IN: A federal judge has barred the Trump admin and FL from bringing new detainees into “Alligator Alcatraz” and to dismantle some aspects of the facility as current detainees are moved out. https://t.co/Brv93QdDO7 pic.twitter.com/gUXUtLblpX
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) August 22, 2025
I have no interest in going down this rabbit hole but if you do just find out who is shorting the stock, look at activist shareholders who are likely Trump donors, compare said shareholders with shareholders in rival companies, look at posts from rival companies and follow $$$ https://t.co/OTl96Pe87K
— Ben Meiselas (@meiselasb) August 22, 2025
Cracker Barrel man updates voter registration after losing job in Trump economy pic.twitter.com/fwL4St9ViQ
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) August 21, 2025
Trump got his new map. Burrows got an endorsement. Right out in the open to. pic.twitter.com/57i22vCc5W
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) August 21, 2025
JUST IN: A federal judge has ruled Alina Habba’s appointment as Special Attorney for the District of New Jersey is unlawful.
Judge Brann: “I conclude that she is not [lawfully performing the functions and duties of U.S. Attorney].” Her actions since July 1 may be void. pic.twitter.com/wYO2JkxOWY
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) August 21, 2025
We're cancelling this research because of one man's superstitions. https://t.co/A4PvfPmcOd
— Everything Price Sufferer (but especially eggs) (@agraybee) August 21, 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 August 22, 2025 at 08:00
August 21, 2025
Expert: Why the state’s response is likely to kill Danny Masterson’s criminal appeal
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Last week we brought you the California AG’s 42K-word response to Danny Masterson’s criminal appeal. Masterson is serving 30 years-to-life and he’s trying to walk out of prison with his appeal, but we asked an appellate attorney to give his assessment of the AG’s response. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“Another method, an extreme one, of handling the extensively mistrained glib student is to get him to read a paragraph and then, employing a method known as ‘clay table,’ get him to demonstrate it. He won’t be able to do so. Furthermore, he will realize he isn’t able to do so. It was just sounds.” — 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
——————–
“This quarter of the universe, by the way, is suffering from an overdose lousy civilization. See, that’s what it’s suffering from. It apparently has been recently conquered in recent times (in the last few hundred thousand years) but those who were conquered had already been — their governmental action had already been set up for their own failure, see? They’d been set up be conquered by using, themselves, mental technology which made slaves. They implanted their own troops. Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho,
ah-ah-ah-ah-a ah-ah-ah.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 21, 1963
——————–
“I was looking over the schooner just down the dock, a handsome three master. PR-wise their appearance ship wise and crew-wise is ideal. Our crew is not yet poshly uniformed and ship appearance could do with upgrading. But for all its sharp appearance their sailors get drunk ashore and dump rubbish in the harbour. One thing no-one will excell us in is the friendliness of our crew, our orderly behaviours and pride in duty. That’s our PR gem!” — Lt. Cmdr Diana Hubbard, August 21, 1970
——————–
“Can one develop high OT level abilities while intending to use these for evil purposes? The answer is: Yes! Christianity had the answer to this all along in its concept of the devil i.e. highly capable, with OT abilities, but evil. The Ron’s Orgs are still working in present time on ‘handling’ Xenu. This character is the summum of evil and yet is so capable that so far nobody has been able to deal with him effectively and finally, talking about ability! So the point is that there is no reason why the originator or inventor of a mental spiritual technology has to be well intentioned. It is similar to the ‘gun’ debate. A gun can be used for good or for evil and thus it is with technology. There could be no mention of black Dianetics if this weren’t the case.”
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
——————–
1998: The St. Petersburg Times reported that Scientology has purchased the Osceola Inn in downtown Clearwater. “The Church of Scientology has spent $3.2-million to purchase most of a city block across the street from its waterfront Sandcastle property, continuing its spate of downtown land buys over the last year. The property’s centerpiece is the former Osceola Inn, a vacant retirement center at 221 N Osceola Ave. The church will renovate it to accommodate parishioners who travel to Clearwater for Scientology counseling. Since June 1997, the church and companies that represent it in real estate transactions have purchased 12 properties in the downtown core for a total of $7.2-million. Church officials say they expect to attract thousands more Scientologists to Clearwater each year with the expansion. The Osceola Inn property and law office comprise three-quarters of the block bounded by Drew Street on the south, Osceola Avenue on the west, N Fort Harrison Avenue on the east and Jones Street on the north. The remaining portion of the block is a vacant used car lot owned by Ray Cassano, a prominent figure in local Scientology circles.”
——————–
“It was speed which was readily available back in his day. When Hubbard talks about ‘Pinks & Grays’ he’s most likely talking about Dexedrine and Phenobarbital or Librium.”
——————–
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.
— 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] Swimming against Scientology’s rip current: Lessons learned the hard way
[TWO years ago] ‘Ruin them utterly’: how PIs and volunteer members work against Scientology’s enemies
[THREE years ago] Elisabeth Moss declines Valerie Haney’s nomination as arbitrator, says Scientology
[FOUR years ago] Influential antisemitic account ‘GhostEzra’ identified as Florida Man, naturally
[FIVE years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 21: Parents who subscribe to ABCMouse
[SIX years ago] Has Scientology’s leader David Miscavige gone underground in the face of a legal onslaught?
[SEVEN years ago] See the Scientology-like ad for Scientologist-owned ABCMouse, made by Scientologists!
[EIGHT years ago] DOX: The full FBI file from its 2009-2010 human trafficking investigation of Scientology
[NINE years ago] Who are the clergy Scientology convinces to attend its ‘interfaith’ farces?
[TEN years ago] VIDEO: Scientology rehab salesmen — Just exactly the humanitarians you imagined
[ELEVEN years ago] Jon Atack: The games L. Ron Hubbard played
[TWELVE years ago] MONIQUE RATHBUN FILES SUIT AGAINST SCIENTOLOGY OVER HARASSMENT
——————–
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 3,362 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,866 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,372 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,922 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,912 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,298 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,793 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,097 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,748 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,966 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,520 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,861 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,432 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,348 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,515 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,097 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,356 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,393 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,109 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,673 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,988 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,163 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,845 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,182 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,036 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,151 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,513 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,922 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,312 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,196 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,761 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,272 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,532 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,636 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on August 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
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Trump showing signs that Newsom’s trolling is getting to him
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Trump is up past midnight tweeting about Gavin Newsom pic.twitter.com/x5BUqOari4
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) August 21, 2025
Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows is now locking all the lawmakers in the chambers in order to pass Trump’s maps pic.twitter.com/R4JSeFx9Lm
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) August 20, 2025
NEWS
Virginia Giuffre's family PRAISES judge's denial of Epstein grand jury records, agreeing it's a "diversion" that "distracts from the vast scope of the Epstein files in the government's possession."
Full statement below.
More https://t.co/eQPtamI5GS pic.twitter.com/dP2XN7AZMp
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) August 20, 2025
Shirking responsibility once again, Trump is now blaming rising energy costs on solar and wind power instead of his policies. pic.twitter.com/Xngiz0r1J1
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) August 20, 2025
QAnon doesn’t actually need arrests or anything to happen. They just want Orange Daddy to Own The Libs forever. pic.twitter.com/FxQF4LJG8p
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) August 21, 2025
WHY DID LAURA LOOMER KNOW WHO AN UNDERCOVER CIA OPERATIVE WAS IN THE FIRST PLACE https://t.co/1tQhI8YZBv
— The okayest poster there is (@ok_post_guy) August 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 August 21, 2025 at 08:00
August 20, 2025
Ron and Leni: The project that was just too much for Hitler’s favorite filmmaker
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: 4 years ago for The Daily Beast we dove into a little-known 1960 collaboration in London between L. Ron Hubbard and Leni Riefenstahl. Later that year, Ron wanted Leni to join him on a bold new film project: Bur what was it that was too much even for Hitler’s favorite filmmaker? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“Glibness is often trained into students by the current educational methods used in schools. The student is drilled to suppress or go by misunderstood words and to robotically answer back with what the book says. If he can do this, he is said to be a ‘good student’ and a ‘good reader.’ With this method, a student’s understanding of what he has read is actually considered to be separate from the act of reading. If the educators bother with comprehension at all, it is only to measure memorization, not understanding.” — 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
[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 thought of a difference between a Scientologist and the world at large on this particular planet. The people think that what we’re doing is unreal, but we know the substance of their unreality, which of course makes us top dog every time. We know the substance of their unreality. In other words, we know where their itsa line is out. See, they know what — they’re not identifying, see? Their itsas are just for the birds, you know? ‘Man is an animal. He is a biochemical protoplasm which goes no place. At death there is a cessation of cellular commotion.’ That’s a good itsa, isn’t it? That just immediately makes nothing out of everybody.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 20, 1963
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“Musical Chairs in life is the mechanism below ARC Brks in Grade III! To unstabilize gives ARC Brks! Whole staff can be put into a sad effect! This is the mechanism govts use. It’s the basic tool of the socialist. If he can just unstabilize everyone he can kill them with degrade. It’s a basic tool of the insane to maintain their own stability by unstabilizing everyone else. There’s more to it, but it’s a major discovery that affects even the ARC Brk rud and affects the no case gain case. So that’s where I’ve been working lately in research and wow is it paying off!!! It began when I assumed that the musical chairs he get in orgs was a social aberration not an admin error. From there it’s been discovery all the way.” — The Commodore, August 20, 1971
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“Every brand of Scientology has the same problem of impermanent gains because they do not recognize the effect that continually being surrounded by spirits with engrams will produce. You can get rid of many of your own engrams with Scientology or Dianetic processing, but you will never clear the thousands of beings who surround you every day. Getting rid of troublesome spirits is like dusting your house or washing your car. As soon as you finish cleaning things up, there is another group of spirits landing on you.”
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1997: Former Scientologist Birgitta Dagnell posted a moving account of her involvement in Scientology in Sweden. “I went over and met with the person in charge Allan Hubbert from Special Unit in Los Angeles. He smiled and told me nicely that I had to do a little ‘spring-cleaning-programme’ called DPF (Deck Project Force). I was told that all remaining staff from the GO’s in Europe should show up on the DPF. The reason was that we were the cause why the churches didn’t expand and that we were enemies of the Church. The GO’s should close down and be replaced by ‘Department of Special Affairs’. Only very clean, especially chosen, non-guardian people should be appointed to this Department. We, the enemies and traitors should be put onto the DPF as an rehabilitation. There was no time to go back home to change clothes or bring more clothes or even to make a phone call to my husband and children. So there I was in my black long trousers, black jumper and my mink coat. Those clothes I had to wear for more than one month. The ‘rehabilitation’ consisted of lots of work, mainly cleaning, and started at 8 AM with roll-call. We had to say ‘Aye Sir’ when called upon or spoken to. We were not permitted to talk to people outside the DPF and later on not to DPF-members from other countries. I remember one morning when the 82 of us got 16 slices of bread to share and one man took 6 of them. It was near a civil war got started. The meals was eaten in a cellar where we shared the space with lots of pigeons. It was very dirty, filled with bird shit. At one occasion I had to fight with the pigeons to get my meal. The food was never enough for all of us and consisted of rice and beans. No plates, no cutleries and no pots. The work consisted of mainly cleaning toilets, corridors and hotel rooms or some painting and construction work. I was mainly doing cleaning at Hotel Nordland and the small hotel opposite to Nordland. At one occasion I should clean bathrooms and a long hallway in the other hotel. I had high fever and the floor in the hallway was very dirty. I had to do the cleaning with a toothbrush, crawling on my knees as I wasn’t able to stand up. Next day I couldn’t get out of my bed, I was too sick in pneumonia. Guards came and tried to get me up, but I couldn’t. The day after I had to get back to work again. The working hours was to 11 PM but we were often waked up in the night for doing more work. Sometimes we worked till 5 in the morning with only two breaks of 30 minutes each, during all those hours. Another lady I remember was from Belgium. In the session she told them that she finally understood how much she had neglected her husband and children because of scientology. After the above treatment she tried to escape but failed. The following week after this incident, she didn’t speak with anybody. She sneaked around on the yard, sometimes laughing hysterically for herself. I was told that she went mad. After a month I got permission to go home and see my children over the weekend. When Saturday came, I was told that my permission was cancelled because they thought I shouldn’t come back or tell people about what’s going on in Denmark. Half of the day was spent trying to convince them that I had to go home to see my children, that they were expecting me and so on. As I couldn’t stand the thought of my little girl being so happy, making dinner for me, I decided to escape in the evening. So late in the evening I sneaked out from Nordland, walked my way to the ferries and went to Malmoe. I arrived to my home around midnight and waked up the family. We were all so happy to meet again until my husband told me that I had to go back in the morning. I said no, no way, I never go there again. But he persuaded me by saying that I had to go to the RPF or that we had to divorce if I didn’t. So I went back. One night all of us were yelled at by the missionaries. After the yelling one of them asked if we had any questions. I had a question and stretched my hand. As they thought it to be very impudent of me having a question, they should make an example and ordered me to come forward. The three missionaries yelled at me and derided me for two hours in front of the others. Finally my comrades was told to go and I was alone with them. I was sitting on the chair for three hours with them yelling at me, telling me that I had never done anything good in my life. Mike Sutter worked up such an anger that he spit into my face, threw chairs around and threw a table so it hit my stomach. Mike told me I should be expelled from Scientology for ever. After those three hours, I started to cry and told them that I always had been trying to do all right and that I had been following LRH policies all the time on staff. That became the turning point. I was told that this setup was a test to see if I could keep my position. And I was their star! I should become the first officer in the new Department of Special Affairs! I felt very happy and very, very strong as I wasn’t broken.”
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“You come on here with a bunch of fantastical yarns that sound like one big cliched Scientology horror story, offering no proof for any of it, and you expect something other than derision?”
——————–
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.
— 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’s beach party goes into a third day in Clearwater
[TWO years ago] One of the shocks of leaving Scientology: Immortality is overrated
[THREE years ago] PODCAST: Marc Headley answers the question, would a Scientologist lie about Xenu?
[FOUR years ago] Judge Charlaine Olmedo on point: What was said in court about Danny Masterson’s subpoenas
[FIVE years ago] Even Alaska — yes, Alaska — gave Scientology COVID-relief funds, for Xenu’s sake
[SIX years ago] Scientology finally solves its recruiting woes with professional ham hock Grant Cardone
[SEVEN years ago] While the Scientology scandal swirls in Colombia, a key figure relaxes in Florida
[EIGHT years ago] How badly does Scientology need new staff? Miscavige is bringing back the ‘Universe Corps’
[NINE years ago] Atack: Why those who try to save Scientology from itself are doomed to failure
[TEN years ago] Scientology superstar: What it’s like to be big in Taiwan
[ELEVEN years ago] Narconon’s cancer spreads: New lawsuits and a court order for Scientology’s rehab network
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Makes the Grade: Touching Walls to Total Freedom
——————–
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 3,361 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,865 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,371 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,921 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,911 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,297 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,792 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,096 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,747 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,965 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,519 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,860 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,431 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,347 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,514 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,096 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,355 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,392 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,108 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,672 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,987 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,162 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,844 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,181 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,035 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,150 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,512 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,921 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,311 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,195 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,760 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,271 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,531 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,635 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on August 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
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Q patriots are sticking by their man, even if he’s in the Epstein files
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Release the Epstein depositions https://t.co/DJ2HOlny8C
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) August 19, 2025
Trump’s Epstein files cover-up continues https://t.co/uqmlPR0TRq
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) August 19, 2025
Trump: Netanyahu is a war hero. I guess I am too. pic.twitter.com/o9UekiklG2
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) August 20, 2025
Not looking good for Dan Bongino. https://t.co/YBjKGNSxxY
— Will Sommer (@willsommer) August 18, 2025
Candace Owens believes the U.S. MILITARY forced Trump to call her and tell her to stop saying Brigitte Macron is a man — definitely a top priority for the military! pic.twitter.com/h9RHEh0fDK
— Nathan Livingstone (MilkBarTV) (@TheMilkBarTV) August 19, 2025
Texas has a Black legislator locked up in their Capitol Building https://t.co/OqKTLt90rh
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) August 19, 2025
24k likes for white supremacy and Hitler apologetics. These people are loud and proud about who they are pic.twitter.com/NOqrXzCDbK
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) August 20, 2025
Seems like nice people pic.twitter.com/5aj5fjXBFM
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) August 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 August 20, 2025 at 08:00
August 19, 2025
What it was like to run a Scientology drug rehab in Narconon’s heyday
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology leader David Miscavige has diminished the church’s drug rehab network, Narconon, in the face of so many lawsuits in the US. But at one time, Narconon was going to take over the world, which Patty Moher reminds us in this terrific story of her time running a clinic. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Method 9 is probably the top key method of Word Clearing today. You would be utterly amazed to find somebody who habitually reads Western stories cannot pass an M9 on them. He sees, ‘He mounted his roan (a type of horse)’ and he understands from this, ‘He roamed around the mountains.’ He has become so accustomed to not-ising his inability to understand what he is reading that he thinks it is ordinary. Isn’t that the way everybody reads?” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979
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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.
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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
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
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“As there are sharks about the ship, the overboard ceremony is about to be resumed for Dianetic Auditors who flub commands, fail to complete sessions or fail to let PCs have wins or who fail to complete study from the Coaudit group and get onto auditing. Two flubbed Dn sessions out of 10 is about what we’re running just now and that is 2 too many. Dianetics is very simple to do. The great auditors are the VIIIs. We have had several Dianetic auditors who were great. They are now moving on up through VI to VIII. This new scarcity of flubless Dianetic auditors results I am sure from lazy study and false passes on materials and TRs 101 to 104. I want a flood of new Dianetic Auditors who have actually passed their bulletins and drills.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 19, 1969
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“SQUIRRELS: Been hearing reports on a couple squirrels — Bernie Green (in NY) and Jack Horner (in LA). They’ve been goofing it up for ages. Typical no case gain cases, up to their ears in undisclosed overts. They’d sell their grandma for a fast buck. Horner is wildly opposed to organizations or systems of any kind. He has the trick of talking somebody off the third dynamic into the first dynamic. He shows them how the system is doing them in and how it should all be only for No. 1. B. Green evidently got that way as a Terrorist in the Middle East. Horner totally flipped when he ruined one too many women. The first dynamic and the fast buck and how all systems are bad seem to be a common denominator to these poor nuts.” — The Commodore, August 19, 1970
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“Can someone message me, I have questions about a dream I had that woke me up to telepathy and a purple cool telepathic space dude who looks sad but not angry but stern about teaching me and a lot about manipulation and group confidence as well as simple knowledge in telepathic process in the universe and how belonging is powerful. I mean in this dream we were all wearing white tuxedos and a white very old male was the Channeler and I have no idea about Scientology and what it stands for completely but one thing is for sure I’m not the same.”
1996: Alvin Brattli reported this week that Scientology is distributing L. Ron Hubbard mouse pads to publicize the cult’s web sites. “Did you all know that the COS is handing out L. Ron Hubbard mousepads for free? Neither did I, until they gave one to me. My friends in Chicago took me out sightseeing, and asked me whether there were any particular places I wanted to visit. An idea popped into my mind, and I decided that I wanted to visit the local org to ask them if they knew this Xenu guy, just for the hell of it. Being very helpful, my friends drove me to the org (which is located on 3009 N. Lincoln, btw.) and parked nearby. I then strolled over to the org and stopped, looking innocently at their window display. Then this friendly woman started talking to me, asking me if I knew anything about Scientology, if I knew anything about L. Ron Hubbard or not, and so on. [S]he asked if I had access to the Internet. I answered ‘yes’, and then she started running around the whole org, looking for one of their mousepads (with their URLs printed on them). On seeing the mousepad, I get these strange associations with North Korean propaganda. More than half of the area of the mouse pad is dedicated to L. Ron Hubbard, and the rest is divided evenly between the Scientology and Dianetics logos. Also, the three URLs http://www.lronhubbard.org, http://www.dianetics.org, and http://www.scientology.org are printed in their respective part of the pad. The pictures on the mousepad are identical to the ones you will find on those web sites.”
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“I know of two people who left the Jehovah’s Witnesses and joined Scientology. You might be surprised at the amount of cult cross-pollination that goes on. There is a certain ‘follower’ personality type in this world.”
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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:
— 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?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Scientology’s greatest ever justification for its expensive TV channel is here
[TWO years ago] PODCAST: Sands Hall updates us on her Scientology memoir adventure!
[THREE years ago] Danny Masterson lawyers telling tales of woe ahead of October rape trial: Another strategy?
[FOUR years ago] Tom Cruise’s Scientology superpowers, No. 9: Mocking up an automobile out of thin air
[FIVE years ago] Valerie Haney reacts to setback in lawsuit against Scientology: ‘I will continue to fight’
[SIX years ago] Even when it gets good press, Scientology reminds us that it uses slave labor
[SEVEN years ago] Oh gross: Scientology Sea Org now saluting donors who give for ‘Ideal Orgs’
[EIGHT years ago] What Scientology itself says about the way it’s going to change how your mind works
[NINE years ago] Gawker goes dark, but its impact on Scientology — and Tom Cruise — will never be forgotten
[TEN years ago] Why Steve Fishman — of the notorious Fishman Papers — is today serving 21 years in prison
[ELEVEN years ago] LAWSUIT: OKLAHOMA OFFICIALS HID WRONGDOING AT SCIENTOLOGY DRUG REHAB
[TWELVE years ago] How Does Scientology’s Cosmology Really Work? Historian Jon Atack Has a Theory
——————–
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 3,360 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,864 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,370 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,920 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,910 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,296 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,791 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,095 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,746 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,964 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,518 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,859 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,430 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,346 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,513 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,095 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,354 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,391 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,107 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,671 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,986 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,161 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,843 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,180 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,034 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,149 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,511 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,920 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,310 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,194 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,759 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,270 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,530 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,634 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 19, 2025 at 07:00
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On the Mayflower Steps, expat Americans protest Trumpism
Underground Bunker reader Once Born has a special Lowdown dispatch for us today…
Saturday last, I came across an article on the local newspaper’s website. The headline read:
Americans holding Donald Trump protest in Plymouth
The protest will take place at the Mayflower Steps on Sunday
After the Lowdown has educated this Englishman, I couldn’t resist.
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“Americans for Action” turned out to be small but well-organised group. The organisation originated in Bristol. A group of expatriates and people with dual US/UK citizenship were moved to draw attention to what is happening in their homeland, and protested outside a Tesla dealership.
Their cards state:
“We organise actions in Bristol and the Southwest to ensure our voices are heard. We are a grassroots group, collaborating with partners such as Democrats Abroad, Indivisible, Stand up to Racism, Stop Trump Coalition and #TeslaTakedown”
They see the Trump regime presiding over a decline into an authoritarian state and are grieved for their native land.
In the article for the newspaper a spokesperson stated: “To turn one’s back on the immigrants fleeing persecution, violence, or discrimination in their home countries is to deny the essential purpose of the founding of the US and its history as a nation of immigrants. The United States is a melting pot, and that diversity, woven through the fabric of the country is what makes it great. There’s nowhere in the world more fitting than Plymouth, the city they departed from, and the Mayflower Steps, to remind our fellow Americans of that fact. We are a nation of those who arrived many centuries previously across the Bering Strait, and those immigrants who arrived much more recently.”
They chose to protest by the Mayflower Steps – the site from which the ‘Pilgrim Fathers’ embarked for the New World.
This site is a tourist magnet. It consists of a memorial arch, various plaques, and steps down to the water. Locals know that this is all built on reclaimed land — the actual location is most likely in the basement of a nearby pub (they will let you look if you ask nicely). That said, it’s near
enough and there is a museum a short walk away.
The group’s approach was not so much a protest, more a static presentation from a flag-draped table.
There were various speakers, including someone representing Plymouth’s Racial Equality Council who all put their case. I shot video, of the speakers and shared it with the organisation. I hope it helped them.
The idea was to engage curious members of the public and exchange views with them – hopefully inform and persuade them.
Unfortunately we have our own authoritarian (neo-fascist) tendency. Two such characters turned up to heckle and disrupt, but only succeeded in putting one speaker off for a little while.
They are loud and intrusive fanatics. Their response to any attempt at debate is to shout the other party down.
They also abuse immigrants, using them as scapegoats to stir up hatred and further their political agenda. You can get a flavour of that from this pictures of their earlier protest in Plymouth, not long after a full-on riot. Obviously, they missed the point because they are provoked by the very idea of welcoming immigrants.
For all that, Americans for Action did well. The event didn’t attract a big crowd, but you wouldn’t expect that when the only advance publicity was an article in the local paper. We were still in the grip of a heatwave. Still some curious passers-by paused to listen, and others engaged with the
group. I think they made a difference.
You can engage with them yourself, on americansforactinbristol.bsky.social and Americans for Action on Facebook.
A highlight for me was a wonderful elderly couple who made a special trip to be there and stand up for the America they believed in. I never knew high-fives were really a thing.
— Once Born
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