Tony Ortega's Blog, page 22
July 29, 2025
This is going on your permanent record: Why Scientologists fear being written up
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: John Sweeney called Scientology ‘The Church of Fear.’ And former Scientologist Phil Jones has been detailing how fear rules life in the church. He told us about the fear of yawning, and the fear of being called for briefings. And now, he tackles the dreaded Knowledge Report. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“The way to recognize a free needle is watch for one. When it happens you will see one. Then you will never afterwards wonder. The free needles available on a case can all be swallowed up by a failure to rehab all grades ever bypassed or overrun. If no free needles show up on a case at all then partially rehab any grade available for rehab back and forth until one has one of them go free needle and then get a free needle on the remainder. Life can also be an overrun and a pc never audited will respond to a rehab of ‘something overdone.’ This doesn’t mean the pc went release before Scientology—it means that purpose overrun then jams—rehab of life situations of overrun consists of hitting the purpose that was overrun and when this is hit, the pc goes Release in PT and was not a Release in the past. An example is an overrun located in 20 AD when the person, alert to Christianity, decided to be good, made it and then overran it for 1945 years. When the purpose was found (to be good) and dated and the overrun spotted the needle went free.” — 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
[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({});
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“Do you realize the value of auditing is not measurable in dollars and cents to a person who is being audited properly? It is just not measurable. A hundred thousand dollars an hour would be something he would talk about. Got the idea? He would talk about. He might not be able to pay it but he could consider it. Now, that’s quite interesting. He could consider it, without gaping and jumping out the window and so forth.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 29, 1958
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“The enemy seeks by false reports to blunt our org image and this by depressing stats recoils into Div III making finance hard. It is interesting that the enemy is also depressing world stats in this same way. False alarming reports of conditions are made so that the finance of nations is being injured. The World Bank loans the bulk of its funds to India. It has now pressured India to nationalize its banks. It also forces birth control and unpopular measures on India to cause civil unrest and give the government a bad name with its people. The world bank’s biggest debtors are forced to act in criminal and unpopular ways. False reports are spread to injure credit. We were smart enough never to borrow or subsidize. Thus we are still alive.” — The Commodore, July 29, 1969
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“I see the whole story as a CIA plot to destroy Scientology. For this narrative they wanted a monopoly to write the history of Scientology. Not a pro-Scientology history, of course an anti-Scientology history. To make this narrative believable, they need documents to prove their viewpoint. How to get these? To be convincing, they needed docs ‘from LRH himself.’ How to get access? So they used their shills within Scientology to create a project-CSW to write the LRH bio by a writer with an excellent reputation: the non-Scientologist Omar Garrison. With this CSW it was possible to get the support of everyone and to collect all needed documents in 21 boxes and to bring them out of the orgs. And no Scientologists had an overview, which docs are included in these 21 boxes. Now Gerry put an ARCx there to explain, that he run away with the docs and handed them over to his lawyer and later to the court. In this time it was possible to insert any needed faked docs into the boxes. No one could later prove that these newly introduced docs have not been there in the first place. So they get validated ‘as the original raw data’ by the court proceedings. This is the raw material on which any evil ‘history maker’ can base their propaganda against LRH and Scientology. An intelligently set up plot — I can only admire it (in the hope that it then vanishes).”
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1996: Paulette Cooper reported this week on the death of Bob Kaufman, author of Inside Scientology, at age 63. “Bob was the first person courageous enough to reveal the upper level materials. For this, he was terribly harassed and his dreams of a concert piano career shattered. When he gave a recital at Carnegie Hall more than 20 years ago, the Scientologists found out in advance and called the ticket taker and told them to tell people he was ill and the concert was canceled. Almost everyone was turned away, and as Bob looked out at an almost empty audience, and realized what must have happened, he lost it and his fury crept into his music. Later, the Times review would complain that he played as if he was angry. He was also an extraordinary friend to many anti-Scientologists, including myself, Monica, Nan McClean, John Atack, Roy Wallis (when he was alive), Margie Wakefield, and others. I would download whatever humor I could find from a.r.s. and the web pages, and I would sing often these songs to him, or read him the funny anti-Scientology posts that you all wrote. And that’s how several of you really cheered him terrifically during his many surgical procedures, hospitalizations, setbacks, and chemo. So thank you all for him. He really loved it.”
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“Tommy must shudder whenever he hears Leah’s name and he imagines what D.M. would be doing to him, if he could, considering his ‘you don’t have the fucking rank’ was a major catalyst in her defection.”
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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 July 14.
— ‘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 July 7.
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. Oral arguments are probably next.
— 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 is due July 3.
— 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] Tom Cruise gets France’s highest honor despite its Scientology scorn
[TWO years ago] Striking actors: Need non-union work? Scientology has your back!
[THREE years ago] The spy who never was? L. Ron Hubbard and ‘Maj. Ian Macbean of the British Secret Service’
[FOUR years ago] How insidious is Scientology? Cathy Mullins on how she got sucked back in after escaping
[FIVE years ago] Miami chiropractor and Scientology donor Dennis Nobbe charged with COVID relief fraud
[SIX years ago] Driving people away (and begging them back) was built into Scientology from the start
[SEVEN years ago] Nancy Cartwright goes home as Scientology ‘Ideal’-izes the world
[EIGHT years ago] Jon Atack: The biggest thing L. Ron Hubbard got wrong about Buddhism
[NINE years ago] Arlene Cordova, 1933-2016: In her 80s, she took on Scientology and reunited with her daughter
[TEN years ago] How Scientology schools prepare young minds for the rigors of the Sea Org
[ELEVEN years ago] Hana Whitfield: What it’s like to be stalked by Scientology
[TWELVE years ago] Jim Lynch, Scientology’s Shill, Dies at 59
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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 3,339 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,843 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,349 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,899 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,889 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,275 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,770 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,074 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,943 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,497 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,838 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,405 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,325 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,492 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,074 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,333 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,370 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,086 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,650 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,965 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,140 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,822 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,159 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,013 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,128 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,490 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,899 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,289 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,173 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,738 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,249 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,509 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,613 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 29, 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 in Scotland calls Epstein case a ‘hoax,’ says he can pardon Maxwell
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Trump calls the Epstein files “a hoax” https://t.co/IKFTiTgHDk
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 28, 2025
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 28, 2025
Trump says the Epstein files is a good issue for him: My poll numbers are up 4.5 points since this ridiculous Epstein stuff. He’s gone and I want to focus on trade deals. pic.twitter.com/BzLjqJOE0S
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 28, 2025
So the story of how Trump ditched Epstein because the hit on a young girl at Mar-a-Lago isn’t true? https://t.co/1MRxN9AkWl
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 28, 2025
Trump: “Never had the privilege” to be at Epstein’s child sex trafficking island https://t.co/K4SYrmQ7Or
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 28, 2025
Speaker Mike Johnson: “I’m babysitting members of Congress. I’m really not Speaker of the House. I’m really like a mental health counselor at this point.” pic.twitter.com/ws3o4kNDEI
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 28, 2025
Trump will be spending tomorrow at his Scotland golf club for a “grand opening ceremony” pic.twitter.com/xVoto380Rk
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 29, 2025
tired of being brainwashed by the mainstream media? pic.twitter.com/RjiHPpKiyW
— Tommy Siegel (@TommySiegel) July 28, 2025
Trump doesn’t wear his orange make up when golfing pic.twitter.com/El0L06h6sX
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 28, 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 July 29, 2025 at 08:00
July 28, 2025
Coming clean: ‘I stole trash for the Church of Scientology’s spy wing’
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Once again, Patty Moher takes us into her time as a Scientology spy, and explains the surprisingly complex ‘tech’ of stealing the trash of people the church wanted kept under watch! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“When you assess over into the Secondary Scale of the level you found, you do exactly the same as above. You read them all off once, then only those that reacted, eliminate them and you’ve got it. (And, by the way, if you go over the Secondary Scale, you then don’t only run levels on that Secondary forever; in each new assessment you use the Primary Scale again to find a new Secondary Level to assess.) This is also true of a Joburg. If you’re going to get a reaction on the needle, it will come fast. No waiting. If you get a reaction you clear that reaction, not the pc’s whole
life. The moment the needle is null, you go on to the next question. Of course, in a Joburg, the pc talks. He better! All auditing actions except the CCHs are now done in Model Session. And all auditing actions and questions are done effectively, neither frantically rushed nor slowly. So it boils down to this. Weeks can be added to Joburgs and assessments if you think you have to wait for a needle response. What are you waiting for? The whole action only requires a second. Don’t wait for the E-Meter to play Dixie. It was made in the Nawth.” — 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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“I know it’s fashionable for the newspapers to say I never went to college and there are several colleges at this particular time that are wishing that I hadn’t gone there. But I can also assure you that you give them another decade or so, those colleges I haven’t even done more than go to a prom at will have some plates on ’em. You know? Man is silly, you see?” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 28, 1966
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“SAILING: We sail at 1600 today regardless of barometer (which is falling) waves (which are rising) and restraint of Rulers and Princes (there are no restraints) Perils of the Sea (which are only too real) and Acts of God (means things you can’t figure out how you goofed). Standby to take on Dramamine (called so because it keeps one from ‘drama’-tizing). Secure everything and tie down everything except the watch. In short let’s get the blue blazes out of here!” — The Commodore, July 28, 1971
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“The leader of the Church of Scientology basically came out and said Covid is a hoax. He called it ‘planetary bullbait,’ which Scientologists will know what that means. Among other things he said it’s ‘hysteria.’ I am so proud of him. I’m no longer in the church because it’s kinda dodgy, but it’s so good that he actually told Scientologists the truth about Covid. We get so many presidents and politicians lying to us all the time that it’s just so nice to hear someone in a leadership role come out and tell it how it is. This is why the mainstream media attacks Scientology all the time. In fact it’s great to see lots of religions resisting the Covid propaganda: Christian TV, the Muslims, etc. This is why the leftists have been trying to destroy religion for the past 100 years, because they want the people only following them. Scientology doesn’t go along with the world socialist government and its programs, like this whole Covid hoax, and the world socialists freaking hate that. It also teaches people how to read excellently, a thing the leftists hate. They want dumb masses that are easy to manipulate.”
1995: Helena Kobrin, lawyer in charge of harassment for Scientology, was busy this week sending threatening letters to a.r.s posters for quoting five lines from the OT7 document. New recipients this week include Bruce J. Bell, Blind Carlos, Maggie Council, ‘Jesse Garon’, James J. Lippard, Old Salt, Doctorb Science, Tony Sidaway, Tim Skirvin, Keith Spurgeon, Steve, Donna Stuckert, and TarlaStar. Letters were also sent to several Internet Service Providers. Henry posted: “After the threat to me was extended to my sysadmin, I have canceled all messages which contain ‘fair use’ reproduction of the six lines of OT VII which I have quoted.” Andrew Burt, sysadmin of Henry’s site explains his response: “I also explained to her that, if she could supply me with absolute proof that you violated the law, I would revoke your account (per standard Nyx terms). I did explain that the proof needed to be convincing, not just her word against yours. Toward that end, I indicated that a court judgment against you would be an example of such convincing proof.”
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“Someone please find the e-mail they sent out telling the clams how to go to the dentist and get their gold fillings extracted for cash to donate. That is the ultimate example of what Scientology really is for me.”
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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 July 14.
— ‘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 July 7.
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 is due July 3.
— 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] Scientology’s top-down control of its Narconon rehabs? I was part of it.
[TWO years ago] Scientology has a toxic effect on family: A testimonial
[THREE years ago] VIDEO: Katie Holmes in the front row at a 2007 Scientology event with Tom Cruise
[FOUR years ago] More Scientology euphoria: What it looks like to finish Grade 3!
[FIVE years ago] Leah Remini: In Scientology, all sickness comes from enemies of the church
[SIX years ago] Scientology uses actor Jason Dohring as bait in what ends up as a false imprisonment case
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology in Europe: ‘A scapegoat always had to be found when something went wrong’
[EIGHT years ago] Bryan Seymour takes a Scientology field trip, and we’re the better for it
[NINE years ago] As Stacy Murphy lawsuit heads to crucial hearing, two Scientology entities settle
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s fight with Ryan Hamilton delivers dox: The Eric Tenorio affidavit and more
[TWELVE years ago] With Leah Remini Under Attack on Twitter, TV Actor Christian Stolte Was a First Responder
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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 3,338 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,842 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,348 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,898 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,888 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,274 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,769 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,073 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,942 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,496 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,837 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,404 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,324 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,491 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,073 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,332 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,369 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,085 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,649 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,964 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,139 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,821 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,158 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,012 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,127 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,489 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,898 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,288 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,172 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,737 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,248 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,508 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,612 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on July 28, 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
Commander-in-cheat: Trump avoiding Epstein mess with creative approach to golf
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});For the "Both parties are the same" folks, I'm pretty sure President Harris wouldn't be on TV talking about how she has the power to pardon Ghislaine Maxwell.
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) July 27, 2025
Amazing how Trump’s ball he hit into the deep rough just magically pops out of his caddie’s pocket and they all just play it off like Trump just hit it there. 29 time Club Champion! https://t.co/MeRfVqT60U
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) July 27, 2025
Trump: "Incompetent Democrats — all they know how to do is talk and think about conspiracy theories and nonsense. If they'd waste their time talking about America being great again, it would be so much nicer." pic.twitter.com/tUu8sP9wLp
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 27, 2025
Whatever’s in the Epstein files about Trump is so bad that he called them a hoax, accused Obama of treason, shut down the Epstein investigation, recessed Congress to prevent a vote on releasing the files, and rushed his criminal attorney to prison to offer Epstein’s accomplice an… pic.twitter.com/6sDTtoMwIF
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) July 27, 2025
Sen. Markwayne Mullin tried to blame former President Barack Obama for Jeffrey Epstein‘s 2008 plea deal, despite Obama not being president at the time.
Watch/Read: https://t.co/I7Tu9Lh0CY pic.twitter.com/yLymd8Ogwk
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) July 27, 2025
Another successful day for Trump on twitter dot com pic.twitter.com/9ahEJ7qny4
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) July 27, 2025
It’s been quite the weekend for MAGA…
👉 https://t.co/ycrPPLseZ5 pic.twitter.com/pyoUKe62ke
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) July 27, 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 July 28, 2025 at 08:00
July 27, 2025
When Scientology tried to convince the LA Times that Tom & Dave were just regular dudes
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We have a fun trip down memory lane today. We’ve found a letter that Mike Rinder wrote to the LA Times in 2005, when it was his job to convince the newspaper there was nothing unusual about the relationship between Scientology leader David Miscavige and Top Gun star Tom Cruise! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“The reactive mind responds instantly on data a billion years ago. How is this? Time in the reactive mind is out of order. So is space. So is matter, so is energy. Pin a sign on the reactive mind: ‘Out of Order.’ It connects wrong connections. Hence, the E-Meter. What is wrong with the pc is not known to the pc. Therefore if a pc knows all about it, it isn’t wrong with him. That’s why you never run what the pc says. You run only what the meter says.” — 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({});
——————–
“So you’ve got the other fellow’s universe and you got the physical universe. Now, the other fellow, in his universe, can cause you problems while communicating to you through the physical universe, and the physical universe itself can cause problems, and so we can get a thing called a present time problem that doesn’t have anything to do with a mental image picture. Doesn’t have anything to do with the reactive bank, but it can restimulate the reactive bank and make it harder to solve the present time problem. But a present time problem can actually exist. That’s one of the things that auditors don’t always notice.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 27, 1965
——————–
“CONGRATULATIONS to Bill Robertson and Nate Jessup on passing the Dianetic written examination 100 percent. Nate is the 3rd Staff student to pass the examination. Nobody on the ship part time course has taken the exam yet. You should quickly complete 3 times through the checksheet before your time expires so that if you miss out on the 100 percent you still have time to restudy and pass the exam within the 8 week period.” — Brian Livingston, July 27, 1969
——————–
“If you’re a big enough Thetan and you stay on the bridge, you will be like floating, your postulates creating anything you desire pretty much and you will be completely protected from any other SP’s invalidation. It’s a mystery why in other planets Thetans can destroy all the people on them. I projected myself in full color from all around a planet and reached down and tortured all the people just before getting implanted and coming here. So there must be some sort of ‘protection’ around this planet so other Thetans can’t do that here – maybe a force screen? But still creating MEST out of thin air here is not possible and is a mystery as of yet.”
——————–
2001: Judge Thomas E. Penick this week issued a permanent injunction to replace the temporary injunctions against Scientology and protesters in Clearwater. “The Defendants have frequently picketed, protested, and demonstrated at the Plaintiffs facilities in Pinellas County, and Clearwater, in particular. Both sides have and continue to expend vast numbers of hours videotaping and ‘spying’ on each other. Such acts have heightened the tensions and frictions between the parties. During these picketing events, physical confrontations have erupted between the parties. When violence breaks out, the Clearwater Police have had to expend many work hours and taxpayers’ dollars to return peace and tranquility to the community. The frequency of the involvement of the Clearwater Police has constantly grown. Throughout the history of the conflicts and confrontations between the parties, all taxpayers of Clearwater, Pinellas County and the State of Florida have had to expend vast sums of money to compensate numerous governmental agencies of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government to administrate, enforce, maintain, prosecute, defend, and promulgate laws to nurture harmony and safety between these parties, and ultimately, the public as a whole. This financial hemorrhaging must be stopped. All branches of government need to move on and devote more time to other matters of public interest rather than to the antics of these parties. The Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Florida provide for free speech; however, the right of free speech must be exercised so as not to jeopardize societal interest in safety, tranquility and peace. Generally, a court of equity lacks jurisdiction to enjoin the commission of crimes but where patterns of harassment are detrimental to the public safety, injunctive relief may be utilized. Inasmuch as both the Petitioner and the Respondent have engaged in and continue to engage in the dangerous and threatening practice of seeing how close one another can get to each other while protesting, picketing, and demonstrating each other, have blocked or inhibited the free flow of foot traffic on the public sidewalks, have blocked the flow of traffic on the public roadways, have inhibited the egress and ingress of the parties from their respective buildings, and have physically touched or attacked each other, it is imperative that all parties must be mutually restrained. A permanent injunction is entered against the defendants, Robert S. Minton, Jr., Lisa McPherson Trust, Inc,, Jesse Prince, Grady Ward, Stacy Brooks, Jeff Jacobsen, Patricia Greenway, Peter Alexander, Mark Bunker and Tory Bezazian, their members, officers, agents, servants, employees and those persons and entities in actual concert or participation with them who receive actual notice of this injunction, enjoining them from
picketing, protesting, and/or demonstrating in the areas designated in BLUE (the ‘prohibited zones’) on the diagrams of certain properties owned
and/or operated by the Church, and from engaging in any of the aforementioned activities within ten feet of any entrance or exit actually
used frequently on a daily basis to all Church property….”
——————–
“The regs do all the fluffing in Scientology, but there are no happy endings. It’s all a tease.”
——————–
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 July 14.
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. Oral arguments are probably next.
— 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 is due July 3.
— 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 moving minors across state lines for intense labor: There’s a word for that
[TWO years ago] Charlie Nairn tells us about getting L. Ron Hubbard & Scientology on air in the 1960s
[THREE years ago] Scientology trafficking case do-over: Both sides reload in light of ‘arbitration’ motions
[FOUR years ago] A Scientology escape saga, which includes serving L. Ron Hubbard a bad meal
[FIVE years ago] EXCLUSIVE: The real Tom Cruise — Leah Remini exposes Scientology’s biggest asset
[SIX years ago] When your ex is into Scientology, a custody battle can get cosmically worse
[SEVEN years ago] Why did a 26-year-old ‘Clear’ kill herself at Scientology’s spiritual mecca?
[EIGHT years ago] Derek Bloch on fighting Scientology ‘disconnection’ in an unaired TV series
[NINE years ago] How Scientology split up teen sweethearts who reunited more than 40 years later
[TEN years ago] A new look inside Scientology’s bomb-proof vaults, and a visit to Hubbard’s final rodeo
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: The Nancy Cartwright countdown to godhood edition!
[TWELVE years ago] Jon Atack: A Case of Scientology Fair Game Deflected with Disinfecting Sunlight
——————–
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 3,337 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,841 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,347 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,897 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,887 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,273 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,768 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,072 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,941 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,495 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,836 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,403 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,323 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,490 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,072 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,331 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,368 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,084 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,648 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,963 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,138 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,820 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,157 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,011 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,126 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,488 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,897 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,287 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,171 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,736 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,247 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,507 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,611 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on July 27, 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
Can’t a guy run away from the Epstein mess in peace?
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});5 things Trump did this week:
1. Called the Epstein files a distraction
2. Continued to call the Epstein files a “hoax”
3. Gave immunity to child sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell
4. Fled to Scotland for a golf vacation
5. Threatened to arrest Obama, Kamala, and Beyoncé pic.twitter.com/VMGo88g96I
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 27, 2025
According to the WSJ, Dan Bongino called Pam Bondi a liar pic.twitter.com/EzjEnE6PnA
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 27, 2025
EXCLUSIVE: An Epstein/Trump accuser speaks out. In interview with @Timodc, she says Epstein taped her and now she wants to see the tapes. https://t.co/IREPYLEJAm
— Sam Stein (@samstein) July 26, 2025
Threatening to shut down media outlets is what dictators do pic.twitter.com/lnBuyqV0Q0
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 27, 2025
Trump threatens to lock up more Black people pic.twitter.com/JCJ0focgRg
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 27, 2025
Meiselas: Donald Trump is being protested all across Scotland… You saw a protest in Edinburgh. There are also protests in Aberdeen and in cities and communities across Scotland…Let me show you this, where the speaker says, “As for Mr. Trump, we could smell your stink the… pic.twitter.com/mP2qCdlv2g
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) July 26, 2025
Trump posted this instead of releasing the Epstein files pic.twitter.com/2feLzvXkb7
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 26, 2025
MAGA has gone from “Kill your local pedophile” to “if the girl is 13 what is the big deal?” pic.twitter.com/eU0gDoUbLa
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) July 27, 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 July 27, 2025 at 08:00
July 26, 2025
Scientology denied permit after claiming temporary IAS tent is a permanent structure
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Alex Barnes-Ross has a surprising report: After he pointed out that Scientology did not apply for a permit for its massive tent that houses its annual IAS gala, the church tried to claim it was a permanent structure and should be allowed. But local pols aren’t buying it. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“I have been a bit surprised by the length of time it is taking people to do assessments on the Prehav, on Security Checks and goals. A query into this, which may reveal more, has discovered that students wait patiently for the meter to react, which Mary Sue has noticed. It dawns on me that auditors believe they are doing an analytical assessment on the Prehav, etc. This is wrong. The Prehav Scale is not a picture of analytical thought. It is in the order it is in because it is a picture of reactive thought. It is how the reactive mind is stacked up. Now an E-Meter reacts only on the reactive mind. A Clear doesn’t react because he is able to be conscious. An aberree reacts because he can’t think without thought exciting the reactivity of the reactive mind. This, being composed of mass, energy, space, time and thought, responds to tiny electrical impulses. If your auditing was not aimed at reactivity it would not register on a meter. Thus, you run what reacts because it reacts and is therefore part of the reactive mind.” — 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({});
——————–
“We’re trying to make somebody Clear. Clear of what? Clear of his reactive bank. Now, Freud said that man had an unconscious or a reconscious or something of the sort which was subconscious under the underconscious. He thought there was something there and it was inhabited by a beast known as the censor, who kept the fellows from pulling a social faux pas. And when the censor was asleep or nulled or something of the sort by drugs, why, the fellow would do antisocial acts, and that was the whole explanation of the human mind, except it was all caused by sex. I hope you’re following me closely. But anyhow, we are actually indebted to Papa Freud, because he did say out loud that there was some kind of a mind that was kicking back on somebody. He didn’t really discover the reactive mind; we did.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 26, 1966
——————–
“SMERSH: Smersh just lost half of its suit on us. It was suing us for defamation of its character. The sum of the result will probably be the judge’s question ‘What character?’ Part of the evidence of the next part of the suit was a restricted issue of an Ed they stole out of an org! ‘What character?’ Charles Parselle is doing a great job on Legal in the UK. The Guardian’s Office is going at its usual TERRIFIC! over the world.” — The Commodore, July 26, 1971
——————–
“LRH seems to have been here some centillion years. On the other hand, very big beings are here and their invalidative vibrations probably affect us. And don’t forget the entities that attach to the thetan here.”
——————–
2000: Lisa McPherson Trust media director Mark Bunker reported this week that charges will not be filed against the Scientologist who attacked him with a hammer while he filmed for a German TV crew. “Bernie McCabe’s office has written me to say that no charges will be pressed against Richard Bernard who attacked my with a hammer nearly six months ago. Hammer attacks involving Scientologists will now be considered Sacred Rites and will be protected under the Florida Constitution.”
——————–
“Jan Eastgate is the Myra Hindley of scientology. She looks just like her.”
——————–
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 July 14.
— ‘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 July 7.
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. Oral arguments are probably next.
— 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 is due July 3.
— 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] Miss Lovely is still dishing on Scientology: It’s Paulette Cooper’s birthday!
[TWO years ago] Miss Lovely is still unbreakable: It’s Paulette Cooper’s birthday!
[THREE years ago] Scientology tried to destroy her, but Paulette Cooper is living her best life
[FOUR years ago] Miss Lovely tells us she has a birthday wish this year, and it’s about Mr. Lovely
[FIVE years ago] Leah Remini blames Tom Cruise for the spiking of Aussie Scientology investigation
[SIX years ago] Happy Birthday, Miss Lovely! And look what Paulette Cooper gave herself for a gift
[SEVEN years ago] Paulette Cooper turns 76: ‘I found my best friend from the orphanage — from 70 years ago’
[EIGHT years ago] Paulette Cooper at 75: Still unbreakable, and still Miss Lovely
[NINE years ago] Hungarian tabloid’s wacky claim: Shit poured on Scientology’s leader in Budapest protest
[TEN years ago] Happy Birthday, Miss Lovely: A tribute to the dauntless and unbreakable Paulette Cooper
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology surrenders — at least partially — in seven lawsuits against its rehab network
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology, Your Proprietor, and the Airwaves
——————–
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 3,336 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,840 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,346 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,896 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,886 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,272 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,767 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,071 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,940 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,494 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,835 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,402 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,322 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,489 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,071 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,330 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,367 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,083 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,647 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,962 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,137 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,819 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,156 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,010 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,125 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,487 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,896 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,286 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,170 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,735 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,246 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,506 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,610 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on July 26, 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
The White House just wants a little help killing the Epstein mess, that’s all
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});This is going to cause a surge of pro-Ghislaine sentiment in right-wing media. Trump is telegraphing where this could all be headed. https://t.co/YiNmrAg8OJ
— Will Sommer (@willsommer) July 25, 2025
Is it just and right to free people who trafficked children? https://t.co/zOWL8ZJCJf
— amanda moore 🐢 (@noturtlesoup17) July 25, 2025
You spent years demanding justice for children and trying to expose the elite cabal that preys on them. You trusted Trump to deliver on his promise to hold them accountable. Now he’s calling you conspiracists.
Almost like the cabal was hiding in plain sight this whole time.🤔 https://t.co/dVcPKfGl78
— Noelle Cook (@noellecook_com) July 25, 2025
Epstein survivor Theresa Helm on Trump possibly pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell: "It would mean the complete crumbling of this justice system." pic.twitter.com/1AYTSinnb5
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 25, 2025
Wow pic.twitter.com/fsC2bY2UXD
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 25, 2025
While I see a lot of straight news accounts talking about a possible Maxwell pardon I don’t see a lot of QAnon promoters hyping it up. They know Maxwell is a Big Bad in the QAnon mythos and they are going to have to work hard to explain why it’s OK that Trump set her free.
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) July 25, 2025
NEW: Bondi was blindsided & angered by Tulsi's Russiagate/Obama dump and scrambled to create "Strike Force" as a fast fix, per sources.
The bigger story: Trump thinks Bondi/DOJ is moving too slowly on vengeance investigations.
Me and @julianbarnes https://t.co/HEd79O0TvS
— Glenn Thrush (@GlennThrush) July 25, 2025
NEW: In a sign of what could be in store for other targets of Trump & his allies, Media Matters (@mmfa) is struggling to survive.
The Dem-aligned group has racked up $15m in legal bills, dialed back its criticism of Trump & Musk & contemplated closing. https://t.co/Ow8Y89h220
— Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) July 25, 2025
SCOOP: Two senior NOAA officials were just placed on leave. Both led ‘Sharpiegate’ inquiry https://t.co/ygSbuiiuSY
— Andrew Freedman (@afreedma) July 25, 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 July 26, 2025 at 08:00
July 25, 2025
Onward, Scientology soldier! John Alex Wood is finally going OT
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: There was a time when John Alex Wood was the main online attack dog for Scientology, fighting daily at places like Twitter against church critics. Long an Underground Bunker favorite, he’s now turned up in a UK success story as he finally, after more than 30 years, goes OT! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“New Era Dianetics is so powerful and exact that when correctly applied it is successful on pcs, one for one. If an auditor is not getting good results it is important to get the situation handled early on, for the sake of his pcs, the auditor himself, and to protect this vital, workable tech against invalidation through misuse. A C/S should order an auditor to have a NED Auditor Analysis Checklist when that auditor’s pcs are not making good gains or when the Auditor’s Reports show indicators of misunderstoods or misapplications, or when the auditor is goofing and does not correct with ordinary cramming.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
——————–
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({});
——————–
“The Rock has such terrific significances connected with it: violations, survival, not to survive, thisa, thata, the other thing, identifications, cross-references, see file B, see file A 1,002,642, cross-reference Navy Department, you get the idea. Bulletin of War, Space Command, planet Exnoo, figure-figure-figure-figure, think-think-think-think-think-think, figure-figure-figure-figure, thought-thought-thought-thought, thought, significance-significance-significance-significance… And when he looks at this particular piece of matter, energy, space and time which is all it’s conceived of, he doesn’t conceive of matter, energy, space and time. He thinks, Cross-reference: Space Command, 8,000,000,682, general order to all torpedo-men. Following: pursuant to the orders of the admiral… See? Now, this unfortunately cross-references with Order of the Day, Monastery Platitude, Mount Xenu. There shall be peace. Which conflicts with, Dear, I know you are dedicated to holy orders, but I need a new pair of shoes. Which in itself is very vastly in conflict with Order of the Mount: Honor thy father and thy mother. Wait a minute, how’d that get in there? And that’s why the preclear’s so baffled.” — L. Ron Hubbard, July 25, 1958
——————–
“LOCAL MONEY: Be sure you turn in your local wallpaper. I sure hope it’s cooler at sea!” — The Commodore, July 25, 1969
——————–
“Why have we lost so many of our powers after coming to this planet? I mean, I remember shortly before and I was a giant disembodied Thetan that new ALL of the sciences that make up everything and I also had enormous magical creation of ability, and I use to sweep across enormous gigantic masses of planets and instantly create groundcover foliage. I met a guy in Scientology that I used to know when we are on a spaceship just before coming to this planet. He didn’t go through the implant station like I did, and he was extremely OT, more than I. I lost most of my powers, but he was not or could not go exterior to his body and create anything magical and neither could LRH, either. These bodies just soak up a Thetan like a sponge since with all their automaticities they are 100 percent effect and a Thetan is 100 percent cause, so the two just snap terminals like a magnet.”
——————–
1999: Toronto’s NOW magazine published an article on Scientology’s harassment campaign against Gregg Hagglund, a frequent protester at the Toronto org. “Truth be told, Greg Hagglund has been a right pain in the ass for the Church of Scientology. From the regular demos in front of the church’s Yonge Street offices to the photographing of church members and posting of their mugs on the Internet, Hagglund has been relentless in his attempts to expose the ‘truth’ about the curious practice of Scientology. The church has returned the favour with demos in front of Hagglund’s Oakville home, but more recently upped the ante by paying an unannounced visit to his elderly parents’ home in Ottawa and sending a letter to his brother, also in Ottawa, warning Hagglund to cease and desist, or else. Church member Peter Ramsay, who fired off the missive to Hagglund’s brother, didn’t return calls. But church spokesperson Al Buttnor says Scientology’s actions are not intended to intimidate, although that seems to have been the result. ‘We were hoping to get some assistance,’ says Buttnor. ‘They did not wish to be involved and we left. It’s as simple as that.'”
——————–
“I prefer to think of D.M. as Theon Greyjoy.”
——————–
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 July 14.
— ‘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 July 7.
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. Oral arguments are probably next.
— 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 is due July 3.
— 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 asks for more time to talk Whitney Mills’ mom out of wrongful-death lawsuit
[TWO years ago] Why growing up in Scientology can be so damaging, even years after leaving
[THREE years ago] Jon Atack escaped Scientology, but then he got himself into much deeper trouble
[FOUR years ago] More proof Scientology’s ‘Fresh Start’ clinics going belly up: San Diego County site for sale
[FIVE years ago] Scientology to the rescue: After losing son and wife, Johnny Lewis’s dad is happier than ever
[SIX years ago] For once, a target of Scientology gladhanding did his homework and said no thanks
[SEVEN years ago] 50 years ago today, Scientology was banned in the UK — Here’s why it was a bad move
[EIGHT years ago] The Rathbuns hire a lawyer, and Ray Jeffrey answers questions about his legal salvo
[NINE years ago] Why does Scientology have no sense of humor? Because seriousness is a sacrament
[TEN years ago] A video response to Scientology’s crass celebrities, Jenna and Bodhi Elfman
[ELEVEN years ago] Garcia federal fraud lawsuit survives another challenge by Scientology
[TWELVE years ago] Scientologists Warned about Facebook “Entheta” After Leah Remini’s Departure
——————–
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 3,335 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,839 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,345 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,895 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,885 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,271 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,766 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,070 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,939 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,493 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,834 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,401 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,320 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,488 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,070 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,329 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,366 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,082 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,646 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,961 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,136 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,818 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,155 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,009 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,124 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,486 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,895 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,285 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,169 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,734 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,245 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,505 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,609 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on July 25, 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
Playing all the QAnon hits to keep patriots off of the Epstein thing
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Leavitt says the intelligence community “concocted” the “lie” that “the president’s son was holding secret meetings with the Russians,” when Don Jr himself tweeted that fact for all to see https://t.co/uxcPRMlTA9
— Roger Sollenberger (@SollenbergerRC) July 24, 2025
NEW: In an interview with Steve Bannon, Jeffrey Epstein revealed HE wallked away from Donald Trump — not the other way around, as Trump has claimed many times.
Epstein cut Trump loose when he "realized Trump was a crook," per @BusinessInsider https://t.co/gHZnj0wN98
— Max Burns (@themaxburns) July 24, 2025
Logical conclusion pic.twitter.com/euDm7AYlAz
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 25, 2025
NEW: I wrote about how Trump and his inner circle are playing the conspiracy theory greatest hits set, hoping their audience doesn’t notice that the performance is a cynical and worn out distraction.https://t.co/A4cZd3gLyf
— Mike Rothschild (@rothschildmd on blu sky) (@rothschildmd) July 24, 2025
Between us @etuckerAP and I have probably read as much as anyone without a security clearance about the 2016 Russia investigation. We look at Gabbard's latest claims and find them unsupported (and in some cases contradicted) by the documents she released: https://t.co/cbXKifIpKL
— Byron Tau (@ByronTau) July 24, 2025
If this sounds familiar, its because Trump DOJ-appointed special counsel John Durham ran a four year investigation into this already. He charged 3 people and lost two of the cases. Here's his final report: https://t.co/O094eWUNNR https://t.co/PsGAOwE2E6
— Garrett Haake (@GarrettHaake) July 24, 2025
NEW
For decades, pseudoscience grifters urged followers to drink toxic bleach solutions.
Now one inventor is going even further, injecting cancer patients with highly-concentrated doses of the bleach solution.
Next, he wants to bring it to the US https://t.co/OFRMTp1YZI
— David Gilbert (@daithaigilbert) July 24, 2025
Claiming to have a source close to high-level Trump administration figures, QAnon conspiracy theorist Scott McKay reports that Hillary Clinton was executed at Guantanamo in 2018, there were 5 or 6 different people playing the role of Joe Biden, and the "fake Obama" is going to be… pic.twitter.com/dcHmCWZ8WC
— Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch) July 24, 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 July 25, 2025 at 08:00
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