Tony Ortega's Blog, page 31
June 14, 2025
Scientology request for draconian law avoided, accord with protesters reached
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Big news from Alex Barnes-Ross this morning as he shares with us a document that lays out a code of conduct for both protesters and Scientology which should head off the church’s request for a draconian legal ban on demonstrations outside its UK headquarters, Saint Hill Manor. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“The way to handle auditors who quickie Objectives is a full W/Cing of the subject and a big clay demo of the purpose of Objectives and a big clay demo of what effect Objectives have on running a Drug RD and R3R. Then get the auditor’s own Objectives flattened. Any Drug RD that needs to be repaired or redone must include a careful study of the Objectives to see if they were honestly run and if the valid Objective EPs on the processes themselves were obtained. Where the Objective was obviously quickied just R-Factor the pc you are going to flatten it and do so. If the EP of an Objective was questionable you can ask the pc what happened and if he F/Ns on a real Objective EP fine, otherwise flatten the process. A fully completed Drug RD with Objectives sets the stage for the pc to fly up the Grade Chart so do it right the first time.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1977
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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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“If the child has suffered a great deal of restimulation such as a recent death on the case, and you know that the emotional content of the prenatal bank is very heavy, you could try to get that death out. But you are liable to find yourself back in the prenatal area, into material that the child can’t handle. The best thing to do is just keep a child from getting restimulated. Limit therapy on a child to picking up little odds and ends. Make them happy, give it to them when you think they need it, stay as late in the case as possible, and above all don’t get the case stirred up to a point where it will swamp the child with anything you suspect may be there. Any prenatal bank is full of infamy. It is extremely embarrassing to try to run some little girl back into the coitus chain who doesn’t know what on earth is going on. She only knows that she is uncomfortable. The words and actions are a complete mystery to her. She is flabbergasted. She will get it off by syllables.” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 14, 1950
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“We will be here 3 or 4 days. There will be Liberty. The port is reported full of refugees who try to stow away so be careful not to give them a chance aboard as we would have to bring them back. The ship is beginning to shape up. The ‘new’ recruits are getting to be old hands, things are ironing out well. The bookstore should stock up on small gifts, sandals etc. Now we’ve got water save it. Long time between here and next drink. Enjoy your liberty.” — The Commodore, June 14, 1969
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“You don’t give firecrackers and matches to children to play with. The L’s run deep into the R6 bank and can have bad consequences if not done right. I’m open to the idea of sharing materials of the L’s with other highly trained auditors, but not for raw public or making it available to those with a small amount of training. People are like children, and someone is going to try the information on another or on themselves and like the firecrackers/children example, you can get a severe in-balance in the mind which becomes psychoses. Hard to unravel if it gets to that stage.”
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2000: From The Guardian: “France will defy President Clinton’s appeal to be more tolerant of religious sects and introduce draconian laws, including an offense of ‘mental manipulation’ – brainwashing – which will carry a two-year prison sentence. President Jacques Chirac has told Clinton that religious freedom will no longer be a subject for bilateral presidential talks in the light of what has been officially described as ‘shocking’ White House support for Scientologists and Moonies. Alain Vivien, chairman of a French ministerial mission to combat the influence of cults, said many observers believe Clinton was making his peace with big religious movements ‘because they offer an indispensable source of political financing.’ France has waged war against mainly American-sponsored movements, prompting the accusation, particularly by Scientologists, that it is indulging in ‘collective hysteria’ and preparing to ban religious freedoms. Vivien denied that France was acting alone, claiming that Germany was leading the battle, with strong support from Belgium, the first country to produce a legal definition of a sect. He claimed that religious sects, led by Scientologists, were infiltrating U.N. and European human rights associations, financing some of their work and collaborating on reports that condemned France ‘with virulence.'”
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“My dad grew up dirt poor during the Depression and he would eat a jar of pig’s knuckles in one sitting as well as all kinds of other ungodly shit.”
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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 June 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing June 16.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud. Sentenced to 7 years in prison.
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 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 to clear planet with killer new marketing campaign: ‘Are you lonesome?’
[TWO years ago] Scientology fundraising is reaching epic levels of awesomeness, you doubters
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s new hype video is off the charts, kids. Prepare to put the pedal to the metal!
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s heyday: When you got golden tickets for past-life therapy
[FIVE years ago] Hanging out with Scientologists going door-to-door in ‘Volunteer Minister’ hazmat suits
[SIX years ago] Scientology trots out new propaganda ploy: Pretending to support journalists
[SEVEN years ago] DOX: Quebec church owes other Scientology orgs heaps, pays its workers peanuts
[EIGHT years ago] Marty Rathbun tries to rewrite the record on Scientology spying. But we have the dox.
[NINE years ago] Scientology claims L. Ron Hubbard chose David Miscavige to succeed him, proving he didn’t
[TEN years ago] Good morning, New York! Paulette Cooper is dishing on Scientology in the Big Apple today
[ELEVEN years ago] L. Ron Hubbard’s mesmerizing lore, and tales of Scientology’s secretive Int Base
[TWELVE years ago] The Fair-Gaming of ESMB’s Michelle “Emma” Sterling
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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 3,295 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,790 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,305 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,855 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,845 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,231 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,726 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,030 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,899 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,453 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,794 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,361 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,280 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,448 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,030 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,289 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,326 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,042 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,606 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,921 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,096 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,778 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,115 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,969 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,084 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,446 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,855 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,251 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,129 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,694 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,205 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,461 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,569 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on June 14, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Q patriots are confused about the Middle East, but certain about their man
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});ICYMI: I wrote about how the conspiracy theory community is embracing what would have been their worst nightmare a decade ago: federal troops in the streets and martial law looking like a real possibility.https://t.co/FQiYPyoYpV
— Mike Rothschild (@rothschildmd on blu sky) (@rothschildmd) June 13, 2025
I’ve spent the last 2 months obsessed with America250. https://t.co/pWYfBWJm2j
— amanda moore 🐢 (@noturtlesoup17) June 13, 2025
Man who thinks COVID was cooked up in Ukrainian Biolabs and endlessly promotes Russia as the good guys in that conflict is all "Look I don't have a dog in the fight when it comes to Iran/Israel". Just admit you haven't gotten your talking points from your KBG handlers yet. pic.twitter.com/UFEenKl7Fi
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) June 14, 2025
Yikes pic.twitter.com/t3aVwf0T5f
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) June 13, 2025
“Trump for King” banner spotted outside White House pic.twitter.com/Rl4BLBv9E3
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) June 13, 2025
Looking very orange yesterday pic.twitter.com/Ec90BinftX
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) June 13, 2025
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.
Posted by Tony Ortega on June 1, 2025 at 08:00
June 13, 2025
Scientology gushes about the inroads made by its new media strategy!
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology’s new Impact magazine reassures Scientologists that its big international media push this year has had a major result. After leader David Miscavige spent untold sums for ads in dozens of countries, some people actually did respond! You have to read what they said. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“All too often it is being found that interneships are being used to teach the course again. Weeks are being spent restudying the materials for checkouts. High Crime checkouts which have been done before are being done again. High Crime checkouts have become everything on a level rather than the basics which is not a lot of issues for any level. The purposes expressed in the 5 Qual OK to Audit Series plus polishing to professional standards the level just studied is the true purpose of interneships. Any course grad who wore his hat as a student should be able to sit down and check out his materials straight off as it is assumed he got it the first time. So any attempt to turn an interneship into a redo of the original course must be a solution to quickied or badly supervised courses. The right handling would be to reform your courses and get them straight and require retreads on that course for any who show they missed the materials when on the course.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1977
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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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“Frankly it’s pure idiocy to cure somebody of an illness. This is idiocy. They just go and get sick again. You talk about a thankless task! It’s actually thankless, endless, does nothing for the society, gains nothing for the individual or anything else to amount to anything. This guy’s got an earache. So you work like mad to get this guy to recover from this earache, see. And so you cure him from his earache. Well, great day in the morning, he has now not got an earache. Great. How to raise society heroically onward and forward! Now, if you cure his earache, if you’re foolish enough to cure his earache, and work in just-in no direction but to cure his earache, you’re working exactly against his hidden standard. And, you aren’t really trying to remove the causes of having a hidden standard. So what’s he going to do? Well, next day he’s got ulcers. See?” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 13, 1963
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“SHORE STORY: Crew are reminded of our shore story — to know it and use it. QMs are reminded of our handouts — to use them (French ones). All crew are reminded that PR actions must also take security into mind. Some things you as Crew know about and should — that doesn’t mean “everyone” should know about them. Our operations in any country should be known by all crew and officers but only crew and officers. You are all now very aware of PR. Thank you — it’s really great and we can even improve it more — but lets become more aware now that security goes along with it.” — Lt. Barry Watson, PO, June 13, 1970
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“An individual can create a space of his own and it has no existence in this physical universe except by the postulate of its creator. Others can be invited to view and even enter this universe. It can grow and take on a life of its own. It can even become as large and ‘real’ as this universe, still having no existence in this universe. And so it has been. Another confusion that has been intentionally introduced, is that separate universes have their own timeline. So, to say that two or more universes can exist simultaneously is a bit hard to grasp and sort out. But with a good look, it can be understood.”
1999: Anonymous a.r.s poster “Safe” had his true identity revealed to Scientology by AT&T this week. “They totally betrayed my trust. That the Church of Scientology has betrayed my trust again is nothing new though. Telecommunications Giant AT&T gave in to the CofS Management bullies. Now AT&T has opened me up to being ‘fair gamed’ by the church of Scientology to ruin me utterly if possible.” From The Deseret News on June 12th: “A law firm affiliated with the Church of Scientology on Monday compelled AT&T’s Internet service to reveal the name of a subscriber who had been critical of the church in an online newsgroup. ‘It is terrifyingly easy to rip off the cover of anonymity,’ said Daniel Leipold, a Santa Ana, Calif., attorney who represents the man. Bridge Publications Inc., which publishes literature for the Church of Scientology, recently took advantage of a federal law enacted last year – the Digital Millennium Copyright Act – that allows subpoenas to be issued even without the filing of a suit in cases involving potential copyright infringement. The man, known only as ‘Safe,’ had posted documents to the alt.religion.scientology newsgroup. His attorney argues that the postings are protected under ‘fair use’ doctrine because they commented on how ‘suppressive’ some of the church’s rules are, and then supported that contention by listing 274 ‘crimes’ against the church cited in one of its publications. Citing potential copyright infringement, Bridge subpoenaed records from AT&T, which handled Safe’s Internet account. After notifying Safe, AT&T turned his name over to Bridge Publications on Monday.”
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“Hubbard was already in the process of killing the golden goose before he croaked.”
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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 June 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing June 16.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud. Sentenced to 7 years in prison.
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 due June 3.
— 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 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] Trish Duggan, Scientology’s richest, is keeping another donor in jail in… Switzerland?
[TWO years ago] A cry for help: Disturbing handwritten letter found outside Scientology ‘mecca’
[THREE years ago] Brighton rocks! Joy Villa provides her version of some great days of Scientology outreach
[FOUR years ago] LEAKED: Watch Scientology ‘OTs’ pressured to donate tens of thousands in wild video
[FIVE years ago] A strange and unsettling update to one of Scientology’s most awful recent scandals
[SIX years ago] Jon Atack: Seduction, recruitment, and Scientology’s hard sell
[SEVEN years ago] Why are New York politicians such easy marks for Scientology?
[EIGHT years ago] Photos shot by L. Ron Hubbard in 1975 capture how the founder wanted Scientology marketed
[NINE years ago] Karla Zamudio on Scientology, and capturing Marc and Claire Headley in the short film ‘Escape’
[TEN years ago] Google helps Scientology billionaire Bob Duggan hide a dark family secret
[ELEVEN years ago] Why Giovanni Ribisi told Marc Maron there are no aliens in Scientology: A theory
[TWELVE years ago] This is Your Dianetics on Drugs: The Nitrous Engram
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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 3,294 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,789 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,304 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,854 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,844 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,230 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,725 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,029 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,898 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,452 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,793 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,360 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,279 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,447 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,029 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,288 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,325 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,041 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,605 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,920 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,095 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,777 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,114 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,968 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,083 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,445 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,854 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,250 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,128 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,693 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,204 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,460 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,568 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on June 13, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Israel strikes Iran and wider war looms, but Q patriots still back their man
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});BREAKING: Sen. Alex Padilla was forcibly removed after interrupting a news conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.https://t.co/cR5CGIBbrf pic.twitter.com/NKdHuJrmuv
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 12, 2025
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Israel will face "severe punishment" after it launched strikes that targeted the country’s nuclear program and left the leader of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard dead. https://t.co/OctXIhfeI8
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 13, 2025
Multiple clips of Trump promising that he will prevent World War III. pic.twitter.com/1O2lPTGpR1
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) June 13, 2025
I can't believe this is still up and public. You can just click right on the profiles and see the full names and profile photos of the people asking these questions. https://t.co/m7G3fwfqKB pic.twitter.com/Ut0xrgjtYv
— Aric Toler (@AricToler) June 12, 2025
Trump on May 28 posted an image featuring the QAnon phrase "nothing can stop what is coming." The image appears to come from a QAnon-promoting account that Trump up to that point had amplified more than 40 times. pic.twitter.com/xpIQmUN0Jm
— Alex Kaplan (@AlKapDC) June 12, 2025
I mean, if you're going to leak news of a secret Army moon base, today is the day to do it. https://t.co/NLOemeLTnX
— Mike Rothschild (@rothschildmd on blu sky) (@rothschildmd) June 12, 2025
JD Vance riffed along with a podcaster that claimed abolitionist “Frederick Douglass was gay” and fought to end slavery to “meet men.”
Vance cracked up when slavery was described as “being at work.” pic.twitter.com/rytroMyZtq
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) June 12, 2025
The day any of these clowns say "Starting to doubt Trump a little" will be the day Hell freezes over. Performative declarations of loyalty to the God Emperor is a big part of QAnon. pic.twitter.com/l8bmPJWJ0B
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) June 13, 2025
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.
Posted by Tony Ortega on June 13, 2025 at 08:00
June 12, 2025
Waiting for Xenu: What it’s like when your Scientology Ideal Org never comes
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: What happens when two Underground Bunker readers go in search of their Scientology white whale: The Ideal Org that never gets built. A picture story for our Beckettian age. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“The Drug Rundown is a specific rundown as given in HCOBs and is finished as an auditing action when the pc has done all its steps. What is not finished apparently is the possible residual LSD and this is handled by a Sweat Out Program. The LSD and the body are part of the physical universe. So do not stop a pc’s auditing after he’s done the HCOB’s steps of a DRD just because he still has to do a Sweat Out Program. Go on auditing him on other actions but be sure he also completes a Sweat Program. The Sweat Program can also be done before a DRD or even Objectives but should not hold up a DRD or Objectives.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1977
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
——————–
THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
——————–
“The United States is having an awful happy time right now pouring billions into foreign aid so these dirty, filthy, fly-ridden grass huts in Balooga-uga-uga-stan can all be torn down and they can put in nice seven-bedroom ranch houses with hot and cold running politicians throughout. And they’re just having a ball. And nobody is more surprised or will be more surprised than the United States government at the end of a period of time to find out that the exact proportion of ‘hate the United States government’ and ‘love the United States government’ exists as before. They might even have gone over toward ‘hate it’ before, to the degree that they actually enforced people to live in these seven-bedroom ranch houses, see. Because you talk to a boy in Blooga-uga-uga-uga-stan and he’s liable to tell you something on this order: ‘Ah, nice house, yeah, nice house. Yeah, reeds, reeds, nice reeds, side of a river, nice reeds. Wife there to raise some yams and so forth, and nice reeds, very thin walls.’ So you say, ‘What do you mean, very thin walls?’ He’s kept crooning over this idea of these thin reeds, you know. And it doesn’t sound like this guy’s very smart. And he looks at you like you’re crazy.” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 12, 1963
——————–
“Your bonus and wherewithal to work depends on the arrival and departure of students. Flag expense is up to three and a half times to five times what it was last year, mostly in the FAO. Two recent weeks were only around three thousand and six thousand. Such an average would be just about a tenth of the total cost. The income of Flag must be such that 20 percent of the gross covers bonuses. If it does not, then there are no bonuses.” — The Commodore, June 12, 1971
——————–
“I worked with Ron last life, and this life also before DM had him killed off. I do not trust anything of DM’s time, OK? I have met now four claiming to be Ron, but I just invited the one who is the real Ron returned. The others may also have some of the knowingness, but are not the same being.”
1998: News this week from the controversy in Germany, from Die Welt: “The Berlin Office of Constitutional Protection has apparently tried, in vain, to recruit a member of the Scientology sect as an informant. The 25 year old student revealed his secret service contact last weekend, Scientology Central stated yesterday in Munich. The Office of Constitutional Protection had mostly been interested in getting information about the leading Berlin policeman, Otto D., from the student. The 53 year old Police director has been relieved of duties from his post as Chief of the Central Location since the end of March, after an anonymous letter writer had accused him of being a Scientologist. Scientology now claims that a Constitutional Protection agent, on April 16, approached the 25 year old student, a member of the staff of the sect office on 51 Sponholz street, in the train station. There is said to have been ten more subsequent meetings, in which the man was offered money for information on Scientology. On May 15 – weeks after the official witness – he said he was offered 5,000 marks for information about Otto D. The Office of Constitutional Protection did not wish to comment upon the even yesterday. ‘As a matter of course we do not talk about the use of the secret service,’ said official representative Eberhard Kruschke.”
——————–
“As long as you’re not a boo-hoo or a grim weeper, you’re all right in my book.”
——————–
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 June 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing June 16.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud. Sentenced to 7 years in prison.
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 due June 3.
— 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 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] Why does Scientology get to hold up the Danny Masterson lawsuit in its entirety?
[TWO years ago] What’s up, Dave? Scientology still looks no closer to opening Austin and Chicago
[THREE years ago] Spend enough on Scientology, and you too can bend the universe to your will!
[FOUR years ago] What’s going on at the compound where Scientology is keeping Shelly Miscavige?
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s new strategy for ex-members ignoring its letters: Sending out invoices
[SEVEN years ago] How to get fired from a Scientology job the easy way — a real-world example
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology and kids: L. Ron Hubbard talks about small children as ancient beings
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s ‘Battlefield Earth’ campaign, featuring Frank Frazetta and a crashed saucer
[TEN years ago] Jon Atack: Scientology’s early history is something most members don’t actually know
[ELEVEN years ago] APPEAL BRIEF: Scientology argues that our coverage of them legitimates their spying
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Doesn’t Want You to See Documents in Laura DeCrescenzo’s Forced-Abortion Lawsuit
——————–
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 3,293 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,788 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,303 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,853 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,843 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,229 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,724 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,028 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,897 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,451 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,792 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,359 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,278 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,446 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,028 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,287 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,324 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,040 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,604 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,919 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,094 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,776 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,113 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,967 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,082 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,444 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,853 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,249 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,127 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,692 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,203 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,459 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,567 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on June 12, 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 sees ‘Les Mis’ at Kennedy Center; Newsom: ‘Someone explain the plot to him’
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Someone explain the plot to him. pic.twitter.com/IZps0wHTPd
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 12, 2025
Trump is choosing every Democrat over Rand Paul for his picnic https://t.co/HIyOKFxdwP
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) June 11, 2025
Trump launches $5M residency “Trump Card” government webpage.
The form on the page indicates businesses from other countries can express interest in buying multiple Trump Cards. pic.twitter.com/bEHeqdQgaB
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) June 11, 2025
JD Vance: “I feel like something happened like 10 years ago where every, it’s like you have to think that every single person that who fought for the Confederate side was an evil person. I just think that’s so stupid.” pic.twitter.com/MLQNT1lDFt
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) June 11, 2025
Pete Hegseth is now outright saying the National Guard and Reserves will become a standing army the Trump admin can use against citizen and non-citizen alike pic.twitter.com/ufNRvjDc2Z
— Robert Skvarla (@RobertSkvarla) June 12, 2025
Governing by cliffhanger is all his senile brain knows how to do. Get asked a question and answer "Wouldn't you like to know?" or "You'll see soon enough." pic.twitter.com/L4ffbkClWK
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) June 12, 2025
"Believing in QAnon makes your life suck" QAnon promoters admit this truth every so often and then lovebomb their audience to try to keep them trapped in the movement. pic.twitter.com/NfAhDsKRTH
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) June 12, 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 June 12, 2025 at 08:00
June 11, 2025
Scientology threw another party and you weren’t invited — this time in Phoenix!
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We told you about Scientology’s newest holy shrines to founder L. Ron Hubbard, and that another one was having its grand opening in May, in Phoenix. We have photos from the event now, including the shills who gave speeches. And this time they managed to snag a city councilman! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“It is the residual LSD we’re trying to get rid of — LSD that may still be in the body. It’s no substitute for Objectives and a Drug Rundown. You must not consider their Drug Rundown complete until they have completed the Sweat Program and been heavily audited. As the Sweat Program can be strenuous anyone not in good physical condition is required to see a medical doctor in liaison with the Medical Liaison Officer and C/S to obtain permission to exercise and do jogging. Where exercise and jogging would be detrimental to the individual’s health this program should not be done and a more basic nutritional, medical and auditing program done. Doing this gradiently is very important as you are not only working LSD out of the system but other bodily poisons will also be flushed out. If the program is done out gradient the individual can become ill from body changes that he is not able to keep up with.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1977
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
——————–
THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
——————–
“Many an auditor falls for this because the PC wants to know how come he was on the planet Yuk-zuk in a railway conductor’s uniform, you see? What was he doing there? And that’s all very interesting and we can assuage his curiosity to some degree, but if we go in for just assuaging the curiosity of the thing — dramatizing watching TV or something like that, you see — we unfortunately get into the situation where we’re not following down an engramic chain. So here, you see, is another great liability in running engrams. We get so absorbed in dramatis personae and that sort of thing, that we actually aren’t running the chain of engrams at all, we are simply trying to find out. See, get that as a liability, because it is a liability. You actually can find out all about what this PC was doing on the planet Yuk-zuk. You could find out all about it. The only trouble is the basic on it was on the planet Pan-wan, which was a trillion years earlier. You see?” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 11, 1963
——————–
“No member of the Ships Company as per Flag Order is permitted to bring any pet aboard without permission. Gerry McLarty and Maria Bosselaar have brought aboard birds of the Psittacine family and Julie Blundell has a bird of unknown variety. These birds may endanger our free pratique at the next port entry. More particularly, Psittacine birds can develop psittacosis, an infectious virus disease, which can be transmitted to humans and so are a health hazard.” — Capt. Mary Sue Hubbard, June 11, 1969
——————–
“Of course anybody can offer an opinion on the subject of the destiny of LRH after death, and even comment on the several topics, ranging from Galactic Patrol commanders to reincarnated LRHs on Earth. But when these opinions are done by tech people with altitude, namely those in the independent field or the Europe/American Freezone, the opinion has great influence. If the commentator suffers from lack of understanding of the basic Scientology tech, then great damage is made. This is the case when tech people in the independent or Freezone or Church of Scientology field comment on the statement that LRH at death assumed the identity of Galactic Patrol Commander Elron Elrey at Galactic Central (comment made by Capt. Bill Robertson, the founder of the Freezone). If you happen to know well the data on the ‘Time Track of Theta’ tapes, and the ‘History of Man’ Series, you will understand that not only could LRH go to Galactic Central, but that he might have one or several reincarnations here on Earth, simultaneously.”
1997: A progress report was posted this week on the Lisa McPherson civil case. “In depositions with (aunt) Dell Liebrich and (friend) Kelly Davis, Scientology is preparing the case that Lisa had a terrible childhood and abusive family. They also demanded to know who was paying for the lawsuit, perhaps to set up the theory that this is being financed by enemies of Scientology. In a deposition of Robert Davis, the Associate Medical Examiner who conducted the autopsy of Lisa, he at first claimed that he used the terms ‘insect bite’ ‘abrasion’ and ‘contusion’ interchangeably. But when confronted with the autopsy photos, was able to point out the clearly visible insect bites on her knuckles, and said the marks on her wrists are consistent with restraint. They may have come from any number of circumstances, but that restraint would make marks like that. The ME’s office continues to disagree, saying that there are no ‘edge’ features that would be typical of restraint. There are apparently other portions of the deposition in which he contradicts the ME’s office in the 300 page deposition. Although he claimed that Scientology did not approach him beforehand, sources say that he was approached, perhaps in an attempt to influence his testimony. There will be a hearing in Tampa on July 1st, in which Ken Dandar will ask the judge to release Scientology’s records of Lisa’s treatment at the Fort Harrison from the confidentiality provision. Apparently Scientology took extensive notes while she died.”
——————–
“The fact that the mayor couldn’t revoke the license for the Scientologists to erect their circus tent in punishment for their egregious act I find outrageous. The U.S legal system is way too convoluted for my liking.”
——————–
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 June 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing June 16.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud. Sentenced to 7 years in prison.
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 due June 3.
— 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 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] On trial: Scientology PI accused of assaulting woman he was hired to follow
[TWO years ago] Scientology success stories are the bomb: But which continent is most on fire right now?
[THREE years ago] Recent controversies & financial crimes of Scientology: Katherine Olson interview, Part 2
[FOUR years ago] Scientology sends out a deluge of mailers as its newest Texas location prepares to open
[FIVE years ago] Scientologist attorney gets her first ‘head on a pike’ with OC health officer resignation
[SIX years ago] Justin Bieber in the octagon? Why he couldn’t handle Tom Cruise’s Scientology powers
[SEVEN years ago] When Scientology keeps a mother from her child in the ER: Lori Hodgson’s story
[EIGHT years ago] Neil Gaiman’s sis begs her fellow Scientologists to donate to an already funded building
[NINE years ago] BILLBOARD 2.0 — Phil and Willie Jones set their sights on Scientology’s mecca in Florida
[TEN years ago] Augustine: How L. Ron Hubbard devised Scientology’s most diabolical legal mechanisms
[ELEVEN years ago] OKLAHOMA EMPANELS GRAND JURY TO INVESTIGATE SCIENTOLOGY’S DRUG REHAB
[TWELVE years ago] Precious Bodily Fluids: Scientology and the Purification Rundown
——————–
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 3,292 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,787 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,302 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,852 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,842 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,228 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,723 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,027 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,896 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,450 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,791 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,358 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,277 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,445 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,027 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,286 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,323 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,039 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,603 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,918 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,093 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,775 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,112 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,966 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,081 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,443 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,852 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,248 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,126 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,691 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,202 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,458 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,566 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on June 11, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Q patriots ecstatic the storm is breaking in LA, libturd executions imminent
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});🚨🚨FULL SPEECH
Governor Newsom delivers a powerful and urgent address to the people of California and the nation in direct response to President Trump’s illegal militarization of Los Angeles and his broader assault on our democracy.
A must watch till the end. pic.twitter.com/fBWbKDkpSR
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) June 11, 2025
NEW
As usual for major news events, disinformation on social media is running unchecked during the #LAProtests
So people are turning to chatbots like Grok and ChatGPT for fact-checking
The problem is, the bots are making the situation much worsehttps://t.co/07IBD1sgHq
— David Gilbert (@daithaigilbert) June 10, 2025
There are now more U.S. troops deployed to Los Angeles than in Iraq and Syria.
There are 4,800 activated Guard and Marine personnel in LA, compared to the 2,500 troops in Iraq and 1,500 in Syria.https://t.co/NtxgCmxiMb
— ABC News (@ABC) June 10, 2025
SCOOP: The Trump administration is planning to dramatically ramp up sending undocumented migrants to Guantanamo Bay starting this week, with at least 9,000 people being vetted for transfer, according to documents obtained by POLITICO https://t.co/HNew23andw @nahaltoosi @MyahWard
— Dave Brown (@dave_brown24) June 10, 2025
Disgraceful for any news organization to bend the knee to these bad faith actors.
Shameful. pic.twitter.com/GQvHSc3kYj
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) June 10, 2025
NEW: Leland Lehrman is the new executive director of the MAHA Institute, a policy organization with ties to RFK. In the mid-2000s, Lehrman promoted 9/11 conspiracy theories and argued repeatedly that the Protocols of the Elders of Zion is legitimate: https://t.co/nrWuEx3t1I
— Anna Merlan (@annamerlan)
MyPillow Guy Mike Lindell's bold new strategy to beat his defamation case: accuse new "traitors" in the courtroom of crimes against humanity. pic.twitter.com/ne1BEmeuIN
— Kyle Clark (@KyleClark) June 11, 2025
QAnon promoters love making posts like this where they preemptively declare victory and assure us that we're all gonna be celebrating soon enough. pic.twitter.com/g0xxbUspUT
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) June 11, 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 June 11, 2025 at 08:00
June 10, 2025
Trump and Scientology benefactor boasts that she writes for Forbes, Rolling Stone
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: A few minutes into the newest episode of ‘I’m a Scientologist’ at Scientology’s TV network, which features the church’s wealthiest donor, Trish Duggan, she reveals something about herself that really threw us for a loop. She says she writes for WHO now? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“For purpose of clarification ‘AN LSD CASE’ is anyone who has ever had LSD and not sweated it out and had a full Drug Rundown including Objectives. ‘When you are dealing with an LSD case or anyone who has ever taken LSD you cannot and must not consider their Drug Rundown complete until they have been sweated and given liquids and exercised for months as well as heavily audited. They can recover with auditing and this handling, but it won’t be very fast.’ The Sweat Program came about because the “Restim” people who have been on LSD experience appears to act like they had just taken more LSD. When you audit out any other drug that’s the end of it. But this isn’t true of LSD. As it only takes 1/millionth of an ounce of LSD to produce a drugged condition and because it is basically wheat rust which simply cuts off circulation, my original thinking on this over the years was that LSD sticks around in the body. That basically is the idea that underlies the Sweat Program.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1977
——————–
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 follow the rule — if it’s out out there it begun by being out on Flag. In getting it in on Flag we know how to get it in out there. That’s why management orgs must never be separate from a service org — separated, management goes unreal. You can’t say that about Flag. We really get our hands dirty. Unlike the housewife who criticizes the neighbors while her own living room is mountained with garbage, we clean it up at home first. Then we’re in a position to tell others how to do so. See, ma! Clean hands!” — L. Ron Hubbard, June 10, 1971
——————–
“DRESS: Dear All, regarding our uniforms and dress — we looked a rather mottled lot on the dock yesterday and it was necessary to delay the Port Captain’s arrival to prevent him seeing us all in that state. Please remember we are an important ship round these ports so we must look that way. Please improve your dress and smarten up to fit. PORT: The Port Captain came aboard for drinks — he has invited Liz and I out for a meal and wants to return with his wife so she can see the ship. PRO in this port is cool.” — Lt. Barry Watson PO/Port Captain, June 10, 1970
——————–
“I think it is time to review the several kinds of LRHs on Earth and in other planets that are able to make tech. There is the first ‘other LRH’ that Hubbard speaks of in a taped lecture of the ‘Time Track of Theta’ lectures. LRH explains that there is ‘another him’ (theta line) that is not in this planet and was publishing Book 1, ‘Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health’ at the same time as LRH. In conclusion, there is another LRH in another planet developing Scientology or Dianetics and this was described by LRH himself. Then we have another probable time line of LRH, described as a Brazilian Nazi drug dealer called Pedrito. I don’t think Pedrito might reincarnate and claim he is the original LRH we knew and make tech. The reference is also in the Time Track of Theta tapes. The next LRH after his body death would be Captain Bill Robertson’s Elron Elrey. The story goes that LRH dropped his body and assumed the identity of Galactic Patrol Commander for Sector 9, Elron Elrey. This Elron Elrey LRH would communicate with Capt. Bill and developed the Ron’s Org Tech. This tech does not replace Scientology tech but continues the research. I was told of a female LRH but I don’t know if she is a contemporary or a returney and I have no more data on that.”
——————–
1996: David and Julie Mayo posted extensive accounts of Scientology’s Fair Game policy against them in the last few years. David is being harassed for having founded a competing church to Scientology. “On August 4, 1994, Scientology(tm) utilized INTERPOL, the US DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency), and the DNCD (Dominicana Nacional Control de Drogas) to try to enforce Scientology’s(tm) religious beliefs on me, to persecute me and to get me jailed by false allegations to INTERPOL. INTERPOL had received and acted on a report that I was ‘practicing Scientology(tm) without a license’; that I had ‘destroyed Scientology(tm) property’; that I was ‘representing’ myself as a ‘Scientologist’. Ventura Bayonet, head of the Dominican Republic DNCD said that he decided to act as a result of a phone call from INTERPOL alleging that I had damaged ‘millions of dollars of Scientology(tm) property’. I was not representing myself as a Scientologist nor was I practicing Scientology(tm), with or without a license. I had not ‘damaged’ Scientology(tm) property. By 1992, all of the civil lawsuits brought against me by Scientology(tm) had been dismissed and in January 1993, the Central District of California had sanctioned RTC/Scientology(tm) plaintiffs 2.9 million dollars for abusive litigation against me. On August 4, 1994, our residence was surrounded by approximately 15 armed police, military and DNCD agents. I was not charged nor was I resented with any order but I was handcuffed. My home was searched for fire arms, drugs and money. No drugs or firearms were found. Nonetheless, I was taken to two police stations and eventually taken to Santo Domingo where I was put in prison with no charges, explanation or reason. I wasn’t allowed to make a phone call to anyone — not even to a lawyer, to my wife or to the American Embassy. That night, I was put in a small cell (about 12′ x 12′) stuffed with 10 – 12 other men overnight in abhorrent conditions — I had not been permitted food or water since the afternoon, there was no place to stretch out, the cell was filled with stench due to a blocked toilet and there were flies and mosquitoes. The next day I learned that it was INTERPOL that was investigating me at the request of Scientology(tm). I was released the next night, without being charged, but the incident was shockingly unexpected and intimidating. September 1994. A private investigator from Boca Raton, Florida, calling himself John Bertrant, called several of my clients, friends and supporters and gave them alarming news concerning ‘Mayo being in jail’. When was the last time they had seen Mayo? Had they given Mayo any money? One of my clients inquired for whom was John Bertrant working. Bertrant said he couldn’t say, but that it was a group and that he had done extensive contract work for the CIA and other government agencies. May 16, 1995, at the airport, Julie was stopped at passport control. She was detained for five hours during which time she was searched and questioned by several DNCD agents: Bautista, Medina, and Corcino. She was asked repeatedly as to where I was. They threatened to put her in jail while they continued the investigation, and wouldn’t allow her to make a phone call, even to the American Embassy. Medina finally admitted to her that they were put up to it by Scientology(tm). After five hours, she was released and told she could catch the next plane out. We haven’t been back home since, now over a year later. Most of the time we have stayed with friends who have been very charitable in letting us stay with them. I try not to think what has happened to our pets and the garden. I hope Chago was able to give them away to good homes. The food in the refrigerator is undoubtedly a bit moldy by now. I keep hearing stories that someone is telling our neighbors that David is in jail. We had a very good decision from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal on April 11, 1996– the 2.9 million dollar sanction was affirmed and our counterclaims reinstated. But the CofS/RTC has requested for a rehearing en banc. In the meantime, the San Mateo case is scheduled to go to trial in a couple weeks.”
——————–
“I think it was John Brousseau who said that he heard C.O.B. demean his father by calling him a ‘theetie-weetie thetan.’ LRH used the term in a lecture, I do believe.”
——————–
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 June 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing June 16.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud. Sentenced to 7 years in prison.
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 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 suicide: How Quentin Hubbard’s death was covered in the press
[TWO years ago] Mark Bunker: Scientology is up to its old tricks in Clearwater
[THREE years ago] Scientologist chiro gets 5 years probation for fraud after settling sex harassment suit
[FOUR years ago] Danny Masterson’s odds? Juries really don’t like Scientology, Wise Beard Man reminds us
[FIVE years ago] Singing for L. Ron Hubbard in the Sea Org: New videos about the Scientology experience
[SIX years ago] YouTube runs interference for Scientology and its Nation of Islam bigot problem
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology working its grift on a continent where it’s the last thing they need
[EIGHT years ago] Who’s the most powerful elected Scientologist in the land? We have a candidate.
[NINE years ago] Tonight, Cathy Schenkelberg takes her Scientology cans to the Hollywood Fringe
[TEN years ago] Garcias file notice of appeal with the Eleventh Circuit, take on two more specialist attorneys
[ELEVEN years ago] About that ‘threesome’ with L. Ron Hubbard and the Heinleins
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Goes After Critics With Legal Threat Letters Following Strange Infiltration
——————–
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 3,291 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,786 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,301 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,851 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,841 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,227 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,722 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,026 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,895 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,449 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,790 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,357 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,276 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,444 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,026 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,285 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,322 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,038 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,602 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,917 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,092 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,774 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,111 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,965 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,080 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,442 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,851 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,247 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,125 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,690 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,201 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,457 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,565 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on June 10, 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
Federal invasion of California begins, but lacks amenities
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Kamala Harris in October: “[Trump] considers any American who doesn’t support him or bend to his will to be an enemy to our country, and further, he says that as commander-in-chief, he would use our military to go after them.” pic.twitter.com/ithL5Wfw0V
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) June 9, 2025
"I would do it if I were Tom. I think it's great" — Trump endorses the arrest of Gov. Gavin Newsom pic.twitter.com/M9b4s1BkOJ
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 9, 2025
It may have taken 230 years, but the 3rd amendment finally has a purpose. https://t.co/L4bWR05mKG
— Joe (@electionsjoe) June 9, 2025
Kristi Noem calls Los Angeles a “city of criminals”
“They are not a city of immigrants, they are a city of criminals” pic.twitter.com/ixVHWt0uGI
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 10, 2025
This is at least the second time Trump has claimed airline tickets cost two dollars.https://t.co/ljprwOlmsb https://t.co/XEATPhjc57
— Mike Rothschild (@rothschildmd on blu sky) (@rothschildmd) June 9, 2025
A "trap of their own making": When conspiracy theorists take over and find no evidence for their theories, their allies on the Trumpian fringe decide they must now be part of the plot. @GlennThrush @alanfeuer Adam Goldman https://t.co/4e431jfnXo
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) June 9, 2025
BREAKING: RFK Jr. removes all 17 members of vaccine committee for CDC https://t.co/NKqtO2hnKN
— Axios (@axios) June 9, 2025
SCOOP
For years an FDA warning about the dangers of chlorine dioxide helped prevent it going mainstream.
Bleachers spent years calling for it to be removed
In May, it disappeared
Now, the bleachers think RFK will make all their dreams come truehttps://t.co/5zw7cVfWg7
— David Gilbert (@daithaigilbert) June 9, 2025
If MyPillowGuy Mike Lindell loses his election rigging defamation trial in Denver, this will be the day that did it. And the witness who sealed his fate? Himself. pic.twitter.com/yGaXTqZCCU
— Kyle Clark (@KyleClark) June 10, 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 June 10, 2025 at 08:00
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