Tony Ortega's Blog, page 356
December 23, 2020
Political dupe of the day: KC councilman helps Scientology front group with ‘murder’ signs
In 1980, Scientology was in big trouble. A 1977 FBI raid had resulted in 11 top Scientology officials being convicted of conspiracy as documents and testimony proved that the church had engaged in a years-long infiltration of the US and other governments, and had broken into sensitive offices and stole documents by the yard.
News of the raid and the subsequent prosecutions had put Scientology on front pages for a couple of years, founder L. Ron Hubbard had been named an unindicted co-conspirator, and his wife was filing appeals in order to delay going to prison.
Scientology had a major public relations problem which was compounded by the fact that few people knew what Scientology was or what Scientologists believed. To address that issue, Hubbard that year put out a slim volume called “The Way to Happiness,” a collection of anodyne moral precepts stolen from other religious traditions.
For example, the golden rule (Do unto others…) became Precept 19: “Try Not To Do Things To Others That You Would Not Like Them to Do To You.”
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And “Thou Shall Not Kill” became Precept 8: “Do Not Murder.”
Scientology was actually an expensive system of past-life therapy intended to restore godlike powers to beings who had lived for 76 trillion years, but Scientologists are trained not to say a word about that. Instead, they hand out copies of “The Way to Happiness” pamphlet and pretend that its familiar-sounding slogans have something to do with Scientology’s actual practices and aims. (It doesn’t.) They’ve been handing them out in countless numbers in the forty years since.
With Scientology’s terrible public image, however, it’s become harder for the church to dupe people with obviously dishonest come-ons like The Way to Happiness. But as we’ve pointed out time and again, there always seem to be politicians who can’t help falling for Scientology’s schemes.
Yesterday we learned about Scientology’s latest political dupe, a city councilman named Brandon Ellington in Kansas City, who has endorsed a program by the local Scientology “Ideal Org” to place “Do Not Murder” signs at locations where homicides happened this year.
It’s not only ghoulish, it’s a promotion of The Way to Happiness and Scientology itself that the local press is mistakenly calling an “inter-faith” effort because it involves a Scientology front group.
According to Scripps affiliate KSHB…
The Church of Scientology in Kansas City, the inter-faith organization United in Peace Foundation and Kansas City Councilman Brandon Ellington, who is not a Scientologist, have partnered to put the signs in place.
“It was kind of sending [people who live near homicide scenes] a message that, ‘Hey we don’t want this here either. No one in the city wants this.’ The whole idea is to bring people together,” explained Bennette Seaman, the public relations officer for the Church of Scientology in Kansas City.
Well isn’t that special.
Score another one for David Miscavige.
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Harlem Ideal Org staff meeting in all its Hubbardic glory
Trevor Heasley, who told his story on the Oh no! Ross and Carrie podcast, has posted a raw 30-minute video of a Harlem Ideal Org staff meeting. Judging by what’s said, it appears to have taken place right before the org opened, in July 2016. There are some fascinating statements made in here, and we’re going to pull out some of them below the video.
“‘Those who beget evil in this world hate us and want us done in.’ They have had no intention of allowing us an easy ride to creating this Ideal Org, because Harlem Ideal Org spells the beginning of the end for their plans to enslave man.”
“What is black is cool. What is black is beautiful. And soon the basic wisdom and goodness of men will be emanating from Harlem as you, the staff of the Harlem Ideal Org, bring the second renaissance here, one that will never be torn apart by the SPs as they did with the great Harlem renaissance of the 20s.”
“You’ve heard it said and promised to you by myself and others that staff pay will be good in this org, that there will be no need for any of us to have a second job or moonlight to survive and prosper. But understand that this can only be created through your dedication and production. No one can stand aside and wait for the org to be viable….We know what we are asking and we know it can be a tough road holding two jobs racing around town on the subways. But you know none of us ask what we do not demand of ourselves and demand it now so we can build a perfect tomorrow. I myself have been helping many of you get set up in second jobs. Trust me, once we open I’ll be working 100 times harder to get you out of your jobs. So for now let’s acknowledge this and tighten our belts and roll up our sleeves and get to work.”
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Continuing our year in review: The stories of March 2020
March started out with (almost) a bang, when Los Angeles DA Jackie Lacey’s husband pointed a gun at protesters outside their home. As our source close to her predicted, Lacey was “finished” and would go on to lose her bid for re-election later that year. We cared because at that time, March, we were still waiting to see if Lacey was going to charge Danny Masterson.
We found that an expert had blogged that Scientology professional ham hock Grant Cardone is pushing bogus stem cell cures as part of his grifting empire.
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On March 6, Scientology leader David Miscavige weighed in on the Danny Masterson lawsuit through his colorful attorney, Jeffrey Riffer. It was another attack on the attempts to serve Miscavige and another fine Riffer performance.
Valerie Haney filed a motion to reconsider, asking Judge Richard Burdge to re-examine his decision to force her into Scientology “religious arbitration.” We noted that she had some excellent arguments, but such motions are always longshots.
The next day we posted a copy of the opposition to arbitration filed by Danny Masterson’s accusers, and we lauded its focus on the First Amendment rights of these former Scientologists.
Thanks to a new lawsuit, we learned that just one Scientology mail contract was worth $5 million a year to a company that sends out its unwanted brochures.
On March 11 we had a first-person report from someone who had experienced what it was like to work in an office where a dentist was pushing Scientology on his staff.
Later that day, we got our first indication that Judge Kleifield wasn’t going to put up with Scientology’s usual litigation shenanigans as he denied a motion for sanctions in the Danny Masterson lawsuit.
And still on the same day, we reported the surprising news that attorneys in the Jane Doe Miami case had scheduled David Miscavige for a deposition. That seemed rather bold of them.
Danny Masterson’s accusers spoke out in sworn declarations that were filed in their lawsuit and that we posted on March 14.
By March 15, the coronavirus lockdown had upended our lives in a big way, and we learned that it had also forced David Miscavige to cancel the March 13 L. Ron Hubbard birthday event in Clearwater. We also learned for the first time that Miscavige was jumping on the pandemic as a public relations opportunity, quickly assembling a booklet with basic advice about washing hands and social distancing. Kirstie Alley, meanwhile, fell back on Scientology jargon and asked the public to “postulate” making the virus disappear.
While we were all adjusting to the lockdown, something really amazing happened: Mark Bunker was elected to city council in Clearwater!
That deposition Miscavige was scheduled for? It was canceled once Miscavige’s attorneys pushed back.
Despite the lockdown, litigation marched on, and in the Brian Statler wrongful-death lawsuit in Inglewood, there was a surprise: His biological daughter was joined as a plaintiff, helping to confirm some things we’d heard about why Brian was at the Scientology Ideal Org the day he was gunned down.
While Scientology scrambled to handle the pandemic, we got our hands on reports from its New Year’s celebration of wealthy donors. It’s always fun to see the new trophies given to the lesser cetaceans and the big whales.
Maybe our biggest story in March and one of the biggest scoops all year: We got our hands on David Miscavige’s secret briefing for Scientologists calling the pandemic a “planetary bullbait” — in other words, a bogus controversy that the church should not flinch at. Dave’s message to his followers: Protect the orgs over anything else.
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Then we began to see how Scientology’s schizophrenic reaction to the pandemic would roll out. Privately, they called it a bullbait and considered the virus a hoax, but for the public the church was going all out with “sanitation teams” and cleaning supplies as a public relations opportunity.
A LOOK BACK AT MARCH 2019: R.M. Seibert made the entertaining Scientology-US Government-NY Yankees connection. Evidence that Tom Cruise and John Travolta both attended the LRH Birthday event. Sunny Pereira remembers when Lisa Marie Presley brought Michael Jackson into the Celebrity Centre. The London Org sends out an auditor training success story by Isabella Cruise. Man (later identified as Brian Statler) is shot dead at the Inglewood Ideal Org.
A LOOK BACK AT MARCH 2018: Scientology TV finally debuted, and featured David Miscavige in a short monologue. That same night, Leah Remini asked ‘Where’s Shelly?’ on the Aftermath. Arnie Lerma shot his wife in the face and then turned the gun on himself. And we learned that Kirstie Alley had achieved OT 8.
A LOOK BACK AT MARCH 2017: Scientologist actor Danny Masterson was under investigation for multiple rapes. Joy Villa mulled a run for Congress. We caught Marty Rathbun helping his old nemesis, the Church of Scientology, in a court case. We traced Marty’s dramatic arc from Scientology critic to Scientology attack dog. Leah Remini turned out to have helped finance the Scientology/NOI dance. Kuba Ka charmed us in a lengthy interview. And Reza Aslan laid an egg.
A LOOK BACK AT MARCH 2016: Attorney Ken Dandar dodges a million-dollar bullet. Tabatha Fauteux’s boyfriend tells us what really happened in her death while training for Scientology’s Narconon network. Belgium blows its prosecution of the church. And the saga of former Scientology helper cop, Skip Young.
A LOOK BACK AT MARCH 2015: Federal Judge James Whittemore hamstrung the Garcia fraud lawsuit with a stunning ruling, we dug up even more evidence that L. Ron Hubbard used the threat of “R2-45” to intimidate former church members, Paul Haggis gave us his thoughts as Alex Gibney’s Going Clear debuted on HBO, and we got to hear Sylvia DeWall being declared an SP while it was happening,
A LOOK BACK AT MARCH 2014: John Travolta mangled Idina Menzel’s name at the Oscars. We interviewed Russell Miller as his book Bare-Faced Messiah came back in print after 27 years. Jillian Schlesinger told us her gripping story of escape from the Sea Org.
A LOOK BACK AT MARCH 2013: We had fun with SMERSH Madness. We leaked Sea Org life histories. Narconon Arrowhead CEO Gary Smith lost his professional certification.
Five of our favorites from the most-upvoted comments of March 2020
March 3: Valerie Ross
Personal Scientology birth experience. First one, I was GO. I managed to remain silent the whole time. No drugs. It was a home birth and my doctor was a scientologist, so we were all on the same page. Second one, I was not on staff anywhere. Another home birth. No drugs. My midwife was not a Scientologist. I still believed I needed to remain silent. For what it’s worth, in both births, when my water broke and I went into transition, I had projectile vomiting (how sweet). The second one, as I was pushing and I grunted once. My now oh-so-ex-husband (we have been divorced since 1984) whisper-snarled “get your fucking TRs in.” The reality of one Scientologist giving birth per LRH tek. If anyone believes that because I was silent, it was stress-free, all I can say to you is, BITE ME. Boy am I glad I’m out.
March 8: Richard
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The situation here in the north of Italy is serious. Most of the north is in quarantine including where I live. However, there’s always room for some humour, so take a look at a part of the decree signed by the Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, during the night: “The opening of places of worship is conditional on the adoption of organizational measures such as the avoidance of crowds of people, taking into account the size and characteristics of the places and such as to guarantee visitors the possibility of respecting the distance between them of at least one meter.” Two things come to mind regarding you know what. Firstly, the avoidance of crowds shouldn’t be too much of a problem in the Ideal Orgs but the other measure about keeping a distance of one meter between people could be an enormous problem for the regges. How in Xenu’s name do you get parishioners’ money when you’re not allowed contact with them?
March 16: Jimmy3
Using Dianetics as toilet paper used to be a joke, but it’s looking like a serious option right now.
March 20: Panopea Abrupta
I would like to thank the Bunker – I can’t think of a better virtual community to be isolated with. I’m feeling pretty lucky – in the middle of trying times, I get to hang out at home with my favourite people and I get to hang out online with some of my favourite people. I hope you are all in a good place – this is gonna take weeks.
March 24: Tony Ortega
He’s so angry he actually called himself Captain David Miscavige.
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“Every language has a basic word for ‘accept’ and a basic word for ‘reject’ which allows for no argument. Whereas they do have differences on such a thing as ‘associate.’ Look what Freud did with ‘associate.’ I’m being awfully hard on the old man this morning. There’s no reason to be hard on the guy, he actually was the entering wedge into psychotherapy. But I’m young and cocky and I didn’t have to write ‘Psychoanalysis: Terminable and Interminable.’ I didn’t have to write that. I will never have to write something, now, I know very well, called ‘Dianetics: Terminable or Interminable.’ Apathy, apathy. Imagine a guy beating the drum, beating the drum all those years, having to sit down and write that essay. This was one of the last essays he wrote. He knew he had failed before he died, which is the saddest thing that can happen to any man.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 23, 1954
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“The boot top and hull need squaring up. The gold stripe and the gold name should be handled quickly. She should be prettied up for Christmas and the New Year. She is a very nice ship. Almost any other ship would leap about madly in the seas in which we run. She is also a very pretty ship and looks more like a yacht than most yachts do.” — The Commodore, December 23, 1970
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“Honestly, Hubbard was borderline a con artist. But at least he wasn’t a lefty or communist, and if we were all brainwashed by him that would make a better world than being brainwashed by the New World Order. They are some serious evil. Nothing is worse than the communist world order, lefties are seriously perverted and therefore I support Hubbard’s attempt to save Earth via a takeover of it using his Sea Org. Even though all the harm caused, it was still worth breaking those eggs to make the omelette.”
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2000: The Tucson Citizen reported that the mayor of Tucson regrets pronouncing a city observance of L. Ron Hubbard Day. “Through the end of last month, in his first year in office, Mayor Bob Walkup signed 138 Proclamation Day decrees. Most Tucsonans remain unaware of these public but not publicized occasions. ‘If it makes a group happy, I’ll do it,’ said Walkup, who often reads the proclamations at events to mark the occasion. ‘It doesn’t cost me anything.’ Separation of church and state notwithstanding, L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the church of Scientology, had his own special day in Tucson on March 13. Walkup, who turned down a request to proclaim National Bible Week this year, said he didn’t recall approving L. Ron Hubbard Day. ‘If it was just a name like that, I probably would have gone with the recommendation of the staff.’ The proclamation recognized Hubbard for his ‘humanitarian’ works, and not for his role in founding the church of Scientology, which has been criticized by some as a cult that ‘reprograms’ its members.”
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“One of the few things I appreciate about the cult is their retro-ness.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Masterson’s demurrer denied Oct 19, arraignment delayed to Jan 6.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing delayed for ‘Fatico’ hearing on Jan 19.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Petition for writ of mandate denied Oct 22 by Cal 2nd Appellate District. Petition for review by state supreme court denied Dec 11.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Dec 18, re-hearing on motions to compel arbitration, awaiting ruling; Jan 29, Masterson’s request to stay discovery pending the criminal case
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Nov 18: Feshbachs indicated they will enter into consent judgment to pay the debt.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
Concluded litigation:
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs.
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
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SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks
The Australian Seven News network cancelled a 10-part investigation of Scientology and its history of dirty tricks. Read the transcripts of the episodes and judge for yourself why Tom Cruise and Tommy Davis might not have wanted viewers to see this hard-hitting series by journalist Bryan Seymour.
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’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] Bernie Headley, 1952-2019: A man who fought against Scientology’s ‘disconnection’
[TWO years ago] Scientology’s smear machine hurting your reputation? For $1,500 they can help with that.
[THREE years ago] A look back at the month when all hell broke loose for Scientology and Danny Masterson
[FOUR years ago] LAPD needs two more weeks to respond to Leah Remini about missing wife of Scientology leader
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s 2015 in review: In March, HBO went Clear while we eavesdropped on Flag
[SIX years ago] Scientology hit with 25th lawsuit by Las Vegas attorney as he goes after Florida rehab
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s mecca wants you to come to Florida and run circles around a pole
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s 2012 in Review: Debbie Cook Makes Us Remember the Alamo
[NINE years ago] Scientology on the High Seas: Yuletide Cheer, Including Dickens Adapted with Evil Psychs
[TWENTY ONE years ago] Double Crossed (The Graham Berry story)
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,159 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,663 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,183 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,203 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,094 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,401 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,269 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,043 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,847 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,163 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,729 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,648 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,816 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,397 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,658 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,696 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,409 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,934 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 289 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,464 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,015 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,164 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,484 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,339 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,458 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,814 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,117 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,223 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,625 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,497 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,080 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,575 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,829 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,938 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 23, 2020 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, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), 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
December 22, 2020
‘Tears of joy’: Scientology boasts that leader David Miscavige attended Clearwater event
Our thanks to the tipster who sent us scans of the new Source magazine, Scientology’s in-house publication for its Flag Land Base in Clearwater, Florida.
And besides the usual drivel about promoting the high-level and expensive processes at Flag, this issue contained a surprise: Evidence that leader David Miscavige made a recent appearance at a Flag graduation event at a time when some Scientology orgs are boarded up, international events have been put on hold, and Miscavige himself has been pursued without luck by process servers.
There’s no date mentioned in the brief article, and our scans are somewhat imperfect. But the impact of the piece is plain enough. At a time when Scientologists may be having doubts about how the organization is weathering the pandemic, Miscavige’s appearance at the auditorium of the Fort Harrison Hotel, Scientology’s holiest location, is intended to bolster morale.
Here’s the blurb that was printed along with the photos…
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The Future Is Bright
Flag Graduation is always inspiring and exhilarating, but this one was absolutely electrifying. Eager Scientologists filed into the Flag Auditorium — masked and socially distanced, of course — expecting to hear life-changing wins from some of the latest completions. What they weren’t expecting was an impromptu appearance by Chairman of the Board RTC, Mr. David Miscavige. When he walked out onstage, the room pulsed with excitement as attendees leapt to their feet for a relentless ovation. Tears of joy. Laughter. Relief. And rekindled purpose were some of the reactions from the audience. Those in attendance described it as raw, unplugged and giving an overwhelming sense that everything is going to be all right. After the audience settled down, Mr. Miscavige gave the attendees a glimpse of what the FUTURE holds: an ever-expanding world of Scientology. It was an unforgettable night and a reminder that at Flag — the center of our Scientology universe — you can expect the unexpected.
When did this appearance take place? We know that Miscavige was in Clearwater last month because the Tampa Bay Times says he met with the city manager and the city attorney.
But we also received a copy of an email dated Sunday claiming that Miscavige has been at the Flag graduation the last five Fridays…
The last five Fridays David Miscavige have been here at FLAG to fill the vacuum. Him being here and talking to us is big news in it self. But it’s very interesting and important briefings. It’s only a few of us that have seen these briefings so I want to convey some of the headlines.
We’re all influenced by the situation and there is a lot of opinions about what we should do and not do. But from Int Management there is no hesitation, the protocols that you see in the Orgs now is here to stay, until the virus is under control or gone. As a friend of mine said “When we do something then we do it 100%.” One thing is for sure, we are part of the 4 Dynamic and what is their problem is also ours.
There is no doubt that COB would like to have a normal New Years event, and sent this information to all the Org as usually, but the Shrine auditorium and any other big halls are restricted and not even open.
The email was written by “Power FSM” Niels Kjeldsen, who goes on to say that according to videos Miscavige played at the graduations, new Ideal Orgs are in preparation for when the grand openings can begin starting up again, in Austin, Chicago, Florence, Aarhus, Oslo, Helsinki, Paris, and Port Elizabeth in South Africa.
Miscavige in Clearwater the last five weeks? How does no one ever spot him for a press photo or something?
Oh, that’s right.
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Leah Remini podcast: More listener questions
Here’s this week’s episode…
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Continuing our year in review: The stories of February 2020
We started off the month still reeling from the news that Valerie Haney had been denied the right to trial and that Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Richard Burdge had granted Scientology’s motion to force her into “religious arbitration.” We reviewed her options, which were all pretty painful.
Meanwhile, we got our first look at Danny Masterson’s “demurrer,” his response to the civil lawsuit filed against him by several women who say they had been harassed by him and the church for coming forward with rape allegations to the LAPD in 2016. In the demurrer, Masterson called the lawsuit a “publicity stunt” and mischaracterized the women as ex-girlfriends. (Two of the four women had dated him, but the other two hadn’t.) He wanted the two women going by “Jane Doe” to name themselves publicly, and he wanted the court to remove him from the suit. (The demurrer was eventually overturned.)
On February 6 we witnessed another OT 8 implosion as Maryland dentist Neil Woods was unmasked as a sadistic medical disaster who had left a trail of maimed and desperate patients. While the local news reported on his business cratering, with angry patients outside demanding justice, we pointed out that none of this should be happening to an OT 8, the most accomplished of Scientologists, if there were anything at all to L. Ron Hubbard’s magic “tech.” We’re still waiting to see if Woods is going to face criminal charges for what was clearly a horror show of mistreatment and financial chicanery.
The next day we reported that Jane Doe, the young woman who was suing Scientology in Miami over being sexually molested as a child employee, would be facing a motion by the church to deny her right to trial and force her case into “religious arbitration.” It seemed stunning, but as we said at the time, “can Scientology convince a court that a woman with child molestation claims is merely another religious contract dispute?”
Ten days after we wrote about the poisoning death of Biscuit, Chrissie Carnell Bixler and Cedric Bixler-Zavala’s dog, we reported on the near-fatal poisoning of Jet, the dog of Bobette Riales, who, along with Chrissie and Cedric, is a plaintiff in the lawsuit against Scientology and Danny Masterson. Bobette noted that the church, in its court papers, sneered at the claims in the lawsuit, saying that these were common incidents in urban life. “Urban life? I’ve lived in 19 countries. I speak three languages. I’m 40 years old. The things I’ve been going through have never happened to me before,” Bobette told us. “It’s getting worse and worse.”
Our tipsters are the best. One of them got into a presentation by a bizarre Scientology star duo: Nation of Islam figure (and Scientology Freedom Medal winner) Tony Muhammad and skateboard hero Aaron Kyro at a barnstorming event at the Hollywood Celebrity Centre.
After seeing their lawsuit on behalf of Leah Remini’s assistant Valerie Haney get torpedoed, the legal team representing Danny Masterson’s accusers scrambled and tried to get Judge Steven Kleifield to give them some limited discovery about the contracts that Scientology claimed the plaintiffs had signed that obliged them to take their grievances to arbitration. Judge Kleifield denied the request.
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In February we also got our first drone’s-eye-view of the Larry Hagman estate in Ojai, California, which Scientology has turned into a boutique Narconon.
On February 20, we unearthed a copy the full 1960 L. Ron Hubbard lecture, “A Talk on South Africa.” Long suppressed by the church itself, the lecture is Hubbard at his apartheid-supporting worst, and his characterizations of African blacks will make you squirm.
In a completely predictable turn of events, we found out on February 22 that Scientology would be filing objections to the most routine of legal niceties in the Danny Masterson lawsuit: The church was putting up ridiculous opposition to out-of-town attorneys being admitted to represent Masterson’s accusers. This is something you have to keep in mind when you take on Scientology in court, “reasonable” is not in their vocabulary.
When Scientology opened its “Ideal Org” in Ventura, California, our anonymous blog pilot did a flyover to provide us with an aerial view of the circus. The next day, we wondered out loud if, with another Ideal Org opening up and more on the way, Miscavige was on a huge winning streak. Oh, if we’d only known what was coming our way in less than a month.
In February we were still waiting to see whether LA District Attorney Jackie Lacey was going to file criminal charges against Danny Masterson, and in the meantime we reported that a seventh victim had come forward to talk to the LAPD.
The Ventura opening had produced a kerfuffle over balloons that the church had released into the environment at the grand opening ceremony, and we felt compelled to point out that the damage Scientology does is a lot more important than some litter on the beach.
And on Leap Day, we took a look at the amended complaint that Danny Masterson’s accusers filed, with updated allegations including the poisoning of their pets.
A LOOK BACK AT FEBRUARY 2019: NFL great Marshall Faulk used another Super Bowl to shill for Scientology’s anti-drug front group. Chief Slaughter denied that Clearwater PD genuflects to David Miscavige. USC revealed that a letter from a prominent faculty member endorsing Scientology was a fake. The National Enquirer falsely claimed that Shelly Miscavige had been spotted on a cruise ship.
A LOOK BACK AT FEBRUARY 2018: David Mayo died, and we revealed that we’d been talking to him over the years. Scientology’s new Super Bowl ad, ‘Curious?’ was a hoot. Chris Owen dived into the notorious ‘brainwashing’ manual. And Sands Hall published her delightful memoir, ‘Flunk. Start.’
A LOOK BACK AT FEBRUARY 2017: The new Super Bowl ad was another mystery sandwich. Phil and Willie Jones put up another ‘Call Me’ billboard, this time right on Sunset Boulevard. Clay Irwin toured Tom Cruise’s penthouse. We profiled the ‘celebrity whisperer,’ Quailynn McDaniel.
A LOOK BACK AT FEBRUARY 2016: News broke that Monique Rathbun had fired her entire legal team. Ross and Carrie began their trip inside the church. Defector Paul Burkhart estimated fewer than 20,000 active members left in the church worldwide. And a 1940 L. Ron Hubbard short story turned out to have a lot of precursor ideas for Scientology.
A LOOK BACK AT FEBRUARY 2015: The horrifying story of a mentally ill woman held in an Arkansas basement by a Scientologist, Mark Ebner found that Narconon International ditched its offices, we fact-checked Danny Masterson, and R.M. Seibert dug up L. Ron Hubbard’s high school record.
A LOOK BACK AT FEBRUARY 2014: The Master actor Philip Seymour Hoffman died in New York, we wrote an essay complaining about the way the media talks about Scientology and celebrities, and we provided some context to the first official Scientology wedding in England.
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A LOOK BACK AT FEBRUARY 2013: Jenna Miscavige Hill’s memoir, Beyond Belief, was published. Harlan Ellison helped us document a Hubbard legend. And former Narconon executive Eric Tenorio cam forward.
Five of our favorites from the most-upvoted comments of February 2020
February 1: TX Lawyer
It is extraordinarily difficult to invalidate an arbitration agreement. Congress and the courts have made it abundantly clear that an agreement to arbitrate means you’re going to arbitration, regardless of how disadvantaged you were when you agreed to it. It is, quite honestly, something Congress needs to fix. If I were starting from scratch, I would only enforce arbitration clauses for transactions in excess of $5 million, or where the parties agreed to arbitrate after a lawsuit was filed.
I am not Ms. Haney’s lawyer, I have no special knowledge of California law or civil procedure, and this is not legal advice because I don’t know the details of her case. But pursuing a writ of mandamus strikes me as a very poor move. Generally speaking (because I’m not researching the specific grounds for mandamus under California law), it requires the petitioner to demonstrate that the claimed error is not something that can be remedied through a regular appeal after final judgment. Whether or not the judge here committed reversible error in this decision — and I don’t think he did — it is certainly something that can be fixed after the “arbitration” is complete, the result is confirmed, and an ordinary appeal gets taken up. The appellate courts can just order that the arbitration agreement is invalid and send the case back for a trial.
It seems to me that the better move is, unfortunately, to go through the fake-arbitration proceeding, documenting and exposing all of its bullshit, then challenge it back in the courts after the Church issues its inevitable ruling. Of course, that may be so painful that a reasonable litigant could decide not to go through with the process. I would not blame Valerie one bit if she decided not to. But she doesn’t seem like the shy and retiring type. Go get ’em!
February 2: Andrea “i-Betty” Garner
Grant Cardone is David Miscavige’s idea of the perfect Scientologist: wealthy enough to bleed for huge donations, stupid enough not to realise he’s being played, narcissistic enough to believe he’s using free will.
February 6: Panopea Abrupta
Somewhat ironic that an OT VIII dentist is such a fuck-up at ‘implants.’
February 10: Newiga
STOP POISONING INNOCENT ANIMALS, YOU SICK F@ CKS!
February 15: Phil Jones
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Managed to snap a photo of the drone pilot over Larry Hagman’s old estate.
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“Why do you think it is that simply looking at something will make it vanish as far as a thetan is concerned? We know that this will take place. All right, that’s because he goes into communication with it and it is a mismanaged communication. To be an it, to be a something, we must have had a mismanaged communication of one kind or another. That’s why we say ‘God built this universe.’ Now that is a mismanaged communication, per se, it is right there. God did not build this universe. And so that is mismanaged so there is the wrong point of origin, see, some point of origin is mocked-up, and so on.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 22, 1954
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“Peter Church, FEBC student and Sharon West were married at sea by Captain W.B. Robertson at 2151 hours 21 Dec 1970. The marriage will be recorded at the nearest consul under Maritime Law and the Laws of Panama. The entry has been duly recorded in the ship’s log. Peter Church is from Delta Meters, Los Angeles. They will have a brief honeymoon in the nextport. They have the good wishes of the officers and crew of the Apollo and my own.” — The Commodore, December 22, 1970
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“I had three dreams in one night that the Vril were trying to recruit me to fight the Marxists in America. I turned them down three times and they never came to me in my dreams again LOL. Who can tell us if the reptilians are real? Is it the Marcabs who suppress us in the BT chain of command?”
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1995: In the Clearwater Times: “In a survey sent out this week, the church seeks ‘professional Scientologists’ to create sculptures, carry out engineering work, and even supervise aspects of the project, expected to begin in the spring. ‘We are also looking for professionals who know how to put a building together and to manage the personnel who will construct the building,’ the pamphlet says. ‘In fact, we are looking for anybody who has been involved or is involved in the design, planning, and construction of buildings.’ The new facility will be designed for a series of courses dubbed ‘Super Power’ by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Clearwater, the international spiritual headquarters for the church, would be the only place in the world where the courses would be offered. They are not available now.”
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“Dude, we don’t get ‘in comm’ with people around here, we talk to them.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Masterson’s demurrer denied Oct 19, arraignment delayed to Jan 6.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing delayed for ‘Fatico’ hearing on Jan 19.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Petition for writ of mandate denied Oct 22 by Cal 2nd Appellate District. Petition for review by state supreme court denied Dec 11.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Dec 18, re-hearing on motions to compel arbitration, awaiting ruling; Jan 29, Masterson’s request to stay discovery pending the criminal case
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Nov 18: Feshbachs indicated they will enter into consent judgment to pay the debt.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
Concluded litigation:
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs.
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
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SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks
The Australian Seven News network cancelled a 10-part investigation of Scientology and its history of dirty tricks. Read the transcripts of the episodes and judge for yourself why Tom Cruise and Tommy Davis might not have wanted viewers to see this hard-hitting series by journalist Bryan Seymour.
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’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 Santa: The church built on Jesus as a hoax once again co-opts Christmas
[TWO years ago] Checking in on a Scientology ‘ideal’ Christmas as we continue our year in review
[THREE years ago] Scientology donor Joy Villa aiming for Ileana Ros-Lehtinen’s Miami congressional district
[FOUR years ago] February made us shiver, but it was another Astounding month here in the Bunker
[FIVE years ago] The Scientologist who sold a hot dinosaur skull to Nicolas Cage
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s 2014 in review: In chilly February, Hambo began his onslaught
[SEVEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Scientology sends us a letter!
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s 2012 In Review: Debbie Cook Starts January Off With a BANG!
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,158 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,662 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,182 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,202 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,093 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,400 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,268 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,042 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,846 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,162 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,728 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,647 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,815 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,396 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,657 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,695 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,408 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,933 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 288 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,463 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,014 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,163 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,483 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,338 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,457 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,813 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,116 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,222 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,624 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,496 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,079 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,574 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,828 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,937 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 22, 2020 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, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), 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
December 21, 2020
The Underground Bunker’s 2020 Scientology year-in-review starts today!
Oh, this fucking year.
We’ve all been in this boat together, so we don’t need to remind you what a shitshow 2020 has been because of the coronavirus pandemic. And besides the many around the world who fell sick and the many who have died, all of us have had to deal with upheaval in our everyday lives.
And of course, Scientology watching was no different. Who would have predicted as the year began that in 2020 there would be no LRH Birthday event, no IAS gala, no HowdyCon!
But even if our lives were turned upside down, there was still plenty of news to cover, and from here in our underground bunker, we could keep on reporting without risking exposure to the deadly bug.
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So we soldiered on, and had plenty to write about. There was litigation going on all year, pandemic or no pandemic, and criminal charges for Danny Masterson in June. And the year ended with a spectacular blowout by Tom Cruise as his on-set Covid rant became a very public matter of intense debate. And all against a backdrop of growing numbers of the sick and dying. What a bizarre trip around the sun 2020 has been.
But readership has remained strong here at the Bunker, in part we think thanks to Leah Remini’s series Scientology and the Aftermath moving to Netflix, and also because of great interest in her new podcast with Mike Rinder. Those two continue to do amazing work keeping Scientology’s controversies in the public eye.
We also added some additional daily features here at the Bunker that turned out to be very popular. What hasn’t changed is the continuing support we get from our many great correspondents and tipsters and researchers. And of course, our amazing commenting community that really makes this place unique.
So, as in past years, we’ll be going through a daily look-back at the stories that rocked the Bunker this year, covering a different month each day until December 31, when we combine November and December’s highlights. And at that point, we’ll reveal our picks for our favorite 20 stories of the year.
Of course, we won’t stop reporting the news over the next ten days, but we hope you enjoy our look through the archives. So here we go. First up, the stories of January 2020.
We started out the month with a surprising tidbit: Graham Berry let us know that a member of the law firm defending the Church of Scientology in the lawsuits filed by Valerie Haney and the Danny Masterson accusers is a former prosecutor with the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Berry said that the former prosecutor, Richard Drooyan, had admitted to him that the Department of Justice “did not have the resources to take on the Church of Scientology.”
On January 6, the guys at Reckless Ben let us premiere the third video in the series they were making about infiltrating the Scientology headquarters in Los Angeles. Ben was a professional slackliner, and he and his friend Michael were getting hilarious results by going to the Scientology center with a camera hidden in a pair of glasses. We didn’t love all of the pranks they pulled, but some of the footage they got of Scientologists being, well, Scientologists, was some of the best ever.
The next day we reported on the death of Henning Heldt, a former Guardian’s Office spymaster who had played a crucial role in Scientology’s “Snow White Program” and had gone to prison for it. Chris Owen provided us some fascinating background on this quintessential figure of Scientology subterfuge.
Also in January, Skip Young and Phil Jones each wrote about the heartbreaking and unsuccessful attempts they had made to be reunited with their disconnected children, who continued to choose Scientology over their own families.
In 2018 one of our biggest stories was that we had finally found the famous Sonya Bianchi who had featured in an early L. Ron Hubbard demonstration of Dianetics at the Shrine Auditorium in August 1950. We talked with her son, Chris Hulswit, who helped us confirm that this was the same Sonya Bianchi that had for so long been part of Dianetics and Scientology lore. We hoped eventually to get a chance to meet her in person, but on January 10 she passed away. She was 92.
On January 14, we posted a contrary point of view by Dave Stokes, who said he chooses to accept being disconnected by his family after leaving Scientology, that he knew the rules going in and doesn’t want to cause them any problems.
One of the stranger details of the lawsuit filed by Danny Masterson is that was cited as someone taking part in the harassment campaign against his accusers. She denies this, and we spoke to her about it, and we also sampled some material from her very bizarre website.
We learned in January that Brian Statler’s mother and father had filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Inglewood and its police force. Inglewood police gunned down Statler, 30, who had turned up at the Scientology Ideal Org there supposedly wielding a “samurai sword.” His parents claimed in the lawsuit that he was doing nothing that called for him being shot to death.
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Former Narconon Arrowhead president Lucas Catton put out a new self-published memoir, and we posted an excerpt from it, describing what it was like to be subpoenaed over deaths that had happened at the bogus Scientology rehab.
On January 21 we reported on a rare Diana Hubbard sighting. She was let out of Gold Base long enough to sign autographs at Saint Hill Manor in England. It was our first glimpse of her since she attended an IAS event in 2016.
Someone tossed rat poison wrapped up in some ground beef over the fence into the yard at the home of Chrissie Carnell Bixler and her husband, rocker Cedric Bixler-Zavala, and their dog Biscuit took the bait. Cedric went public that he’d had to put the beloved dog down, and he had no doubt who was behind the intentional pet poisoning. The previous August, Chrissie and Cedric had joined three women who were suing Scientology and Danny Masterson over what they claim is an ongoing harassment campaign since the women came forward with rape allegations against the That ’70s Show actor.
On January 25, Clarissa Adams wrote a piece for us revealing that the auditor in the Reckless Ben videos, who had been surreptitiously recorded delivering Book One auditing to Ben, was in fact her mother, Irmin Huber. “I think it’s inevitable that she’ll be in trouble for all of this and I just hope that it’s uncomfortable enough that she feels the need to leave,” Clarissa said, admitting that it was mostly wishful thinking on her part.
Scientology claimed it was “partnering” with the Miami police department to provide anti-drug propaganda for the Super Bowl, but the police department later denied it.
Tom Cruise’s sister Cass Capazorio turned up on a list of Scientologists who had completed the ‘Super Power’ rundowns. Does that make her a more powerful thetan than her famous actor brother?
The month’s biggest, and most shocking, news came on its second to last day, when we learned that Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Richard Burdge had granted Scientology’s motion to deny Valerie Haney a right to trial and force her into Scientology’s brand of “religious arbitration.” Although Valerie was alleging that she’d been harassed and libeled by Scientology after leaving her position as a Sea Org worker, Burdge decided that she was still under the obligations of an agreement she signed as she left the church. She would spend the rest of 2020 trying to overturn Burdge’s decision.
And finally, January ended with the premiere of another Scientology Super Bowl ad, and once again it was a mystery sandwich.
A LOOK BACK AT JANUARY 2019: Leah Remini’s ‘Aftermath’ series featured episodes on Paul Burkhart and Bert Schippers, Heather Ruggieri and Carol Nyburg, and a two-parter on the city of Clearwater. Scientology tried to pin a frightening stabbing death at the Advanced Org in Sydney on Leah. A new Advanced Org opened in South Africa. And Chris Shelton interviewed a new defector, Bree Mood, who said that Sea Org women are still being forced to get abortions.
A LOOK BACK AT JANUARY 2018: Chris Owen delivered on the mysteries of L. Ron Hubbard and his parents. We printed revelations about Joy Villa from her ex-boyfriend and her ex-manager. We weighed in on Xenu or Xemu. Katrina Reyes finally got to tell her story of disconnection. Former Scientology spy Cierra Westerman came forward.
A LOOK BACK AT JANUARY 2017: Brandon Reisdorf was featured on Aftermath. The LAPD snubbed Leah Remini. Marc Headley revealed that he was “bedsheet Jesus.” Billionaire Scientologist Trish Duggan made the scene at Trump’s inaugural. And Bernie Headley inspired us to start our ‘disconnected’ list.
A LOOK BACK AT JANUARY 2016: A local police chief gets played by Scientology, but later thinks better of it. Researcher R.M. Seibert gets the lowdown on how Scientology is using ‘religious’ visas to bring in foreign workers. Karen de la Carriere gets a nasty letter from a Scientology attorney.
A LOOK BACK AT JANUARY 2015: Alex Gibney’s documentary Going Clear premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, and we were there. Scientology had taken out full-page ads in major newspapers attacking Gibney before the film debuted. And it made predictable attacks afterwards. And in a new release of old documents, John McMaster, the world’s first true “Clear,” revealed that L. Ron Hubbard expected to come back as his daughter Diana’s child.
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A LOOK BACK AT JANUARY 2014: We posted the Tommy Davis deposition from the Monique Rathbun lawsuit. Scientology’s own attorney discussed David Miscavige’s “black heart” in open court. Barbara Cordova Oliver went missing. Jefferson Hawkins wrapped up his series on Scientology “ethics.”
A LOOK BACK AT JANUARY 2013: Lawrence Wright’s epic book Going Clear debuted, as did John Sweeney’s book, Luis and Rocio Garcia filed their federal fraud lawsuit, and Atlantic magazine screwed up big time.
Five of our favorites from the most-upvoted comments of January 2019
January 7: Paulette Cooper
Not one of the major people in the operations against me ever opened up and told the truth about what they did to me. And with Heldt’s death there’s one less person to do so. Not that he would have. But it would sure be nice if ONE of those bastards came forward….
January 8: Phil Jones
Jeb, Please be merciful. These posts about the kids are not easy days. Yes, I know I was an idiot and belonged to an abusive cult. I live with the pain and guilt of that every day of having led my kids into it. I truly love my kids and sincerely thought that everything I did for them was good for them. Yes, I missed many warning signs that were put before me. Accuse me of stupidity, but please, not of wanting the best for my kids. If I saw them today they’d get only hugs and tears, and a welcome home from us.
January 14: theetie weetie
Monday: I wish my mom could see my kids growing up
Tuesday: It’s sad she is so busy “saving the world” she has no concept of her own family
Weds: Maybe I should send her a card, or a letter, and maybe put a photo of my kids in it
Thursday: I’ve sent a letter. They have never been returned, so maybe she gets them? Oh it’s Thursday, I’ll bet she busy till 2pm today. Counting up those stats.
Friday: Another week my kids have no idea who my mom is
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Saturday: Fuck her
Sunday: It’s her choice to not be part of our lives, so she can piss off.
Monday: See above. [Dave Stoke’s statement of acceptance of disconnection.]
January 15: otviii2late
I’m so sick of Scientology repeatedly making the disingenuous defence that if a Catholic does something, it doesn’t mean Catholicism should be at fault. When I was a Scientologist, I was asked by OSA to call a local reporter and state that I was a concerned citizen, calling of my own volition, to stop a negative story about Scientology from running, which I did. OSA repeated the “shore story” they wanted me to tell the reporter a couple times, but they must’ve repeated at least 10 times that I was to say I was doing this completely of my own volition and it had nothing to do with Scientology. They do this all the time and then lie about it.
January 17: Tony Ortega
Just going to say it here in the comments. It seems to me that Valerie’s document has some very strong arguments to counter Scientology’s motion to compel arbitration. But what the fuck with all of the grammatical errors? Is no one proofreading this shit? Where is this hot shot Philly legal team, and why are they submitting this embarrassing shit from a Burlingame attorney who can’t apparently be bothered to spell shit correctly? One hopes that judges don’t care too much about sentences like this in the INTRO paragraph of perhaps the most important document this team will submit for a long time: “There purported agreements Plaintiff to give up all rights she has against it, both past and future, whether or not Plaintiff is aware of.”
What. The. Fuck.
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“Once in a while you’ll send a preclear up to the moon, and Earth and sun, you know, doing a Grand Tour, and you get a fascinating reaction from him if he is really on the ball. There’s a space station on the back of the moon — that’s space station 33 — and it has corridors and observatory domes and a lot of other things, a lot of odds and ends. But these corridors are on different levels. So that we have a hallway, you see, a corridor, and then we have one which is maybe 12 or 15 feet above the level. You see, the next level. So we’d go down this corridor, and then we’d have to go up 12 or 15 feet to go down to the next corridor. And they’ll take a look at this and they will see that there is nothing but sheer wall face between this lower corridor and the upper corridor floor — 15 foot sheer drop between these two corridors. And they will say, ‘Something is wrong here. There are no stairs. I don’t know what I’m doing here, or what’s going on, but this place is kind of funny. There are no stairs here.’ Why should there be any stairs where gravity is so slight?” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 21, 1954
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“CHRISTMAS: I trust you like the place chosen for Christmas. Sure looks like a Christmas tree. It began by the pilots Out-PROing us. Remember that the pilots are not the rest of the harbour people and have their own set up. They sent us a lovely card, welcoming ‘the world’s largest yacht and its fantastic crew.’ Visit to port authorities went great. Plan to keep it very cool.” — The Commodore, December 21, 1969
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“I see the possibility of a renaissance of Scientology. It can be big again. A second opportunity. An opportunity to make it go right. To learn from past mistakes and not commit it again. However currently the group is going through a process of dying and in my opinion the process must be carried through its end. The place looks like a ghost town. It’s hard to see it, but to deny won’t help it. We must make an honest review, see what went wrong and do it again. The death of the Scientology group must probably be completed and at the same time we can try again. What were the worst mistakes of us? Give your opinion. Mine is: promising states that were never achievable. Pretension of having attained such states.”
——————–
2000: The case of Raul Lopez against Scientology for defrauding him of the money he received in a head injury settlement was the subject of an article in New Times Los Angeles. “Without exception, doctors advised him to adapt to his limitations and move on with his life. But that was before Lopez, 34, stumbled upon a Scientology booth at a Ventura County flea market. The Scientologists, he concluded, had what he wanted. ‘They were going to make me whole again,’ he recalls once believing. According to attorneys Dan Leipold and Ford Greene, Lopez also had something the Scientologists wanted: $1.7 million that was their client’s share of the court settlement stemming from the accident. As part of a potentially explosive case wending its way toward trial in Los Angeles superior court Lopez’s attorneys contend that the church and individuals associated with it swindled their brain-damaged client out of up to $1.3 million.”
——————–
“Chinese food, Mexican food, good fish’n’chips and the occasional great hamburger and potatoes are all I need to live.”
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——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Masterson’s demurrer denied Oct 19, arraignment delayed to Jan 6.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing delayed for ‘Fatico’ hearing on Jan 19.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Petition for writ of mandate denied Oct 22 by Cal 2nd Appellate District. Petition for review by state supreme court denied Dec 11.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Dec 18, re-hearing on motions to compel arbitration, awaiting a ruling; Jan 29, Masterson’s request to stay discovery pending the criminal case
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Nov 18: Feshbachs indicated they will enter into consent judgment to pay the debt.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
Concluded litigation:
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs.
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
——————–
SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks
The Australian Seven News network cancelled a 10-part investigation of Scientology and its history of dirty tricks. Read the transcripts of the episodes and judge for yourself why Tom Cruise and Tommy Davis might not have wanted viewers to see this hard-hitting series by journalist Bryan Seymour.
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’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] The Underground Bunker’s 2019 Scientology year-in-review starts today!
[TWO years ago] The Underground Bunker’s 2018 Scientology year-in-review starts today!
[THREE years ago] The Underground Bunker’s 2017 Scientology year-in-review starts today!
[FOUR years ago] The Underground Bunker’s 2016 Scientology year-in-review starts today!
[FIVE years ago] The Underground Bunker’s 2015 Scientology year-in-review starts today!
[SIX years ago] The Underground Bunker’s 2014 Scientology year-in-review starts today!
[SEVEN years ago] Jon Atack: For Scientologists, thinking outside the church can feel like breaking a taboo
[EIGHT years ago] VIDEO: Tiziano Lugli’s “Shit Scientologists Say,” Featuring Prominent Ex-Church Members
[NINE years ago] Scientology Scuffle Over Xenu: When a Protester is Attacked!
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,157 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,661 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,181 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,201 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,092 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,399 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,267 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,041 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,845 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,161 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,727 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,646 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,814 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,395 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,656 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,694 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,407 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,932 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 287 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,462 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,013 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,162 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,482 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,337 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,456 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,812 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,115 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,221 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,623 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,495 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,078 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,573 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,827 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,936 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on December 21, 2020 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, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), 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
December 20, 2020
Scientology social media: Planetary conquest still on track even as orgs are boarded up
It’s another social media Sunday here in the Bunker, and we once again thank our source who lets us in on what Scientologists are telling each other as their planetary takeover proceeds at record speed.
You’d never know from this week’s items that many of the orgs in the US are boarded up. We didn’t see a mention of it anywhere. Hm.
Instead, we have the usual mix of miracles and postulates and calls to action, and we’ll start with the celebration of a sporting exploit…
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An amazing safe pointing tool!
Leaving California for Clearwater? Have to say, we’ve been seeing more of this lately…
Government suppression in Germany? Bah! Stuttgart is making Clears!
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More certs for staffers!
Camille just got rid of a boatload of space cooties on OT 5 and her universe is changed…
Wheelchairs are for losers…
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Another one through the Wall of Fire!
The SF org is boarded up, but it’s still signing up new staff? Hm.
Woo-hoo! Scientology held an All-Ideal USA online event, and 700 people showed up! This planet will be cleared in no time!
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Don’t mess with Peter, you counter-intentioned CSs!
South Africa wants your business!
We love OT phenomena.
Tampa gets a re-sign!
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And another!
Scientologists with Covid? But that’s not possible, is it?
“Therefore, attack.”
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The most amazing place on Earth.
Hey, this is today.
——————–
“Hitler didn’t have any trouble with a large section of his population. He just put them all in concentration camps and that was it. And it’s that kind of a game if you want to look at it. It’s not the game of government and who will we elect and democracy über alles, or something, it’s not all that kind of a government. It’s just the kind of a government, well, there they are nicely out of the running, everybody is out of the running, isn’t that nice. And things are just barely ticking over, and we’re not going to be troubled by those fellows from the 18th Panzer Division that put up such a hell of a fight on Exnoo. We’re not going to be troubled with them anymore because we got them implanted very nicely, and they’ve all been sent down to Earth, and the mores of the society there will take care of everything And they will never be in circulation again as space jockeys. It’s that kind of thinking, you see?” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 20, 1961
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——————–
“Kindliness note: FEBC students and public students are no longer thrown overboard at Flag. It went out in ’68. We haven’t thrown anyone overboard for just ages. There hasn’t even been a low condition assigned on Flag for a couple of years. However, with new recruits aboard and the decks getting dirty…” — The Commodore, December 20, 1970
——————–
“I think the biggest mistake is selling and aiming at OT. Theta level auditing is spectacular, gives wonderful key-outs, and seems like it is really doing something — but when you actually look at the real lives of OTs they usually don’t look too impressive. We bypass all the myriad reasons things don’t go right in this life and this world. We should aim at making people’s real lives better, not getting them to some mystical state. That train has left.”
——————–
1998: The broadcast of Investigative Reports on A&E was the subject of newspaper reviews this week. From the Boston Herald: “‘In any war there’s casualties on both sides. . . . On our side, we’ve made our mistakes,’ David Miscavige, the church’s reclusive leader, said in his first TV interview since jousting with ABC’s Ted Koppel in 1992. The Miscavige interview aired on a two-hour ‘A&E Investigative Reports’ show that has the feel of a glowing infomercial for Scientology, featuring long interviews with church celebrities John Travolta and Isaac Hayes. Though the A&E show has a distinctly pro-Scientology approach, it also includes comments from several critics who condemn Scientology as a powerful, global money-making scam. But the show does not deal with whether Scientology has given up its longtime high-pressure sales methods, which often lead to fraud and deceit claims. Instead A&E portrays Scientology as a victim of oppression by the U.S. government, psychiatrists and the media — including Time magazine and the Boston Herald. The A&E show often avoids criticizing Scientology.”
——————–
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“12:35! Oh shit, there goes another day shot to hell.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Masterson’s demurrer denied Oct 19, arraignment delayed to Jan 6.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing delayed for ‘Fatico’ hearing on Jan 19.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Petition for writ of mandate denied Oct 22 by Cal 2nd Appellate District. Petition for review by state supreme court denied Dec 11.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Dec 18, re-hearing on motions to compel arbitration; Jan 29, Masterson’s request to stay discovery pending the criminal case
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Nov 18: Feshbachs indicated they will enter into consent judgment to pay the debt.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
Concluded litigation:
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs.
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
——————–
SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks
The Australian Seven News network cancelled a 10-part investigation of Scientology and its history of dirty tricks. Read the transcripts of the episodes and judge for yourself why Tom Cruise and Tommy Davis might not have wanted viewers to see this hard-hitting series by journalist Bryan Seymour.
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’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Scientology asks for emergency hearing Monday to force Valerie Haney into ‘arbitration’
[TWO years ago] Bill Franks, 1946-2018, appointed by Hubbard to ‘reform’ Scientology after Snow White scandal
[THREE years ago] AUDIO: David Miscavige’s claim that Mexico has officially recognized Scientology as a religion
[FOUR years ago] The fight over the secrets on a Scientology spy’s seized laptop that no one is talking about
[FIVE years ago] Augustine: Compton scam rehab and ‘literacy crusade’ have vanished since raid
[SIX years ago] Jon Atack looks back at his final Scientology auditing session — and how he broke free
[SEVEN years ago] Tom Cruise drops his disastrous suit against Bauer Media and its magazines
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology in 2012: John Sweeney, Paulette Cooper, and More Look Back on a Year of Crisis for the Church
[NINE years ago] Scientology Kids: Fully Indoctrinated by 18
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,156 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,660 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,180 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,200 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,091 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,398 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,266 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,040 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,844 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,160 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,726 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,645 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,813 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,394 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,655 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,693 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,406 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,931 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 286 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,461 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,012 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,161 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,481 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,336 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,455 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,811 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,114 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,220 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,622 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,494 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,077 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,572 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,826 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,935 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on December 20, 2020 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, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), 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
December 19, 2020
Secrets of Scientology ‘Super Power’: The best testimonial we’ve seen yet
Nearly nine years ago, we first spilled major secrets from Scientology’s giant “Super Power Building.”
In January 2012, we had obtained schematic drawings and slick renderings of what would eventually be named the “Flag Building” in Clearwater, Florida that had been under construction since 1995 and was finally dedicated in November 2013. Those images were particularly interesting because of the space age fifth floor, where the Super Power “perceptics” drills would be run on wealthy Scientologists paying tens of thousands of dollars for this experience.
Since then, we have seen a lot of Scientologists brandishing their Super Power certificates, and sadly, none of them demonstrating any superhuman powers even after spending the money to go through the dozen “rundowns” in the process. But we’re still curious about what goes on in that building.
And now we’ve obtained a lengthy success story by a woman who recently went through Super Power. She’s Clearwater resident Karni Davidi, 55, and we thought you’d want to see her testimonial. It is one of the more exhaustive expressions of Hubbardic ecstasy that we’ve seen in a while, and helps illuminate the Scientology state of mind, we think. So prepare to be dazzled with Karni’s Super Power success.
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For some reason, Scientology itself never shows off these expressions of technical perfection. But we’re happy to lend a helping hand.
——————-
When I was standing by the Certificates and Awards and I had to express my gains in only one line, I was able to summarize it by saying that Super Power restored my own valence and removed opposing valences from me, all done in a magical way! I have never been so close to myself, confident in self and able to keep my position in space.
I will highlight the different rundowns in a few words:
The Ethics Rundown was super significant to me. While on the rundown two major SPs (2.5 percent) connected to my dynamics received their bitter end. One died in an unexpected way, and the other got put in a psychiatric hospital by his best friend. This filled me with the glory of justice.
Before Super Power I had weak spots where I was having a problematic dynamics and I used to frequently slide into doubts every time when I hit barriers, I felt like I was living in GPM-land, and I was not able to bring it to an end. I would think it had handled but it would creep back at me. This problem decreased by doing the Survival Rundown, but after Super Power it completely disappeared. Doing the Repairing Past Ethical Conditions sets on this rundown was invaluable to reach this Clear state of mind! I handled long term fixed conditions, out-integrity and wrong operating basis!
On the Personal Revival Rundown I realized I was suppressed, so suppressed as a being and programmed by the evil forces of the Time Track just to be small, not to be alive, not to be ARC and help, not to confront, not to communicate, not to reach and not to create, just to be safe from losses, small and inactive. This process removed huge amount of invalidations from my case and made me more myself.
The Consequences Rundown was kind of tailor-made for me. It covered one of my biggest ruins: I was not able to confront low emotions. In life you have to be able to confront both sides of any dichotomy in order to really be free. I was stuck in the high side but not able to confront the low side, which means I was not really able to be in the high side.
Having done this rundown I could see who is the real enemy. I saw all the factors of the case and how living in Planet Earth is a no-win situation without Scientology.
I am no longer sorry about the past. I can confront evil and lower tones in me and others. I don’t need to hide or avoid anything. Due to this rundown I can now confront and create and live and help in another level. I also have courage to say what I observed and my Tone 40 is best than ever before.
The Bright Think rundown showed me who are my friends and who are my enemies. It increased my concept of love and care on all flows. It helped me to be a better Field Staff Member and have the TR-O I ever had. I can really duplicate others and grant them beingness. This rundown was also De-PTSing. It showed me that the SPs make you stupid, spreading confusions, and you can be so much brighter and feel so safe without them around! This rundown gave me another deeper level of understanding and ability to detect SPs and Social Personalities.
The Super Study Green Form was what I was waiting for the whole time, and only doing and the Ethics rundown was enough to conclude Super Power from my view point. The way it addressed my study, no other process could do. I could see how I myself pulled in any study difficulties by prior overts on the Whole Track. I was able to fully duplicate all the counter intentions and efforts on the subject of study through my whole life. I could see how and why I made things wrong. I completely as-is’ed it and can make them right. This rundown increased my reach to Study and Knowledge like nothing before. I can now take any complicated and scientific subject and confront it, I can do any job or any study cycle with confidence. It gave me a lot of freedom that I can choose and do whatever I like and not just be stuck in my previous knowledge, my interest level went way up and I keep being amazed by myself for what subjects I am having reach for. This ruin I had completely turned around.
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The False Data Rundown was my favorite rundown. I already maxed my wins and I did not need no more but when I got the first auditing command I was absolutely sure it was written especially for me. I asked the auditor and he said “No, it is the Super Power Rundown.” This was a total theta bath. It turned me into the washing machine as synthetic fabric and pull me out as silk. I was not aware to the degree I was introverted to my body and the degree I was out of valence in relation to my body. This rundown completely flipped my position in relation to my body. It was also a major De-PTS action as I discovered that the body is just a tool for the SPs to cave me in. Just an evil “deal” we were conned into so that they can keep us with the leash and minimized forever!
During this rundown I was able to confront bodies, life and death and was able to extrovert from this body’s situation. In this rundown I also saw errors and incorrect actions in my life I was not able to confront the correct sequence of actions. If something will take too long I would just skip it. In this rundown I thoroughly examined my goals and power terminals in my life. This rundown helped me further to confront theta and entheta in my life, bad actions and good actions, on-purpose and off-purpose, and again confronting both sides is the only way to freedom. Here I got a better concept of aligning the vectors and the ability to put it into action. This rundown takes your stupidities and throws them in the trash. You will not do the same mistakes over and over again after doing this rundown. Here I had a chance to laser-precise view my considerations that caused the right and wrong decisions. This validates the good and throws away the bad. It is undoing stupidity. This process is actually halting the dwindling spiral of your life and reversing the vectors so that they all go together with you for survival, from all the processes I feel this is the crucial one to stop the GPMs from going and crashing you into a no-forward motion and forced stupid patterns. I can’t even explain to myself how this works but is is magic!
There is so much rightness in this that it takes away the wrongness and eradicates it completely.
The Confront and Cause Rundown: This took my confront even one stop higher. I saw that the easiest to confront is where you have the higher ARC. I saw how I was resisting and getting even with PTS/SP connections rather than confronting. I saw how I could select jobs that will help me to “confront” via them rather than just directly confront. I don’t need to use via any more. I can just confront directly. I can scan my relationships and stay away from places when I have to be an effect of low conditions who have history of no change. In this rundown I duplicated the true power of me and any other thetan. I could look at my track and see all my abilities. I saw how I was controlling MEST and in Planet Earth became implanted to MEST. It made me a thetan again. I saw the power of a real theta comm lines from the track. I rehabbed my beingness as a thetan.
Power of Choice Rundown: Here I had a further understanding and ability of placing your thoughts and postulates and refuse to yield or let them fade but keep going with calmness. I saw that the power of choice works best when you are out of the body, so you don’t have to be effect of the magnetism around the body. So nice to be out of that thing!
I saw people have been implanted to do off-purpose activities. I saw what is my real purpose and how I became an effect to another determinism. I collected much more of truth and me during this process.
Perception Rundown and Perceptic Drills: This was very magical to be able to clean up all those perceptions with New Era Dianetics and then drill them. On Time I saw again that you have to be able to confront the bad times to have good times and a lot of it. The majority of what we do on the Bridge is confronting the bad times. The drills coaches are so theta and I love them all.
My favorite drills were Time, Time Track Motion, Self-Determinism, Music (volume pitch), Personal Emotions, Importance and Unimportance, Perception of Imagination and more…
This last rundown amplified my perceptions. It caused my perceptions to become at least 10 times stronger. It goes to the good or to the bad when I listen to music. It is 10 times better but if I fight with someone his anger is 10 times stronger. This is very cool! The drills are so helpful with understanding the physical universe that it is just like instant hat for life. Super Power is so basic and so important to do even before the rest of the Bridge. If I have done it 20 years ago all my life would have looked differently — no complications!
I love my auditor Miles who is the best and is above any imagination and all the Flag staff.
Thank you to LRH and COB for making all this a reality.
Thank you to my great husband which helped me make this happen — you are the best! Thank you for my sisters and all my friends who supported me. I love Super Power will help any of my friends and family to make it a reality for them!
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— Karni Davidi
——————–
Jon Atack: ‘Truth and Certainty, with Mike Rinder’
——————–
“There’s a fellow by the name of Einstein passed some laws relating to the speed of light. And you get up to the speed of light, I understand, and you stop right there. And I hope that they don’t hear about this out in the outer planets there, because they’d have to drop those speedometers off. Because these boys going two or three times the speed of light there, as they just start to travel, would be embarrassed if they knew they couldn’t do that. And so somebody’d better inform them before they’re embarrassed by having this discovered about themselves.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 19, 1953
——————–
“The Port Anchor Chain was not washed and mud is reported in the chain locker. This should be run out and cleaned up properly.” — The Commodore, December 19, 1969
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——————–
“OT II was like prying-crowbar work yanking me out of the case, loosening and shaking things up quite well. OT III resulted in exteriorization and holding my own space no longer anchored to the body. Regges at AOs way back when used to tell me you don’t want to go out of this life without having reached at least OT III, and I consider that to be quite true. In my book, a very important point on the Bridge to reach for. LRH is indeed pure genius to discover this tech.”
——————–
1999: A Scientology press release claims that the villain in the upcoming John Travolta movie, Battlefield Earth, is one of the most notorious of the 20th century. “Traditional figures in the roster of the arch-villains of books, film and television — Frankenstein’s monster; Transylvania’s blood thirsty gift to the ghastly, Count Dracula and the entombed terror of ancient Egypt, the Mummy — took the lead in the survey by Dateline News Service with 50 percent of those polled. But for a full 30 percent of the respondents, the 20th century’s most sinister characters were ominously newer: The visored darkness of Star Wars’ Darth Vader; the muzzled fury of Hannibal Lecter, and the alien evil of Terl, the space villain of L. Ron Hubbard’s science fiction epic Battlefield Earth, whose nine feet of taloned, gas-breathing menace — personified by John Travolta — is already giving film goers a ‘teasing’ glimpse on his way to filling the country’s movie screens in May, 2000.”
——————–
“The comments sections on the CCHR vids on YouTube are this uber weird mix of Scientologists and the mentally ill who gravitate to this bullshit because it justifies them not taking their meds. It makes for some very unusual reading.”
——————–
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Masterson’s demurrer denied Oct 19, arraignment delayed to Jan 6.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing delayed for ‘Fatico’ hearing on Jan 19.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Petition for writ of mandate denied Oct 22 by Cal 2nd Appellate District. Petition for review by state supreme court denied Dec 11.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Dec 18, re-hearing on motions to compel arbitration, awaiting ruling; Jan 29, Masterson’s request to stay discovery pending the criminal case
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Nov 18: Feshbachs indicated they will enter into consent judgment to pay the debt.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
Concluded litigation:
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs.
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
——————–
SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks
The Australian Seven News network cancelled a 10-part investigation of Scientology and its history of dirty tricks. Read the transcripts of the episodes and judge for yourself why Tom Cruise and Tommy Davis might not have wanted viewers to see this hard-hitting series by journalist Bryan Seymour.
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’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] ‘Have you got a head?’ — Listen in to Scientology as a wacky group experience
[TWO years ago] Scientology threatened to sue over last night’s episode, settled for sliming Leah & Mike instead
[THREE years ago] KID CORPS: Scientology wanted cadets as young as 6 dealing out justice to each other
[FOUR years ago] Live-blogging Leah Remini’s special episode tonight: Get a load of these miscreants!
[FIVE years ago] Witness: Compton scam rehab was a special Scientology project — how high does it go?
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s Craigslist expert issues new instructions after so much ad flagging
[SEVEN years ago] How Scientology ‘ethics’ creates your very own Truman Show
[EIGHT years ago] L. Ron Hubbard’s “Secret Lives” — A Channel 4 Classic
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s Scourge, Paulette Cooper, Visits with the Voice
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,155 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,659 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,179 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,199 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,090 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,397 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,265 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,039 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,843 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,159 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,725 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,644 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,812 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,393 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,654 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,692 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,405 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,930 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 285 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,460 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,011 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,160 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,480 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,335 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,454 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,810 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,113 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,219 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,621 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,493 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,076 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,571 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,825 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,934 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on December 19, 2020 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, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), 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
December 18, 2020
Oof: Jane Doe #1’s own attorneys flubbed and ID’d her and her IP address in court documents
For the second time Jane Doe #1’s real identity has been included in a court document in the lawsuit against Danny Masterson and the Church of Scientology. Like last time, it has taken at least a week to fix this error, but this time it was so much worse.
First, because it also included her home IP address, and second because this time it was a mistake made by her own attorneys.
As a preamble to this terrible story, we want to remind you about something that happened in the lawsuit in October.
After Danny Masterson had spent months arguing that the two women suing him under names Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 should be unmasked, his attorney Andrew Brettler “inadvertently” included the real name of Jane Doe #1 in a court filing.
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This was terrifying for Jane Doe #1. She and the other woman using a pseudonym have told us that one of the things they feared most about taking on a powerful public figure and Scientology celebrity like That ’70s Show actor Danny Masterson would be their identities becoming known. These women allege that they were violently raped by a man they see as a predator, and backed by a powerful, paranoid, and vindictive organization. It’s quite understandable that they would have some trepidation about seeking a day in court.
You might remember that in our coverage of that October breach of her anonymity, what added to that ordeal for Jane Doe #1 was that it took a full week for the court to fix the problem, and in that time her own attorneys had shown so little effort, not filing a single piece of paper with the court or demanding sanctions against Brettler.
It was a troubling episode, but this new situation has eclipsed it.
On Wednesday morning December 9, we checked the court docket as usual, and we saw that there were two new documents in the file, a brief and a declaration from the attorneys for Jane Doe #1.
They were in response to Scientology’s answer to Judge Steven Kleifield over his questions about Scientology “religious arbitration” and whether it fit with federal law regulating interstate commerce.
We reported on the brief, in which Jane Doe #1’s attorneys argued that Scientology’s criminal behavior toward these former members should not be considered legitimate “commerce,” and that the judge should overrule Scientology’s attempt to deny these plaintiffs a trial.
But it was the declaration filed by Jane Doe’s attorneys that stunned us.
Not only was it filed a day late, it purported to be a document that included a declaration by Jane Doe #1. Instead, the declaration was missing, and in its place there was a signature document that was only partially redacted, and clearly showed Jane Doe #1’s real name, as well as her home IP address.
A day late. The declaration missing. Jane Doe #1’s name clearly visible. And at a moment when Judge Kleifield had stepped in seemingly to save this lawsuit from being derailed by Scientology “religious arbitration” and into the limbo that Valerie Haney is going through.
The incompetence of it shocked us like nothing else we have seen in this lawsuit.
We notified the legal team of the situation. They didn’t respond, and again they seemed slow fixing the problem. Two full days later, on Friday night we got a copy of the minute order signed by Judge Kleifield sealing the errant document and accepting an amended version that now contained the declaration that was supposed to be in there to begin with. And even with that court order, the document containing Jane Doe #1’s name and IP address still remained available on the public court docket, and would for days more.
Also on Friday, Scientology filed an objection, predictably leaping on the errors, criticizing the late filing and the even more tardy declaration, which had been added with the fix.
It’s now more than a week since this all began, and you may be wondering why we have kept quiet about this so long. The reason? That document showing Jane Doe #1’s name remained on the public electronic docket until Wednesday, five days after Judge Kleifield signed an order to have it sealed.
And that wasn’t the only breach that had people scrambling to make changes. Not only did we discover that Jane Doe #1’s name and IP address were visible on a filing, once we checked going back months on similar documents filed by the legal team, we found that the IP addresses of other plaintiffs had been visible as well.
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The legal team had been submitting signature pages with an app called Vinesign that for some reason included the IP address of the person signing the document.
The home IP address for Chrissie Carnell Bixler and her husband, rocker Cedrick Bixler-Zavala, was revealed on court documents filed in March, for example.
In the last week, several people have been changing their IP addresses as a result, stunned to learn that their own attorneys had revealed this information about them.
You might not want your home IP address revealed in the course of any litigation. But against the Church of Scientology?
We’ll just remind you that a few years ago a private investigator went to federal prison after he was caught trying to hack the email accounts of Mike Rinder and your proprietor, and the New York Times revealed that this PI had been working for the Church of Scientology.
We’ve been asked how much damage a vindictive and underhanded organization might do with a signature and an IP address. Perhaps some of our technical experts might help answer that question.
Today, Judge Kleifield will hold a hearing and may present his ruling on the arbitration issue. He stunned court watchers by stepping in and asking Scientology to justify its motions for arbitration under the federal concept of “commerce,” an indication that he was inclined to deny their motions and give Chrissie Carnell Bixler and the Jane Does the right to try Scientology and Masterson.
The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10 am Los Angeles time. We’ll get you word of what happens as soon as we can.
——————–
“Let’s take the ant kingdom. The ants have been granted beingness. The ants themselves are not a beingness — that is, an independent beingness, such as a thetan. And here we get an oddity; we get an oddity in behavior in terms of ants. You go around and trifle with an ant. As a thetan, you go around and you start pushing around an ant: put a beam through his head, short-circuit out some of the working parts, make him walk in small circles, and you immediately start getting this, the idea that there’s something someplace that is getting awfully mad at you. Funny, isn’t it?” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 18, 1953
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“MISSION ACCOUNTS UK: COMMANDER HANA ELTRINGHAM and FELICE GREEN are very much welcomed back. They did a fine job straightening up accounts at WW, SH and Pubs. As an added bonus they found Pubs was owed about £300,000, nearly 3 times what it owes and that SH was owed over £90,000 and £50,000. SMERSH is noted as active in Edinburgh in the form of our being worked on to make us unpopular. Well, they can try. The Mission did a great and very long job. They are highly commended.” — The Commodore, December 18, 1968
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“Trust me, it might not be this life time, or perhaps the next, but this world WILL have decent, ethical, and legitimate orgs one day. Those that are left behind will eventually catch up. Independent Scientology makes more sense than any of these other superstitious religions. You’re right, we’re losing the war now because of the active suppression going on, but it won’t be forever.”
——————–
2002: The New Zealand Press Association reported that Scientology will be recognized as a tax-exempt charity in New Zealand. “The Church of Scientology will not pay any more income tax after the Inland Revenue Department declared it a charity, the church said today. The IRD said the church was a charitable organization dedicated to the advancement of religion and its income would be tax exempt. The New Zealand branch of the church, started in the United States by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, was founded in Auckland in 1955.”
——————–
“I think it’s safe to say at this point in the proceedings that the reason things are so bad in the unchurch of Scientology aren’t due merely to Miscavige being dumb or incompetent. It’s obvious that he is a purposeful sadist who actively enjoys plotting new ways to torment his captive flock. He’s King Joffery, he’s Ivan the Terrible. He’s freaking nuts.”
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——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Masterson’s demurrer denied Oct 19, arraignment delayed to Jan 6.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing delayed for ‘Fatico’ hearing on Jan 19.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Petition for writ of mandate denied Oct 22 by Cal 2nd Appellate District. Petition for review by state supreme court denied Dec 11.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Dec 18, re-hearing on motions to compel arbitration; Jan 29, Masterson’s request to stay discovery pending the criminal case
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Nov 18: Feshbachs indicated they will enter into consent judgment to pay the debt.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
Concluded litigation:
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs.
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
——————–
SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks
The Australian Seven News network cancelled a 10-part investigation of Scientology and its history of dirty tricks. Read the transcripts of the episodes and judge for yourself why Tom Cruise and Tommy Davis might not have wanted viewers to see this hard-hitting series by journalist Bryan Seymour.
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’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 the IRS will likely do nothing about Mormon and Scientology illegal slush funds
[TWO years ago] Leah Remini asks ‘Where is Shelly’ as the Church of Scientology turns 65!
[THREE years ago] When love triumphs over Scientology: A fairy tale of New York for the holidays
[FOUR years ago] Oh look, Scientology started a blog, and it already won an award
[FIVE years ago] Compton scam rehab clinic definitely a Church of Scientology operation, witnesses say
[SIX years ago] Rick Ross has a new book that will help you get someone out of Scientology
[SEVEN years ago] Happy Birthday, Church of Scientology!
[EIGHT years ago] Joel Sappell Finds Former Scientology Enforcer Marty Rathbun To Be a Reluctant Whistleblower
[NINE years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: In the Sea Org at 18 and on Top of the World!
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,154 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,658 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,178 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,198 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,089 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,396 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,264 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,038 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,842 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,158 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,724 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,643 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,811 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,392 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,653 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,691 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,404 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,929 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 284 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,459 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,010 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,159 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,479 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,334 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,453 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,809 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,112 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,218 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,620 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,492 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,075 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,570 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,824 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,933 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on December 18, 2020 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, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), 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
December 17, 2020
Tom Cruise rant reminds Tom DeVocht: Miscavige eyed Cruise as high Scientology official
You’ve heard from Mike Rinder and from Leah Remini about Tom Cruise’s Covid rant that is the talk of social media.
And now we’ve also heard from Tom DeVocht, a former top Scientology official who worked as closely with church leader David Miscavige as anyone else, and who also closely observed the friendship between Miscavige and Cruise. DeVocht talked about his relationship with Miscavige in HBO’s 2015 documentary Going Clear.
Here’s the message he sent us today:
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I’m not sure if I ever shared this story with any of you but all the noise surrounding Tom Cruise’s on-set outburst regarding Covid precautions (mind you I’m all for taking precautions) reminded me of this and I thought I’d tell you.
This occurred not long before I left Scientology and I was still “in good standing” with Miscavige. I believe this was around the time we were in the UK and Tom did his now infamous IAS speech.
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Tom is referring to October 2004, when Miscavige gave a “Freedom Medal of Valor” to Cruise. As we’ve recounted many times, when Cruise was with his second wife Nicole Kidman he had drifted away from Scientology for several years. But after they had broken up at the end of 2000, Miscavige made it job one to get Cruise back in the fold. He relied on Marty Rathbun to make that happen, and by 2004 they had amped up Cruise as a major Scientology zealot. Miscavige wanted to reward Cruise for it, and so they gave him a medal and put together a video interview of Tom that was leaked to the Internet in 2008.
Miscavige had been on the hunt for, or at least talking about, finding a new “Inspector General” for the RTC at the time. Of course he was conflicted in finding anyone because damned if anyone could do it better than himself and he needed to maintain full control.
The Religious Technology Center (RTC) is the nominally controlling entity in Scientology (actually the real power is in the Sea Organization, which has no legal status), and Miscavige runs the RTC as its Chairman of the Board. That’s why Scientologists refer to him as “C.O.B.”
After Dave, the Inspector General would be the second most powerful figure at the RTC. DeVocht says that the position had been vacant for some time.
Excitedly one evening Dave told me, “I think I am going to make Tom [Cruise] my Inspector General. He’s more on-purpose than anyone.” I must have looked somewhat surprised because he then added, “Of course I don’t think he can actually do it, that’s not my point, he’s nowhere near smart enough to actually do it!” He continued: “But Tom is an excellent actor! He could be my Inspector General because he could play the part exactly like I would: exactly like I tell him to and people would believe him! I mean it!”
Miscavige had a certain disdain for Cruise (of course he did for everyone particularly anyone who was more popular or threatening to him). So when I heard the soundbite of Tom going off on the set — yes it sounded just like Dave — I realized that Miscavige might have done it and made Cruise IG. He might have molded Tom into his Mini-me. It makes me wonder how much Cruise is actually involved with the day to day “operations” (spelled “abuse”) of Scientology’s Sea Org Members and parishioners alike.
Tom in his own mind apparently is saving Hollywood just as Dave is saving the Universe and no one is going to get in their way – not even Leah Remini!
We told Tom we were stunned by this anecdote. He assured us that Miscavige had considered the idea of making Cruise a top official in the church and not just a celebrity ornament.
“I could see Tom running around there and doing what Dave does and telling people what assholes they were,” DeVocht says. “Miscavige just wants someone who will suck up to him. And Cruise does that. In my opinion, Cruise is weak. He needs someone like Dave.”
——————–
“By the way, professional football is nowhere near as successful as college football; that is to say, people go to see college games. Well, actually I won’t go see a college game because I know most of those players are on the payroll. I was, by the way, the first boy in America to bust that story to the print, to the newspapers: professional paid football players on college teams. I didn’t get expelled for it, my fellow editor got expelled. But he didn’t really get expelled, he just simply got disgusted. And he is now one of the top sports editors of America. But the two of us found that college, the college — our own college — was paying considerable salary under the name of scholarships and bonuses and things like that, to good football players in order to make a good football team. And they were getting in more money at the stadium for every game than they were getting in through the tuition window. And this was an interesting story, we thought. So we broke it in the college paper and broke it over the Scripps-Howard newschain, which I was associate editor of the paper and my pal was also a sports reporter, as well as a student, on the paper.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 17, 1954
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——————–
“B. BEREZ: Goodbye Mr. Berez. You who used ethics most wrongly were found with a huge tin of marijuana to be the most out-ethics person aboard. B. Berez, you were the longest aboard in all the out ethics days of the old RSM. We can blow some charge on that. So goodbye Mr. Berez. I trust you will soon go up in smoke.” — The Commodore, December 17, 1968
——————–
“A thought occurred to me a long time ago while in session after reading the Factors and the Axioms of Scientology. And ever since that moment I have never felt at all ‘insignificant’ while contemplating the vastness of the physical universe. And that thought is: We are not actually ‘in’ the physical universe (unless we pretend to be so). We created it, the whole thing, from scratch. If anything, the physical universe is within US! A corollary to this idea was that one needn’t change location in the physical universe in order to visit or be in comm with another thetan. Just open a theta window and say ‘Hi’.”
——————–
2001: The St. Petersburg Times reported that Scientology has purchased an empty apartment building in Clearwater. “The Church of Scientology has purchased a vacant 13-story high-rise downtown that will house more than 600 new staff members in another step in Scientology’s unprecedented expansion in the city. The church last week closed the deal to buy the nearly 2-acre property for $5-million from a nonprofit corporation, BEF Inc., which does business as the Oaks of Clearwater.”
——————–
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
“After Waco the political will to do anything about cults vanished. The main reason they finally did something about Warren Jeffs and the FLDS was because it was a pedo factory. America is a very religious country and it’s also a celebrity-obsessed country. When you have names like Cruise and Travolta running interference for you, you can run a long way.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Masterson’s demurrer denied Oct 19, arraignment delayed to Jan 6.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing delayed for ‘Fatico’ hearing on Jan 19.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Petition for writ of mandate denied Oct 22 by Cal 2nd Appellate District. Petition for review by state supreme court denied Dec 11.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Dec 18, re-hearing on motions to compel arbitration; Jan 29, Masterson’s request to stay discovery pending the criminal case
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Nov 18: Feshbachs indicated they will enter into consent judgment to pay the debt.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
Concluded litigation:
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs.
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
——————–
SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks
The Australian Seven News network cancelled a 10-part investigation of Scientology and its history of dirty tricks. Read the transcripts of the episodes and judge for yourself why Tom Cruise and Tommy Davis might not have wanted viewers to see this hard-hitting series by journalist Bryan Seymour.
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’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] The Scientology spy who wants desperately to come in from the cold
[TWO years ago] Finally, Scientology spells out its crazy ideas in a video you weren’t supposed to see
[THREE years ago] Mexico officially recognizes Scientology as a religion, Miscavige claims at New Year’s event
[FOUR years ago] Scientology is totally reading your comments here — and you’re scaring them senseless
[FIVE years ago] FELONY RAPS FOR SCIENTOLOGISTS RUNNING L.A. REHAB SCAM WITH CORRUPT EDUCATORS
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s Clark Carr: Those letters after my name were no good and I didn’t know it
[SEVEN years ago] At OT 3, you learn you have space cooties — how do you get rid of them? Scientology exorcism!
[EIGHT years ago] Did Scientology Kill Joel Sappell’s Dog?
[NINE years ago] Scientology Infusion: Commenters of the Week!
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,153 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,657 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,177 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,197 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,088 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,395 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,263 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,037 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,841 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,157 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,723 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,642 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,810 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,391 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,652 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,690 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,403 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,928 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 283 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,458 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,009 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,158 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,478 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,333 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,452 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,808 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,111 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,217 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,619 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,491 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,074 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,569 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,823 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,932 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on December 17, 2020 at 19:10
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, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), 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
Scientology hopes to benefit from Michael Jackson estate’s arbitration win against HBO
If you waded through that long court transcript we posted yesterday, you know that one of the challenges Scientology is facing in Los Angeles Superior Court is that Judge Steven Kleifield has some doubts about Scientology’s arbitration agreements lasting into eternity.
Scientology is trying to force into “religious arbitration” some former members who are suing Scientology and one of its celebrity members, actor Danny Masterson, over allegations of harassment, stalking, and slander that took place years after the plaintiffs were members of the church. In a November 6 hearing Judge Kleifield repeatedly raised the question about whether agreements that members of a church signed for religious services would still be valid years later, after those members had left the organization.
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Scientology is saying that contracts Chrissie Carnell Bixler, her husband rocker Cedric Bixler-Zavala and two women going by Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 signed when they were members of the church obligate them to take their claims to arbitration before a panel of Scientologists in good standing, and that they have no right to a trial. The women, who claim that Masterson raped them in incidents between 2001 and 2004, say that they were harassed by Scientology and the That ’70s Show actor when they came forward to the LAPD in 2016. They have argued that they should not be held to the contracts they signed as Scientologists because now that they have left the church forcing them into what they call a religious ritual would be a violation of their First Amendment rights.
Since that Nov 6 hearing, Judge Kleifield upended the lawsuit by taking matters into his own hands, asking both sides to discuss how Scientology’s arbitration claims fit with the concept of “interstate commerce” that is called for in the Federal Arbitration Act. We’ve been following how both sides have reacted to that, and tomorrow a hearing is scheduled when Kleifield will reveal his ruling on the matter.
At the last minute, however, Scientology made an interesting supplemental filing: This week, an appellate court upheld a ruling for arbitration in the Michael Jackson estate’s dispute with HBO over last year’s devastating documentary, Leaving Neverland.
Central to that dispute was the question of whether an agreement to arbitrate signed by HBO in a 1992 contract was still valid years later.
Scientology is apparently hoping that a court’s ruling that HBO will have to go to arbitration over producing a documentary portraying Michael Jackson as a pedophile decades after promising not to disparage the singer in a 1992 concert film will lend support to their contention that they can surveil, harass, and slander former members years after those members signed away their rights as Scientologists.
American justice. There’s nothing like it.
According to Monday’s ruling by the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, HBO does not dispute that its 1992 contract to film a Michael Jackson concert in Bucharest included an arbitration clause for resolving any disputes, and that its terms included prohibitions against anything in the film disparaging Jackson.
The Jackson estate tried to prevent HBO from airing Leaving Neverland last year, saying that HBO had violated that 1992 contract by using footage from the concert in its documentary about Jackson’s relationship with two boys, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who claimed that they were sexually molested by the singer for years. HBO aired the documentary in March 2019 despite the lawsuit filed by Jackson’s estate, and it has called the claims in the lawsuit frivolous.
But here’s the part we figure that Scientology is most interested in and that motivated the church to make the last-minute filing and risk some blowback from the court: While the 9th Circuit recognized that HBO may have a point that the 1992 contract is not still in effect in regards to the 2019 documentary, it found that it was for the arbitrator to decide, and not the court.
That’s one of the arguments that Scientology has been making about its arbitration agreements in this and other lawsuits, that courts should not be deciding whether the claims of former members fall under the arbitration agreements, that it’s for the arbitrators to decide. This is something that came up in the November 6 hearing between Judge Kleifield and Scientology’s attorneys…
Judge Kleifield: Well, let me just stop you for a moment. So what you read, is that an express delegation to the arbitrator to determine issues of arbitrability? Is that expressed in the agreement?
William Forman: What I read is that all issues are to be delegated to the arbitrators. And when — and when a broad agreement expressly commits all disputes to arbitration that also necessarily includes disputes as to arbitrability.
We can see why Scientology believes the Michael Jackson estate ruling is on point, and you can see their filing here.
However, while that last-minute filing appears to be directed at concerns Judge Kleifield raised in the November 6 hearing, we’ve explained that Judge Kleifield vacated that hearing when he changed the subject and asked Scientology to justify its arbitration claims about former members as “commerce.”
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Scientology responded by doubling down, and admitting that yes, subjecting former Scientologists to the policies of L. Ron Hubbard, including how to deal with people who turn away from the church, is Scientology’s version of interstate commerce. It was a pugnacious document and truly one of the most remarkable we’ve seen in Scientology litigation.
The plaintiffs came back with what struck us as a strong argument: That Scientology’s illegal behavior directed at its former members should not be considered legitimate “commerce.”
And this week Scientology replied in a mostly technical document, but we found one footnote particularly entertaining.
At one point in their response, attorneys for Chrissie Carnell Bixler and the other plaintiffs had raised the point that a religious services contract was a local matter anyway, and not an “interstate” transaction.
Scientology’s response is so beautiful, we feel like having it framed.
Even accepting Plaintiffs’ unfounded legal proposition, the claims implicate interstate commerce. The First Amended Complaint describes “Fair Game” as a harassment operation run by a “network [of] representatives from [Scientology’s Office of Special Affairs] . . . employed at every Scientology organization across the world.” Plaintiffs allege Defendants used the instrumentalities of interstate commerce to harass them: stealing mail, hacking e-mail, hacking Instagram account, harassing posts on Facebook, credit card fraud, harassment through Craigslist, harassment by telephone and texts, social media threats, “prescription fraud”, & interference with cellular devices.
Yes, we know that in legal terms, this is not Scientology admitting to these acts, but still, it is eye-opening to see Scientology say, “But judge, how could we be only an intrastate operation when they’re accusing us of harassing them with an international network of ratfuckers?”
Whew. This hearing tomorrow is going to be lit.
——————–
“By the way, professional football is nowhere near as successful as college football; that is to say, people go to see college games. Well, actually I won’t go see a college game because I know most of those players are on the payroll. I was, by the way, the first boy in America to bust that story to the print, to the newspapers: professional paid football players on college teams. I didn’t get expelled for it, my fellow editor got expelled. But he didn’t really get expelled, he just simply got disgusted. And he is now one of the top sports editors of America. But the two of us found that college, the college — our own college — was paying considerable salary under the name of scholarships and bonuses and things like that, to good football players in order to make a good football team. And they were getting in more money at the stadium for every game than they were getting in through the tuition window. And this was an interesting story, we thought. So we broke it in the college paper and broke it over the Scripps-Howard newschain, which I was associate editor of the paper and my pal was also a sports reporter, as well as a student, on the paper.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 17, 1954
——————–
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
“B. BEREZ: Goodbye Mr. Berez. You who used ethics most wrongly were found with a huge tin of marijuana to be the most out-ethics person aboard. B. Berez, you were the longest aboard in all the out ethics days of the old RSM. We can blow some charge on that. So goodbye Mr. Berez. I trust you will soon go up in smoke.” — The Commodore, December 17, 1968
——————–
“A thought occurred to me a long time ago while in session after reading the Factors and the Axioms of Scientology. And ever since that moment I have never felt at all ‘insignificant’ while contemplating the vastness of the physical universe. And that thought is: We are not actually ‘in’ the physical universe (unless we pretend to be so). We created it, the whole thing, from scratch. If anything, the physical universe is within US! A corollary to this idea was that one needn’t change location in the physical universe in order to visit or be in comm with another thetan. Just open a theta window and say ‘Hi’.”
——————–
2001: The St. Petersburg Times reported that Scientology has purchased an empty apartment building in Clearwater. “The Church of Scientology has purchased a vacant 13-story high-rise downtown that will house more than 600 new staff members in another step in Scientology’s unprecedented expansion in the city. The church last week closed the deal to buy the nearly 2-acre property for $5-million from a nonprofit corporation, BEF Inc., which does business as the Oaks of Clearwater.”
——————–
“After Waco the political will to do anything about cults vanished. The main reason they finally did something about Warren Jeffs and the FLDS was because it was a pedo factory. America is a very religious country and it’s also a celebrity-obsessed country. When you have names like Cruise and Travolta running interference for you, you can run a long way.”
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Masterson’s demurrer denied Oct 19, arraignment delayed to Jan 6.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing delayed for ‘Fatico’ hearing on Jan 19.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Petition for writ of mandate denied Oct 22 by Cal 2nd Appellate District. Petition for review by state supreme court denied Dec 11.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Dec 18, re-hearing on motions to compel arbitration; Jan 29, Masterson’s request to stay discovery pending the criminal case
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Nov 18: Feshbachs indicated they will enter into consent judgment to pay the debt.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
Concluded litigation:
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs.
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
——————–
SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks
The Australian Seven News network cancelled a 10-part investigation of Scientology and its history of dirty tricks. Read the transcripts of the episodes and judge for yourself why Tom Cruise and Tommy Davis might not have wanted viewers to see this hard-hitting series by journalist Bryan Seymour.
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’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] The Scientology spy who wants desperately to come in from the cold
[TWO years ago] Finally, Scientology spells out its crazy ideas in a video you weren’t supposed to see
[THREE years ago] Mexico officially recognizes Scientology as a religion, Miscavige claims at New Year’s event
[FOUR years ago] Scientology is totally reading your comments here — and you’re scaring them senseless
[FIVE years ago] FELONY RAPS FOR SCIENTOLOGISTS RUNNING L.A. REHAB SCAM WITH CORRUPT EDUCATORS
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s Clark Carr: Those letters after my name were no good and I didn’t know it
[SEVEN years ago] At OT 3, you learn you have space cooties — how do you get rid of them? Scientology exorcism!
[EIGHT years ago] Did Scientology Kill Joel Sappell’s Dog?
[NINE years ago] Scientology Infusion: Commenters of the Week!
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,153 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,657 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,177 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,197 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,088 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,395 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,263 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,037 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,841 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,157 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,723 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,642 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,810 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,391 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,652 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,690 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,403 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,928 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 283 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,458 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,009 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,158 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,478 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,333 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,452 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,808 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,111 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,217 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,619 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,491 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,074 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,569 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,823 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,932 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on December 17, 2020 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, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), 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
December 16, 2020
EXCLUSIVE: Leah Remini on Tom Cruise’s Covid rant in its Scientology context
Leah Remini sent us this statement about Tom Cruise’s on-set rant that was caught on tape and released by the Sun yesterday…
Tom Cruise claimed he does not get so much as a cold because of Scientology. All Scientologists believe that if they aren’t connected to what they label “suppressive persons” they will not get sick.
According to Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, “All illnesses to a greater or lesser degree stem from a PTS situation.” PTS stands for “Potential Trouble Source.”
A “PTS” is a person who is connected to a suppressive person or a suppressive group. They are so screwed up by their connection to the “SP” they have potential to be trouble to themselves and more importantly, to Scientology. When you are sick in Scientology, you are sent to the Ethics Department. You are in fact in trouble for being sick. If you have anything from a cold to cancer in Scientology it means you must be connected to an SP. You are immediately interrogated to see if you have read or seen anything that exposes Scientology, you are interrogated to see if you are connected to anyone or anything that is anti-Scientology. That could mean speaking to your own child who spoke out against the abuses he or she received in Scientology. And after they find “the why,” which is the reason for your illness, they then make you handle the situation, which means disconnecting from the person or group who they label an enemy.
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Who is a suppressive person or group? Anyone who exposes Scientology. And anyone connected to that person or group are all either suppressive or PTS. If one is PTS, they are considered “victims” of the real suppressive, and susceptible to illness. Groups that are considered suppressive to Tom and to Scientologists are government agencies, the police, the mental health field, any news organization or publications that exposes Scientology. The list goes on.
For example, Scientology teaches that children are PTS to their parents who have left Scientology. Someone like Suri is considered by her father and other Scientologists to be PTS because she has the unfortunate luck to be connected to an SP mother like Katie Holmes. So Suri may not be considered a full-blown suppressive herself, just connected to a suppressive. And Tom believes — like all Scientologists — that PTS people can be “potential trouble” to the “pure Scientologist,” and all Scientologists are taught to stay clear of the PTS folks and especially the suppressives.
But if you are highly trained and part of the elite beings of the planet like Tom is, you can “fight” the PTS-ness rubbing off. So Tom can be around a PTS for a short time without being affected too much. But you are not allowed to be PTS in Scientology or connected to someone who is PTS. You may have limited connection to the PTS if you must for public relations reasons, but Scientologists are required to cut ties with PTS people and SPs.
Tom does not believe in illness unless one is connected to suppressive persons, and Tom isn’t connected to SPs. Scientology makes sure that Tom is always surrounded by Scientologists, and Tom is so well versed in Scientology that he can “confront & shatter” SPs and suppressive groups.
David Miscavige called COVID “a planetary bullbait.” Bullbaiting in Scientology is a drill where Scientologists are taught to hold perfectly still while being “baited” into a reaction. This drill is taught in one of the most basic of mandatory courses in Scientology called Success Through Communications, or “the Comm Course.” All Scientologists, including children, are required to do this course and this drill as part of their training to be Scientologists. The drill is done by two Scientologists, one is assigned to be the coach and the other assigned the student.
The coach and student sit facing each other, the coach says “start.” The student can only sit there with their hands on their lap, saying nothing. The student cannot react in any way. The coach then tries to find the “buttons” that will make the student react. It usually starts with ridiculing the student’s looks to see if that warrants a reaction. If the student cries, laughs, winces, or shows anger, the coach says “flunk” and repeats the words that the student reacted to until the student no longer reacts to those words. If there is no reaction, the coach digs more and more until the coach finds the buttons that make the student react. There are no limits to this drill, and it usually goes into sexual and abusive content.
And then it is turned around, the student becomes the coach and then returns the favor. So the statement from leader of the Church of Scientology that COVID is a bullbait means it’s only a drill invented to make us all react, and Scientologists shouldn’t be reacting to a global pandemic but rather just going on with life as normal in their dedication to Scientology and their daily activities.
Anything you see coming from Scientology and Scientologists, such as mask wearing and supposedly humanitarian efforts, is just a show. It’s for public relations reasons only.
Tom’s reaction that was released yesterday shows his true personality. He is an abusive person. I witnessed it, I’ve been a recipient of it on a small level, and I’ve been told of similar abuse by his former girlfriend, his employees, and his friends. This is the real Tom. This was the same reaction Tom gave his household staff when they did not have the right ingredients for him to make chocolate chip cookies. This is the same type of tirade Tom launched into when an assistant had the audacity to serve him a drink in a chipped mug.
Tom does not care of the abuse that employees of the Sea Organization receive, Tom does not care that Shelly Miscavige is being held prisoner by her husband David Miscavige, Tom does not care because Tom subscribes to the abusive culture of Scientology. If you are a Scientologist and work for Tom, if you step out of line with Tom, if you want to work fewer hours to raise your children, Tom will send reports to his church on you. And reports like that end up causing an employee to pay for interrogations costing thousands of dollars. Did Tom care about his poor employees not seeing their children when they were required to work inhumane hours? Does Tom care that they did not have money for their children’s education because they were being security-checked for him? How about the Scientology assistant who asked to leave working for him to raise her family? This person was sent to Scientology for interrogations for months accusing her of having “evil undisclosed intentions towards Tom” for wanting to leave. This became so costly that she lost her home. Did Tom care about her feeding her family? Anyone who is a Scientologist who works for Tom is working for Scientology and they are sent to Scientology to be “handled” for Tom, costing that person thousands and thousands of dollars.
Tom does not care about the families of his crew; this is all for publicity. Tom does not believe in family values. I mean, how anyone is falling for this is just mindblowing. I would bet that Tom had this rant written for him and had his Scientology assistant record and release it. Hearing a rich actor with enormous power address his crew in this way is a sign of weakness and a deeply troubled person. This is not just a rant of another asshole actor. Tom Cruise pretending that he cares is why a few have called him out. They know this is a publicity stunt, they know what Tom really is and what Tom really believes. Tom believes in the destruction of family if a member decides to leave Scientology. Tom belongs to a cult that forbids victims of pedophiles to report to the police, Tom belongs to a cult that forbids victims of rape report their crimes or abuse… and if they do, his cult says their lives should be destroyed for doing so.
Tom has a history of being abusive to his inner circle, including the abuse of neglecting his own daughter, Suri.
His mental state is showing. Tom seems to think that Hollywood is incapable of making films without his help. Saying such a thing indicates the godlike figure Tom believes he is, and what he is told by Scientology. The reality is, anyone who is working in Hollywood today is working under strict COVID guidelines. Anyone who is working knows this. Tom Cruise is not dictating how films are being made, even if he seems to think so. This psychotic rant only proves what many who know Tom or have worked for Tom knows: He is an abusive dictator just as he was taught by his guru David Miscavige.
To commend this behavior only signifies that those who find this behavior normal or brave were probably abused or are abusers themselves. This is an actor with enormous power on the set of his film, this is not just a guy in the middle of a public place standing up to someone for not wearing a mask. This is Tom friggin’ Cruise wielding his power and threatening and degrading his crew.
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As a producer and the lead of a film, Tom addressing his crew in this manner is a clear indication that he is used to abusing his power. He thinks this is normal behavior and, to be clear, this is “normal” behavior coming from a Scientologist. In fact, this is tame coming from a Scientologist. Abuse is not only taught in Scientology, but also commended. Hearing Tom abuse his crew while others are praising him for showing that he cares is a farce.
No one needs to be “addressed” by Tom about safety codes. There are producers who could have and should have handled the situation privately and professionally. What more likely happened was, two crew members who were in the same zone were talking to each other and Tom saw this as an opportunity to appear as the epitome of strength; of a leader who is taking this pandemic very seriously. This behavior is not normal or appropriate. No one can respond to his outburst without being fired. And again, this is not a pandemic that Tom and Scientology believe in.
In addition, Scientologists are so manipulative and abusive that they believe that this “tone” is the “winning tone” of the country right now and therefore can only help Tom’s reputation to have this leaked.
Imagine if this were a woman. She would be called a lunatic.
On a movie set there are COVID officers who monitor mask wearing. Crews are separated into groups and zones and are not allowed to step into zones they are not assigned to. The camera crew is in its own zones, and they are only allowed to be with each other. The wardrobe department is in their own zones and must eat together. They cannot mix in other zones, they must wear wrist bands that show what zones they are. The set is taped off to show where the zones are, and people know not to walk in a zone they don’t belong in. All cast and crew are tested every other day, temperatures are taken every day upon arrival to set, new masks are given upon their arrival, anyone from out of town must stay in their hotels and are monitored, they are driven to set from those in their zones. They are not being monitored by Tom Cruise; they are being monitored by the COVID officers assigned to the movie. There are strict guidelines that are being required to be on set.
So, my short answer to how I feel about yet another one of Tom’s psychotic rants being exposed? I am getting “small dick energy” from Tom and men like him.
And I only wish someone had stepped in and had done something about it. We have enough of the types who stand by and allow this kind of behavior to go on.
— Leah Remini
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“I have a book which proves absolutely the presence of demons and demon exorcism and proves completely a priori — oh, the most fascinating reasoning is the bulk of this book. You just feel your brains go creak as you read this thing…They go on and prove absolutely that the word of the church is law. And then they prove the fact there was a demon present. Just as I say, you, just, brains go kind of creak. It’s got one of these things in practically every column, two columns to the page, quarto-size volume, for about three or four hundred pages. It’s a very old book and was printed way way back when. Fascinating volume. Well, I want to prove pan-determinism to you on this line now. Now, a thetan can see what he can be; he can be what he can see. Now, have any of you ever seen God? Well, come on, come on, have any of you ever seen God? All right. You’ve never seen God, huh? OK. If you have never seen God, this proves conclusively that God is the Supreme Being at the eighth dynamic. Isn’t that right? Oh, yes it does! Because you’ve never seen God and you’re being self-determined, which is the first dynamic. So this merely demonstrates to you that individuals are not pan-determinism. You follow this?” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 16, 1954
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“Lt. Cmmdr. Irene Dunleavy is reprimanded for rudeness and violation of F.O. 38 to a senior officer. The next occurrance will result in something more than a reprimand. She is to re-check out on this F.O. within one week.” — MarySue Hubbard, Captain, December 16, 1968
——————–
“I’m going to disconnect from a bunch of so called Scientologists from this zoo they call ‘freezone.’ They are in my view just poor people with a lot of bypassed charge from their association with the cult called the Church of Scientology and are now dramatizing their own case. I am going to stay in contact and thrive with all the free-spirited, sincere people who actually want to do Scientology. I am interested in growth, in enlightenment, in living a better life with good people. We don’t need cults.”
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1997: The supermarket tabloid Globe carried an article this week in which Scientologist Kirstie Alley claims her love for her boyfriend dates back over 500 years. “‘I’m so in love with James because he reminds me of my ex-husband Francesco from 500 years ago,’ Kirstie confided to a pal. ‘We were married in the 1400s in a past life.’ But despite her startling confession, the sexy star of Veronica’s Closet takes the far-out notion of past lives with a grain of salt. ‘Past lives to me are so, like, who cares?’ says Kirstie, 42. ‘We’ve all had trillions of them. But every once in a while there are some truly pleasurable ones that you want to remember!’ Kirstie plunged into her passionate romance with 34-year-old James after hubby Parker Stevenson filed for divorce in March. They’d been married for 14 years and adopted two children together, Lillie, 3, and William, 5. But the actress’ belief in past lives is not new —it’s rooted in her Scientology religion. ‘Scientologists believe in the idea of past lives, but not reincarnation,’ a spokesman explained to GLOBE.”
——————–
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“If communication is the universal solvent, why is it that in Scientology you can’t communicate with other Scientologists or non-Scientologists about how the tech works and what it’s done for you? Is it because it will make their heads explode like the guy in Scanners? Why are there no theologians in Scientology? Why can’t you ask a course supervisor what they think Hubbard really meant by a certain passage? Why is it that Scientologists are only able to respond to non-Scientologists with rote responses?”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Masterson’s demurrer denied Oct 19, arraignment delayed to Jan 6.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing delayed for ‘Fatico’ hearing on Jan 19.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Petition for writ of mandate denied Oct 22 by Cal 2nd Appellate District. Petition for review by state supreme court denied Dec 11.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Dec 18, re-hearing on motions to compel arbitration; Jan 29, Masterson’s request to stay discovery pending the criminal case
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Nov 18: Feshbachs indicated they will enter into consent judgment to pay the debt.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
Concluded litigation:
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs.
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
——————–
SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks
The Australian Seven News network cancelled a 10-part investigation of Scientology and its history of dirty tricks. Read the transcripts of the episodes and judge for yourself why Tom Cruise and Tommy Davis might not have wanted viewers to see this hard-hitting series by journalist Bryan Seymour.
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’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 celebrated New Year’s Eve on Saturday, and once again we had someone there
[TWO years ago] Where in the U.S. the next set of Scientology ‘Ideal Orgs’ will be popping up next
[THREE years ago] L. Ron Hubbard’s son was troubled, but don’t discount him entirely: few knew his father better
[FOUR years ago] SPECIAL EPISODE ADDED: Leah Remini series adds Monday hour featuring Paulette Cooper
[FIVE years ago] Australian media outs Scientologist behind ‘super city’ plans near Melbourne
[SIX years ago] Scientology attorneys ask Garcia judge — Keep Mike Rinder away from us!
[SEVEN years ago] EXCLUSIVE: Roslyn Cohn’s one-woman show skewering Scientology — complete!
[EIGHT years ago] Sunday Funnies: Scientology Sets Its Worldwide New Year’s Party!
[NINE years ago] Writing OT VIII, a Pot Bust, and More From L. Ron Hubbard
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,152 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,656 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,176 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,196 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,087 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,394 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,262 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,036 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,840 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,156 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,722 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,641 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,809 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,390 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,651 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,689 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,402 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,927 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 282 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,457 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,008 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,157 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,477 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,332 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,451 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,807 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,110 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,216 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,618 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,490 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,073 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,568 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,822 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,931 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on December 16, 2020 at 17:25
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, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), 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
December 15, 2020
Tom Cruise rant: Sensible Covid frustration, or insane Scientology screed?
The social media reactions to the Sun’s big scoop, a recording of Tom Cruise going off on the Mission Impossible 7 crew for not being careful enough about social distancing, are all over the place.
Many are giving the actor high marks for expressing the frustration against poor pandemic protocol that many of us feel, but others are pointing out how much Tom seems to be channeling his best pal here, Scientology leader David Miscavige.
First, here’s the recording in case you haven’t heard it…
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(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Tom Cruise went fucking HARDDD…but not in a douche bag Christian Bale kind of way…in a “We are trying to save this industry” kind of way
pic.twitter.com/Nj2WA79XMH— Caleb Williams (@KnightGambit) December 16, 2020
And here are some of the reactions, starting off with Mike Rinder and Yashar Ali…
This abusive side of TC is not often seen. He learned from his buddy David Miscavige. Sounds just like him — same language, same inflection, same "I have the world on my shoulders and you are f**cking me over" routine… He probably leaked this thinking it makes him sound tough. https://t.co/ONt0ehASav
— Mike Rinder (@MikeRinder) December 16, 2020
For others though, Cruise is fighting the good fight here…
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Marlow does some word-clearing and makes an interesting point…
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“I was up there at Oak Knoll for about a year, Oak Knoll Naval Hospital. And I used to walk around — all I had to do — I was a line officer and all I had to do was take off one collar ornament, and I became a doctor….And a little doctor up there by the name of Yankewitz, I used to prowl around there once in a while, Yankewitz was a pretty good guy. And he came, he headed this project, and it had to do with endocrine system. They were trying to do something for people released from Japanese prison camps. These people couldn’t eat. And if they did eat it went immediately into fat. They couldn’t absorb any protein. And I had discovered that there was an immediate index between protein and healing tissue. I used to talk to Yankewitz about it, and he’d listen tolerantly, because he didn’t think I was doing anything, see….And it was out of that year’s study that I concluded rather conclusively, on a very large series of tests, that the body cannot be monitored by what we call structure. And by monitored, I meant healed. It can be changed by structure, but only deteriorated. It’s a one-way route….I’m sorry that I don’t have the records. I’m sure they’re still at Oak Knoll, because I know nobody in the government ever read any records, they just make them.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 15, 1953
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“We have 2 or 3 fellows who are trying to run away from it all to escape to some fancied bliss. Now and then I try to tell someone, ‘don’t go diving off that cliff’ and now and then they say cheerily ‘But I’ve GOT to, you see…’; and away they go. I just don’t like that dwindling scream followed by the thud.” — The Commodore, December 15, 1969
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“Max Sandor, real name Joachim Steingrubner, dropped his body around 2 AM local time Dec 4, 2020 in São Paulo, Brasil. Anyone who knew Max from his involvement in various self development groups (Psycho Energy Auro Technology, Ifa, Scientology) should understand he has not entered the between-lives/Bardo, and will reincarnate without being wiped. Max was a charming fellow, and powerful magician/OT, and will be missed by all who knew him. I wish him the best in his next set of adventures.”
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1996: PA News reported that a member of the British House of Lords has announced he is a Scientologist. “A Liberal Democrat peer today disclosed he is a member of the Church of Scientology, as a Home Office minister warned of the ‘potential dangers’ of becoming involved in such organisations. In Lords question time exchanges on the operations of the organisation, Lord McNair, 49, declared: ‘I have to tell the House that I have an interest — and that interest is that I am a member of the Church of Scientology.’ Tory Baroness Sharples earlier told the House: ‘Those who have left the cult, a number of them, have been both threatened and harassed and a considerable number of them have been made bankrupt by the church.’ Home Office Minister of State Baroness Blatch said: ‘People should be warned of the potential dangers of becoming involved in organisations of this kind.'”
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“The irony is that a supposed spiritual technology that is claimed to be based in science and logic to some degree is actually the most fundamentalist ‘religion’ ever created. The Westboro Baptist Church and the Taliban have nothing on Scientology when it comes to fundamentalist dogma.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Masterson’s demurrer denied Oct 19, arraignment delayed to Jan 6.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing delayed for ‘Fatico’ hearing on Jan 19.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Petition for writ of mandate denied Oct 22 by Cal 2nd Appellate District. Petition for review by state supreme court filed Oct 30.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Dec 18, re-hearing on motions to compel arbitration; Jan 29, Masterson’s request to stay discovery pending the criminal case
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Nov 18: Feshbachs indicated they will enter into consent judgment to pay the debt.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
Concluded litigation:
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs.
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
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SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks
The Australian Seven News network cancelled a 10-part investigation of Scientology and its history of dirty tricks. Read the transcripts of the episodes and judge for yourself why Tom Cruise and Tommy Davis might not have wanted viewers to see this hard-hitting series by journalist Bryan Seymour.
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’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 trying to use its UN connections to fight its favorite bogeyman, psychiatry
[TWO years ago] Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman: Spied on by Scientology until it ripped them apart
[THREE years ago] Louis Theroux’s showdown with Scientology over a public road: The nutty new chapter
[FOUR years ago] CLAIM: ‘Frail’ looking Shelly Miscavige spotted near Scientology compound in California
Today in L.A.: Can Scientology kill a forced-abortion lawsuit in the name of religion?
[SIX years ago] More about the goons Scientology sent to intimidate Marty Rathbun and Louis Theroux
[SEVEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Scientology celebrates the holidays!
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology Leader David Miscavige: Getting Desperate?
[NINE years ago] Martin Bashir Compares Newt Gingrich to Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,151 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,655 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,175 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,195 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,086 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,393 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,261 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,035 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,839 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,155 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,721 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,640 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,808 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,389 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,650 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,688 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,401 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,926 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 281 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,456 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,007 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,156 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,476 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,331 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,450 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,806 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,109 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,215 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,617 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,489 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,072 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,567 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,821 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,930 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 15, 2020 at 21:35
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, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
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