Tony Ortega's Blog, page 36
May 20, 2025
Scientology’s deification of founder L. Ron Hubbard: More holy sites opening soon
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology’s official line is that it was founded by the most remarkable man who ever lived, but that L. Ron Hubbard was just that — a man, and not a god. But current leader David Miscavige has figured out that turning Ron’s old haunts into places of worship is good business. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“The person who would falsify an auditing report is usually found to be a suppressive with abundant R/Ses and evil intentions who never should have been trained in the first place. Therefore, the penalty for knowingly falsifying an auditing report in order to make oneself seem more competent than one is or to hide departures from the C/S or to omit vital data necessary to C/Sing, resulting in upsets to a case and time spent in investigation by seniors, is actionable by a Committee of Evidence and if the matter is proven beyond reasonable doubt, a cancellation of all certificates and awards, a declare and an expulsion order are mandatory.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
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“It’s my belief that in a good society every child ought to be equipped with and taught to fire a sawed-off shotgun.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 20, 1952
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“BIG LEAGUE: A lot of SO people do not realize that we play in the Big League. It’s not from choice. We are apparently considered a prime threat to those who run things from behind the scenes. A new estimate based on new data of the money spent to knock us out is at least 20 million pounds. Your concept of security and concept of snap and pop on operations and actions should be scaled upward to match the Big League. We are so tiny in numbers we have to make up for it in brilliance and efficiency. No other group on the planet gets the simultaneous international attention that we do. We cave in the pressure against us by highly effective operation of orgs and ships. And it is gradually giving ground. We will win in 3 years IF we play it with Security, brilliance and efficiency on all our parts.” — The Commodore, May 20, 1970
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“Einstein in his theory of relativity made a prediction in the early 20th century that there exist gravitational waves. It wasn’t until 2016 that those waves were detected. Similarly, Scientology makes a theory, makes predictions and gets validated when those predictions are found. No need for doctors, university scholars or peer review publications agreeing or not on it.”
1996: The Los Angeles Times published an article on Earthlink, the Internet provider founded by cult member Sky Dayton. “EarthLink’s expansion, however, has so far been privately funded by an eclectic mix of investors, including El Dorado Ventures, a venture capitalist firm; Warren Musser, president of Safeguard Scientific; and National Media Corp., an infomercial production company. Discussions on Internet news groups such as la.general and alt.religion.scientology and a World Wide Web site have focused on Dayton’s affiliation with the church – and on the actions of another Earthlink employee in battling church critics on the Internet. Dayton acknowledges that at the beginning, a large portion of EarthLink employees were Scientologists. With the company’s growth, though, the proportion has fallen to a small fraction, he says. Earthlink also used Hubbard management techniques in its early days. Dayton says the Hubbard methods are secular and have nothing to do with the religion of Scientology, and that in any case they are no longer in use at the company.”
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“If you want some major lulz, google ‘David Icke forum Scientology’ and get ready to read the 12-foot shape-shifting reptilian fanboys make fun of the immortal super powered Thetans. it’s a hoot.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due June 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing June 16.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud. Sentenced to 7 years in prison.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief due June 3.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
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After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] New Scientology memoir out today: For years he led its rabid anti-psychiatry angle
[TWO years ago] Here’s our story about Nancy Cartwright that Scientology doesn’t want you to see
[THREE years ago] VIDEO: This is peak Scientology, when its big donors were going to clear the planet
[FOUR years ago] Day three of the Danny Masterson prelim: Jane Doe 3’s cross-examination continues
[FIVE years ago] Leah Remini to Jane Doe after dismissing suit against Scientology: ‘You let no one down’
[SIX years ago] A paradox of apathy and zealotry: What props up Scientology, from within and without
[SEVEN years ago] Russia’s ineffective Scientology crackdown includes smearing foreign leaders
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology forks over phone numbers to federal judge, who puts his foot down again
[NINE years ago] Scientology gets judge disqualified in forced-abortion lawsuit and wants recent order voided
[TEN years ago] Scientology’s wealthy donors play royalty in Italy while Paulette Cooper takes San Diego
[ELEVEN years ago] Marc Headley returns to Scientology and finds a whole new ballgame
[TWELVE years ago] Your Hot Scientology Event in Los Angeles Tonight
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,270 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,765 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,280 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,830 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,820 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,206 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,701 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,005 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,874 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,428 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,769 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,336 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,255 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,423 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,005 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,264 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,301 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,017 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,581 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,896 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,071 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,753 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,090 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,944 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,059 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,421 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,830 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,226 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,104 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,669 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,180 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,436 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,544 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 20, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Q patriots go wild with conspiracies about Biden’s cancer news
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Potential California GOP candidate for governor Grant Cardone pic.twitter.com/21XPzgzRT3
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 19, 2025
"Look, I'm sorry some of you are so stupid that you think Biden has cancer. I wish I could reason with you but that seems impossible given how dumb you are." QAnon promoters love insulting people who live in reality. pic.twitter.com/7wid1Re2b8
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) May 20, 2025
One of the ways QAnon is horrible is that it is a permission structure to be a terrible person. Here Jacob tells us that we need to attack Biden and his family as he deals with cancer. You're noble and right for doing this, history will look upon you kindly for being a monster. pic.twitter.com/ivVmeFHLZT
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) May 20, 2025
"Biden turbo cancered himself with the vaccine" is absolutely going to be the hot new right wing conspiracy theory of the next week. Of course it's nonsensical, but that's the point. It's all about empty, smug outrage. pic.twitter.com/sOtCa3NGYc
— Mike Rothschild (@rothschildmd on blu sky) (@rothschildmd) May 18, 2025
Doocy: What does President Trump mean when he says that Taylor Swift is no longer hot?
Leavitt: Look, he is speaking about Taylor Swift's political views and how perhaps it has impacted the support of the American public for her work. I will leave it at that. pic.twitter.com/GOFMsgQ6cP
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 19, 2025
Trump appointee Alina Habba is charging Democratic Congresswoman LaMonica McIver with “assaulting, impeding and interfering with law enforcement” pic.twitter.com/61Y6FyZYN1
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 20, 2025
James Comer is determined to keep investing Joe Biden pic.twitter.com/foI4rTJbyT
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 19, 2025
As the far right gets deeper into its enmeshment with conspiracy theories, they'll have to get more outlandish and bizarre to chase the high. Crokin would have untouchable for the mainstream right a decade ago, but now she's got the uncut purity they need to stay flying. https://t.co/yGuC2X5cBk
— Mike Rothschild (@rothschildmd on blu sky) (@rothschildmd) May 19, 2025
Actor Zachary Levi apparently attended the premiere of a new anti-vax film from Mikki Willis, the conspiracy theorist behind the viral COVID misinfo "Plandemic" video, with Levi being photographed with Willis. https://t.co/YEZy9kejz2 pic.twitter.com/oLLfKrU3eX
— Alex Kaplan (@AlKapDC) May 19, 2025
“Stop with all this Constitution business” pic.twitter.com/hU8uSleaST
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 19, 2025
Among these posts Trump amplified yesterday include 2 images with "Q+" in them, a term QAnon supporters use to refer to Trump himself. https://t.co/CjtaVAEnIE pic.twitter.com/H3cXoL937p
— Alex Kaplan (@AlKapDC) May 19, 2025
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.
Posted by Tony Ortega on May 20, 2025 at 08:00
May 19, 2025
What’s it really like at L. Ron Hubbard’s Scientology home?
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Former London staffer Alex Barnes-Ross continues to find us interesting things that are being issued at Scientology’s UK headquarters at Saint Hill Manor, in East Sussex. He knew we’d be interested in this latest testimonial from the place for a number of reasons. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Basically, correct tech applied by a competent auditor who has been trained and interned, works and works every time. When it “doesn’t work,” a C/S begins to look for the real scene. There are many ways he can ascertain the actual scene. Amongst these are outside-the-door session taping, monitors, interviews, lack of success stories, failures to declare, failures to re-sign, Examiner Reports at variances with the session reports, personal check-up into the case and many others. The only thing which temporarily misleads a C/S is a falsified auditing report. But in all our experience with these, the detection of such reports is inevitable even if it occurs a long time afterwards.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
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“We are the only science of mind that has ever come up the line and sat back on its haunches and proved itself across the board, we can also undo that. If we want to take enough trouble we can also save Gracey Zilch. One auditor sits on her head and the other straps the cans to her feet and a third, as she’s being held down, locates what she has been doing on an E-Meter, you see something like a Joburg or something like this, you see, and actually gets the thing taped out and then finally says, ‘Well, Gracey, we’ve got the goods on you. And now why don’t you go off someplace and realize that if you don’t do something decent about this, you’re sunk.’ And I don’t care it might take two hours, two years or two lifetimes; sooner or later she’s going to come in and tell all. Fascinating, huh? We can undo it. So, in a little, tiny, microscopic way, not accepting a half a million dollars from the Communist Party of America to do in a Central Organization; that of course killed a man. I bet you right now he’s tagging around in a schoolroom someplace or another, wondering what is wrong with him and why he feels so spinny. Fellow by the name of Don Purcell. He died. He did this, and for three years he just went on a toboggan and died. One of the reasons was is nobody was interested enough to even try to do anything for him. And the other thing was he had made it impossible to arrive at that data earlier by causing such a tremendous disturbance that he slowed up research.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 19, 1961
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“The technical material I developed from ’68 to ’71 on Flag is published here, trained on here and applied here. We have the best auditors in the world. They are very few. While the Flag Ship Org keeps a ship here, keeps ports here and services those abroad, so that these activities can take place. The Flag Bureaux pushes the Administrative planning and programming which forms up the Continental Liaison Offices which hold the orgs there for FEBCs to return to. Everyone on Flag contributes to these successes, no matter what his post is. We are all operating directly on the VFP of a Cleared Planet. Sometimes this may not be as visible as it might be to someone with his head down into some routine job. But you can measure the success of what you’re doing. Look at the sky-rocketing rise of stats over the world. That’s my stat and Yours. It is in Power.” — The Commodore, May 19, 1971
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“LRH made an amazing technology. I don’t believe for a moment that LRH himself was corrupt. What makes more sense to me is that he was corrupted by the corrupt. What were his ‘crimes’? Trial and error? What crimes can the tech be guilty of? None. The guilty are those who misapplied it. There was corruption in the church, that cannot be denied. But badmouthing the founder of an amazing tech won’t gain it the appeal it so desperately needs to become a movement. We need more support of the tech properly applied. Why are we trying to take away the validity of his research and tech? Why be part of the negative? Should we not be focused on proper application so that we can save the world?”
1995: “The Phil Donahue show aired a live broadcast on the cos on Monday. Heber Jentzsch ineptly fended off fairly soft questions from Phil. I think most posters to a.r.s rated it as unsatisfying due to the condition that Heber placed on the show: that no critics of the cos be present on stage. The only thing I learned was that Heber has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Utah. The most absurd moments came when a woman claimed the Purif cleaned out her arteriosclerosis after doctors gave her two years to live.”
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“Thank god I didn’t have to go to confession. It would have taken a team of priests working in shifts to cover my multitude of sins.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due June 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing June 16.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud. Sentenced to 7 years in prison.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief due June 3.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
——————–
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Most damaging Scientology defectors? A case could be made for this Las Vegas couple
[TWO years ago] As the jury deliberates, there’s plenty it didn’t hear about Danny Masterson
[THREE years ago] Endorsed by the Oregonian, Scientology school is full steam ahead with its real purpose
[FOUR years ago] Day two of the Danny Masterson prelim: Jane Doe 1’s cross-examination continues
[FIVE years ago] Mark Bunker wants to get the FBI looking at Scientology in Clearwater
[SIX years ago] Free of measles, Scientology’s cruise ship gets back to separating OTs from their money
[SEVEN years ago] When Scientology leader David Miscavige targets you for a beatdown: A Jefferson Hawkins classic
[EIGHT years ago] Elisabeth Moss in this week’s ‘Handmaid’ sure sounded like FBI testimony about Scientology
[NINE years ago] Here are the instructions Scientologists are getting for the May 28 media center opening!
[TEN years ago] Leah Remini helps us celebrate our book in Los Angeles with a gang of Scientology ‘SPs’
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s drug rehab network sued for conspiring to misuse counseling credentials
[TWELVE years ago] How Not to Protest Scientology
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,269 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,764 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,279 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,829 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,819 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,205 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,700 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,004 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,873 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,427 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,768 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,335 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,254 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,422 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,004 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,263 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,300 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,016 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,580 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,895 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,070 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,752 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,089 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,943 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,058 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,420 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,829 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,225 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,103 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,668 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,179 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,435 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,543 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on May 19, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Q patriots patiently waiting for the libturd death sentences to start happening
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});"Biden turbo cancered himself with the vaccine" is absolutely going to be the hot new right wing conspiracy theory of the next week. Of course it's nonsensical, but that's the point. It's all about empty, smug outrage. pic.twitter.com/sOtCa3NGYc
— Mike Rothschild (@rothschildmd on blu sky) (@rothschildmd) May 18, 2025
Trump Wants to Investigate “Unpatriotic Entertainers” Beyoncé, Others
Trump distracts from unfulfilled promises by pushing Kamala Harris campaign conspiracies https://t.co/gd2YvRhb3ghttps://t.co/gd2YvRhb3g
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 19, 2025
Trump Shares QAnon Meme, Call for Military Tribunal of Obama
Trump continues to amplify extreme content on Truth Social https://t.co/LYDSdWwyAHhttps://t.co/LYDSdWwyAH
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 18, 2025
Every day MAGA accounts go viral sharing fake claims about Democrats pic.twitter.com/VzO0FL1OL4
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 18, 2025
This is the people Trump is winking and nodding to. A massive group of internet poisoned ghouls who declare that they'll be content if a few hundred of their enemies are put to death. pic.twitter.com/5u8KvqOTM9
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) May 19, 2025
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.
Posted by Tony Ortega on May 19, 2025 at 08:00
May 18, 2025
More Scientology big-donor shenanigans to keep us entertained
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’ve been paying a lot of attention to Scientology leader David Miscavige lately, but we also keep an eye on the geniuses who fork over huge amounts of money to him to keep Scientology going through a difficult time. And we have a couple of fun updates about them for you today. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“The person whose auditing reports have been falsified is easy to spot in folders and records. The auditor marks “VGIs, F/N” and the Examiner notes bypassed charge and bad indicators. An auditor seeking to prevent this being detected has been known to take the Examiner Report from the folder but that there is no Examiner Report would be the first thing a C/S would notice. Examiner Reports have been forged and exchanged with the actual one but this too is very visible. Lack of a proper success story points directly to out tech and if it is not visible in the folder then that folder contains falsified auditing reports.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
——————–
THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
——————–
“Some time, by the way, when you haven’t anything else to do, read Gibbon’s ‘Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.’ That’s quite a thing. I undertook that some years ago because I was having trouble sleeping. But I decided I would read it from one end of that many-volumed volumes to the other — read the whole thing. And it was quite an interesting exercise. I hope I never get so ambitious as to start reading the Encyclopaedia Britannica from one end to the other. But, I will say, I am running out of reading matter now that Ian Fleming has picked himself up another body. May have to do it.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 18, 1965
——————–
“UPPER OT GRADES: By this time there must be about fifteen OT grades above Clear already developed. These exist in research form and have not been released. AOLA is begging for a new one, having delivered 500 OT VIIs. The danger is that an AO or org starts delivering to the same people and disconnects. Jbg broke itself doing this once. Affluent on selling illegal Power Processing, it suddenly used up all its CF. It had not fed in anyone at the bottom — no Testing or HAS or Dn or Lower Grades. It used up its CF hot prospects on Power and that was that. Jbg’s decline dates back to this period. It’s a way of disconnecting from the Public. AOs should be hammering SHs to get people through Solo R6EW and onto Clear and getting Clears onto lower OT grades.” — The Commodore, May 18, 1971
——————–
“The fundaments of the free zone and one of the most important claims by Capt. Bill Robertson are the Free Zone Decrees. One being the following: 1. No interference is permitted in the zone known as Sector Nine until further notice. 2. This decree is to be enforced by the Galactic Patrol. 3. There shall be no use of atomic, chemical, or biological weapons in the zone 4. Travel to and from the zone is regulated and shall be subject to verification of intent and escort by the Patrol. 5. The technical and ethical experiment in progress by Sector Commander Elron Elray is not to be interfered with in any way whatsoever as it is extremely vital to the future of the Galaxy and its inhabitants. 6. The-Ethics Order by Commander Elray on the being Xenu, currently Joseph Strasburg, alias ‘Herr J.’ or ‘Mister J.’ of Germany/Switzerland banking circles, declaring him Suppressive, is to be enforced…By order of the Grand Council, Galactic Central, Mship relay by order of Sector Commander Elron Elray.”
2001: Mark Bunker and Jeff Jacobsen reported on the opening of a city park in downtown Clearwater. A Scientology group was responsible for improvements to the park, but initially declined contributions in honor of Lisa McPherson, Roxanne Friend and Congressman Leo J. Ryan. “At this afternoon’s grand opening of the brick alley in Downtown Clearwater, Pam Marks finally answered the question she refused to answer for the St. Pete Times. The secret committee has been revealed. Pam Marks today thanked Bennetta Slaughter and AMC for being in charge of placing the orders for bricks. Pam Marks also applauded the local newspapers for their supportive coverage, except for the St. Pete Times. She lambasted the Times and O’Neal in particular for their biased coverage. I was on the Cleveland Street entrance with my Lisa McPherson picket sign. I was there in place of my brick that would have said ‘Remember Lisa McPherson’ except the Citizens for a Better Clearwater rejected that brick as being disharmonious to the community. So I stood near the curb with my sign and flyers that explained why I was there. I only gave out one flyer. It was essentially impossible to miss my sign if you were in the park because there are of course only 2 entrances into the park. Antonio the Scientology security guy was all excited and videotaped the first 45 minutes of me standing there, then just watched the rest of the time. Paul Kellerhals came over and watched me quite a while, then came over with a copy of the injunction and claimed I was violating it! Clearwater police Lt. Hall came over a few minutes later, apparently called there by Scientology. He talked to me briefly, saw what I was doing, and told the nearby cops that I was fine. After a bit a nice lady came and told me that my brick was now in the park! Sure enough, it’s right at the base of a bench, in a reasonably good location.”
——————–
“All the e-meter is capable of is measuring galvanic skin response. It has as much scientific, technical value as X-Ray glasses and Sea Monkeys.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due June 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing June 16.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud. Sentenced to 7 years in prison.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief due June 3.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
——————–
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] POOF: Scientology decides the 2022 L. Ron Hubbard Birthday Event never happened
[TWO years ago] Verdict watch: Will defense attorney Philip Cohen’s sartorial splendor be a factor?
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s homophobia: Checking in with Derek Bloch 10 years after we first met him
[FOUR years ago] Jane Doe 1’s brutal testimony about alleged rape by Danny Masterson on Day 1 of prelim
[FIVE years ago] JANE DOE DROPS CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT SUIT AGAINST SCIENTOLOGY AND DAVID MISCAVIGE
[SIX years ago] Graham Berry does it again: More Scientology financial fraud spelled out in legal demand
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s founder in 1948: Dianetics was ‘unfrigidizing’ women into ‘nymphos’
[EIGHT years ago] To whet your appetite for season 2, A&E airing 2-hour ‘Leah Remini’ special on Memorial Day
[NINE years ago] Scientology responds to Garcia accusations; sexy Virginia congressional candidate visits an org
[TEN years ago] Just two blocks from Scientology’s LA headquarters, Paulette Cooper shone
[ELEVEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Scientology fundraising fliers try desperately to hide the truth
[TWELVE years ago] Jon Atack on the Hypnotic History of Scientology Auditing
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,268 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,763 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,278 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,828 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,818 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,204 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,699 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,003 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,872 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,426 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,767 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,334 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,253 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,421 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,003 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,262 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,299 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,015 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,579 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,894 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,069 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,751 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,088 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,942 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,057 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,419 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,828 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,224 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,102 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,667 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,178 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,434 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,542 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on May 18, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
The Trump presidency asks a simple question: ‘Are you not entertained?’
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Trump threatens to sue ABC News if they keep reporting on Qatar giving him a free Boeing 747 airplane pic.twitter.com/EsLZqWgssi
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 18, 2025
Trump blames Walmart for the consequences of his tariff policies pic.twitter.com/bzuHz49GVd
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 17, 2025
Trump, who cut the National Weather Service, has been silent about the 23 people who were recently killed in storms and tornadoes in Kentucky.
Instead, he’s been posting multiple Middle East trip propaganda videos featuring himself. pic.twitter.com/BjSZqmckOk
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 17, 2025
MAGA is taking the Supreme Court upholding the Constitution very well pic.twitter.com/AplvxlC1UO
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 17, 2025
Impossible to do satire anymore https://t.co/AavMPmFl6O pic.twitter.com/jKCsREhhDS
— Robert Skvarla (@RobertSkvarla) May 17, 2025
Today on NPR: A deep dive on the ~40 entities — inside, adjacent to and outside of the government — where DOGE and the Trump administration have turned their attention in recent weeks.
And the 6 DOGE staffers involved – many not reported before publicly.https://t.co/NPT0BAiOK9
— stephen fowler (@stphnfwlr) May 17, 2025
These are all AI pic.twitter.com/hjmXMdyLvu
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 17, 2025
Trump posted a bizarre AI video of himself performing Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’ pic.twitter.com/6kP58ooPMz
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 17, 2025
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.
Posted by Tony Ortega on May 18, 2025 at 08:00
May 17, 2025
Hear skateboard star Aaron Kyro’s victory speech as he wins Scientology’s ‘Birthday Game’
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Mark Bunker comes through again! Last week he shared leaked audio from Scientology’s L. Ron Hubbard birthday event in March. Now, there’s more, including Braille Skateboarding’s Aaron Kyro giving a speech for winning the annual Birthday Game. Yeah, it’s as nutty as it sounds. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“Three SPs, now declared, some years ago had a mutual understanding that they would not put down each other’s withholds. These three also falsified auditing reports to the effect that they had run certain things on pcs ‘and there was nothing on them,’ when in fact they either had not run them or there was reaction which they did not put into the report. They messed up about a dozen people before they were caught and it took many, many hours of careful C/Sing and auditing to salvage those cases (and it also took about two years). They made several hundred serious enemies for themselves and today I doubt any Scientologist would even speak to them and their names are remembered with scathing contempt. It is not only easy to detect a falsified auditing report, it is also inevitable that it will be detected.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
——————–
THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
——————–
“Power of choice, when that is too badly thrown aside, people object to this thing. That is why slavery has gotten a bad name as a practice. In actual fact you look at the economics of it and you find a lot of things about a slave society which are quite interesting. You find a society which is, has no objection to this sort of thing and which can free slaves rather easily and you find a lot of people walking up and saying, ‘I want to be a slave.’ But slavery itself is this thing of a beingness, an enforced beingness over which an individual has no power of choice and therefore it gets a bad name.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 17, 1962
——————–
“The activity called ‘Black Propaganda’ consists of spreading lies by hidden sources. It inevitably results in injustices being done by those who operate without verifying the truth. For instance all the attacks on Scientology were Black Propaganda from hidden Fascist groups. This has caused injustice. Black Propaganda was a Nazi specialty. But injustice recoills on those who deal in it. Thus a hidden lying source can cause authority to act. Thus authority can be undermined by being made to commit injustices….If the world were honest, justice and the need for it would vanish. The road out is the Road to Truth.” — The Commodore, May 17, 1971
——————–
“Scientology was the use of science, in the 20th century, to explain the material phenomena created by the spirit. The previous case to explain material phenomena created by the spirit was the book Principia Mathematica by Isaac Newton. Science as practiced by Newton was attacked by the Inquisition. Similarly, Scientology or the study of knowledge was attacked by the inquisition of the 20th century, namely, psychology (APA), psychiatry (WFMH) and medicine (AMA). Newton was protected from the Inquisition by being at a distance from Spain and by residing in a country with a separate branch of the Catholic Church, the Church of England. Scientology had as protection the Fair Game policy, that could be described as a policy to destroy its enemies after they are defined as enemy by a list of destructive actions and a publication.”
2000: From Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times: “‘Battlefield Earth’ is like taking a bus trip with someone who has needed a bath for a long time. It’s not merely bad; it’s unpleasant in a hostile way. The visuals are grubby and drab. The characters are unkempt and have rotten teeth. Breathing tubes hang from their noses like ropes of snot. The soundtrack sounds like the boom mike is being slammed against the inside of a 55-gallon drum. This movie is awful in so many different ways. Even the opening titles are cheesy. ‘Battlefield Earth’ was written in 1980 by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. The film contains no evidence of Scientology or any other system of thought; it is shapeless and senseless, without a compelling plot or characters we care for in the slightest. The director, Roger Christian, has learned from better films that directors sometimes tilt their cameras, but he has not learned why. I watched it in mounting gloom, realizing I was witnessing something historic, a film that for decades to come will be the punch line of jokes about bad movies. There is a moment here when the Psychlos’ entire planet (home office and all) is blown to smithereens, without the slightest impact on any member of the audience (or, for that matter, the cast). If the film had been destroyed in a similar cataclysm, there might have been a standing ovation.”
——————–
“Sherbet, if you saw ‘Heavenly Creatures’ — the best film Peter Jackson ever did — you would understand the similarities between the folie à deux world the girls live in and that of Scientologists. Plus it’s got clay modeling as well as Kate Winslet and ‘Rose’ from ‘Two and a Half Men’.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due June 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing June 16.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud. Sentenced to 7 years in prison.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief due June 3.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
——————–
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] If Scientology’s a sinking ship, why are some still throwing so much money at it?
[TWO years ago] After final rebuttal from prosecution this morning, the jury gets the case
[THREE years ago] Attorney to CA Supremes: Here’s how you can make history in Danny Masterson’s rape case
[FOUR years ago] Scientology hits on the perfect theme for its Chicago fundraising: Blues Brothers!
[FIVE years ago] Leaked audio of Scientology ship commander giving marching orders during the pandemic
[SIX years ago] Once again, Scientology celebrates a Nation of Islam bigot tonight in Los Angeles
[SEVEN years ago] Living with Scientology ‘disconnection’: ‘It’s important to never give up hope’
[EIGHT years ago] San Diego on Saturday: Psych-busting and Scientology hip hop!
[NINE years ago] Judge Doyle: I have Scientologists in the family, but I can be impartial in forced-abortion case
[TEN years ago] ‘The Unbreakable Miss Lovely’ goes on the road — and so does Paulette Cooper!
[ELEVEN years ago] L. Ron Hubbard describes infiltrating a veterans’ hospital in a lecture only for Scientologists
[TWELVE years ago] And Now For Something Completely Different: Scientology Stand Up!
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,267 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,762 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,277 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,827 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,817 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,203 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,698 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,002 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,871 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,425 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,766 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,333 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,252 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,420 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,002 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,261 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,298 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,014 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,578 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,893 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,068 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,750 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,087 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,941 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,056 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,418 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,827 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,223 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,101 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,666 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,177 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,433 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,541 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on May 17, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
If Taylor Swift wanted to be hot again, she could learn something from MAGA
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});5 things Trump did this week:
1. Caved to China on tariffs
2. Received a gold necklace from a foreign leader
3. Said he made Taylor Swift not hot anymore
4. Got the United States’ credit rating downgraded
5. Kept the Epstein files safe in the vault for the 17th week pic.twitter.com/GOY2PLTDDX
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 17, 2025
What an absolute creep pic.twitter.com/Q9Ibug9A9b
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) May 16, 2025
Trump Claims Taylor Swift Is ‘No Longer Hot’ After His Criticism
Trump’s uses misogyny again to insult the pop star https://t.co/8gh4Js2KeHhttps://t.co/8gh4Js2KeH
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 16, 2025
Trump in 2012: “You get what you vote for. US credit rating is about to be downgraded once again”
There’s always a tweet. pic.twitter.com/GVda2ZfhfT
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 16, 2025
This bill just died in the committee pic.twitter.com/IxdQZkLeP5
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 16, 2025
Due process is not a trial. It’s just looking at your legal status to see if you are a citizen or have legal standing to remain in America or not. If this burden is too brutal for you then you should be mad at Trump for killing the border bill Biden proposed in 2024. pic.twitter.com/fkC4CTv7SH
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) May 16, 2025
The current narrative being pushed by all QAnon promoters is the idea that Trump is establishing "peace in the Middle East" or "World Peace". The idea that anything has happened on this trip beyond open corruption and Trump being buttered up by dictators is hilarous. pic.twitter.com/VdnRmUATEL
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) May 17, 2025
Trump’s economy… pic.twitter.com/W7zPRHOgD0
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 16, 2025
MAGA fashion at Trump’s golf club pic.twitter.com/Am8mczIYj5
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 16, 2025
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.
Posted by Tony Ortega on May 17, 2025 at 08:00
May 16, 2025
Downfall of Scientology’s plan: Temporary setback, or permanent victory?
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’re still getting reactions to this week’s wild news about David Miscavige’s plans for Scientology in Clearwater being temporarily held up if not spoiled indefinitely. And we wanted to share with you an observation by one of our readers that, we admit, gave us a chuckle. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“There are many ways of falsifying an auditing report. Chief amongst them is omission of vital data in the report. Another is faking the things run or the pc’s actions or reactions. To the person doing this it may seem that he has covered up his incompetence but in actual fact it is eventually detected. A twice declared person recently messed up the cases of several VIPs by simply omitting some of their disagreements with what was being done.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
——————–
THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
——————–
“I found out that it makes it tremendously easier to run the bank and that on a very few PCs you will be unable to run the bank unless you get an early engramic incident out of the road. And I also found out that if you can run the overt engram that relates to these GPMs just as an engram, that a fantastic amount of charge will come off the implants themselves, naturally, and therefore they run like-very much like hot butter. I had a little bulletin for you. Found a datum here you might be interested in. That particular outfit was down toward the center of this particular galaxy and was founded at 52 trillion, 863 billion, 10 million, 654 thousand, 79 years (52,863,010,654,079), and I can’t give you a much closer than that, because when place get founded is, more or less becomes part of their lies. But it was founded at that time, and it was destroyed on the date 38 trillion, 932 billion, 690 million, 862 thousand, 933 years ago (38,932,690,862,933), by the 79th wing of the 43rd battle squadron of the galactic fleet. It was not the, part of the galaxy. It was a wildcat activity sitting there. They used to drag Magellanic Clouds out of the center hub of the galaxy, let them follow the lines of force and just let them come over a system. Then when they got around to it, they’d send planes in with speakers, and so forth, and give the place the business. But the place very often was totally caved in for thousands of years by these Magellanic radioactive clouds which would just engulf the particular system. You got the idea? I just give you that in brief, just as a matter of interest, because these dates we’re getting are accurate. I have now compared them up the track and squared them around. These are the dates.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 16, 1963
——————–
“Logic (The Data Series) is written up to Data – 4 now. Occurred to me what if CIA’s multi-billion facts in computers were properly analyzed, WOW, what a different answer they’d get! I realized that as it is ‘analyzed’ they can only decide to go to war with everybody! And do. I can see a conference now at ‘high level.’ ‘What’s the situation on Hamfatia?’ ‘Threatening.’ ‘What’s the situation on Sphagettiville?’ ‘Threatening.’ ‘What’s the situation on the world?’ ‘Threatening.’ ‘Then it’s all threatening?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Good hit the war button!’ They didn’t notice the ‘Threatening’ button had gotten leaned on by the cleaning lady’s mop the night before. And that’s the way the world went. Point is, if one can’t analyze data he winds up hating everybody — as it’s just one big generality. We’re into real 3rd dynamic tech!” — The Commodore, May 16, 1970
——————–
“The R2-45 process is valid (as far as I understand) in the Sea Org. Governments have not forbidden it, why? Because life has the right to kill its enemies. Governments do that all the time. The peace you enjoy in society is due in part thanks to the people in governments who kill subversives, silently and without sorrow.”
1999: The Associated Press reported that Scientologists held a rally in Washington, DC this week, to protest at the meeting of the American Psychiatric Association. “About 1,000 protesters, dressed in black and many carrying black balloons, picketed a convention of psychiatrists Saturday to demand they stop prescribing mind-altering medications to young people. Such medicine leads to youth violence, said three protest leaders, actresses Kirstie Alley and Juliette Lewis and singer Lisa Marie Presley. ‘They’re making drug addicts out of our children,’ said Alley, best known for her roles on the TV shows ‘Cheers’ and ‘Veronica’s Closet.’ ‘It’s barbaric, and it’s being promoted by psychiatrists.’ The demonstration, organized by the Church of Scientology’s Citizens Commission on Human Rights, targeted the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in downtown Washington. As they marched around the Washington Convention Center, the demonstrators chanted: ‘Don’t drug our kids. Don’t shock our kids. Just leave our kids alone.'”
——————–
“I’m on drugs.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due June 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing June 16.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud. Sentenced to 7 years in prison.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief due June 3.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
——————–
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Appeals court denies Jane Doe 1 petition, David Miscavige’s sneaky trick upheld
[TWO years ago] Closing arguments today at the Danny Masterson retrial: We’re ready for fireworks
[THREE years ago] A Scientology celebrity emailed us the other day. And it started an exchange.
[FOUR years ago] Inside a PR mutiny: How Scientology’s war on Prozac backfired in spectacular fashion
[FIVE years ago] He was the drummer in a rock ‘n’ roll band: Eddie Stratton’s Scientology story
[SIX years ago] Beyond the quarantine: Signs that Scientology is getting involved in anti-vaxx panic
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s smear campaign against Mike Rinder takes a more disturbing turn than usual
[EIGHT years ago] As Leah Remini’s next season approaches, Scientology posts more videos saying she’s rude
[NINE years ago] Did L. Ron Hubbard believe his own rap? Here’s what he admitted about Scientology in 1952
[TEN years ago] Jon Atack: When the militant Scientologist falters, you find a cowering 12-year-old inside
[ELEVEN years ago] Hiding L. Ron Hubbard’s control of Scientology in the 1980s
[TWELVE years ago] Babylon Surmising: Dianetics Rights an Ancient Wrong
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,266 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,761 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,276 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,826 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,816 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,202 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,697 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,001 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,870 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,424 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,765 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,332 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,251 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,419 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,001 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,260 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,297 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,013 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,577 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,892 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,067 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,749 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,086 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,940 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,055 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,417 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,826 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,222 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,100 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,665 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,176 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,432 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,540 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on May 16, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Trump remembers Hitler’s speech at the Eiffel Tower, why don’t you?
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Joe Biden flubbing Macron's name as Mitterrand was evidence he had serious cognitive decline.
Meanwhile the current president (age 78) completely invents imaginary Hitler speeches at the Eiffel Tower and everything is totally fine! Nothing to see here. https://t.co/BpcQzzzdFA
— Centrism Fan Acct 🔹 (@Wilson__Valdez) May 15, 2025
Inhumane and awful pic.twitter.com/0gmsH4eVF0
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 15, 2025
Analysis from Trump’s informal advisor https://t.co/ycg7bhh7QR
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 16, 2025
NEW: A federal judge in Denver has rejected a delay in My Pillow Guy Mike Lindell's election denial defamation trial. Lindell's attorneys asked for more time as they face potential sanctions for submitting an AI-generated brief full of make-believe nonsense. #copolitics pic.twitter.com/1H4cyr4L6p
— Kyle Clark (@KyleClark) May 16, 2025
Lauren Boebert blames problems in the “FAA industry” on “those DEI hires.”
Boebert also claims no cuts have been made to the FAA under Trump. pic.twitter.com/7NPybDHJfR
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 15, 2025
Happy 11-week anniversary to those who celebrate pic.twitter.com/i3DCGtWFAx
— Three Year Letterman (@3YearLetterman) May 15, 2025
Did you know that while Trump lifted sanctions on Syria and is now in the UAE cutting deals, American hostages have been left languishing?
Zack Shahin has been detained in the UAE for over 6,200 days and Austin Tice in Syria for over 4,600 days.
So much for “America First.” pic.twitter.com/U6htCSGhmC
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 15, 2025
Big debate on the "gangstalking" forum on Quora over why Kash Patel hasn't ended the touchless torture of targeted individuals. Apparently even the president can't stop it! pic.twitter.com/CoTwFSWI8l
— Mike Rothschild (@rothschildmd on blu sky) (@rothschildmd) May 15, 2025
Trump Fundraising Email Offers Fake “White House Advisor” Position to Donors
Another sketchy Trump email https://t.co/d84IQs7WAEhttps://t.co/d84IQs7WAE
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 15, 2025
St. Thomas University In Miami, Florida gave GOP Rep. Byron Donalds, who failed to disclose more than 100 stock trades, an honorary “doctorate of ethical leadership.”
Donalds is currently running to become governor of Florida. pic.twitter.com/lrIXhUpssn
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) May 15, 2025
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 16, 2025 at 08:00
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