Tony Ortega's Blog, page 366
September 15, 2020
Scientologist chiro Nobbe: There’s an innocent explanation, judge. Prosecutors: No there isn’t.
[US Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan, Dennis Nobbe, and H. Dohn Williams]
[ICYMI: Last night, Leah Remini’s Emmy victory for the Danny Masterson ‘Aftermath’ episode.]
We have a couple of legal briefs for our document hounds today, and they present two radically different versions of reality.
The last time we dropped in on the criminal prosecution of Scientology donor and Miami chiropractor Dennis Nobbe, government prosecutors were appealing a court ruling and asking US Magistrate Judge Alicia Otazo-Reyes to revoke Nobbe’s bond and put him in custody.
We’ve known Nobbe for years as a Scientology bigwig who repeatedly ran into trouble for forcing Scientology on his employees, going so far as to create a mini “academy” for his workers to take Scientology courses on their time off. But it was quite a surprise when, at the end of July, Nobbe was arrested and charged with Medicare fraud and PPP loan abuse.
Nobbe was released on a $200,000 bond, and he also agreed not to contact former employees whom the government planned to call as witnesses. But then, prosecutors allege, Nobbe texted and called two of his former employees and even tried to bribe one of them. Sounding outraged, the prosecutors asked the judge to revoke Nobbe’s bond and put him in custody. Instead, she raised his bond to $350,000 and confiscated his mobile phone.
AdvertisementUS Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan and trial attorney Sara Clingan are appealing that now, and Judge Otazo-Reyes asked Nobbe’s lawyer to respond, and then the government to reply to Nobbe’s response. We have those two documents for you today, and we’d love your thoughts on how you think the judge is going to be influenced by them.
Nobbe’s attorney H. Dohn Williams Jr. explains to the judge that although his client did break his agreement and contact the two ex-employees, it wasn’t for the nefarious purposes that the government alleges.
In the first instance, Nobbe’s lawyer says he was only reaching out to Ana Garcia because she worried about how she was going to get her hands on her final paycheck. As for Dr. Mark Zager, the other employee Nobbe contacted and, according to the government tried to bribe, is trying to work out his own deal with the government and so his credibility is shot. In a bizarre attempt to bolster that argument, Nobbe’s attorney said that Zager was dealing with a “girlfriend” (yes, in quotes) who had “participated in taking money from his office account, money the government claims was unlawfully gained.” The filing even included a photo of this woman, who is unnamed. (The government has asked that her photo be stricken from the record, and we’ve removed it from the file we uploaded.)
Um, say what?
Prosecutors weren’t too happy about that, saying that Nobbe was trying to make an issue of things that were not relevant to the matter at hand, that he had violated the terms of his release to contact a couple of people he had promised not to. And they seem particularly unhappy about the shot at Zager and the inclusion of the woman’s photo.
“The Government is troubled by the Defendant’s efforts to malign a young woman, who is not a party to this case, by publicly publishing her photo on the Court’s docket.”
And while Nobbe might be arguing that he had contacted the witnesses out of the goodness of his heart, they point out that if he really thought that he needed to reach them for some innocent purpose, he could have done so through his attorney.
These are not the actions of a man with good intentions. Instead, his intention was clearly to influence the witnesses to the criminal investigation. That intention was clear to the witnesses themselves, who described the Defendant’s intentions to “pressure,” “blackmail,” and “bribe” them.
Will the judge see it that way? Let us know how you think she’ll decide, and we’ll keep our eyes on the docket.
Here’s Nobbe’s response to the appeal…
US vs Nobbe: Defense respon… by Tony Ortega
Advertisement
And the government’s reply to Nobbe’s response…
US vs Nobbe: Gov't repl… by Tony Ortega
——————–
Leah Remini podcast: The fair gaming of Karen de la Carriere
Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue to focus on people who have been the target of Scientology’s slimy Fair Game campaigns with an episode this week dedicated to Karen de la Carriere, seen here in a photo with attorney Ray Jeffrey and Rinder.
A former Class XII auditor who trained under Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard himself, Karen was also married to Church of Scientology president Heber Jentzsch, and they had a son, Alexander.
Alexander was forced to disconnect from his mother after she began to go public with her distancing from the church in 2010. A couple of years later, one of the most harrowing experiences we had while editing the Village Voice was hearing from Karen that she had learned that her son was dead. And not only had she been kept from the news that he had been ill, but then the church did what it could to keep her away from any arrangements about her son’s remains or a memorial.
To this day, Scientology smears Karen about has much as they do any other former Scientologist, and Leah and Mike talk with her about what that’s been like in another remarkable episode of this podcast.
Advertisement
——————–
Mark Bunker pitches his tourism idea
Our readers greatly enjoyed Mark Bunker’s recent musings about a potential way to turn Scientology into a draw for downtown Clearwater. And last night, he had his first chance to bring it up at a Downtown Development Board meeting. He sent over this video…
——————–
“Now, we are not in conflict with the customs and philosophy of the planet or the universe. Quite the contrary. It’s not a case of everybody is out of step but Jim. It’s a case of others want people badly out of step. And they’re getting them pretty badly out of step. But if you can talk to and communicate with anybody on the subject of Scientology, he agrees with what you’d say. He agrees very rapidly with what you say, unless he misses a word. If he misses a word then he won’t agree with what you’ve said, but you are actually talking to him about things which have been with him as customs, far, far, far longer than any Johnny-come-lately psychology or mental science that has been foisted off on him in recent times.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 15, 1964
——————–
“As far as this society goes, I’m out there in the world, I see the decline. As an example, I work with a couple who are upper middle class and I have gotten to know their friends. My couple are the very few who don’t do psychiatric drugs or drugs of any kind and the only ones winning in their marriage — thanks to this tech. Ron had his hands full is all I can say. Anyone attacking him and the tech are the ‘classifiables.’ I have a much better understanding of why it was hard to have the dynamics in and to make money on staff. Believe it or not it is still the 3D that is going to clear this planet and it has to be done.”
Advertisement
——————–
“Jeez, does everybody around here have a sock except me?”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Arraignment scheduled for September 18.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing is set for October 5 in White Plains, NY. Jeffrey’s is set for October 24.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29, bond raised to $350,000 on Aug 27. Prosecutors appealed denial of their motion to have bond revoked, response from defense due Sept 11, response by prosecutors on Sept 14.
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Motion for reconsideration denied on August 11
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Sept 29 (CSI/RTC demurrer against Riales, Masterson demurrer), Oct 7-19 (motions to compel arbitration)
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach bankruptcy appeal: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, awaiting verdict.
——————–
Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!
[The Big Three: Tom Cruise, John Travolta, and Kirstie Alley]
We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.
Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!
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 our weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Scientology reels in politicians and gets photo ops out of Hurricane Dorian
[TWO years ago] Sharp new memoir digs into Scientology’s toxic cruelty experienced by those who grow up in it
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s newest infiltration — Rebecca Minkoff and Meghan Fialkoff at Nasdaq!
[FOUR years ago] SCIENTOLOGY DENIED: California Supreme Court rejects appeal in forced-abortion lawsuit
[FIVE years ago] Back where it all started: Hoping to see you in Phoenix to talk Scientology then and now
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s secret plans for world domination — even better than the last time!
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: Texas Memories, Valley Whales, and Top Secret Plans!
[NINE years ago] Hugh Urban: An Interview With the Professor Who Took on Scientology
——————–
Scientology disconnection, a reminder
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,061 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,565 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,085 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,105 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 996 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,303 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,171 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,945 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,749 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,065 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,631 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,550 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,718 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,299 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,560 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,598 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,311 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,836 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,366 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,926 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,066 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,386 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,241 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,360 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,716 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,019 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,125 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,527 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,399 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,982 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,477 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,731 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,840 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on September 15, 2020 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 14 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
September 14, 2020
Leah Remini wins second ‘Aftermath’ Emmy, for episode about Danny Masterson
Leah Remini just took home her second Emmy award for her three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ this time for the special episode that ended the series last year.
What makes this award especially interesting is that it recognizes an episode that featured two of Danny Masterson’s rape accusers, Chrissie Carnell Bixler and Bobette Riales, who are now suing Masterson and the Church of Scientology for harassment they say they’ve experienced since they came forward to the LAPD in 2016.
Awarded tonight in the Creative Arts portion of the Emmys which go out a week ahead of the prime time show, Leah had 30 seconds to say something, and Deadline reported that she said, “On behalf of my co-EP Mike Rinder, IPC, Amy, our brave contributors, we thank you the voting academy for honoring us with a second Emmy,” she said. “It is especially touching to receive it in our final season. It’s been a painful but meaningful ride.”
Our readers know what a struggle it was for Leah to get that Masterson episode shown. Earlier she had filmed interviews with the women for the second season but had to shelve it when prosecutors asked her to hold off. She also had to deal with the lawyers at A&E who were naturally nervous about airing allegations against the ‘That ’70s Show’ actor before he had been charged.
AdvertisementBut Leah got that material on her final episode, Masterson was charged this June and is facing 45 years to life in prison, and now Leah’s won a second Emmy.
What a night for Leah and Mike.
UPDATE: And here’s video of the moment…
——————–
“All right now, let’s look at an engram. An engram isn’t very serious if somebody walks up and steps on your toes and says, ‘You skunk.’ That’s not very serious because there’s not very much chaos there into which to put a stable datum. But if this individual walked up to you from behind, slugged you over the head, kicked you in the ribs, wound you up in the hospital, but somewhere in the midst of all of this he said, ‘You’re a skunk,’ you’d probably start to smell like one.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 14, 1955
——————–
“At some point (as soon as possible) we need a central organization as Ron envisioned it. I love all his ethics, tech and admin. The only time I saw it not work was when it was misapplied or abused. I completely see Scientology as the solution to this planet and it won’t happen without a large central organization. Period. We just have to get better at the 3D.”
——————–
“A question that has crossed my mind in the past is, if someone cynically creates a religion/spiritual movement for their own personal gain, but its followers truly believe in it, does one negate the other?”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Arraignment scheduled for September 18.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing is set for October 5 in White Plains, NY. Jeffrey’s is set for October 24.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29, bond raised to $350,000 on Aug 27. Prosecutors appealed denial of their motion to have bond revoked, response from defense due Sept 11, response by prosecutors on Sept 14.
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Motion for reconsideration denied on August 11
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Sept 29 (CSI/RTC demurrer against Riales, Masterson demurrer), Oct 7-19 (motions to compel arbitration)
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach bankruptcy appeal: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, awaiting verdict.
——————–
Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!
[Alanna Masterson, Terry Jastrow, and Marisol Nichols]
We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.
Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!
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 our weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Mark ‘Wise Beard Man’ Bunker: His Scientology-protesting past and political future
[TWO years ago] Jesse Prince, witness to Scientology’s ugliest behavior, spills it all in new book
[THREE years ago] Is Ohio’s newest legislator a Scientologist? ‘I had him on the cans,’ says our man in Cincy
[FOUR years ago] DRONE FLYOVER: Scientology’s secret base where David Miscavige keeps wife out of sight
[FIVE years ago] Another rare Scientology video leaks, and this time we see its long vanished president
[SIX years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: Smile while you write that check, pardner!
[SEVEN years ago] THE TEXAS POST-GAME REPORT: Scientology, Monique Rathbun, and Judge Dib Waldrip
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology Watchers: A Message from Tony Ortega
[NINE years ago] The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 8: Mike Rinder
——————–
Scientology disconnection, a reminder
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,060 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,564 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,084 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,104 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 995 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,302 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,170 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,944 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,748 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,064 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,630 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,549 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,717 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,298 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,559 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,597 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,310 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,835 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,365 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,925 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,065 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,385 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,240 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,359 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,715 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,018 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,124 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,526 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,398 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,981 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,476 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,730 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,839 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on September 14, 2020 at 21:20
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 14 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS, Episode 4: Tom Cruise’s dirty plot against publicist Pat Kingsley
‘The Star,’ the fourth episode of ‘Scientology Black Ops,’ a special 7NEWS Australia investigation that was cancelled by the network in July, has been leaked to the Internet.
Ten episodes were scheduled to be published to the 7NEWS website on July 14 when the network changed its mind, cancelled the program, and also pulled down a trailer it had made for the series. On August 31, we found that the first episode in the series had been leaked, and we embedded it along with a transcript we prepared. We also did the same for the second episode, ‘Witness X,’ on Sept 4 and the third episode, ‘Taken,’ on Friday.
We’ve done the same for the fourth episode, in which 7NEWS reporter Bryan Seymour reports on another dirty op by Scientology’s spy wing, this one targeting Tom Cruise’s legendary publicist Pat Kingsley. You saw a similar story here at the Underground Bunker thanks to Leah Remini on July 27. And Seymour lays out the same narrative here, that in order to convince Kingsley to walk away quietly so Cruise could talk up Scientology during his press junkets, Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis assembled a “dirt file” on Kingsley.
Here’s the video, and then the transcript. (For those confused by the length of these short “episodes,” please keep in mind that this was a nightly news investigation and these segments were created to run during a news broadcast, not as longer shows on their own.)
Advertisement
Episode title: THE STAR
Bryan Seymour: It’s breathtaking. The Screen Actors Guild is the union for the stars, the crews, and the creatives who conjure digital dreams. To Scientology, it’s a source of intensely personal information. They ordered one of their own — we’ll call them Witness X, a SAG employee — to access the file of Paul Haggis to search for embarrassing information, a betrayal unthinkable to those whom the union protects. It all sounds like an absurd plot from a pulp fiction novel, like the ones L. Ron Hubbard eked out a living writing before he founded his own religion. But Witness X knew this was no elaborate joke, nor a one-off misguided foray into espionage. They knew that because years earlier, they’d been approached to do exactly the same thing. Pat Kingsley and Tom Cruise. She was the gatekeeper for the biggest names in entertainment, representing the A-list stars generations have grown up with. Her client list was crowned in the 1990s with the biggest box office draw in the world.
Seymour: The relationship between Kingsley and Cruise was so close, they reportedly spoke multiple times every day. She was feared and famed for saying no to reporters’ requests for access. Kingsley took Cruise to the top as the world’s highest grossing movie star, loved by millions around the world.
Leah Remini: My name is Leah Remini. I’m an actress/producer, and I was a Scientologist for 35 years. When you’re talking about Tom Cruise, you’re talking about the messiah. You know these two — it’s David Miscavige and Tom Cruise. Now, David thinks he’s here and Tom thinks he’s here, but that’s a little secret love battle they have going on, but they are both at the head of Scientology.
Seymour: Witness X considered speaking to me on camera to tell their own story. Ultimately the fear of what Scientology might do to them won out. But we can reveal, confirmed with multiple sources, that Witness X was approached by the same Scientology executive, Tommy Davis, in 2004, seeking information for another file he was compiling, this time on Pat Kingsley, Hollywood’s most powerful publicist, and the person closest to the most famous Scientologist in the world. Tom Cruise had wanted to use his movie junket for ‘The Last Samurai’ in 2003 to promote Scientology. Kingsley, as his publicist, forbade it.
Advertisement
Remini: Pat wasn’t saying, you shouldn’t talk about your religion, she was basically saying, we’re here to promote a movie and you should do your job. Right? Because this is not positive press. What you’re doing is not going to help you or the film.
Seymour: Cruise was soon awarded Scientology’s top honor, the Freedom Medal of Valor in 2004. The megastar was determined to step up his role as the public face of Scientology, by promoting Scientology on the press junket for the Steven Spielberg-directed blockbuster ‘War of the Worlds’ in 2006 [actually 2005]. Pat would not let that happen. So the plan to remove his loyal publicist was given the green light.
Mike Rinder: I’m Mike Rinder. I was a Scientologist for 45 years, and the international spokesperson for the Church of Scientology for more than 20 years.
Seymour: Scientology’s black ops unit, the Office of Special Affairs, planned and executed the entire operation.
David Miscavige: Please welcome Mr. Mike Rinder.
Rinder: I was the head of the Office of Special Affairs for 20 years. [In 2006:] That’s why 2006 will forever be remembered as phase one, global demolition.
Seymour: Mike Rinder was born in Adelaide in Australia. I did the first interview with him in 2010 after he left Scientology, followed and harassed by their goons, who filmed us as we filmed.
Rinder: This pattern of what happened is exactly the pattern that is dictated by the writings of L. Ron Hubbard. And the writings of L. Ron Hubbard are God’s law in Scientology. You must follow them.
Seymour: Despite Witness X refusing to go into Kingsley’s SAG file, Tommy Davis went ahead and compiled his ‘dirt file.’ We can reveal that file contained information on finances, sensitive health details, family issues, and intimate photographs. Out of respect for Kingsley’s privacy, we are not going to detail this information. If you could ask him one question, what would it be?
Paul Haggis: Why? Why, Tommy? How could you support this heinous organization knowing what you know — because he knows. He knows all the secrets. And he was smart enough to resign. But he’s still their hatchet man. He’s still out there being their hatchet man. How do you live with yourself, knowing that?
Seymour: In a sworn deposition, Witness X confirms Tommy Davis showed off the file and boasted, ‘We’ve got her.’
Advertisement 
Witness X: I was more shocked than anything else. And it felt slimy and dirty, and it felt gross. And it felt just fully and totally inappropriate because it was very personal information I’m sure this person would not want others to have.
Seymour: Witness X could not elaborate on where she saw that file and who else was in the room due to a non-disclosure agreement she signed with her employer at the time: Tom Cruise.
Remini: He’s abusive, he’s diabolical. And he’s the example of Scientology. They chose the right guy.
Seymour: Shortly before Leah Remini’s book ‘Troublemaker’ came out in 2012 [actually 2015], she was contacted by Witness X.
Remini: She of course called and said, I want to tell you a few things. She told me what it was like working for Tom — and it’s horrible. Tom is an awful human being to Scientologists. She told me about this file, she told me about this meeting where they met, they asked her to get dirt on Pat. That wasn’t working and then they had a file, and that what Tom Davis said, if you say one disparaging word about Tom, this information will get out. What that information was I don’t know.
Seymour: You were in the Office of Special Affairs around this time.
Rinder: Yes, I was, yeah.
Seymour: What was the conversation in the Office of Special Affairs about Pat Kingsley?
Rinder: That Pat Kingsley was a problem. That was very much made clear to me by David Miscavige, who told me to go see Pat Kingsley and persuade her to allow Tom to disseminate Scientology.
Seymour: Step one in the operation was to send Mike Rinder to see Pat Kingsley and ask her politely to end her relationship with Tom Cruise.
Advertisement
Rinder: I dutifully went and had a meeting with Pat at her PMK offices. She is a lovely woman and a very, very smart woman, and a very shrewd woman. And, you know, my pitch to her was the sort of softball, of Pat look, you know, Tom really believes this and I don’t want you to think that there is something wrong with Scientology and blah, blah, blah, blah. And she basically just, you know, heard me out, out of politeness I guess, and probably some feeling that she owed it to Tom to listen to me, and didn’t get persuaded about anything. Because the bottom line is she was absolutely right. That was her job, that was her relationship with the studios…
Remini: To protect her client, she was trying to protect Tom from himself.
Seymour: The next step was a dramatic escalation.
Marty Rathbun: [In deposition] You know you ask me this question, like I told you, when you’re back then and there and you’re subjected to this and participating in it, that’s a meaningless question.
Seymour: Scientology enforcer Marty Rathbun was known in the organization for his brutal and unforgiving manner. Rathbun was their bad lieutenant, charged with carrying out the orders of leader David Miscavige.
Rinder: Marty told me that he did. I didn’t know that at the time, but Marty told me subsequently that he had gone to see Pat. And like, had brought more of the, ‘this is what you are going to do’ approach.
Seymour: He’s a pretty intimidating guy, isn’t he? He can be pretty forceful.
Rinder: Well, he’s intense. He assumes that he is in the position of authority and you are just going to listen, shut up, and do what I tell you. And he’s very good at that.
Seymour: After Marty’s visit, and faced with the ‘dirt file’ on her being made public, Scientology’s black ops unit finally had their scalp. Pat Kingsley agreed to sever ties with Tom Cruise. Cruise immediately hired his sister and fellow Scientologist, Leanne Devette.
Advertisement
Oprah Winfrey: Have you ever felt this way before?
Seymour: Together, the siblings embarked on the worst year of publicity in his career.
Matt Lauer: Do you want more people to understand Scientology? Is that, would that be a goal of yours?
Tom Cruise: You know what, I, absolutely…
Seymour: After 12 months, and contemplating years of reputational and brand damage, Cruise sacked his sister Leanne. Pat Kingsley has never spoken about why she abruptly ended her association with Tom Cruise save for a single quote in a 2013 Hollywood Reporter article saying, “Tom came in and said, ‘I want you to know I’ve decided to make a change.'” It was a sudden and surprising end for a titan in the shark-eat-shark world of movie PR. Rumors have abounded for years about why she so suddenly ended her association with Tom Cruise. Now, the industry knows. There is no one Scientology thinks it cannot attack and silence. In a statement Tommy Davis told us, ‘To allege or infer I would do anything to attack Pat Kingsley, now or at any point in the past, would be an outright lie.’ The Church of Scientology and Tom Cruise deny any involvement in an alleged plot to compile a dirt file on Pat Kingsley. Tom Cruise did not respond to our questions. You can read all statements in full on our website.
Seymour: Next, Scientology’s black ops unit reaches their lowest level.
Haggis: They were still auditing her on her death bed. These are scumbags.
——————–
“All right now, let’s look at an engram. An engram isn’t very serious if somebody walks up and steps on your toes and says, ‘You skunk.’ That’s not very serious because there’s not very much chaos there into which to put a stable datum. But if this individual walked up to you from behind, slugged you over the head, kicked you in the ribs, wound you up in the hospital, but somewhere in the midst of all of this he said, ‘You’re a skunk,’ you’d probably start to smell like one.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 14, 1955
Advertisement
——————–
“At some point (as soon as possible) we need a central organization as Ron envisioned it. I love all his ethics, tech and admin. The only time I saw it not work was when it was misapplied or abused. I completely see Scientology as the solution to this planet and it won’t happen without a large central organization. Period. We just have to get better at the 3D.”
——————–
“A question that has crossed my mind in the past is, if someone cynically creates a religion/spiritual movement for their own personal gain, but its followers truly believe in it, does one negate the other?”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Arraignment scheduled for September 18.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing is set for October 5 in White Plains, NY. Jeffrey’s is set for October 24.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29, bond raised to $350,000 on Aug 27. Prosecutors appealed denial of their motion to have bond revoked, response from defense due Sept 11, response by prosecutors on Sept 14.
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Motion for reconsideration denied on August 11
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Sept 29 (CSI/RTC demurrer against Riales, Masterson demurrer), Oct 7-19 (motions to compel arbitration)
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach bankruptcy appeal: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, awaiting verdict.
——————–
Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!
[Alanna Masterson, Terry Jastrow, and Marisol Nichols]
We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.
Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!
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 our weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Mark ‘Wise Beard Man’ Bunker: His Scientology-protesting past and political future
[TWO years ago] Jesse Prince, witness to Scientology’s ugliest behavior, spills it all in new book
[THREE years ago] Is Ohio’s newest legislator a Scientologist? ‘I had him on the cans,’ says our man in Cincy
[FOUR years ago] DRONE FLYOVER: Scientology’s secret base where David Miscavige keeps wife out of sight
[FIVE years ago] Another rare Scientology video leaks, and this time we see its long vanished president
[SIX years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: Smile while you write that check, pardner!
[SEVEN years ago] THE TEXAS POST-GAME REPORT: Scientology, Monique Rathbun, and Judge Dib Waldrip
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology Watchers: A Message from Tony Ortega
[NINE years ago] The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 8: Mike Rinder
——————–
Scientology disconnection, a reminder
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,060 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,564 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,084 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,104 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 995 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,302 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,170 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,944 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,748 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,064 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,630 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,549 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,717 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,298 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,559 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,597 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,310 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,835 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,365 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,925 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,065 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,385 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,240 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,359 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,715 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,018 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,124 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,526 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,398 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,981 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,476 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,730 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,839 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on September 14, 2020 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 14 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
September 13, 2020
What Scientologists are telling each other on social media right this very minute
Rod Keller is taking some well-deserved time off, and we look forward to the return of his weekly up-to-the-minute reports on what’s happening inside Scientology, which he has such a good knack at finding out.
Fortunately for us we’ve lucked into another source recently that we told you about who gives us a pretty unprecedented look into Scientologist social media feeds. It gives us an opportunity to see what Scientologists are telling each other about what’s important to them. We have another smattering of items from those feeds today, and we think you’ll find them pretty interesting.
First, there’s good news for our Tampa-area readers. You’ll be happy to hear that Scientology, which believes that Jesus and Christianity is a prank played on humanity 75 million years ago by a genocidal galactic warlord, will be going ahead with its annual faux-Christmas “Winter Wonderland,” where this year you can not only pick up a few engrams and body thetans from half-starved Scientology staffers, but you can also go home with a raging case of the corona.
Advertisement
Erika is ready to C/S you, Vancouver.
Come on, guys, it’s time.
Please go to Dublin to drop a boatload of cash like this Czech lady, because, we’re guessing, no one local is falling for their bollocks.
Advertisement
As if the people of Oregon didn’t already have enough to deal with, soon you’ll be getting a copy of The Way to Happiness in the mail!
Just what Austin needs — a new Scientology school. Does Austin favorite son Larry Wright know about this?
Should you go all the way to South Africa to spend tens of thousands of dollars so you can have invisible space alien souls removed from your person on something called OT 5? Sure, why the hell not? Look how excited these kids are for mom to spend their college money!
Cute baby. Be a shame to never see it again. Just keep signing those contracts, Vered!
Advertisement
Us Weekly in plain view? How dare they!
Sounds like a perfect spot for a Bluebird bus.
We had so much fun running around a pole in the Cause Resurgence Rundown, we decided to get matching haircuts.
Advertisement
——————–
Dead body found near Gold Base
Yesterday afternoon reports started popping up on Facebook that a dead body had been found near Scientology’s secretive Gold Base in San Jacinto, California. We sent off a question about it to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
We very quickly got a reply from the department that a male body was found by the side of Gilman Springs Road at 6:55 am Saturday morning, but that it had nothing to do with the church itself.
——————–
“Handling Security Checks in a society of this particular character, then, runs into a little bit of heavy weather. And you very often run into some heavy weather. Somebody’s sitting there and, good God, they’re the fellow who did it, you know, and what are you going to do as the auditor, you know?…What is your responsibility as an auditor? Well, it’s, your responsibility as an auditor is first and foremost as an auditor, is get the person out of it. You’re not the police force. Don’t you see? And then you actually are not honor bound from that point there on to be under a stamp and seal of total secrecy with regard to the fact that the First National Bank was robbed by Joe, you see. But don’t go calling up the police. They’re on the wrong road. Cops never get a society anyplace. Cops are a short-term proposition, strictly. The more cops, the more crime.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 13, 1961
——————–
“I am waiting to attest for an advanced level that has created a space around me free from interference and case phenomena! It feels clean, calm and serene! I’m still getting used to it! Before I would make a postulate and it would rebound back at me or get lost in the confusion of counter intentions. Now I simply decide and my space has nothing counter to throw back at me! New business? Check. New car? Check. New house? Check. These are just the surface manifestations occurring recently. Theta wise I perceive a whole new existence. Picture Neo seeing the Matrix for the first time possibly. I’m getting very acquainted with the theta universe and its subtle yet powerful control of the MEST universe. Big shift! Prior to that it was hit-and-miss with Lady Luck deciding mostly. Not any more. There is more composure and certainty than before, it feels as if I’m ready to handle the bigger stuff, cant wait!!”
——————–
“It seems to me that narconon preys on folks out in the hinterland and down south where detoxes are few and far between and the people are less up on this kind of stuff.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Arraignment scheduled for September 18.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing is set for October 5 in White Plains, NY. Jeffrey’s is set for October 24.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29, bond raised to $350,000 on Aug 27. Prosecutors appealed denial of their motion to have bond revoked, response from defense due Sept 11, response by prosecutors on Sept 14.
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Motion for reconsideration denied on August 11
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Sept 29 (CSI/RTC demurrer against Riales, Masterson demurrer), Oct 7-19 (motions to compel arbitration)
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach bankruptcy appeal: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, awaiting verdict.
——————–
Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!
[Catherine Bell, Chick Corea, and Nancy Cartwright]
We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.
Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!
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 our weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] No, RadarOnline did not discover a new underground bunker at Scientology’s Gold Base
[THREE years ago] Ford Greene responds to Marty Rathbun, and brings up a previous Scientology secret deal
[FOUR years ago] Co-writer Dan Koon answers accusations about the accuracy of Ron Miscavige’s ‘Ruthless’
[FIVE years ago] Paul Haggis, Lawrence Wright react to Alex Gibney’s Emmys sweep for ‘Going Clear’
[SIX years ago] Ryan Hamilton files 20th lawsuit against Scientology’s drug rehab network
[SEVEN years ago] MONIQUE RATHBUN VS SCIENTOLOGY, DAY 2: Texas Showdown Shifts Gears
[NINE years ago] Marty Rathbun, Ex-Scientology Exec, Back from Germany: “The U.S. Media Has No Balls”
——————–
Scientology disconnection, a reminder
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,059 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,563 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,083 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,103 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 994 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,301 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,169 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,943 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,747 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,063 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,629 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,548 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,716 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,297 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,558 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,596 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,309 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,834 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,364 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,924 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,064 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,384 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,239 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,358 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,714 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,017 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,123 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,525 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,397 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,980 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,475 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,729 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,838 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on September 13, 2020 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 14 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
September 12, 2020
RIFFER: David Miscavige too busy saving Scientology from Covid to be served lawsuit
[Jeffrey Riffer and David Miscavige]
For more than a year, Scientology leader David Miscavige and his attorneys have been working hard to keep him from being served in a lawsuit filed by Danny Masterson’s rape accusers. And right from the beginning, our readers were asking whether that problem could be solved by serving the elusive Miscavige through the publication of notices in a newspaper.
We’ve learned now that Chrissie Carnell Bixler’s attorneys are beginning to pursue that angle, filing a motion asking Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Steven Kleifield for approval of that process, and in the meantime they’ve filed a raft of papers about their efforts so far to serve Miscavige, and some of it is pretty interesting.
In particular, we now get to see a couple of splenetic new letters of outrage written by Miscavige’s legal attack dog, Jeffrey Riffer, whom we only recently placed as #15 in our list of the Top 25 People Enabling Scientology.
But the intrigue is not all on one side here. We’re still scratching our heads at some of the decisions made by the attorneys for Bixler, Bobette Riales, and two women going by Jane Doe who filed the lawsuit, alleging that they’ve been harassed by Miscavige, Masterson, and the Church of Scientology since they came forward to the LAPD with their rape allegations against Masterson in 2016.
In June Masterson was criminally charged with raping three of the women in incidents between 2001 and 2003, and he faces 45 years to life in prison if he’s convicted. He’s declared his innocence, and he’s accused the women of filing the civil lawsuit as a publicity stunt. With Masterson scheduled to be arraigned on September 18, the civil suit will likely go into a stay soon. But for now, it’s still active and still producing interesting documents.
AdvertisementBixler’s attorney Bobby Thompson has put this filing together, which we have for you below, and it recounts the efforts to serve Miscavige since last year. Some of the decisions made by Bixler’s legal team, a national powerhouse of attorneys based mostly in the Philadelphia area, still make us quizzical. That they chose Thompson, for example, an attorney not in Los Angeles but in Burlingame, California to handle the matter until they could be admitted to the case from out of state (which took more than a year to accomplish), and then Thompson’s decision to rely on a Burlingame process server to track down the defendants in Los Angeles. That company, cleverly named “Are You Being Served?” then contracted out the work to a man name Robert Hall who has been the center of a lot of attacks by Scientology’s attorneys.
Hall tried to serve Miscavige at 6331 Hollywood Boulevard, the Hollywood Guaranty Building, which is definitely a nerve center of Scientology management, and where there’s a reception desk on the ground floor, where Hall said he left papers. The building has an office that Miscavige uses on the 11th floor, and Scientologists are told to send mail to Miscavige to that address. (Leah Remini told us that was the address she was told to send cards and letters to both David Miscavige and his wife Shelly when Leah was still a parishioner and Shelly hadn’t yet vanished.) Scientology complained loudly that Miscavige’s Religious Technology Center office is actually at 1710 Ivar Avenue — which we pointed out what actually just a different entrance to the same building.
Scientology has asked for sanctions, saying that they have video evidence that Hall didn’t do what he said he did, but most of their accusations of “fraud” have blown over already: The other defendants — the Church of Scientology, the Religious Technology Center (Scientology’s nominally controlling entity), and Celebrity Centre International — have already acknowledged being served.
Judge Kleifield has ruled that Miscavige has not yet been served, but he’s putting off for now the question of sanctions.
After Hall failed to find Miscavige, Bixler’s attorneys turned to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office, and a deputy assigned to the matter also got nowhere at 6331 Hollywood Boulevard.
But wait a minute. How was a deputy supposed to find the worldwide ecclesiastical leader of Scientology when Thompson had supplied the Sheriff’s Office with such erroneous information about Miscavige?
FIVE-FIVE?
As much as we facepalmed over that, the real treat in these documents were the angry letters from Jeffrey Riffer, which always fill us with glee.
The best of them was written by Riffer on April 1, and the outrage here is so feverish we almost reached for the smelling salts. Riffer was reacting to Thompson’s suggestion that Miscavige save everyone more wasted energy by simply signing a document and accepting service.
Sign a document? Did Thompson not realize that Miscavige was at that very moment saving the worldwide Church of Scientology from the greatest health threat of our times?
Now, in the middle of one of the world’s worst public health crises (which is getting worse as the number of deaths keep increasing), you demand that Mr. Miscavige sign a Notice of Acknowledgment. Alternatively, you threaten to again use the media as a weapon of harassment by effecting service through publication in a major local newspaper….
AdvertisementNow more than ever, Mr. Miscavige’s attention is necessarily focused on the health and well-being of parishioners and staff around the world. No country or individual is immune from our public health and economic crisis. More than a quarter of all Americans (including Californians) are under mandatory orders to remain in their homes for all but essential needs. The national social distancing guidelines, and state and local government orders, have forced schools, businesses and churches to close, isolating individuals while at the same time threatening (or even destroying) their livelihoods. As the ecclesiastical leader of a major world religion, Mr. Miscavige is working non-stop to lead his parishioners and staff through this crisis.
Miscavige sign a document to save more court delays while a pandemic is going on? The very idea!
Riffer outdoes himself every time, we swear.
Also in the file, you’ll see that in order to prove that Miscavige does have an official address at 6331 Hollywood Blvd, the Bixler legal team paid for a report from BeenVerified on the Scientology leader.
And while the report does, in fact, name 6331 Hollywood Blvd as Miscavige’s address, it also provides his screen handle and email address — and it’s pretty obvious that they’re actually the accounts of Miscavige trolls. (The email address bounces back.) But hey, his address has ‘been verified’!
Anyway, we’ll be interested to see if Judge Kleifield gives Bixler the green light to serve Miscavige by publication. It’s about time, right?
Here’s the document…
Bixler v. Scientology: Supp… by Tony Ortega
——————–
“As you look over the history of Dianetics and Scientology you’ll see a cycle is in operation. We get more and more complicated, more and more complicated, more and more complicated and then suddenly we get to a new, higher level of simplicity. And then this simplicity gets complicated and more complicated and more complicated and then we get to a new, higher level of simplicity. That’s just a history of me outguessing you.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 12, 1961
——————–
“The world is going mad more than ever. The dwindling spiral is speeding up. ‘Reasonableness’ says: oh, no, it’s all fine. (Of course, they want you to succumb with them.) Well, it’s not all fine, at all. You see it everyday. We were given the greatest of the greatest gift, The Technology, the Observations of a man who knew how to observe and he wrote it all down. We are all brothers in arms now and there is a Call to Arms now more than ever. Is this Technology going to be passed on to the children of this world or is it all gonna be AI (Automaticity)? We know better than anyone of Automaticity. So, this is a Call to Arms and no one is exempted. We should all be united. Enough with divide & conquer. Who’s gonna Unite us? LRH Admin Tech. The Big Missing Factor in the Freezone. ”
——————–
“The trick for recognizing an Aussie accent is that they always sound like they’re asking a question.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Arraignment scheduled for September 18.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing is set for October 5 in White Plains, NY. Jeffrey’s is set for October 24.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29, bond raised to $350,000 on Aug 27. Prosecutors appealed denial of their motion to have bond revoked, response from defense due Sept 11, response by prosecutors on Sept 14.
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Motion for reconsideration denied on August 11
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Sept 29 (CSI/RTC demurrer against Riales, Masterson demurrer), Oct 7-19 (motions to compel arbitration)
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach bankruptcy appeal: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, awaiting verdict.
——————–
Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!
[Erika Christensen, Ethan Suplee, and Juliette Lewis]
We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.
Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!
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 our weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Hey, kids! It’s open mic night at your local Scientology spaceport!
[TWO years ago] FLORIDA IS IDEAL: Scientology ushers in glorious new civilization in country’s wang
[THREE years ago] Tonight on ‘Leah Remini’: Two witnesses detail David Miscavige’s ruthless Scientology takeover
[FOUR years ago] Steve Cannane’s Oz-flavored Scientology history ‘Fair Game’ gets a UK-US-Canada publisher
[FIVE years ago] ‘Going Clear’ wins Outstanding Documentary Emmy, also for writing, directing
[SIX years ago] Escaping from a Scientology drug rehab center: A transcript
[SEVEN years ago] MONIQUE RATHBUN’S TESTIMONY: Day One Finishes in Her Temporary Injunction Hearing
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology Chooses an Odd Time to Open a “National Affairs” Office in DC
[NINE years ago] The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 9: Jason Beghe
——————–
Scientology disconnection, a reminder
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,058 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,562 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,082 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,102 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 993 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,300 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,168 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,942 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,746 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,062 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,628 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,547 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,715 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,296 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,557 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,595 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,308 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,833 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,363 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,923 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,063 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,383 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,238 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,357 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,713 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,016 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,122 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,524 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,396 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,979 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,474 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,728 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,837 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on September 12, 2020 at 06:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 14 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
September 11, 2020
SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Episode 3 leaks online, with bizarre kidnap attempt in broad daylight
‘Taken,’ the third episode of ‘Scientology Black Ops,’ a special 7NEWS Australia investigation that was cancelled by the network in July, has been leaked to the Internet.
Ten episodes were scheduled to be published to the 7NEWS website on July 14 when the network changed its mind, cancelled the program, and also pulled down a trailer it had made for the series. On August 31, we found that the first episode in the series had been leaked, and we embedded it along with a transcript we prepared. We also did the same for the second episode, ‘Witness X,’ last Friday.
We’ve done the same for the third episode, in which 7NEWS reporter Bryan Seymour reports on the remarkable story of Tristan Silverman. A second generation Scientologist, she worked as an intern for director Paul Haggis when she was only 15. She later left Scientology, and she was surprised when Cathy O’Gorman, a longtime operative in Scientology’s secret police, the Office of Special Affairs, called her up and began asking about Haggis.
Silverman then describes to Seymour how, after the call with O’Gorman, she was walking in broad daylight on a Manhattan street when some men in a van pulled up and tried to get her to come with them. She managed to get away, and now she’s convinced that OSA wanted her to cooperate in a smear campaign about Haggis by making a video denouncing him.
AdvertisementHere’s the video, and then the transcript. (For those confused by the length of these short “episodes,” please keep in mind that this was a nightly news investigation and these segments were created to run during a news broadcast, not as longer shows on their own.)
Episode title: TAKEN
Tristan Silverman: As a second generation, I can’t speak for everyone, but when you leave there’s not like a definitive point. For me I didn’t feel like I’d fully left until I fully realized what I was leaving.
Bryan Seymour: And how did you escape?
Silverman: Jumped out a window and I hitchhiked to Chicago.
Seymour: She is one of the lucky ones. Raised from birth as a Scientologist, she made a break for it and thought she was free of the cult for good.
Silverman: My name is Tristan Silverman. I am a poet, and I was in Scientology for about 26 years.
Seymour: What was it like being a gay woman in Scientology, because Scientology tells me and the world that they’re very accepting, they support equal rights, and the LGBTIQA community is welcome and embraced and loved by Scientology.
AdvertisementSilverman: Well, it’s so much fun, being gay in Scientology. So that’s…
Seymour: Really?
Silverman: No.
L. Ron Hubbard: That’s terrible, that’s bad manners, you know? I mean, that business about sex and all that sort of thing.
Seymour: L. Ron Hubbard branded homosexuality an aberration which could be cured with Scientology exercises. His own son Quentin’s homosexuality caused him great shame and likely contributed to Quentin’s suicide.
Delphian video: What if the school’s goal was not about grades but about gaining a real understanding of any subject matter a student confronts.
Seymour: The Delphian School in Oregon promoted itself as a new kind of progressive institute without disclosing its true purpose to recruit and train children as Scientologists.
Delphian video: Developed by American philosopher and educator L. Ron Hubbard…
Seymour: Some of the exercises were extremely inappropriate, including perverted interrogations by adult teachers in front of the entire class.
Lauren Haggis: So I had my teacher [redacted] sit across from me and just say the most ridiculous, sexual, outlandish like things trying to get me to squirm…
Seymour: To emote, to react.
AdvertisementLauren Haggis: To emote, yes. We were trained that this is appropriate, that this is normal. But as an adult who has been in the real world for so long, you’re training kids to be abused and to not do anything about it, just to sit there.
Silverman: There was a rule at the time that you could only be alone and sexually aroused with a member of the opposite sex for 35 seconds. I don’t know when that…
Seymour: How do they enforce that rule? That’s absurd.
Silverman: It is, well, as you know with Scientology a lot of it is self-inflicted.
Seymour: Yeah.
Silverman: So you enforce on yourself.
Seymour: Her fellow students included the children of celebrity Scientologists, including Paul Haggis’s three daughters. And Lauren Haigney, the niece of Tom Cruise.
Silverman: Lauren Haigney asked me to come into her room at break and I did and she was sobbing. She was like my uncle and my aunt are getting divorced and I just found out she’s an SP. And I was like, what? Your aunt?
Seymour: And who was this aunt?
Silverman: Nicole Kidman. And she’s like, Aunt Nic is this SP and I had no idea and I’m like really — she was really distraught about it.
Seymour: SP stands for Suppressive Person, someone who is a threat to Scientology and must be shunned, or, if they engage or criticize Scientology, destroyed using any means possible.
AdvertisementSilverman: And then I did an internship with Paul Haggis when I was about 15. He was a writer first. He was always a writer. And I remember because he let me stay at his house, because I was, he was like, I’ll give you an internship, and I was like, I don’t know anyone in LA, can I stay at your house? And he was like, sure.
Seymour: Five years ago, Tristan was living in her grandfather’s New York apartment, once the home of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, near Central Park. One day, she received an unexpected phone call. So Cathy O’Gorman calls you up…
Silverman: Yeah.
Seymour: And, what did she say?
Silverman: She said I’m a longtime Sea Org member or staff member, and I was like, what did I do wrong? ‘We are just at random pulling names out of a database of all the public and just calling them up to sort of see how they’re doing, and what their experience is like so that we can get a broader, more global, perspective.’
Seymour: So just randomly your name came up.
Silveran: Yeah.
Seymour: That’s what she said.
Silveran: Yeah.
Seymour: Cathy O’Gorman is a senior Scientologist who’s worked closely with first the founder, L. Ron Hubbard, and the current leader David Miscavige. In 1976, when Hubbard’s son Quentin committed suicide in Las Vegas it was O’Gorman who was on duty at Scientology’s Clearwater headquarters in Florida and refused to answer questions from a detective who was calling looking for information. In the early 80s David Miscavige appointed O’Gorman to a senior role in the Office of Special Affairs, Scientology’s Black Ops unit.
Silverman: And that’s when she started to sort of ask me about Paul Haggis.
AdvertisementSeymour: What did she ask?
Silverman: She began to ask me questions about how I came to know his family, what he was like, if he was ever inappropriate? She wanted to know if he was faithful to his wife, if he ever did anything inappropriate with me or other women around me, if he had ever said anything bad about Scientology, if I would be willing to come in and have a conversation with somebody, maybe her, I don’t know, in person. At the time I didn’t know that they were making all these videos. I wasn’t in tuned to it all.
Kathy Slevin: He used that charm in order to con people. Paul’s a born con artist.
Seymour: Tristan says O’Gorman also asked her if Paul had ever molested her and his own daughters when they were children. I mean, what did you make of that?
Silverman: I just thought it was absurd.
Seymour: A few days later she left her apartment to visit a sick relative. And was it morning or night when you left the apartment?
Silverman: Morning. So it was around this time, actually.
Seymour: You get up to the end of the block here…
Silverman: Yeah.
Seymour: And what do you see coming across the road here?
Silverman: A van pulling over. And I remember thinking, because you’re not supposed to, because those are the buses…
AdvertisementSeymour: Yeah.
Silverman: And you don’t want to mess with New York City bus drivers.
Seymour: Yeah.
Silverman: So that’s when the guy got out and then he walked across the street towards me and I was around here. And that’s when I knew he was a Scientologist. So there’s two of them, and the one guy said, Hi, Tristan.
Seymour: Hi, Tristan.
Silverman: Yeah. He said his name, I don’t remember what it was.
Seymour: Had you ever met him before?
Silverman: No.
Seymour: He knew who you were.
Silverman: Yeah. And they were like we were hoping… And they were already putting their arms around me.
Seymour: How did he grab your arm? Show me.
AdvertisementSilverman: He was just, how you doing, what’s going on? I was like, I’m a little busy, guys, what’s going on. And it was sort of like they were all like around me and there was people everywhere, you know? And it’s embarrassing. We started to move, and literally we pulled up right around here and I jumped in and I ran into the subway.
Seymour: Ran down the stairs and escaped into the subway.
Silverman: Yeah. If they had brought me in and I had realized, in the moment, that their goal was not to get me to get money out of my grandfather but rather to throw Paul under the bus, I think I would have lost my shit a little bit. I mean, I would have, I think I would have gotten really upset.
Seymour: Yeah, I can see that.
Tony Ortega: I am surprised to hear that. I mean, nobody should go through that, but I can also say that it’s very consistent with the way the Office of Special Affairs and the Church of Scientology have operated since the 1960s. They consider themselves a superior species, they call themselves Homo Novi.
Seymour: What do they call themselves?
Ortega: Homo Novi, the new man. They are a new species and they have no respect for those of us that are not Scientologists and our petty laws. OSA is the secret police of Scientology, they are the East German STASI. This is what they do.
Seymour: With hindsight now, why do you think they were trying to take you off the street and take you away?
Silverman: Personally? Without question, I only have one, is, absolutely to get me to record a video.
Seymour: And to record a video about what?
Silverman: Paul Haggis.
Seymour: She feared that she was going to be swallowed whole by the organization again and brought back in, and forced to publicly condemn you. What’s your reaction to that?
Paul Haggis: That she’s a very brave woman to speak out. So many people don’t feel they can speak. They don’t have a voice and they’re terrified. And Scientology can ruin you.
Seymour: Scientology was clearly specifically looking to target Paul Haggis and his relationships with women. One of the most effective tools at their disposal is their own files on current and former members containing written transcripts of their most personal confessions along with audio and video recordings, including those made by their biggest celebrities. What’s the longest you’ve spent in a room on the E-Meter holding the cans.
Haggis: Twelve hours.
Seymour: Twelve hours?
Haggis: Yeah.
Seymour: I’m guessing it never occurred to you that they would be willing and able to use that stuff against you.
Haggis: No, they say they won’t. They say it’s priest-penitent. Except, then they say well, unless you’re a suppressive person. But yes, there are many, many folders. I mean, they write down everything you say. Forget the video and audio recordings, they write down every word you say. I saw my folders at one point, they took up a wall, you know, they were probaby 20 high and 10 across.
Seymour: Wow.
Haggis: Oh yeah.
Seymour: Scientology denies it directed members to kidnap Tristan Silverman, or any involvement in any alleged plot against Paul Haggis. All statements can be read in full at our website.
Advertisement
Card title: COMING UP
Tom Cruise: So what do you say, we going to clean this place up?
Leah Remini: When you meet people, and I’ve met many people who worked with Tom, they go he’s the nicest guy, I go, bullshit. Tom is an awful human being to Scientologists. And he’s the example of Scientology. They chose the right guy.
——————–
Catherine Bell comes out
Just in case you were wondering if a lesbian actor would shill for a front group operating on behalf of a homophobic ‘church.’
——————–
“Several things need clarifying. And one is the length of the time track. And a lot of you have had considerable protest on the subject of the length of the time track. Because trillions of trillions of trillions of trillions of trillions of years, you know, T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T, you know and, ‘Oh, my God, ho, ho, ho! Oh, ho, ho dear! Getting so long. Da, dsa, dya, dya, dya, oh! Uh!’ You hear that around every once in a while. You probably felt like that yourself, you know. Well, I just have good news for you in that particular department. What I would choose to call ‘modern times’ extends from trillions – thirteen till now. That’s modern times. The stuff that’s more likely to influence the preclear in present time. Well, this is very germane.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 11, 1963
——————–
“List of subversive 1.1 Scientologists, ex-Scientologists (OTs) leaders supporting the Marxist Biden-Harris-Bernie campaign. The influential Scientologist most pandering the drum for Bernie Sanders’ commie agenda is a Type 3 PTS. The influential ex-Scientologist pandering the drum for Biden’s destruction of the USA agenda has also gone through gruesome events, including cancer, and better not mentioned here so as not worsen the case.”
——————–
“You would think a Scientology connection would be enough to kill any political campaign if it was really played up in the media.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Arraignment scheduled for September 18.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing is set for October 5 in White Plains, NY. Jeffrey’s is set for October 24.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29, bond raised to $350,000 on Aug 27. Prosecutors appealed denial of their motion to have bond revoked, response from defense due Sept 11, response by prosecutors on Sept 14.
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Motion for reconsideration denied on August 11
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Sept 29 (CSI/RTC demurrer against Riales, Masterson demurrer), Oct 7-19 (motions to compel arbitration)
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach bankruptcy appeal: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, awaiting verdict.
——————–
Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!
[Stacy Francis, Jason Dohring, and Anne Archer]
We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.
Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!
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 our weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] After 3 years of Hurricane Leah: ‘Scientology today is light years ahead of what it was’
[TWO years ago] A visit from a private investigator has us wondering if Scientology is behind it
[THREE years ago] HURRICANE LEAH: ‘The defenses are crumbling. Scientology in Los Angeles is dying.’
[FOUR years ago] How Scientology repackages itself and takes in the NYPD and NY schools
[FIVE years ago] US Army catches Scientology ‘detox’ study rigging results, government document shows
[SIX years ago] DOX: Scientology drug rehab center found deficient after a 2010 California death
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology Slackers: How to Audit Away Your Passive-Aggressive, Dominating Deviancy!
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology President’s Son Died of Prescribed Methadone While Sick With Pneumonia
——————–
Scientology disconnection, a reminder
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,057 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,561 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,081 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,101 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 992 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,299 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,167 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,941 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,745 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,061 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,627 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,546 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,714 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,295 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,556 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,594 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,307 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,832 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,362 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,922 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,062 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,382 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,237 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,356 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,712 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,015 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,121 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,523 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,395 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,978 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,473 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,727 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,836 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on September 11, 2020 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 14 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
September 10, 2020
Scientology’s ‘Super Power’ couple slammed down by appeals court over tax debt
Yesterday the US Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals handed down yet another stunning rebuke of Matt and Kathy Feshbach, a major Scientology power couple who have been battling the government for more than 20 years over unpaid taxes.
Another court has now found that the Feshbachs willfully tried to snow the IRS in order to get out of paying millions in taxes, crying poverty while actually spending huge amounts of money on personal expenses — which included huge donations to the Church of Scientology.
“Another taxpayer in the Feshbachs’ shoes — whose annual income really had dropped from the millions to $180,000 and eventually to $9,996 — would cut back on the personal chef, the dining-out, the expensive private schooling, or the other recurring non-business expenses. The Feshbachs never did that,” writes Judge Adalberto Jordan in the ruling by three of the circuit’s judges.
The appellate judges agreed with two previous rulings by bankruptcy and district court judges who found that the Feshbachs had willfully tried to evade paying the taxes even when their income was in the millions and it would have been easy for them to do so.
AdvertisementThe Feshbachs can now ask for the entire Eleventh Circuit to review the ruling (an “en banc” review), but for now they’re on the hook for about $3.8 million.
In 2017, Forbes magazine wrote a lengthy story about the Feshbachs as a cautionary tale, saying that if you claim to be too poor to pay the IRS, it’s a good idea to at least pretend like you’re economizing.
It was their spending that really irked the IRS, since instead of paying down their tax liabilities, the Feshbachs instead continued to live an extravagant lifestyle. Between 2002 and 2011, the Feshbach’s generated over $13 million in income during those years, being much more than enough to pay off their tax liabilities for 1999 and 2001, and maybe even have some bucks left over for a weekend at the Holiday Inn Express in Branson — or more like a full year at the Four Seasons in Maui. So where did all the money go? The Feshbachs simply blew through it at an astounding rate.
What the Forbes piece didn’t mention was that among those astounding expenses were donations to Scientology and its expensive Oregon private prep school, the Delphian.
The Feshbachs were part of a storied Scientology family that had made news for their ruthless business practices. Matt and his two brothers, Joe and Kurt, became notorious in the 1980s for their shark-like way of shorting the market and cashing in on the misfortunes of others. They made so much money and were so dedicated to Scientology, Matt Feshbach gave a million-dollar donation (rare in those days) and Scientology leader David Miscavige rewarded him by allowing Matt to be among the first Scientologists to go through the “Super Power” rundowns which were just being developed at that time, the early 1990s, from L. Ron Hubbard’s earlier writings. The Super Power building itself was still decades away from being opened to the rest of the Scientology public. (At that point, Matt went back and got his Super Power certificate, doing the rundowns for a second time.)
Matt may have been one of Scientologys’ first supermen, but since 1999 he and his wife Kathy have been locked in battle with the IRS over huge bills that they claimed they could not pay, despite evidence to the contrary. They declared bankruptcy after the 2008 financial crash, but three courts have now ruled that their IRS debt is not dischargeable.
Meanwhile, the Feshbachs are still deeply involved in the church, which continues to promote Matt as a financial wizard.
Here’s Judge Jordan’s ruling, which is written in a clear, concise style despite the complexity of the case.
Feshbach vs. IRS: Appeal R… by Tony Ortega
——————–
Bonus items from our tipsters
A daily glimpse inside Scientologist social media feeds…
Advertisement
——————–
“You’ll find the artists and musicians of this particular planet always have some schnook alongside of them to cave them in. They always marry the wrong girl, you know, and get the wrong agent, and, because they’re creating. The industrialist, the manufacturer, that sort of thing, these boys, it’s not because of any deep-seated communist plot, it’s just they are in trouble, that’s all. They haven’t got enough force to protect their own creativeness, and as a result, why, people attack them. Elementary. Basic answer on the whole track, if you had never had anybody create anything, you would have no trouble. Nothing had ever been created, why, of course you wouldn’t have any universe to be in trouble with. This is all very elementary.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 10, 1963
——————–
“What puzzles me is that there is so much opportunity for lawsuits, because none of the shut down laws, social distancing laws, mask laws are legal. They are all arbitrary laws. They are not based on facts. They are only held in place by media lies and fear mongering and arguments. Arbitrary laws are not legally binding. WTF is wrong with all the effing lawyers in America? The most litigious country in the world. This is unbelievably insane! There are 8 billion stupid people on earth. There is no intelligent life on earth. Anthony Fauci is the biggest criminal on earth, along with Bill Gates and company.”
Advertisement
——————–
“After all these years a Scientologist is trying to dox me? I gave vaLLarrr more than enough clues to dox me but OSA was too incompetent to pick up on it. Actually it’s probably just Flunk looking for revenge.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Arraignment scheduled for September 18.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing is set for October 5 in White Plains, NY. Jeffrey’s is set for October 24.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29, bond raised to $350,000 on Aug 27. Prosecutors appealed denial of their motion to have bond revoked, response from defense due Sept 11, response by prosecutors on Sept 14.
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Motion for reconsideration denied on August 11
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Sept 29 (CSI/RTC demurrer against Riales, Masterson demurrer), Oct 7-19 (motions to compel arbitration)
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach bankruptcy appeal: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, awaiting verdict.
——————–
Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!
[Jenna Elfman, Giovanni Ribisi, and Greta Van Susteren]
We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.
Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!
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 our weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Scientology: So much effort and heartache, for such little effect
[TWO years ago] A dispatch from the front: Protesting Scientology’s anti-psych quackery
[THREE years ago] Ideal and Ideal-er: England org coming soon will be Scientology to the max
[FOUR years ago] Laying to rest the obfuscations of L. Fletcher Prouty, Scientology’s conspiracist-for-hire
[FIVE years ago] Another trial ordered against Narconon as Scientology derail attempt mostly fails
[SIX years ago] Finally! Scientology begins selling its mysterious ‘OT’ levels more openly with slick new videos!
[NINE years ago] Scientology Schweinehund: Commenters of the Week!
——————–
Scientology disconnection, a reminder
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,056 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,560 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,080 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,100 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 991 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,298 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,166 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,940 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,744 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,060 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,626 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,545 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,713 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,294 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,555 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,593 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,306 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,831 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,361 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,921 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,061 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,381 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,236 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,355 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,711 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,014 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,120 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,522 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,394 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,977 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,472 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,726 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,835 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on September 10, 2020 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 14 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
September 9, 2020
The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 15: Jeffrey Riffer
In 2011 we spent the month of August counting down a list of the “Top 25 People Crippling Scientology.” Nine years later, Scientology is still hurting, but church leader David Miscavige learned long ago that paid membership was only one resource that kept him in business. He also relies on a small army of enablers, some paid, some not, who help him stay in business even though they aren’t Scientologists themselves. So we thought we’d recognize them with this countdown.
We’ve been watching Scientology litigation for a long time, and we can tell you that one interesting evolution of it has been the way lawsuits in recent years have targeted not just the church but its leader, David Miscavige, and also the way he has responded.
Finding himself in the legal crosshairs, Miscavige began several years ago to rely more and more on one particular lawyer to carry a lance for him in court documents. We’re talking about Los Angeles attorney Jeffrey Riffer, whose splenetic writing on behalf of Miscavige has produced some of the most entertaining court salvos in Scientology litigation in the last decade.
Riffer first made an impression on us when he was brought in to go full blast on the editors at Vanity Fair in 2012, in hopes, we guess, to scare that publication out of printing Maureen Orth’s great expose about how the church held auditions of actresses in order to find a new mate for Tom Cruise.
AdvertisementWe fell in love immediately with Riffer’s diction and tone, and the gentle way he gets his point across…
We represent Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center and the ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion.
We are writing regarding your, your editor’s and reporter’s shoddy journalism, religious bigotry and potential legal liability arising out of Vanity Fair’s upcoming story about the Tom Cruise divorce. Significantly, while Maureen Orth was preparing her story, Vanity Fair ignored its staff and contributors who have firsthand knowledge of Mr. Cruise and of Mr. Miscavige and who would burden her story with the truth.
It takes real skill to write in a way that sucks up to Miscavige while trashing merchants of chaos with sarcasm all at the same time like that, and we couldn’t get enough of it. Riffer’s pique was especially enjoyable here, describing the outrage he felt over Orth’s question she had sent over about Miscavige being a sort of third wheel in Cruise’s romantic relationships…
Mr. Miscavige is the leader of a dynamic global religion expanding across five continents. His duties are herculean and accomplishments monumental. He is not a “third wheel” to anything or anyone. Ms. Orth is apparently willing to besmirch Mr. Miscavige’s reputation based on unreliable sources to sell magazines, while ignoring the decades of his tireless service to advance the Scientology religion as well as its international humanitarian programs for all mankind…
Seriously, this stuff is just too good.
More recently, Riffer stood up for Dave against his former steward Valerie Haney, and called her lawsuit a publicity stunt…
Plaintiff’s fraudulent proof of service is just her most recent stunt aimed at generating media attention and harassing Mr. Miscavige. Plaintiff alleges no facts that Mr. Miscavige engaged in any wrongdoing. But, by naming Mr. Miscavige as a defendant, Plaintiff could tell the media that she sued the leader of the religion, in an effort to ensure that the allegations were widely disseminated. This lawsuit was brought to generate media attention as leverage.
(Emphasis in the original.) Riffer has also defended Dave against the Danny Masterson accusers who are suing Miscavige over what they claim is a coordinated campaign to harass them since they came forward to the LAPD with their allegations against the ‘That ’70s Show’ actor.
And Riffer continues to threaten magazines for Miscavige. The Daily Beast’s Marlow Stern got thrown an uppercut recently that was simply Rifferific after Stern inquired about Miscavige’s “planetary bullbait” secret message about the coronavirus for his parishioners…
The world would be in a better condition today had governments and other organizations timely followed Mr. Miscavige’s lead.
The undisputed written evidence, physical evidence and millions of masks and gloves in Scientology evidence prove that Mr. Miscavige implemented massive proactive state-of-the-art actions before governments and other organizations. So, you have no story.
Now that you are on written notice that your story is 100% false, any publication exposes you to the end of your career and The Daily Beast to the end of its existence (as happened when the jury awarded $140 million in a defamation lawsuit against Gawker, driving Gawker into bankruptcy). We hope that is not necessary.
Like Vanity Fair, The Daily Beast ignored Riffer’s bloviating and published their stories. But as long as David Miscavige needs a champion to extol his work as an ecclesiastical superstar, Riffer will no doubt jump into the breach.
Advertisement
The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology
15: Jeffrey Riffer
16: James Packer
17: Louis Farrakhan
18: Mark “Marty” Rathbun
19: Wally Pope
20: Gensler
21: Parents who subscribe to ABCMouse
22: Graham Norton and other celebrity strokers
23: The apologist academics
24: Rebecca Dobkin and other low-level PI grunts
25: DirecTV and filmmakers buffing Dave’s channel
Advertisement
——————–
Former Bauer mags continue their nosedive
We’ve told you that it’s been sad to see the trajectory of magazines like In Touch and Us Weekly after their takeover by American Media, the company that owns the National Enquirer.
Time was that although In Touch and Us Weekly were tabloids, their writers at least tried to get things right. Now, not so much. In this week’s Us Weekly cover story, for example, there was a pretty remarkable assertion made in a story that claims (without any evidence) that Tom Cruise is being groomed to take over Scientology.
Only Sea Org members can actually run Scientology, and while Cruise has said he highly respects the members of that group, he doesn’t appear to be ready to sign a billion-year contract and go to work 365 days a year for pennies an hour as other Sea Orgers do.
However, Us Weekly claimed that Cruise already has! Here’s what it said:
“According to Lawrence Wright, author of ‘Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood & the Prison of Belief,’ Cruise signed a billion-year contract of service with the Church of Scientology!”
Um, sure about that? For fun, we decided to run that by the man himself.
“No, it’s total horse shit. Thanks for checking,” Wright responded.
——————–
Joy Villa on Leah Remini
Scientology climber Joy Villa, doing publicity for her book ‘Kickass Conservative,’ tells YouTuber Ryan Glover that Leah Remini is “sad and bigoted.”
Advertisement
Joy Villa on Leah Remini, Sep 1, 2020 from Tony Ortega on Vimeo.
Ryan Glover: You know, one of your haters, Leah Remini, who you know in the past was a Scientologist and she accused you of using the Trump administration for career boosts. You know, what are your thoughts about her attacks on you?
Joy Villa: I don’t know who she is. Like, I don’t know her. You know, I’ve heard of her, but it’s like somebody who doesn’t know you, you know, who just wants to attack you. And I’m like great, you’ve got a blue check mark I’ve got a blue mark. You can start some. Yeah, it’s like you could start nonsense on Twitter and get a couple likes and start drama. And I mean all I know is like she used to be a Scientologist and she was a nobody before that and they helped her. The church helped her big time. So you know I’m a Scientologist as well and I’m like it’s helped me tremendously. This is spiritual counseling. It’s got me over you know drug addiction and trauma addiction. And anything that’ll help you is a good thing. And if you’re gonna attack somebody you know and that’s kind of your whole career that’s very sad and very bigoted.
——————–
“Oh, Scientology. Oh, oh, yes, Scientology, all right. That’s, that’s fine. Well, they’ll make you an Operating Thetan there, and you’ll be nine feet tall, and you’ll be able to beat up on the local government, and you’ll be able to throw your wife in the Pacific Ocean, you won’t have to bother with her anymore. And you’ll just be all-powerful and so forth. Well, it probably wouldn’t be very real to the individual, even if he believed it. I can assure you it’s going to take him several years to make it and by the time he makes it he won’t have any interest in throwing his wife in the local ocean or beating up the local council.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 9, 1965
——————–
“Squirrels and unethical people in the Freezone routinely use the ‘hidden data line’ argument to try to goad people of goodwill into giving them materials they will then use to spin people in or to deny their existence in order to falsely parade as an Authorities while being a complete ignoramus.”
——————–
“After my dad’s POS father had abandoned him and my grandma in a one-room shack in the Arizona desert, and my dad, grandma, and his two sisters ended up in Northern California, I guess my grandfather ended up being one of the biggest contractors in the Tempe/Phoenix area. When he died he was worth millions and my dad and his two sisters never saw a dime. His new wife was a Mormon and all the money went to her and the cult.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Arraignment scheduled for September 18.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing is set for October 5 in White Plains, NY. Jeffrey’s is set for October 24.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29, bond raised to $350,000 on Aug 27.
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Motion for reconsideration denied on August 11
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Sept 29 (CSI/RTC demurrer against Riales, Masterson demurrer), Oct 7-19 (motions to compel arbitration)
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach bankruptcy appeal: Oral arguments were heard on March 11 in Jacksonville
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, awaiting verdict.
——————–
Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!
[Elisabeth Moss, Michael Peña, and Laura Prepon]
We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.
Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!
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 our weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Thorn in Scientology’s side, Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan, says ESMB will go still on Sep 30
[TWO years ago] By any means necessary: Scientology’s bizarre war against psychiatry
[THREE years ago] Supporting Leah Remini and her show — what’s the risk for viewers who expose Scientology?
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s ‘disconnection’ policy gets sacrificed on the Burning Man altar
[FIVE years ago] David Miscavige: Scientology saved the universe from its ‘reverse point’ in 2006
[SIX years ago] Longtime Scientologist Jim Jackson remembers Lyman Spurlock, 1945-2014
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology and Nation Of Islam Education Hucksters Marching on Sacramento!
[EIGHT years ago] Voice Readers Raise Thousands For Couple That Refused to Spy for Scientology
[NINE years ago] The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 10: Lisa McPherson
——————–
Scientology disconnection, a reminder
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,055 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,559 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,079 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,099 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 990 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,297 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,165 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,939 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,743 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,059 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,625 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,544 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,712 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,293 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,554 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,592 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,305 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,830 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,360 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,920 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,060 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,380 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,235 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,354 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,710 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,013 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,119 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,521 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,393 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,976 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,471 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,725 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,834 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on September 9, 2020 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 14 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
September 8, 2020
All of former Scientology mouthpiece Tommy Davis’s appearances in ‘Melania and Me’
Stephanie Winston Wolkoff’s eye-opening book about the price she paid helping out the Trump administration and her longtime friend Melania Trump, which came out on September 1, turns out to have some passages we thought would interest you.
Titled Melania and Me: The rise and fall of my friendship with the First Lady, Winston Wolkoff describes how her background not only as Melania’s close friend and adviser but also her track record putting on such large events as the Met Ball was the reason she and her firm, WIS Media Partners, were chosen to plan Trump’s 2017 inaugural festivities. Since then, the enormous $107 million raised for the event, and that $40 million of it continues to be unaccounted for, has been an enduring scandal of the Trump years.
Winston Wolkoff explains how she was scapegoated by the administration and thrown to the wolves by her friend Melania in order to keep attention off of the people who should really be explaining where the money had gone, and in particular one of Trump’s closest friends and biggest fundraisers, Santa Monica real estate investor Tom Barrack.
That’s a name that’s very familiar to readers here at the Underground Bunker because after losing his job as chief spokesman for the Church of Scientology, Tommy Davis went to work for Barrack doing the same kind of work for him that he formerly did for Scientology leader David Miscavige. And except for a period in 2016 working for another billionaire, Australian gambling magnate James Packer, Davis returned to work for Barrack and was doing so when the shit really hit the fan over the Trump inauguration money. (Also, Tommy got remarried last year, as we described in this most recent review of his journey after the Sea Org.)
AdvertisementIn her book, Winston Wolkoff describes how her well-documented and legitimate work for the Trumps putting on the inauguration was going to be spelled out in a tax filing from the Presidential Inauguration Committee (PIC), a 990 form that journalists were clamoring for in early 2018. Although the release of information was making everyone at the White House nervous, Winston Wolkoff figured she had nothing to worry about not only because she had thorough receipts covering what she had done, but also because she wouldn’t actually be named in the document — it was her company WIS that would be listed.
In intricate detail, she describes how, as documents were filed and press releases prepared, she kept picking up on things that made her worry. And then, the story fed to the New York Times made it sound like Winston Wolkoff (not her company) was the source of a scandal — that $26 million had been given to Melania’s “friend.” (Actually, Wolkoff was a White House staff member and not just a friend, she’d been paid less than $500,000, and the other money she handled had gone to vendors who put on the events.)
And who came up with that story for the Times that threw Winston Wolkoff to the wolves? She makes the case that Davis was certainly in the middle of it. Now, prosecutors are circling around this event and Winston Wolkoff has said she she is cooperating with multiple investigations. Barrack certainly has to be concerned, but will Tommy Davis be drawn into a probe by the Southern District of New York? We sure can’t wait to find out.
Anyway, here’s every mention of Davis in the book. Grab your copy today.
Page 282:
Heather [Martin] informed us that Tom Barrack’s advisor Tommy Davis (former chief spokesperson for the Church of Scientology, son of actor Anne Archer, and friend of Tom Cruise) had been fending off media requests that asked, “Where is the 990?” for months.
Page 288:
Heather said, “I got [your corrections]. I am going to talk to Tommy [Davis] again this morning and tell him we need to release to a friendly.” She meant a friendly journalist who would tell the story the way they wanted it to be told. “We have to get ahead of it. There were two more articles yesterday wondering where the money is.”
Page 292:
AdvertisementOn February 13, Tuesday, Heather emailed, all jazzed up. “Spoke to Tommy [Davis], convinced him we need to go all in and be proactive! I am tweaking the press release they wrote and trying to get some surrogates ready to speak positive.”
Later, she emailed about the journalist they’d given the exclusive to. Heather’s text read, “We’re all set, moving forward on Thursday [two days hence]. The plan is that Maggie Haberman [of the New York Times] will run the story on Thursday per Tom Barrack.” Depending on whom you talked to, Haberman was either tough on Donald Trump or a complete suck-up to him. That didn’t matter. The issue was Haberman’s relationship with Tom Barrack. According to Heather, Haberman was “a friendly.” She would present the story the PIC wanted the world to read.
She continued, “And they will also give the package to [Sean] Hannity and [Laura] Ingraham [at Fox News].”
I didn’t know anything about a “package.” This was all making me very nervous.
Heather kept me up-to-date on everything. “The [990] report is officially filed,” she texted me at 11:00 p.m. “We’re starting to get questions. The NY Times will likely be the first story.” She said Tommy Davis was making sure that my credentials would be emphasized in the articles. Huh? But my name hadn’t been on the press release…
Pages 296-298:
I woke up the next morning, February 15, 2018, to see my name and picture splashed across the front page of the New York Times website under an article headlined “Trump’s Inaugural Committee Paid $26 Million to First Lady’s Friend” by Maggie Haberman and Kenneth P. Vogel
With those ten words, life as I knew it ended…
Only after I went ballistic did Heather Martin and Tommy Davis tell me they’d “try to help [me] and clear up the confusion” that they’d caused with the Times. Later in the article, it was stated that “…although committee officials said she used that money to help pay other inaugural workers who reported to her,” but it was already too late.
Page 301:
My mind was spinning. In the middle of my meltdown, I received calls from Heather and Tommy Davis, who were dealing with the press on this. Sometime during the course of the horrific day, the Times headline changed to “Trump Inaugural Committee Paid $26 Million to Firm of First Lady’s Adviser,” adding “Firm of” and changing “Friend” to “Adviser.” The Times ditched the original defaming headline, but I have a screenshot, and it exists in the annals of Reddit.
Tommy told me, “We worked very hard to clear up the misconception about the one point six million dollars and to make clear your incredible reputation and outstanding qualifications to be picked for the job you did.”
——————–
Leah Remini podcast: The fair gaming of Alex Gibney
Your proprietor was fortunate enough to be included with a lot of great people who took part in Alex Gibney and Lawrence Wright’s amazing 2015 HBO documentary about Scientology, “Going Clear,” which was based on Wright’s 2013 book of the same name.
And we certainly remember, as the date neared for the documentary’s premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah in January 2015, that Scientology leader David Miscavige was beginning to freak out. It was really something to see Scientology take out full-page ads in the New York Times denouncing the film even before anyone had a chance to see it.
Scientology also began posting videos smearing people the church believed were going to appear in the movie (and guessed wrong!) and we thought, they aren’t going to dare to do the same thing to Gibney himself, one of the most respected and highly successful documentary filmmakers in the world, would they?
But yes, Scientology went after both Wright and Gibney with anonymous smear websites and propaganda videos, and we marveled at how stupid they were. But we’ve always been curious about what Gibney thought of that harassment campaign, and so it’s a real treat to have him discuss it with Leah Remini and Mike Rinder on their new podcast. Listen to it here!
Advertisement
A footnote: Gibney said that Scientology successfully kept Wright’s book from being published in certain countries, like England. But that was only temporary, as we reported in 2016, when Silvertail Books brought out ‘Going Clear’ in those countries.
——————–
“The amoeba and the monocell and the cellular form is apparently an endowed thing. OT comes along and says, ‘Let there be chicken,’ you know. That’s about where all that fit. And he endows this and he leaves a sort of a puddle of theta to continue to animate it, you see. Does a few quick tricks with the — you can’t say ‘fingers’ — and you get an endowment. And that apparently is the way which you get cells. That isn’t factual, from a standpoint of experience or anything like that. I don’t mean that there’s data available here by which we’ve suddenly animated matter. But it more or less is a conceptual basis on which bodies are built. And somebody mocks it up and somebody else can keep it running. But there is something to this old gag of, they say, they go out and say hello to the flowers, you know, and they grow better. Well, at a very, very low state that would not be possible, of course. A person isn’t able to reach that fan. But they sort of have a dim idea that they could do it, you see. Because way, way back someplace they probably did. So they go out and say hello to the flowers.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 8, 1966
——————–
“Dems, including Scientologists, ex-Scientologists and ‘Dem OTs’ are getting their R6 implant restimulated, and becoming Ethics particles. They are intent on destroying civilization. This is why LRH created the Sea Org. To escape this dramatization.”
——————–
“The conspiracy cult is way scarier and more dangerous than any religious cult. The country is on the verge of a civil war thanks to these cynical manipulators and their feeble-minded, heavily-armed adherents. Alex Jones and the rest should be deported for insurrection.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Arraignment scheduled for September 18.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing is set for October 5 in White Plains, NY. Jeffrey’s is set for October 24.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29, bond raised to $350,000 on Aug 27.
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Motion for reconsideration denied on August 11
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Sept 29 (CSI/RTC demurrer against Riales, Masterson demurrer), Oct 7-19 (motions to compel arbitration)
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach bankruptcy appeal: Oral arguments were heard on March 11 in Jacksonville
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, awaiting verdict.
——————–
Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!
[The Big Three: Tom Cruise, John Travolta, and Kirstie Alley]
We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.
Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!
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 our weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Hurricane Dorian’s destruction provides Scientology another chance at make-believe
[TWO years ago] New Scientology escape book ‘Perfectly Clear’ leaves some important questions unanswered
[THREE years ago] ‘Leah Remini’ show prompting more ‘ranch kids’ to come forward with agonizing family drama
[FOUR years ago] Drone footage of Scientology’s secretive Int Base: The reaction from former base employees
[FIVE years ago] More proof (from Scientology) that it’s never been a better time to be a Scientologist!
[SIX years ago] Lyman Spurlock, 1945-2014: Imprisoned and abused, a loyal Scientology executive to the end
[SEVEN years ago] The 1979 Clearwater Sun Editorial the Tampa Bay Times Should Run Today
[NINE years ago] A Scientology Countdown Announcement: Before We Start the Top Ten, a Programming Note
——————–
Scientology disconnection, a reminder
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,054 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,558 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,078 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,098 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 989 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,296 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,164 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,938 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,742 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,058 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,624 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,543 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,711 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,292 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,553 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,591 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,304 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,829 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,359 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,919 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,059 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,379 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,234 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,353 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,709 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,012 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,118 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,520 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,392 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,975 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,470 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,724 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,833 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on September 8, 2020 at 06:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 14 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
September 7, 2020
Prosecutors: Judge isn’t getting the point about Dennis Nobbe’s post-arrest shenanigans
On Friday, federal prosecutors filed an appeal of a judge’s decision not to throw Scientologist chiropractor Dennis Nobbe into jail for some pretty outrageous behavior after he was arrested in July for Medicare fraud and PPP loan abuse.
We told you on Thursday that when Nobbe was charged on July 29 he was allowed to post $200,000 bond but only if he followed some strict guidelines, which included the promise that he not contact ex-employees the government planned to contact as witnesses.
Nobbe’s arrest caught us by surprise, but we’ve known about him for years as a Miami Scientology bigwig who repeatedly ran into trouble with the government because he tried to force Scientology on his employees, even going so far to set up his own mini-“academy” across the street so his workers could get in some Scientology course time on breaks from their work at Dynamic Medical Services. Now he’s facing serious charges that for years he was ripping off Medicare and patients through the use of physicians he had bribed. His clinic has been shut down as he’s awaiting trial, and he has plenty of rules to follow in the meantime.
Prosecutors were clearly outraged that just two weeks after his arrest Nobbe not only called one of the potential witnesses, but also tried to engage in the same criminal activity he had been arrested for and even allegedly offered the ex-employee a bribe.
AdvertisementIn their court filings, the prosecutors were also flabbergasted when they subsequently learned that Nobbe called another of the witnesses he’d promised not to contact, and they wanted Magistrate Judge Alicia Otazo-Reyes to revoke Nobbe’s bond and put him in custody.
Instead, she raised his bond to $350,000 and confiscated his mobile phone. And now in a new filing we’re showing you in full, the prosecutors are appealing her ruling and really, really want Nobbe tossed in irons.
On Thursday, we suggested that Judge Otazo-Reyes might not fully understand that in Nobbe she is dealing with a classic arrogant Scientologist, a prime example of the species Homo Novi who considers himself above wog law. And worse than that, say prosecutors, she seems confused about what is evidence and what is hearsay.
So in their appeal they spell out in much greater detail exactly how Nobbe reached out to his former employees — with a burner phone — and how the prosecutors secured evidence, not hearsay, that it was definitely Nobbe making the prohibited calls and text messages.
We pore through a lot of court documents, and we rarely see such a tone from prosecutors, who appear to be on their last nerve here. Read their brief for yourself and see if you don’t agree with us that they are trying to get this judge to get her head on straight about this Scientologist who is making a mockery of the court.
Here’s the document…
US vs. Dennis Nobbe: Govern… by Tony Ortega
——————–
Bonus items from our tipsters
Some people start college funds. Others, not so much…
Advertisement
Europe will be cleared in no time!
“Holding my sword and decapitating SPs…”
A dispatch from the ship…
Advertisement
——————–
“The most sorrowful engram I ever ran into was an AA [attempted abortion] on Christmas Eve. This was a brutal one. This person couldn’t even start to come near a Christmas tree without going to pieces. He didn’t want anything to do with Christmas or any part of it. He was very peculiar about presents. If anybody tried to give him a present, he would say the social amenities of ‘Thank you very much. Oh, yes, I enjoy it a great deal,’ and then hastily throw it into a trunk to get it out of sight so that he wouldn’t run into it again. This peculiar behavior was occasioned by the very sad engram of a mutual AA where Papa was being very brutal. He got drunk and decided that he didn’t want any children around. He did this AA against protest, at the same time talking about Christmas. And then he said, ‘I’ve got a present for him,’ and thrust a needle right straight through the embryo. One thrust, one phrase. It really messed up that person’s life. Mama went to the doctor shortly afterwards and got herself patched up and the baby came through.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 7, 1950
——————–
“DM is just afraid. He is terrified of OTs just as space opera societies have been. Just as the asshole who put us here in this prison planet was. Get an actual OT made, you know, a NOTs completion followed by SOLO NOTs completion, taken standardly through original IV-VII to their FULL EPs. Then the original OT VIII, not the adultered quickied one on the Freewinds, and you’ll have, indeed, a extremely rehabilitated thetan who can exert a LOT of power and control on his environment. Enough, that just a few of them could revert the whole scene in the Church. DM KNOWS this. He really does.”
——————–
“YouTube routinely takes down videos after DMCA complaints without any sort of review, especially if the complaint comes from a paying customer.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Arraignment scheduled for September 18.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing is set for October 5 in White Plains, NY. Jeffrey’s is set for October 24.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Next pretrial conference set for Jan 12 in Los Angeles
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29, bond raised to $350,000 on Aug 27.
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Motion for reconsideration denied on August 11
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Sept 29 (CSI/RTC demurrer against Riales, Masterson demurrer), Oct 7-19 (motions to compel arbitration)
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach bankruptcy appeal: Oral arguments were heard on March 11 in Jacksonville
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, awaiting verdict.
——————–
Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!
[Alanna Masterson, Terry Jastrow, and Marisol Nichols]
We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.
Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!
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 our weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] More filmmakers who are helping out Scientology with its TV network
[TWO years ago] Another life connected to Scientology ends in despair, as so many do
[THREE years ago] Forced to open its books, one overseas Scientology rehab shows that business is grim
[FOUR years ago] Scientology’s secret sites: The Bunker premieres drone footage never before seen of ‘Int Base’
[FIVE years ago] TEN YEARS GONE: Shelly Miscavige, the wife Scientology’s leader wants us to forget
[SIX years ago] Sunday Funnies: Scientology is going down in style!
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology Heresy: Jon Atack on L. Ron Hubbard’s Debt to Psychiatry
[NINE years ago] The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 11: Nick Xenophon
——————–
Scientology disconnection, a reminder
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,053 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,557 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,077 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,097 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 988 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,295 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,163 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,937 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,741 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,057 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,623 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,542 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,710 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,291 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,552 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,590 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,303 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,828 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,358 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,918 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,058 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,378 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,233 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,352 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,708 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,011 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,117 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,519 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,391 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,974 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,469 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,723 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,832 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on September 7, 2020 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 14 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's Blog
- Tony Ortega's profile
- 19 followers
