Tony Ortega's Blog, page 368
August 27, 2020
The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 19: Wally Pope
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.
You must have known we’d be getting around to some Scientology legal types in this countdown at some point. Where would Scientology be, after all, without its small army of highly paid hired guns who clog up courts with mountains of paperwork and file nutty motions on behalf of David Miscavige to delay and derail any hope of justice for Scientology’s victims?
We’re sure you can think of a few of those legal mercenaries including some real hot-heads, but we want to make sure that mild-mannered F. Wallace Pope, Jr. of Tampa-based Johnson Pope Bokor Ruppel & Burns, LLP, is not overlooked.
Wally Pope has been a reliable courtroom soldier for Scientology for many years. It was to Wally, after all, that Miscavige turned in part to help get him through the mess in the wake of Lisa McPherson’s death. Pope handled the family’s lawsuit against the church, and then handled attempts to bury the McPherson family attorney, Ken Dandar, under a bizarre $1 million penalty for daring to continue to litigate against Scientology. Ultimately, that attempt failed and Dandar got the $1 million penalty dismissed, but Wally had done his best, at least, to destroy one of Miscavige’s enemies.
AdvertisementWe’ve seen Wally operate in a courtroom, and we can confirm what others say about him, that he doesn’t fit the fire-breathing image of other Scientology mercenaries. He’s a mellower type, and judges seem to respect and like him. Judge James Whittemore sure did, and made that very plain when we saw Pope litigating in Whittemore’s Tampa courtroom in 2013.
Wally might come off as a Southern gentleman, but what he was doing that day in court was pure Scientology. Luis and Rocio Garcia were former Scientologists who were suing the church for fraud, saying they’d been lied to in order to get them to turn over donations totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. But rather than deal with those allegations, what Wally had brought before the judge was a charge that the Garcias’ attorneys had played dirty and should be disqualified from the case.
On the other side was Ted Babbitt, a 48-year veteran of the law game who, like Ray Jeffrey at nearly the same time in Texas, was shocked to find himself hauled in to court to defend his propriety and ethics. But that’s Scientology’s (or rather, David Miscavige’s) style, to derail the case and paralyze the courtroom with frivolous accusations against upstanding attorneys because Miscavige wants it done.
Looking over our notes from that day in court, we can see that we repeatedly observed how Wally found himself presenting absolutely ludicrous arguments and “evidence” simply because David Miscavige wanted it done, to the point that Judge Whittemore clearly felt sorry for the man. That attempt to disqualify the Garcia attorneys failed miserably.
But Pope has been plenty successful in other gambits for the church, as we soon found out in the Garcia case after that disqualifying motion failed.
And Wally isn’t above getting his hands dirty in other ways.
You probably remember that in 2017, then Clearwater bar owner Clay Irwin found a spy camera aimed at his house. He had come to Scientology’s attention not only because he had opened a tavern right smack in the middle of Scientology’s “spiritual mecca” in downtown Clearwater, but also because of the bit of fun he had touring Tom Cruise’s unfinished condo while it was under construction. Clay figured it was Scientology that had him under surveillance, and we later told him he was right: We obtained evidence showing the private investigator operating the camera had been hired by Wally’s firm.
So, while Wally’s Southern gentleman schtick may keep him in friends at court, David Miscavige knows who he can turn to when something unsavory needs to be done for the church in the Tampa Bay area.
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Bonus items from our tipsters
There’s just no end of ways to give, give, give!
Advertisement
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“I know it’s mean of me, it’s cabalist, it’s rabble-rousing for me to infer that the majesty of government is actually being used to further some foul, religious end in some way and to cause everybody to be dead. But I’m very interested in the fact that the Church of England, of all organizations, right down here in the form of a vicar (who, I think, has had to move since), this bird — I’m looking at a face or two here who were present in this — was being very censorious about our giving death lessons to young children. Story went around the world. What do you think this guy does every time he stands up there in the pulpit? He’s talking about going to heaven and all this sort of thing. He’s giving death lessons to little kids. Diana came home from school one day crying. She was going to a local school up here. She wanted to know if all this stuff about poor Christ was true. And I gave her the hot dope, and — well, as a matter of fact, I did. I was very reasonable about the whole thing. I said, ‘Native populaces have their religious beliefs, and wherever you are, you must remain tolerant of the current beliefs,’ and so forth, and she took this in. But it’s interesting that this bird down here is asserting how wrong it is, don’t you see, to give children death lessons while he himself is giving them death lessons. Only our death lessons are straight dope this is what happens with regard to death — but his are a darn lie.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 27, 1963
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“I was given a clue that what we have been feeling during these months of 2020 is a kind of ‘blanketing’ low-tone vibration. Probably a Freezone OT committee would be able to identify it and as-is it somehow. What is a fact is that the Dems and lefty Scienos and ex-Scienos have fallen victim to this blanketing of the planet.”
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“The Church of Scientology is as wrong as the Kims in North Korea. Some things just need to be stopped, you don’t even have to think about it, you feel it in your gut. I remember my father telling me about how my grandfather signed up to join the Lincoln Brigade to go fight Franco. I didn’t understand at first, but later I did.”
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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 August 27 in White Plains, NY, but attorneys are asking it be moved back. 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
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 4 (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: Amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021. Plaintiffs granted permission to file changes to amended complaint by Sept 4.
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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?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Vote for the most startling statement on the ‘Scientology and the Aftermath’ finale
[TWO years ago] Hey, Colombia: Here’s the video of Scientology’s David Miscavige you’ve been looking for
[THREE years ago] How dishonest is tabloid media about Scientology? Here’s a pretty good example.
[FOUR years ago] Scientology wastes no time taking over Florida sign after ‘disconnection’ billboard expires
[FIVE years ago] ¡Ay, caramba! Nancy Cartwright has a whale of a time in Mexico to raise money for Scientology
[SIX years ago] The Document: When Scientology canceled ‘Family Time’
[SEVEN years ago] Monique Rathbun vs. Scientology: Temporary Injunction Hearing Set for Sept 12
[NINE years ago] Scientology Cyclone: Commenters of the Week!
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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 2,042 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,546 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,066 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,086 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 977 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,284 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,152 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,926 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,730 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,046 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,612 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,531 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,699 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,280 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,541 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,579 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,292 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,817 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,347 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,907 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,047 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,367 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,222 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,341 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,697 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,000 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,106 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,508 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,380 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,963 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,458 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,712 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,821 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 27, 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
August 26, 2020
Ahead of next week’s hearing, Danny Masterson’s accusers blast his attacks on their lawsuit
[Chrissie Carnell Bixler doesn’t think much of Danny Masterson’s “demurrer”]
On Friday next week, a hearing is scheduled at Los Angeles Superior Court that will consider Scientologist actor Danny Masterson’s “demurrer,” a legalistic attack on a lawsuit filed by four women who allege that they were raped by Masterson, and after they came forward to police with those allegations they were subjected to an ongoing harassment campaign by Masterson, Scientology, and Scientology’s leader David Miscavige.
In response to the lawsuit, Masterson filed his demurrer, accusing the women of filing their lawsuit as a publicity stunt, of citing incidents that were too random to be examples of a concerted harassment campaign, and for improperly putting together unrelated issues in a single lawsuit. He’s also asked that references to a criminal investigation be taken out of the lawsuit, and Scientology has its own demurrer filed against one of the women, Bobette Riales, with similar arguments against her inclusion in the suit.
Since those demurrers were filed, however, Masterson has been charged criminally for raping three of the women and is facing a possible prison sentence of 45 years to life. And while that criminal case naturally takes center stage and will likely lead to a stay of this lawsuit as we discussed on Monday, there’s still a lot at stake for next week’s hearing, which will be the first really substantive hearing in this lawsuit since it was filed a year ago.
Three documents were filed by the women (and one man) who brought this lawsuit, and we’ve embedded all three of them below. First, we have their opposition to the demurrer that Masterson filed, in which he sneered at their allegations, said they had no evidence he was involved in their harassment, and is trying to get himself out of the lawsuit.
Here’s the introduction to their response…
AdvertisementDead pets. Home security breaches. Strangers in your windows, surveillance teams watching you. A focused campaign of harassment and intrusion upending your life. Defendant Masterson wants this Court to believe that such occurrences are “every day inconveniences that are common in all large cities.” Daniel Masterson did not inconvenience the Plaintiffs; Daniel Masterson sexually assaulted each of the female Plaintiffs, conspired with agents of Institutional Defendants [Scientology] and David Miscavige to cover up his crimes, and then set forth a ruthless campaign of harassment, stalking, and intrusion against each Plaintiff. Masterson falsely claims that the Plaintiff’s truth had been “thoroughly investigated and rejected years ago” only now to find himself staring down the barrel of criminal charges that could net him a life sentence.
In the ensuing argument, plaintiffs’ attorney Bobby Thompson takes on Masterson’s assertion that Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 (whom we refer to respectively as Victim B and Victim C) should not be anonymous but should identify themselves in court papers. Not only was Masterson’s reasoning weak to begin with, but now that he’s facing life in prison for raping these two women and Chrissie Carnell Bixler, there’s even more reason why they should remain nameless if they choose, the document says.
A demurrer doesn’t question the facts of a case, it questions the legal basis of the pleading. And Thompson argues that they have sufficiently laid out what is being alleged and the causes of action.
As to Masterson’s argument that these separate plaintiffs have improperly combined their experiences in a single lawsuit even though they are alleging acts that happened in separate places and at separate times: “Facts common to each Plaintiff are properly pleaded. Daniel Masterson sexually assaulted each Plaintiff, and then, working with common agents, ‘conspired to and systematically stalked, harassed, invaded their and their family’s privacy, and intentionally caused them emotional distress to silence and intimidate them’.”
And from the document’s conclusion:
“SP Order. Fair game. May be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist…May be tricked, sued, or lied to or destroyed.” L. Ron Hubbard, HCO Policy Letter of 18 October 1967. “Fair game” does not translate to random, unconnected coincidences. “Fair game” means conduct. It means planning and conspiring to stalk, surveil, invade privacy, and inflicting emotional distress. Plaintiffs set forth sufficient facts showing Masterson engaged in such conduct. Based upon the foregoing factual allegations, Plaintiffs respectfully request that Defendant Masterson’s demurrer be denied in its entirety.
Another demurrer was filed by Scientology against Bobette Riales. Because Bobette was never a Scientologist, the church can’t argue that she is obliged to take her grievances to Scientology’s internal “religious arbitration” like they’re trying to do to the others. So instead they’re arguing, like Masterson, that her claims are insufficient, and that she should not be paired with the other plaintiffs. And like in their opposition to Masterson, her attorneys are saying that the church has cherry-picked examples to ridicule from the lawsuit, and that Bobette has properly pleaded her case and that her harassment does arise from the same campaign that’s being waged against the others.
And as long as Scientology and Masterson are going to keep arguing that these women have nothing to do with each other, it only gives the plaintiffs the opportunity to point out what they do have in common: They were each raped by Masterson, they allege.
In the third document, Thompson responds to Masterson’s motion to strike references of a criminal investigation from the lawsuit. And now that he’s actually been charged for raping three women, Thompson’s job is really not very hard:
These matters are not included to “garner media attention.” Media attention has long since been garnered through no action of the Plaintiffs but rather, Defendant Masterson’s own conduct and public comments. The allegations of sexual assault by Masterson, and the subsequent police investigation of Masterson, underlie, frame, and impact each of the Plaintiffs’ claims. These allegations are in fact pertinent to Plaintiffs’ claims for stalking, invasion of privacy, IIED, and loss of consortium, because the sexual assaults and police investigations lead to the existence of the other causes of action. The assaults, and the police investigation of the assaults, provoked Masterson to stalk and harass each Plaintiff. To strike these allegations would be to deny the Plaintiffs the ability to put their claims into a factual context.
So how will things go in next week’s hearing? We’ve seen this legal team stumble in its two other lawsuits, one filed by Valerie Haney, and the other by another Jane Doe, in Miami. But in this case so far, Judge Steven Kleifield has acted cautiously and conscientiously. This will be the first real test of how he sees the case.
THE DOCUMENTS
The opposition to Masterson’s demurrer:
Bixler v. Scientology: Oppo… by Tony Ortega on Scribd
AdvertisementThe opposition to CSI’s demurrer against Bobette Riales:
Bixler v. Scientology: Oppo… by Tony Ortega on Scribd
The opposition to Masterson’s motion to strike material referring to the criminal investigation:
Bixler v. Scientology: Oppo… by Tony Ortega on Scribd
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Bonus items from our tipsters
Haven’t heard from Dublin org for a while…
Advertisement
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“I toured around the empty ship and it looked lonesome. The galley was kept going by deckhands. Vixie had some trouble towing the ship out to anchor but made it. (The Commodores Messenger couldn’t find the Main Engine throttles as the engineers evidently took them on liberty.) Six new X trainees came aboard and were quickly trained up and fired by Dimples the man-eating shark — at least she said they had been fired. All in all it was quiet and restful.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 26, 1971
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“This is what Justin Craig left to clean up after he was given free rent for 6 months at the property I am staying at. It has taken me one and a half days to clean it up and haul to the dump. This is inside a giant RV garage and he bought two old motor homes and then gutted them and threw it in a pile for the owner to clean it up. I helped her by doing the work in exchange for some storage space.”
In response to the Bunker’s inquiry about the photo, Craig sent us this: “I should have taken a shit on top and wrapped everything up with a little red bow.”
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“Hubbard was making the whole thing up as he went along, and the ‘tech’ is nothing but mumbo jumbo. Until these people realize that LRH was the flim flam man, they will never be truly free.”
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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 August 27 in White Plains, NY, but attorneys are asking it be moved back. 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
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 4 (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: Amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021. Plaintiffs granted permission to file changes to amended complaint by Sept 4.
——————–
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] Tonight, Leah Remini ends ‘Scientology and the Aftermath’ with a hard look at Danny Masterson
[TWO years ago] Scientology keeps pushing for ‘Ideal Orgs’ in places where it’s pure madness
[THREE years ago] DOX: The FBI’s 2008 investigation of Anonymous and its attacks on the Church of Scientology
[FOUR years ago] Is the Enquirer’s ‘exclusive’ on Scientology’s ‘hooker orgy’ a David Miscavige backfire?
[FIVE years ago] So much for tabloid rumors: Tom Cruise visits Scientology’s ‘Ideal Org’ while he’s in Bogotá
[SIX years ago] More trouble for Scientology’s drug rehab network, Narconon — this time in Florida
[SEVEN years ago] ANETTE IREN JOHANSEN: “I Auditioned To Be Tom Cruise’s Wife”
[EIGHT years ago] (2012’s) Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, Nos. 14-16
[NINE years ago] The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 16: Marc Headley
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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 2,041 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,545 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,065 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,085 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 976 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,283 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,151 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,925 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,729 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,045 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,611 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,530 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,698 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,279 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,540 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,578 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,291 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,816 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,346 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,906 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,046 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,366 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,221 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,340 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,696 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,999 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,105 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,507 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,379 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,962 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,457 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,711 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,820 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 26, 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
August 25, 2020
Leah Remini podcast: Scientology’s atrocious ‘Fair Game’ campaign against Mike Rinder
What starts out as an episode about the general background of Scientology’s “Fair Game” retaliation operations soon settles down into the specific ways that Mike Rinder was targeted after he left the Sea Org in 2007, and it’s a harrowing adventure.
We have the podcast embedded for you below, and we think you’re going to find it gripping. In the first third of the program, Rinder skillfully describes how Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard turned his “Guardian’s Office” into a massive spying operation on the US and UK governments (and many more) in the 1970s “Snow White Program.”
Mike explains how under Snow White, the GO sent operatives to infiltrate government offices to steal information about Scientology, including bugging the conference room at the main IRS headquarters in Washington DC. This years-long effort was ultimately tripped up when one of the chief operatives, Michael Meisner, was stopped by an FBI agent at a law library in DC, and the agent discovered that he was carrying a fake ID employee badge.
(That FBI agent, Christine Hansen, happened to be one of the first female agents in FBI history, and she told her story to us for the first time in our book about Paulette Cooper, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely, where we went into the Meisner saga at length.)
AdvertisementAs Mike describes, rather than turn himself in to the FBI, Meisner obeyed Scientology’s directive to go into hiding, but when he had second thoughts about that, Scientology tied him up and put a 24-hour guard on him. Ultimately, he got away from his captors and went straight to the FBI, spilled his guts, and a few weeks later the 1977 raid on Scientology in Los Angeles and Washington DC occurred. Based on what turned up in that raid, eleven top Scientologists, including Hubbard’s wife, Mary Sue, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and were sentenced to prison.
When Leah asked where Michael Meisner is today, Mike mentioned that we managed to track him down, although he declined to talk to us.
In the second and third parts of this week’s episode, Mike and Leah turn to Mike’s own experience of being Fair Gamed to make the point that this isn’t just something that happened in the 1970s to people like Paulette Cooper.
And even though we’re familiar with this story and we’ve written about the crazy confrontation that occurred in a Florida parking lot (and posted the audio of it), it still astonishes us to hear the tale today.
By 2009, when the Tampa Bay Times (then the St. Petersburg Times) was about to come out with its epic series on Scientology, “The Truth Rundown,” a contingent of Scientologists flew to Denver to confront Rinder, trying to convince him not to participate in it. Rinder had walked away from the Sea Org in 2007, but he hadn’t spoken out publicly. Among that group that came to see him, Rinder says, was top Scientology attorney Monique Yingling, who threatened him that if he talked to the press, he’d never again see his two children, Benjamin and Taryn, who were themselves Sea Org workers.
Rinder was begged by the Tampa Bay Times to go on the record because he was the only person who had been present and could corroborate the things that Marty Rathbun was telling them. So he agreed to go on the record for that corroboration only, not to give an interview himself.
Rinder then says that Yingling called up Joe Childs at the Times and claimed that when she came to see Rinder in Denver, she had told him that his son Benjamin had been diagnosed with an aggressive case of skin cancer, and that Rinder didn’t care and didn’t want to see his son.
Yingling said this in order to convince Childs that Rinder was such a horrible person, the newspaper should have nothing to do with him.
Mike Rinder then heard from Joe Childs for the first time that his son had cancer.
Rinder then sped to the Fort Harrison Hotel with Marty Rathbun in an attempt to see Benjamin, and we certainly remember well the video of them being harassed as Mike asks to see his son.
Two days later, the infamous encounter occurred when Mike was taking his then girlfriend (now wife) Christie Collbran to a doctor’s appointment, and they were ambushed by a contingent of unhinged Scientologists including Rinder’s ex-wife Cathy Bernardini, his daughter Taryn Teutsch, and Scientology operatives Jenny Linson and David Bloomberg.
You can hear in the audio what a chaotic scene ensued as the Scientologists swarmed Rinder, screaming at him to stay away from his son. When he tried to get into his car, they held the door and tossed away his keys. And in that scrum, Bernardini received an abrasion on her arm.
When sheriff’s deputies arrived, they ultimately found that Bernardini’s injury was the result of “incidental contact” and dismissed the matter. But ever since then, Scientology has turned blaming Mike Rinder for hurting Cathy’s arm into a minor industry, with his daughter Taryn telling anyone who will listen that her father is a wife-beater. She’s managed to worm her way into numerous groups and photo opportunities, including getting herself into photos with LA District Attorney Jackie Lacey and former Fox anchor Gretchen Carlson.
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It’s classic Scientology, it’s the kind of lying and manipulation that they not only aim at Rinder but also at Leah and your proprietor, and it’s relentless. Thankfully, the media knows well enough about how Scientology lies about everything that it rarely gains any traction.
But we can tell you as someone targeted by Scientology’s lies, it’s not fun.
Another astonishing episode from Leah and Mike. Give it a listen and then tell us your thoughts…
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“Anybody says to you, ‘Well, Scientology is weird because it believes in past lives,’ why, I look at them rather oddly and say, ‘Aren’t you familiar with the subject of psychotherapy?’ Be mean, you know. And they say, ‘Well, yes. Oh, yes. I’m a professor of Uptygup, you know.’ And say, ‘Well, why is it that you didn’t know that one of the primary branches of psychoanalysis and so forth — that of Professor Jung — believed implicitly in returns to druidism? See, we’re not being new at all’.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 25, 1966
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“There is no such thing as a personal first dynamic state of OT. I have seen many people in Scientology who want personal power. A self that wants to preserve itself is doomed. The ‘I’ that wants to be ‘OT’ is an aberration. Scientology will not succeed until it starts working from the top down rather than from the bottom up. First dynamic oriented beings will never create a brighter future.”
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“At first I thought you were funnin’ me but I hearsayed it and you’re right.”
——————–
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 August 27 in White Plains, NY, but attorneys are asking it be moved back. 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
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 4 (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: Amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021. Plaintiffs granted permission to file changes to amended complaint by Sept 4.
——————–
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] If Scientology’s Ideal Org grand openings are on hold, fundraising steams ahead
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s new ‘STAND’ front unleashes bot army on Twitter — and gets zapped
[FOUR years ago] Steven Mango, who appears in Theroux film, calls police to Scientology facility over assault
[FIVE years ago] Stop worrying about ISIS and Syria and Iraq — Scientology’s got this, people
[SIX years ago] Chris Shelton explains why Scientology is in a management death spiral
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: The All-Video Version!
[NINE years ago] Russell Brand Performs Wedding Ceremony For Outspoken Former Scientologists
——————–
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 2,040 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,544 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,064 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,084 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 975 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,282 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,150 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,924 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,728 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,044 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,610 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,529 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,697 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,278 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,539 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,577 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,290 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,815 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,345 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,905 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,045 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,365 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,220 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,339 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,695 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,998 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,104 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,506 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,378 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,961 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,456 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,710 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,819 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on August 25, 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
August 24, 2020
Danny Masterson changes his tune about criminal case in new civil brief
We suspect that things are really going to heat up in the civil lawsuit filed by four women against Danny Masterson and Scientology in anticipation of next week’s big hearing.
On September 4, the “demurrer” filed by Masterson will be heard as he refutes the allegations by the women, who say they were raped by Masterson in incidents between 2001 and 2004 — they’re suing Masterson and the church and its leader David Miscavige for what they say has been a harassment campaign since they came forward to the LAPD with their rape allegations in 2016. Masterson denies those allegations and calls the civil lawsuit a publicity stunt.
If you remember, in May we rather graphically reported on the request that Masterson made, asking that whole sections of the lawsuit be tossed out because they referred to an ongoing criminal investigation of him. At that point, Masterson and his attorneys were still denying that there was a criminal investigation, saying that the allegations had been looked into and dropped years ago. And he wanted references to a criminal probe stricken because they were “extraneous, irrelevant, and prejudicial.”
Well, things have certainly changed since then. On June 17, LA District Attorney Jackey Lacey announced that after more than three years of investigation, she was charging Masterson with three counts of raping three different women, and that she was seeking 45 years to life in prison for the Scientologist actor.
AdvertisementWe’re bringing that up because we just checked the court file and there’s a new couple of documents, case management updates from the plaintiffs and from Masterson. And the thing that interested us the most from Masterson’s attorney Andrew Brettler is this tidbit he mentioned in regards to what they plan to do if Danny’s demurrer doesn’t get him removed from the lawsuit…
“Defendant Masterson has a Demurrer and Motion to Strike pending. Additionally, if the Parties are unable to reach an agreement by stipulation, Defendant Masterson will move the court for an order to stay discovery.”
Oh really? A stay to put the case on hold? And, pray tell, for what reason?
“Discovery must be stayed as to Defendant Masterson pending the resolution of an ongoing criminal matter.”
Ah! So now Mr. Masterson acknowledges that there’s in fact a criminal matter, and it will conveniently give him an opportunity to keep from being deposed under oath in the civil lawsuit.
Well, that was pretty predictable.
On the plaintiff’s side, we found one item interesting in their case management disclosure, as attorney Bobby Thompson indicated that a full year after the lawsuit was first filed, defendant David Miscavige has still not been found to serve him the lawsuit.
While it’s true that the ecclesiastical pontiff of Scientology is somewhat easy to overlook, isn’t a full year enough time to locate this guy? And at some point, can’t they just publish a notice in a newspaper or something and get it taken care of?
We expect more interesting documents to show up in the court file in the coming days as that big demurrer hearing next week approaches.
In other legal news, attorneys for Scientologist chiropractor Jay Spina, who has pleaded guilty to Medicare fraud, have asked for another delay to his sentencing, this time until after Labor Day, because one of the lawyers will be unavailable until then. Jay’s brother Jeffrey Spina is still scheduled to be sentenced on October 24.
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“Instead of running him on CCHs or something like this, or trying to straighten up something, nah! let’s go for broke; let’s clear him! Not take too many hours at it, either. All right. Now, that’s possible. That can be done. But, let me call this to your attention, it is — this is the controverting fact. It is not being done. Now, you can’t argue with that, can you? Now, I could get down and scream and howl and beat the floor, and Hitlerize the room. But let me tell you something, that isn’t going to do any good. That isn’t going to do any good at all. That’s in the line of reason, or something like this mounts up. If you looked at it very broadly you could say, ‘Well, nobody can audit.’ I mean, that’s the first thing you’d say. ‘Nobody can run a session in the whole world, except just this little handful or maybe five,’ you know. Something like that. But that’s an unacceptable datum that isn’t true, see. So it must be that there were some great big broad bugs on this, and the biggest bug — and I finally located what it was, a very simple bug — it’s just the fact that the goal and the terminal easily disappear in the face of an out-rudiment.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 24, 1961
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——————–
“How come the more we’ve done to make it easier to survive, the harder it has become to survive?”
——————–
“I’m the Dennis Hopper of the ‘Down with Scientology’ club”
——————–
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 August 27 in White Plains, NY, but attorneys are asking it be moved back. 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
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 4 (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: Amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021. Plaintiffs granted permission to file changes to amended complaint by Sept 4.
——————–
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] Paging Graham Berry: Another Scientology horror story of credit fraud targeting retirees
[TWO years ago] The Scientology pamphlet that has finally convinced us this planet is theirs
[THREE years ago] What’s at stake in Tuesday’s San Antonio court hearing with Scientology’s former enforcer
[FOUR years ago] Ken Dandar’s courtroom nightmare is finally over (unless Scientology starts it over from scratch)
[FIVE years ago] Tonight, it’s Boston! And that has us thinking about Beantown’s connections to ‘Miss Lovely’
[SIX years ago] Scientology claims credit for solving the crisis in Ferguson, Missouri
[SEVEN years ago] LA Sheriff Lee Baca to Grace Scientology Gala, Days after “Celebrity Center” Employee Arrested for Planning to Kill a Cop
[EIGHT years ago] Marty Rathbun: Scientology’s Attorney “Supervised” Destruction of Records in Lisa McPherson Death
[NINE years ago] The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 17: Jefferson Hawkins
——————–
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 2,039 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,543 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,063 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,083 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 974 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,281 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,149 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,923 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,727 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,043 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,609 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,528 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,696 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,277 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,538 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,576 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,289 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,814 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,344 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,904 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,044 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,364 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,219 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,338 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,694 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,997 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,103 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,505 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,377 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,960 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,455 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,709 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,818 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on August 24, 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
August 23, 2020
Half-million dollar man: Scientology donor gives pep talk in leaked video
[Paul Seymor, third from right, earned Patron Meritorious in 2016]
Paul Seymour is one of Scientology’s leading donors. We haven’t seen him receive a new trophy for donations to the IAS since 2016 when he earned reached the level of Patrons Meritorious for donations of over $250,000. He has since moved up to Silver Meritorious at the $500,000 level. It’s a lesson for whale watchers that just because a donor doesn’t have new hardware to show off every year they haven’t necessarily left Scientology.
Why do Scientology’s whales donate so much money? We have video of Seymour himself from an IAS fundraiser to explain his passion to you.
Seymour’s latest cause is the distribution of the Stay Well series of booklets that explain precautions to take during the coronavirus pandemic. As Seymour explains, Scientology always has a new cause requiring immediate donations. The pandemic has been very good for Scientology fundraising efforts. Creating ‘Ideal Orgs’ still brings in a lot of money, but on top of that they are presenting themselves to the membership as the only force providing help during this crisis.
I want in on this party a little bit. First of all, Jeremy, it’s awesome to see you. It’s been a while. It’s been a while seeing all our friends. So everybody out there we haven’t seen here or there it is really great to feel you and to actually be in your space right now. You know it’s interesting because we talked about the physical space, the physical distance that goes on. We all know the dispersal, the distancing, the out of communication that’s kind of going on. Yet on the one hand there’s less ARC in terms of physical space than we’ve all had and it’s really frustrating and it’s like we’re all trying to kind of work through that a little bit.
But the irony is the reality. If you think about the reality right now on the planet. It’s probably the most universal shared reality that’s probably been around literally that I can remember. Where everybody is looking for help, they’re looking for stability for sure, and they’re looking for competence. They’re looking for competence with what is happening with this situation and that’s where we come in. That’s where we’re doing what we’re doing and a little bit behind the scenes right now.
Kind of like a good thetan we’re kind of behind the planet a little bit and we’re in a room like this. They may certainly not know we’re here but we’re doing a great job for everybody. And so if you get down and think wow we’re a little dispersed remember the R is as high as it’s ever been planet-wide. Don’t doubt that at all. And what we need to do is just continue to put some C in there. Just to put a little more communication out there. The Stay Well packages, The Way to Happiness. Whether that be Criminon — all of the IAS campaigns, all the things we’re doing is the communication and both of them start rising, the planet will start to kind of come out of this thing. And so I just wanted to kind of share that. We’re doing it — we’re doing it big time and it’s working. I see it all of the time in my job, and I deal with thousands of people in my job.
I got thinking about something else. Jeremy, you and I have certainly said this before — the time is now. How many times have we said the time is now? And you know what? Each time it was actually true, it was very true. Whether it be handling the Germany situation at one point, or Ideal Orgs, like let’s get this going let’s get it open right now. The time really is now. There’s less veneer now than there’s ever been. People know something has to be done, they want us to be moving through this situation.
I just say as you look at the IAS, as you look at tonight, as we’re all playing these games, to take that viewpoint on this thing. To take the viewpoint of like we have to do this right now. We have to flood the world with communication. With theta and with, frankly, competent theta. Theta that not only goes in as theta but brings in a level of competence that only led by LRH and COB and all of us there’s a level of theta that goes in that says wow, this is really a solution, this is really helping.
You know having spent time with many folks in Denver as many of you did handing out thousands and thousands of Stay Well booklets, right? That was a gift that was an absolute gift to get out and do that and to go to businesses, to go to people – people on the street were asking for it even though we were pursuing businesses. But to go do that, to actually bring that to people actually pierced the veil like it broke through something that was a little funk they were in, that somebody was actually communicating that somebody was actually bringing something that was an answer to this.
And having seen that I personally doubled down that’s it — we have got to keep on doing this. Because it can feel now with the dispersal — are we really getting there? It’s totally making a difference. And things are moving in the right direction. We know more about intention and we know more about communication probably than anybody. And right now it’s going to take our intention — physically there or not physically there — and our energy and our support of the IAS. We can do this thing to actually bring that intention that says we’re blowing through this thing and there is no looking back. I just wanted to share these words as a Silver Patron.
Despite the thousands of Stay Well booklets distributed, the U.S. is still recording more than 50,000 new cases of coronavirus each day. Globally there are over 250,000 new cases per day. Scientology is obsessed with statistics, and the stats are continuing to get worse as the pandemic is exploding in India and South America, despite the leadership of LRH and COB.
— Rod Keller
——————–
“You all dead today — I mean, all alive today? Twenty-third, huh? 23 August, AD 11. Well, I’m glad you made it. I didn’t think you’d ever get to August the 23rd. Back there in the Roman Empire I was damn sure you wouldn’t get here! And I remember one space-opera society when I didn’t think it was very probable that you’d make it. I remember standing there at the edge of the spaceport as the battle planes took off, and I said, ‘Well, they won’t make it.’ I knew, you see, I knew the high command hadn’t given you any ammunition.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 23, 1961
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——————–
“Scientology is a very exact thing. It has no room for different interpretations, it was researched based solely in its workability by a man with an incredible background in science, mathematics, history, philosophy, etc. A research route was followed that resulted in a workable technology that works 100 percent, all times. It has been tested time after time. Many Scientologists are looking for answers who have been overwhelmed by false data from ‘Authorities’ from the Church. By applying to them 100 percent on Source supervisor tech, their confusions will be handled. Long dissertations and ‘explanations’ on top of false data and M/Us just won’t do.”
——————–
“Scientology is like doing acid minus the fun.”
——————–
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 August 27 in White Plains, NY
— 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
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 4 (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: Amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021. Plaintiffs granted permission to file changes to amended complaint by Sept 4.
——————–
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] Scientology’s obsession with kids and sex? Nick Lister has the receipts.
[TWO years ago] Why Colombia’s military was fertile territory for Scientology — and one general’s stunning role
[THREE years ago] Scientology shows no sign of slowing down its use of religious visas for foreign labor
[FOUR years ago] Maybe the worst thing about Scientology: It turns you into L. Ron Hubbard
[FIVE years ago] Chill EB joins the Sea Org — well, long enough to wish a happy birthday!
[SIX years ago] Jon Atack: How Scientology’s methods of manipulation stay with you after you leave
[SEVEN years ago] PR Director of Scientology’s Las Vegas Celebrity Center Arrested in Plot to Assassinate a Cop
[EIGHT years ago] (2012’s) Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, Nos. 17-20
[NINE years ago] Janet Reitman’s Inside Scientology: ‘The Print Reviews Have Been Really Positive’
——————–
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 2,038 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,542 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,062 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,082 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 973 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,280 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,148 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,922 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,726 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,042 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,608 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,527 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,695 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,276 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,537 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,575 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,288 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,813 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,343 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,903 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,043 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,363 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,218 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,337 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,693 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,996 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,102 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,504 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,376 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,959 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,454 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,708 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,817 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on August 23, 2020 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 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
August 22, 2020
The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 20: Gensler
Since at least 2006, Scientology has been working with one architectural firm to make sure that its ‘Ideal Orgs’ are cathedrals worthy of church leader David Miscavige, and that’s the San Francisco-based global outfit Gensler.
One of Miscavige’s most visible obsessions, his passion for a consistent architectural look for his rebuilding program has resulted in gleaming new empty houses of L. Ron Hubbard worship around the world.
We have a complete rundown of them at this website, and if you scroll through the individual entries, you can see how they share a set of architectural concepts from one to another.
That’s thanks to Gensler.
AdvertisementMost famous of Gensler’s contributions to Scientology’s matter, energy, space, and time on this planet, of course, was the work it did producing a truly Space Opera experience for wealthy church members: The Flag Building and its Star Trek-like fifth floor Super Power “perceptics” contraptions. We were partial to the oiliness table, but the doodads on this floor also included such things as a smell wall and infinite pit.
Sure, you may laugh, but Scientology is really skillful at using these designs to get tens of thousands from members gullible enough to think they’re going to come out of that building with super powers. We’re sure the folks at Gensler feel great about helping Scientology out with that.
Gensler has also lent a helping hand in David Miscavige’s plots to foil the city of Clearwater’s attempts to revitalize its downtown, which has become a ghost town thanks to the creepy vibe of Scientology’s presence.
When Miscavige wanted to convince Clearwater officials that he would help them redesign Cleveland Street if they’d let him buy a key downtown parcel, it was Gensler who provided the drawings for the proposed Cleveland Street facelift. (The city held firm and hasn’t let Miscavige get his paws on that small piece of land he covets.)
Whether he’s continuing to destroy a Florida city’s downtown, or separating huge amounts of cash from people seeking super powers, Miscavige knows he can always rely on Gensler.
The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology
25: DirecTV and filmmakers buffing Dave’s channel
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24: Rebecca Dobkin and other low-level PI grunts
23: The apologist academics
22: Graham Norton and other celebrity strokers
21: Parents who subscribe to ABCMouse
20: Gensler
——————–
“We come along to this bird and we say, ‘Hey, bud, you’re a convict. You live on a planet called Earth; it’s part of the Marcab Confederacy….Now, is there some other planetary system, is there some other empire system which is deeper in to the heart of this galaxy which is going to backfire against this one? I would say probably yes. Probably yes. There, probably this is coming right up over the hill. I mean it probably is not long. Maybe this confederacy or this activity right now is in trouble. But conquerors nearly always spare the jails. Did you realize that? The Allied troops going in — Auschwitz, Belsen, places like that — they didn’t knock those apart. They knocked apart the belligerents’ property, but they didn’t knock apart their jails. All kinds of political situations complicate this picture.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 22, 1963
——————–
“I suspect that the majority should spend time at the level of mission or field group before becoming actual Scientologists and working up the Bridge. Directly working with people on life repair services should be the #1 program for anyone and everyone. It is so obvious that the collapse of real Div 6 in the 80’s is the only reason we have failed as a group to achieve what we should have. Rectifying this is now harder but completely doable.”
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——————–
“You should have seen me on stage. I could move, baby!”
——————–
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 August 27 in White Plains, NY
— 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
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 4 (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: Amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021. Plaintiffs granted permission to file changes to amended complaint by Sept 4.
——————–
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] The FBI wants recent cases of Scientology fraud? We’ve got them right here, for crissakes
[TWO years ago] Colombian senator cites Xenu, ‘the Hole,’ in wild televised hearing about Scientology scandal
[THREE years ago] Tonight on ‘Aftermath’: Suicide in Scientology, where sympathy and compassion are outlawed
[FOUR years ago] Trump is drawing comparisons to L. Ron, but will Hillary favor Scientology as much as Bill did?
[FIVE years ago] A revealing look inside the warped ‘kingdom’ of Scientology leader David Miscavige
[SIX years ago] Scientology skates (so far) as OK grand jury says “keep investigating” Narconon Arrowhead
[SEVEN years ago] Report From the Fringe: Underground Bunker Night at The TomKat Project
[NINE years ago] The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 18: Amy Scobee
——————–
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 2,037 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,541 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,061 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,081 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 972 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,279 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,147 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,921 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,725 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,041 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,607 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,526 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,694 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,275 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,536 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,574 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,287 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,812 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,342 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,902 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,042 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,362 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,217 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,336 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,692 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,995 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,101 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,503 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,375 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,958 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,453 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,707 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,816 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on August 22, 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
August 21, 2020
The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 21: Parents who subscribe to ABCMouse
For a few years now, we have been trying to warn parents with toddlers that if they subscribe to the educational software service ABCMouse, they are helping make one of Scientology’s biggest donors wealthy enough to give the church huge amounts of money.
ABCMouse is run by a company called Age of Learning, which is the brainchild of a man named Doug Dohring. Previously, he had made a fortune on the 1990s hit Neopets.
And we want to be clear about this because it always comes up: No, there is no Scientology content in either Neopets or ABCMouse.
However, Neopets and ABCMouse have made Dohring fabulously wealthy, and he’s showered that money on Scientology.
AdvertisementIn October 2017, Dohring and his wife Laurie were photographed with their latest trophy at the International Association of Scientologists gala in East Grinstead, England, where they had reached the status of “Patron Excalibur” for cumulative donations of about $20 million.
Yes $20 million just to the IAS, not counting other donations the couple has given for other Scientology initiatives.
People often ask us how Scientology has so much money when its membership has been shrinking for decades and today probably numbers fewer than 20,000 people worldwide. It’s the Dohrings that are part of the answer. With no taxes to pay, and workers getting pennies an hour when they’re paid at all, Scientology is able to amass huge sums because it has many wealthy donors who turn over millions. And the Dohrings are near the top of the list, thanks to ABCMouse.
There’s just no question: When you give Age of Learning your ten bucks a month, you’re enabling one of Scientology’s biggest moneybags, and Scientology itself.
You’re also helping Scientology if you give money to other big church donors. If you’re actually paying Grant Cardone money to teach you how to be rich, it’s bad enough that you’re that much of a dumbass, but you’re also helping Scientology’s professional ham hock fork over millions to David Miscavige.
You should also be aware that you’re helping out Scientology if you use the Atkinson-Baker court reporting service, which is owned by wealthy IAS donors Sheila and Alan Atkinson-Baker.
The Atkinson-Bakers are also actively helping out with a case of disconnection, keeping their daughter-in-law, Spring, from her father, Brian Sheen.
How many judges have any idea that the court reporting in their cases is helping to prop up a totalitarian organization that rips apart families?
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The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology
25: DirecTV and filmmakers buffing Dave’s channel
24: Rebecca Dobkin and other low-level PI grunts
23: The apologist academics
22: Graham Norton and other celebrity strokers
21: Parents who subscribe to ABCMouse
——————–
Joy Villa gets around
News broke yesterday that Steve Bannon has been indicted along with three others on federal fraud charges in connection with a border wall fundraising organization. Bannon is accused of misusing money that was raised to pay for border wall construction at events like one that was held at the Cobo Center in Detroit.
We only mention it because we thought you’d like to know who sang the national anthem that night. (And thank you to Jeffrey Augustine for finding this snapshot.)
Advertisement
——————–
“This quarter of the universe, by the way, is suffering from an overdose lousy civilization. See, that’s what it’s suffering from. It apparently has been recently conquered in recent times (in the last few hundred thousand years) but those who were conquered had already been — their governmental action had already been set up for their own failure, see? They’d been set up be conquered by using, themselves, mental technology which made slaves. They implanted their own troops. Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho,
ah-ah-ah-ah-a ah-ah-ah.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 21, 1963
——————–
“Justin Craig has initiated from the start a black PR campaign against Captain Bill Robertson’s tech and as such is expected to be an OSA operative at the service of David Miscavige and should be investigated fully.”
——————–
“It was speed which was readily available back in his day. When Hubbard talks about ‘Pinks & Grays’ he’s most likely talking about Dexedrine and Phenobarbital or Librium.”
——————–
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 August 27 in White Plains, NY
— 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
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 4 (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: Amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021. Plaintiffs granted permission to file changes to amended complaint by Sept 4.
——————–
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] Has Scientology’s leader David Miscavige gone underground in the face of a legal onslaught?
[TWO years ago] See the Scientology-like ad for Scientologist-owned ABCMouse, made by Scientologists!
[THREE years ago] DOX: The full FBI file from its 2009-2010 human trafficking investigation of Scientology
[FOUR years ago] Who are the clergy Scientology convinces to attend its ‘interfaith’ farces?
[FIVE years ago] VIDEO: Scientology rehab salesmen — Just exactly the humanitarians you imagined
[SIX years ago] Jon Atack: The games L. Ron Hubbard played
[SEVEN years ago] MONIQUE RATHBUN FILES SUIT AGAINST SCIENTOLOGY OVER HARASSMENT
[EIGHT years ago] ISABELLA CRUISE CONSIDERS JOINING SCIENTOLOGY’S ‘SEA ORG’ AFTER BOYFRIEND SIGNS UP
[NINE years ago] Scientology Surf Report: Making Waves at the New York ‘Org’
——————–
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 2,036 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,540 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,060 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,080 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 971 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,278 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,146 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,920 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,724 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,040 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,606 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,525 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,693 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,274 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,535 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,573 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,286 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,811 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,341 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,901 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,041 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,361 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,216 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,335 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,691 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,994 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,100 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,502 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,374 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,957 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,452 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,706 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,815 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on August 21, 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
August 20, 2020
Even Alaska — yes, Alaska — gave Scientology COVID-relief funds, for Xenu’s sake
There was a lot of outrage — particularly from Leah Remini and Mike Rinder — when news emerged that Scientology had cashed in on the general looting of Coronavirus-relief funds for small businesses that the Trump administration had set aside.
There’s been a lot of reporting about how two Scientology Ideal Orgs — in New York and Washington DC — and a mission in Belleair, Florida had received PPP loans of between $150,000 and $350,000. But this website also pointed out that two of Scientology’s drug rehabs had gotten loans of as much as $1 million, Scientology’s anti-psychiatry front Citizens Commission on Human Rights snagged a loan of $150,000 to $350,000, and so did four Scientology schools, including the expensive Delphian School in Oregon.
But federal money isn’t the only source of COVID relief. Recently, after a records request by the Anchorage Daily News, the state of Alaska released the names of businesses it had helped out in its initial month of the AK CARES program, and sure enough, Scientology’s Anchorage mission is on the list, having received $8,829.60 in aid that month.
(We know what you’re thinking: There’s a Scientology outpost in Anchorage? There sure is, and it has appeared in stories here before, including one of the stranger ones in recent years.)
AdvertisementIt’s bad enough that taxpayer money is going to an abusive organization that pays no taxes, but as Rinder pointed out, it’s especially outrageous that funds earmarked for helping businesses meet payroll is going to an organization that pays its workers little or nothing to begin with…
“The PPP loans were about ensuring that people don’t lose their jobs, and Scientology, when confronted about the fact that they don’t pay minimum wage or anything, say these people are volunteers! Staff members of Scientology organizations are ‘volunteers,’ they’re not employees, and they’re getting loans so that people don’t lose their jobs?”
If Alaska, of all places, has been gulled by Scientology, what’s the likelihood that other states have? Our researchers have been looking, but it’s not so easy to access these lists of recipients. If you know about who’s getting money in places like California and Florida, for example, please let us know.
——————–
More Scientology obsession with Clearwater City Councilman Mark Bunker
Back in June we posted a copy of a records request made by Scientology secretary Glen Stilo in order to demonstrate how the church is obsessed with Mark Bunker and is trying to saddle him with an ongoing and onerous request for everything he utters or writes.
Bunker has now shared with us a follow-up to that request by Stilo which is equally as obsessive and weird. We thought you’d want to see it.
Scientology sec. Stilo: Fol… by Tony Ortega on Scribd
Once again Stilo takes a swipe at your proprietor in this new letter, and so we’ll repeat what we said last time…
AdvertisementStilo takes some shots at people, including your Proprietor, whom he says “operated” the website Backpage.com. Because Scientology has nothing else they can throw at us, they repeat this lie over and over. We operated the Village Voice. Backpage was a separate company and a separate website we had nothing to do with, but that doesn’t stop Scientology from pretending that we did.
We feel for Bunker that he has to send over copies of everything he breathes or scribbles to Scientology. But then, it must be a sign that he’s doing the right thing, eh?
——————–
“I thought of a difference between a Scientologist and the world at large on this particular planet. The people think that what we’re doing is unreal, but we know the substance of their unreality, which of course makes us top dog every time. We know the substance of their unreality. In other words, we know where their itsa line is out. See, they know what — they’re not identifying, see? Their itsas are just for the birds, you know? ‘Man is an animal. He is a biochemical protoplasm which goes no place. At death there is a cessation of cellular commotion.’ That’s a good itsa, isn’t it? That just immediately makes nothing out of everybody.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 20, 1963
——————–
“Based on a lot of reading I’ve done over many years I’ve come to the understanding that paedophilia is a standard operating procedure for the planet’s ruling elite, and that these ruling elite are in fact descendants of aliens (Annunaki? Zeta Reticulans? Archons? Marcabs?) which came here a long, long time ago, at which time they created humans as hybrids of themselves and existing earth hominids. These were and are the ‘gods’ of ancient Greek mythology etc. We are their property and they keep us trapped here via spiritual recycling and they persist here on Earth based on the relative degree of their original DNA in humans. This is why the ruling elite, such as the British royal family, are so stuck on keeping only to certain family bloodlines (a/k/a blue-bloods). One of the methods these elite employ to extend their lives is the consuming of Adrenachrome. Ever wonder about the longevity of Rockefellers and their ilk?”
——————–
“You come on here with a bunch of fantastical yarns that sound like one big cliched Scientology horror story, offering no proof for any of it, and you expect something other than derision?”
——————–
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 August 27 in White Plains, NY
— 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
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 4 (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: Amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021. Plaintiffs granted permission to file changes to amended complaint by Sept 4.
——————–
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 finally solves its recruiting woes with professional ham hock Grant Cardone
[TWO years ago] While the Scientology scandal swirls in Colombia, a key figure relaxes in Florida
[THREE years ago] How badly does Scientology need new staff? Miscavige is bringing back the ‘Universe Corps’
[FOUR years ago] Atack: Why those who try to save Scientology from itself are doomed to failure
[FIVE years ago] Scientology superstar: What it’s like to be big in Taiwan
[SIX years ago] Scientology ethics: Raising money from Ferguson and swiping J.K. Rowling’s image
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology Makes the Grade: Touching Walls to Total Freedom
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology’s Grip on the Mind: An Ex-Sea Org Member Explains It For Us
[NINE years ago] Scientology Deluge: 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 2,035 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,539 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,059 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,079 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 970 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,277 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,145 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,919 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,723 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,039 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,605 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,524 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,692 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,273 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,534 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,572 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,285 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,810 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,340 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,900 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,040 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,360 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,215 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,334 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,690 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,993 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,099 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,501 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,373 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,956 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,451 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,705 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,814 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on August 20, 2020 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 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
August 19, 2020
Valerie Haney reacts to setback in lawsuit against Scientology: ‘I will continue to fight’
Last week, we reported that Valerie Haney’s attempt at a do-over in her lawsuit against the Church of Scientology had failed, the latest setback in what appeared to be a major legal attack against the church and its leader, David Miscavige, when Valerie first filed it in June 2019.
Valerie alleges that she was held against her will for years at Scientology’s secretive Gold Base near Hemet, California, so that she had to escape by hiding in the trunk of a car. She then went to work for Leah Remini as her assistant and became the focus of the premiere episode of third and final season of Leah’s A&E series, Scientology and the Aftermath. As she did that work, Valerie says she was subjected to a fierce ‘Fair Game’ retaliation campaign by Scientology, which included being smeared online. In her lawsuit, she alleged kidnapping, slander, libel, and other counts.
But Scientology successfully derailed her lawsuit in January by convincing Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Richard Burdge Jr that because Valerie had signed an exit agreement promising to take all disputes to Scientology’s internal “religious arbitration” she was bound to that contract and could not sue Scientology in civil court — even though most of the things she’s alleging took place after she had left her job.
Last week, Judge Burdge denied her motion for reconsideration after she presented what she said was new evidence, that documents show Scientology actually fired her a week before she signed the exit agreement. But the judge sided with Scientology’s attorneys, who said the new evidence wasn’t actually new at all because it appeared in documents that had already been on record in the lawsuit.
AdvertisementValerie has been refraining from making public statements as her lawsuit moves through the court, but after this latest blow, she decided to say something.
“Of course I was disappointed in the ruling of the court. But I have not given up hope, nor my determination to fight,” Valerie told us. “I believe in the idea this country was founded on, that everyone has a right to choose and practice the religion of their choice. That is what is at stake here. I do not believe anyone should be forced to participate in any religion they choose not to be part of. I have definitely chosen not to be part of Scientology. I was fooled for many years. Scientology wants me to submit to their control and practices, their made-up Scientology ‘arbitration’ even though I am not a Scientologist and they have declared me a ‘Suppressive Person.’ Their arbitration is no different than what I experienced when I was a Scientologist — the Scientology ‘justice system’ is not justice at all. I still believe in our American judicial system and will continue to fight for proper justice. I will keep fighting until that day comes.”
Our Los Angeles legal expert tells us that Valerie faces two options if she wants to continue battling Scientology in this litigation. First, she could go through with Scientology’s “religious arbitration,” which we found in the Garcia case was farcical and completely stacked against an ex-Scientologist. After submitting to that procedure, Valerie could then appeal Judge Burdge’s decision to force her to go through it, and a higher court would be obligated to consider her appeal.
Her other option is to file a petition for a writ of mandamus to a higher court now, arguing that she faces extraordinary circumstances. But a higher court would be under no obligation to grant the petition, and like the motion for reconsideration which just failed, it would be another long shot.
In her statement, Valerie appears pretty dead-set against going through with the arbitration, and we certainly can’t blame her for that. Could a petition for a writ then be in her future? We’ll keep watching.
——————–
Ivan Matsitsky
In Russia, trial begins for Scientologist the US government calls a ‘prisoner of conscience’Two years ago, we told you about the problems of trying to make sense of what was going on with a criminal prosecution of five Russian Scientologists in St. Petersburg.
For years, Vladimir Putin’s forces have tried to crack down on Scientology, often with heavy-handed methods and with uncertain results. After numerous and repeated very showy raids on Scientology’s facilities in Moscow and elsewhere, Ivan Matsitsky and four others were facing charges of “illegal entrepreneurial activity, leadership of an extremist community, and humiliation of human dignity.”
What that actually means has been hard to determine here, in part because there is no independent media in Russia. (The one time your proprietor was interviewed by Russian press about Scientology, our words were then used to convey the exact opposite meaning of what we had actually said.)
Even more troubling, the treatment of Matsitsky, which included two years of pre-trial detention on those vague charges, elicited the support of the US government. In 2018, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) labeled Matsitsky a “prisoner of conscience,” and called for him to be released ahead of trial. Last fall, he was released with travel restrictions, which the USCIRF hailed as a victory.
We’ve previously described the situation as one that makes us queasy…
AdvertisementWhile the Underground Bunker has expressed its own concerns about the Russian government’s methods — namely, that its justice system is a joke, its rights record is horrendous, and we don’t trust an abject dictator like Vladimir Putin to deal honestly with Scientology’s very real controversies and abuses — it makes us equally queasy to see the US government getting involved with standing up for Scientologist leaders as “prisoners of conscience.”
So, while it’s tempting to root on the Russian courts for calling Scientology an “extremist sect,” we think it should be kept in mind that there are serious concerns about the Russian court’s ability to handle this matter properly, for the Russian media to report it sensibly, and that it really makes us uncomfortable that a branch of the US government has backed a Scientologist against what it sees as religious persecution.
——————–
“As there are sharks about the ship, the overboard ceremony is about to be resumed for Dianetic Auditors who flub commands, fail to complete sessions or fail to let PCs have wins or who fail to complete study from the Coaudit group and get onto auditing. Two flubbed Dn sessions out of 10 is about what we’re running just now and that is 2 too many. Dianetics is very simple to do. The great auditors are the VIIIs. We have had several Dianetic auditors who were great. They are now moving on up through VI to VIII. This new scarcity of flubless Dianetic auditors results I am sure from lazy study and false passes on materials and TRs 101 to 104. I want a flood of new Dianetic Auditors who have actually passed their bulletins and drills.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 19, 1969
——————–
“LRH said, ‘No squirrel has lasted more than 2 or 3 years in the past sixteen years. And there have been many.’ See how Justin emerged in 2017 and by 2020 see how he crumbled and as a revenge, he is declaring ‘Scientology dead’ and developing his own stuff with its own name. He is now in the process of splintering. The same thing that the previous squirrels did.”
——————–
“I know of two people who left the Jehovah’s Witnesses and joined Scientology. You might be surprised at the amount of cult cross-pollination that goes on. There is a certain ‘follower’ personality type in this world.”
——————–
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 August 27 in White Plains, NY
— 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
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 4 (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: Amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021. Plaintiffs granted permission to file changes to amended complaint by Sept 4.
——————–
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] Even when it gets good press, Scientology reminds us that it uses slave labor
[TWO years ago] Oh gross: Scientology Sea Org now saluting donors who give for ‘Ideal Orgs’
[THREE years ago] What Scientology itself says about the way it’s going to change how your mind works
[FOUR years ago] Gawker goes dark, but its impact on Scientology — and Tom Cruise — will never be forgotten
[FIVE years ago] Why Steve Fishman — of the notorious Fishman Papers — is today serving 21 years in prison
[SIX years ago] LAWSUIT: OKLAHOMA OFFICIALS HID WRONGDOING AT SCIENTOLOGY DRUG REHAB
[SEVEN years ago] How Does Scientology’s Cosmology Really Work? Historian Jon Atack Has a Theory
[EIGHT years ago] (2012’s) Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 21 & 22
[NINE years ago] The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 19: The Squirrel Busters
——————–
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 2,034 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,538 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,058 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,078 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 969 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,276 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,144 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,918 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,722 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,038 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,604 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,523 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,691 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,272 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,533 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,571 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,284 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,809 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,339 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,899 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,039 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,359 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,214 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,333 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,689 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,992 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,098 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,500 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,372 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,955 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,450 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,704 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,813 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on August 19, 2020 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 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
August 18, 2020
Leah Remini’s podcast: Paulette Cooper, Scientology’s ‘OG of Fair Game victims’
[Paulette in 1971, when her book about Scientology came out]
We already told you how excited we were to find out that Paulette Cooper had talked to Leah Remini for her new podcast, and in that story we provided a lengthy excerpt from our 2015 book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely.
Now the podcast episode itself is out, and we’ve embedded it for you here so you can hear Paulette tell her own story of how she became, in the words of Mike Rinder, “the OG of Fair Game victims.”
What a treat this show is. And no matter how many times we’ve heard it, we’re still astonished by what Paulette went through after daring to write a critical book about L. Ron Hubbard and his movement, The Scandal of Scientology, in 1971. Sued 19 times by Scientology, from the end of 1969 until a court settlement in 1985, Paulette was the target of the most elaborate, repetitive, nasty, and most relentless campaign of Scientology intimidation and psychological warfare in history.
We’ll just expand on a couple of things that Paulette brought up during the show. First, right from the start she refers to one of our favorite experiences with her, which our longest-suffering readers know well, and that’s how we helped Paulette discover details about her own Holocaust past.
When we started digging into Paulette’s story for the first time in 2011 while editing the Village Voice, we were struck by how many gaps there were not only in what was online about Paulette’s history, but also what she didn’t know herself. Even Wikipedia, for example, repeated the mistaken idea that she’d been born in Auschwitz at the Nazi concentration camp there. She was actually born in Belgium, and her parents Chaim and Ruchla Bucholc were each, in 1942, separately sent to Auschwitz to their deaths. Paulette and her sister Suzy were also supposed to be sent to the camp, but somehow they had escaped that fate. But how? Even Paulette didn’t know.
AdvertisementFortunately, after we first raised that question in a story at the Voice, within a day that question was raised by newspapers in Belgium, and soon Paulette heard from a man there who believed his father had helped rescue the girls from Nazi extermination. That led us to other evidence that helped us put together the chapter in Unbreakable about how a Nazi camp commander was bribed enough in money and goods to agree to have the girls smuggled to an orphanage rather than be shipped to Auschwitz. (We even managed to track down a photo of that commander, Philipp Schmitt, and his German Shephard, Lump.)
Another thing we wanted to follow up on was the discussion that Paulette, Leah, and Mike get into about “R2-45.” They didn’t explain the origin of this notorious Scientology policy by L. Ron Hubbard, that during a lecture in Philadelphia and referring to “R2,” one of Hubbard’s arcane theories about Scientology processing that involved “exteriorization” — the spirit leaving the body and perceiving things independent of that body — he created a scene by pulling out a pistol and fired it into the stage. He called this “R2-45” and said it was a quick way to make sure the spirit left a body. A joke, right? Well, except that later Hubbard targeted enemies of Scientology by saying they were subject to R2-45, and it didn’t appear to be a joke at all.
Was Hubbard really saying that there was a policy for murder in Scientology? We’ve written about how, while some took this as a joke, the people who were then subject to the threat of R2-45 didn’t see it as a joke at all. New documents we unearthed with the help of researcher R.M. Seibert demonstrated that in the 1960s, the threat of R2-45 was used as an intimidation method against such Scientology defectors as Jack Horner and Charles Berner.
Here’s what we said about it in a 2017 story…
Until now, debates about R2-45 — Hubbard’s idea that a person could be “exteriorized” from his body with a bullet to the head — had argued on the one hand whether Scientology actually ordered murders of enemies, or whether it was all just a joke by Hubbard.
These documents suggest that there was a third possibility: Hubbard’s references to separating the mind from the body with the use of a .45-caliber weapon was another form of intimidation he used against former members.
Whether or not these men (and Paulette Cooper, for that matter) were actually targeted for homicide, the point was that Scientology wanted them to think that they were.
As Mike explains in the show, the point of Fair Game was to create terror so that the target backed off from criticizing Scientology.
And, as Mike and Leah also point out, everything that happened to Paulette, as revolting as it was, was according to existing Scientology policy that has not changed.
“It won’t ever change,” Leah says.
Another great episode of this gripping podcast.
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And a postscript: We are grateful for the mentions of our book and this website in the show, and we just wanted to add that a couple of times Leah and Mike referred to a book that Paulette did with us, but without mentioning the title: It’s Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’, and it features some of the best reporting from this website and essays by Paulette, her first writing on Scientology in decades.
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“You’ve heard time and again how dangerous it is. You mustn’t fool around with the mind! Perfectly all right to take a meat ax to the brain, but you mustn’t fool around with the mind! I got my belly so full in 1950 of psychoanalysts telling me how dangerous it was to fool around with the mind. But I finally more or less rejected it with laughter, because I looked at who was talking. And when he said fool around, man, he meant fool around, because I found out he could not study Dianetics; he could not do it. And do you know our main departure from training psychoanalysts and psychiatrists and medical doctors is not really based on the fact we are antipathetic toward them at all. It’s the fact that they can’t seem to duplicate study materials. And it’s just so hard, it’s so tough.” — L. Ron Hubbard, August 18, 1966
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“So how come you keep bashing LRH 2.0 (Justin)? Have you talked to him, have you studied the tech he is putting out, have you run the processes? I have done all three. I have known the being that is LRH for many, many years and lifetimes. I tell you and all who listen that he is LRH and this new tech of LRH’s is magic. Magic that works in days not years. His game had been to find a one-shot Clear process. He never got that, came close on SCS. But this tech is as close to a one-shot OT as has ever been created. So instead of giving your opinion get some of the facts then talk.”
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“Not only are there numerous loopholes allowing dangerous cults to operate freely, there are numerous loopholes allowing idiots to buy wild, endangered animals. A portion of these animals end up at canned hunting operations in Dumbfuckistan where they are gunned down by Dick Cheney and evil fucks of that ilk. It’s gotta stop.”
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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 August 27 in White Plains, NY
— 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
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 4 (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: Amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021
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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?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Scientology is staffing its Narconon in Ireland like it’s already won court approval
[TWO years ago] From Jon Atack’s ‘Blue Sky’: Reorganizing Scientology as L. Ron Hubbard’s life waned
[THREE years ago] As he predicted, Pastor Willy Rice gets the Scientology ‘Fair Game’ treatment
[FOUR years ago] New Scientology financial disclosures reflect the dire state of its chief drug rehab
[FIVE years ago] Google helps Scientology huckster Per Wickstrom bury a rehab patient death
[SIX years ago] Scientology graduation videos from Copenhagen? Yes, please!
[SEVEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: A Scientology Advertising Bonanza!
[EIGHT years ago] Former President of Narconon Oklahoma Now Calls It “Watered-Down Version of Introductory Scientology”
[NINE years ago] Scientology Watching Hits the Beach!
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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 2,033 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,537 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,057 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,077 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 968 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,275 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,143 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,917 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,721 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,037 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,603 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,522 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,690 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,271 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,532 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,570 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,283 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,808 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,338 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,898 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,038 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,358 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,213 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,332 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,688 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,991 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,097 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,499 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,371 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,954 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,449 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,703 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,812 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 18, 2020 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2019 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2019), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 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
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