Tony Ortega's Blog, page 4
November 16, 2025
Lisa McPherson in Orlando: What her hotel roommate witnessed, and the Slaughter rule
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: As we continue to look at what was happening with Lisa McPherson 30 years ago in real time, our sources help us understand why the pull her boss had as a major Scientology donor played an important part in how Lisa was being pressured to succeed despite her obvious mental health issues. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“Recently I noticed quite a few programs were not progressing rapidly. I found many targets bugged. Project Operators did not seem to know what to do and were getting losses and becoming frustrated. Their targets were ‘bugged.’ ‘Bugged’ is slang for snarled up or halted. ‘Debug’ means to get the snarls or stops out of something. I had always been given to believe somebody had developed and written up debug tech. People would often tell me they had debugged this or that, so of course I assumed that the tech existed and that issues and checksheets existed and were in use. Yet here were people operating projects who couldn’t get the targets done by themselves or others.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
——————–
THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
——————–
“The only other thing I could tell that you really need to know about this meter is, when it’s all the way up to the vicinity of 6.0 or even into the black, you’re reading a thetan who believes he is dead. Completely aside from the theta bop, these are the readings of a body if it were dead: But the thetan believes he’s dead up that high. I learned this from plants. When plants think they’re dead, man, they rise right up there and there they are. And a plant can conceive that it’s dead long before it departs. It says, ‘I’m dead,’ goes right on up here to 6.0. After that, you get no needle motion. You get nothing.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 16, 1959
——————–
“You know, I get an idea of what it must be like for the Space Command Vessel ‘Astra’ to land amongst the Ooglie-Booglies and try to explain their perfectly innocent but super modern procedures for measuring gravity and communicating. They turn on an intercomm and the Ooglie-Booglies go into terror rumours that the Astra keeps live men in little boxes! Even staid old England has it that we deal in black magic! Certainly anything that works as fast as our tech and admin MUST be magical! REASSURANCE is the keynote of showing anyone around this ship. Show them the fire dectors, the gyro room, the electro-log, the two radars, where they are on the chart, how lifeboats work, copies of the SWPB. Feed them well, give them lots of drinks. Whoever is in charge of the guests should be inventive of things to interest them and be REASSURING, noting and cheering up any misunderstoods. Make good friends out of the guests.” — The Commodore, November 16, 1969
——————–
“Don’t forget that LRH did a lot of research. I.e., why does the body sleep? Because of the photosynthesis cycle? Even if bodies were manufactured, why do cells retain memory in the form of engrams? Hmm. Also if bodies are manufactured you have to have a thetan in them to animate them, yeah? Hence an entity, yeah? Hmmm when people think they are famous well that’s a matter for auditing. The track is very long and there are many similar planets and times and lives operating on the same implants. Before bodies there were thetans and theta traps and war with MEST biengs. I don’t care who thinks what they were and how fantastical it gets just if they blow charge.”
2001: From letters to the editor of the Riverside Press: “Every time we drive out to Gilman Springs road in San Jacinto we can’t help notice the Scientology and Golden Era Studios all lit up like Las Vegas. Eve the big old ship has it’s lights on. Every two feet or so has a light lit up and eve all of the fence posts. Talk about energy waste this is the place. I don’t understand why they get away with it. – A W Y, Hemet California”
——————–
“My wife used to say the reason I was a such a morbid negative weirdo was because of all the horrible stories my dad use to tell me about Korea and WWII and all the other mondo cane shit he saw during his time in the merchant marines. I think she may have been right.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due August 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing December 1.
Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Jane Does’ response to Scientology’s appeal brief submitted July 30. Scientology’s reply due October 20.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
——————–
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Scientology still can’t believe you haven’t become cool enough to save the planet
[TWO years ago] Hear the threats that an Alabama man pleaded guilty for sending to Mark Bunker
[THREE years ago] And now we wait: Jury deliberations in the Danny Masterson trial
[FOUR years ago] How do we know the ‘Chase Wave’ happened? ‘Aftermath’ guest Mark Fladd: ‘I was part of it’
[FIVE years ago] Judge in Danny Masterson lawsuit doubts Scientology ‘arbitration,’ sets hearing
[SIX years ago] Scientology banned his book and trashed him as an apostate. Here’s his full-throated reply!
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s ‘Super Power’ poster boy gets dunked on by yet another irked judge
[EIGHT years ago] How Pete Griffiths sued a Scientologist and ended up being vilified by former friends
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s websites try a little too hard to convince you that all is right in crazy town
[TEN years ago] Lisa McPherson in Orlando: What her hotel roommate witnessed, and the Slaughter rule
[ELEVEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Get yer boots on for some Scientology line dancing in Austin!
[TWELVE years ago] Jon Atack: Did Mary Sue Hubbard Doubt Scientology’s Key Experience?
[THIRTEEN years ago] Scientology’s Big Gamble: “Golden Age of Tech 2” Is Here!
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,449 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,953 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,459 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,009 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,999 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,385 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,880 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,184 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,835 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,053 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,607 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,948 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,519 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,435 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,602 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,184 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,443 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,480 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,195 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,760 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,075 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,250 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,932 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,269 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,122 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,238 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,600 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,011 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,399 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,283 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,848 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,359 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,619 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,723 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on November 16, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2024 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2024), 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, 20 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
AI Trump has your back, Q patriots!
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“Trump realized he is causing higher prices, removes the extra tax he put on some grocery items” pic.twitter.com/VM4V05mQlU
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 15, 2025
Here’s a Look at What the FBI’s Epstein Files Would Reveal
An index from an 8-year-old #FOIA lawsuit shows the FBI is withholding bank & phone records, photos, comms w/foreign govt agencies & other revealing material related to its 2006 investigationhttps://t.co/hgoIdUEzi1
— Jason Leopold (@JasonLeopold) November 15, 2025
Dershowitz, who helped Jeffrey Epstein get this sweetheart deal, knows full well that there were almost three dozen dozen girls, ages 13 to 17, who were named in a list that accompanied this plea deal. The final plea PAPERWORK was manipulated to pick just one victim — and his… https://t.co/TicYL4azmK
— julie k. brown (@jkbjournalist) November 15, 2025
NEW: 27 survivors of Jeffrey Epstein release new letter directed at @mtgreenee, expressing their support for her as Donald Trump and those around him publicly attack her. pic.twitter.com/CiIRaODivR
— Aaron Parnas (@AaronParnas) November 15, 2025
Trump gives MTG a second nickname: Marjorie “Traitor” Greene pic.twitter.com/STZA1w77RM
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 15, 2025
That’s AI. So sad… pic.twitter.com/CWLWhhbxqK
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 16, 2025
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.
Posted by Tony Ortega on November 16, 2025 at 08:00
November 15, 2025
Tom DeVocht: Watching David Miscavige watch Lisa McPherson and her faulty ‘needle’
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Continuing our look back at Lisa McPherson’s tragic story 30 years ago, today we have stunning testimony from Tom DeVocht, who witnessed Scientology leader David Miscavige personally intervening in Lisa’s ‘case’ just weeks before her death. ALSO: Alex goes to Parliament [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“It may occur in Crashing MU finding that no Crashing MU can be found even though it is obvious from the person’s inability to complete a cycle of action or get out a product that a Crashing MU must exist. It is vital, in attempting to find someone’s Crashing MUs, that one does not abandon the search simply because, on enquiry, the person is unable to come up with anything. It may take skill and hard work to uncover the Crashing MU but it must be found, no matter how arduous the search. The completion of the cycle of action and the accomplishment of the product depend on locating and clearing up the Crashing MU that is getting in the way.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
——————–
THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
——————–
“There’s another item that’s posted on the bulletin board, has to do with one R. — I think it is — R. M. Nixon. You notice that on the bulletin board? And John is attributing the fact that we clobbered Nixon to the fact that he’s clobbered. I don’t know to what point this extends, but it’s interesting that that is the first political figure in the United States that we really have clobbered. Of course, we hit him hard. Mary Sue isn’t here. Mary Sue isn’t here, so I can tell you that actually I hit him because he hit at Mary Sue. It’s almost that corny. But this fellow was using the United States Secret Service as a sort of a private Gestapo. And he’d been doing this all over Washington and so forth. So I just didn’t think it was good political, I didn’t think he had the right political color, somehow or another.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 15, 1962
——————–
“BIRTH CONTROL PILLS — these apparently cause severe depression and severe damage to female sexual organs. It is of interest that these four things are the direct product and tools of the same people who for 20 years financed and pushed the attacks on Dianetics and Scientology. Thus we are looking at the current center of psychosis on the planet. The drug companies and their primary pushers — the psychiatrist and medicos. About half the ringleaders in attacks on us are disabled or dead. It’s like audint a planet already.” — The Commodore, November 15, 1970
——————–
“Do you think the jews are the Marcabs? Cpt Bill and LRH for PR purposes could have used the word Marcab instead. I swear I read somewhere that LRH said the Marcabs were the Elohim or nephilim from the bible, and so they were like the jewish gods, and we all know gods is simply a primitive earthlings word for alien, so aliens were interbreeding or hanging out with the Israelis back then. Therefore these marcab gods have seeded a race here on Earth. And if these Marcabs have police states and controlled economies and suppressive economics planets then that would make sense with what we see here with lots of jews being top bankers and lawyers and apart of the suppressive New World Order economic system. Its all very interesting.”
2000: An Attendance estimate and other details from the Lisa McPherson Trust benefit held in Clearwater were posted to a.r.s this week by the concert organizers. “We would guesstimate that between 300 and 400 people attended the event. And this does not count the PI’s and Scientologists who only listened from the parking lot or while cruising past. Earlier in the day the event was modestly attended. Later into the night the club was quite full. People came and went all day long, some leaving earlier and returning later in the evening. We feel that the event was a success on all levels, as its primary purpose was to educate the public about the Lisa McPherson Trust. The local press and radio coverage that featured the event and the MC, Jamie [DeWolf]. We owe a special thanks to Bubba at 98 Rock for the great time on his show, on the highest rated radio station in the Tampa Bay area.”
——————–
“Those who still believe in the tech will say that they ‘know’ that it works from personal experience and that science hasn’t caught up to LRH yet. vaLLarrr used to ask us if we thought we loved our mothers or if we knew we loved our mothers in her attempts to defend the tech as being empirically provable. It’s all self delusional mind games they’re playing with themselves.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due August 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing December 1.
Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Jane Does’ response to Scientology’s appeal brief submitted July 30. Scientology’s reply due October 20.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
——————–
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Aging, white, and rich? Scientology can help you with that!
[TWO years ago] Mick Wenlock, 1953-2023: A Scientology escapee who helped others recover their dignity
[THREE years ago] Closing arguments today at the Danny Masterson trial: Come along for the ride
[FOUR years ago] Scientology at a crossroads: When the ruthless upstarts pushed out the less compliant
[FIVE years ago] Scientology has your certificate, pilgrim. Join these big beings around the world!
[SIX years ago] The new leaders of ‘Scientology’ tell us about their fight to free the world
[SEVEN years ago] Eric Saldarriaga, private eye who took the fall for Scientology, 1973-2017
[EIGHT years ago] Jared Fogle, former Subway huckster, turned to an indie Scientologist for failed ‘appeal’
[NINE years ago] In court today: Flop filmmakers who met in Scientology face 75 years for Ponzi scheme
[TEN years ago] Tom DeVocht: Watching David Miscavige watch Lisa McPherson and her faulty ‘needle’
[ELEVEN years ago] Judge calls for February mini-trial in Garcia case, and we have text of the Lemberger lawsuit
[TWELVE years ago] Judge James Whittemore Reins In the Garcia v. Scientology Case
[THIRTEEN years ago] LA’s Sheriff Lee Baca Handing Out Scientology Booklets This Sunday?
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,448 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,952 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,458 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,008 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,998 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,384 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,879 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,183 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,834 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,052 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,606 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,947 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,518 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,434 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,601 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,183 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,442 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,479 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,194 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,759 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,074 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,249 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,931 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,268 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,121 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,237 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,599 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,010 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,398 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,282 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,847 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,358 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,618 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,722 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on November 15, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2024 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2024), 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, 20 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Q patriots stand by their man as he turns on MTG
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});BREAKING: Twenty-four survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s crimes have issued an emotional and urgent appeal to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, demanding that Congress vote to release the long-awaited Epstein files. https://t.co/ALozQTyNNm
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) November 14, 2025
Yikes! https://t.co/qDYHvqDzL8
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 15, 2025
Marjorie Taylor Greene describes the Trump economy:
“My kids’ generation, the 20-year-olds, they can’t afford rent. They can’t buy a house. They can’t afford insurance. They can’t afford bills, and they are losing hope for the future in America.”
pic.twitter.com/9yiMNhGJIa
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 15, 2025
Trump is up late at his Palm Beach club crashing out that Marjorie Taylor Greene is telling the truth about the economy and calling for the Epstein files to be released
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 15, 2025
Trump withdrew support for Marjorie Taylor Greene. Is Lauren Boebert next?
In July, Trump endorsed Boebert, who is also pushing for the Epstein files to be released. pic.twitter.com/69rOGc7qkY
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 15, 2025
It's not great that the President keeps bragging about things that you really shouldn't brag about. He crushed that cognitive test, he had a great MRI. https://t.co/hnW6cl5j3u
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) November 15, 2025
The former Capitol Police officer identified in conservative media as a potential Jan. 6th pipe bomb suspect has lawyered up: https://t.co/fEhzsPixf6
— Will Sommer (@willsommer) November 14, 2025
Trump art on display at Mar-a-Lago pic.twitter.com/g02tu67R9Q
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 14, 2025
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.
Posted by Tony Ortega on November 15, 2025 at 08:00
November 14, 2025
Finally, free from space cooties: The new Scientology OT 7s are here!
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology has put out the new list of OT 7 completions, the level that consists of you finding the last of the disembodied spirits clinging to you that are left over from a 75-million-year old genocide! ALSO: The appeal in the Masterson civil suit has a date for oral arguments [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“When a bogged student cannot be handled in the course room with standard Word Clearing and study tech and he is sent to Cramming, Review or, where indicated, to Ethics, his twin is also always sent. The idea is not only to keep the twins together and taking responsibility for each other but to also correct and repair both of them as needed. In other words, one twin doesn’t simply sit there and observe the other twin being handled. The twin of a bogged student will also require handling in Review, Ethics, or Cramming himself. If a student has ended up on Review lines, it must be assumed that the twin has goofed as a twin and has misunderstoods on the course materials. This must be sorted out and resolved by the Dir Review when the twins route through Review.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
——————–
THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
——————–
“We understand God because of the Devil; we understand this, we understand that. These are double data. The basic unit of the universe is two, not one. And we suddenly announce, ‘Theta has as its potentiality the location of matter and energy in space and time, and can, as well, create space and time.’ Well, once we say that, and the same time we say it has no wavelength, it — boy, we’re really describing a beast here. This thing couldn’t possibly have any position in the real universe. And sure enough, it doesn’t.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 14, 1956
——————–
“At Group Muster last night the FSO was not satisfied that the requirements were met by S. Moreau, A. Tabayoyon, C. Varga and E. Hayes, so the above are still restricted to the ship and given 24 hrs to: Get all shore passes of those restricted to ship removed from QM desk and given to AMA. Run a series of drills on QMs to ensure they won’t goof again. Draw up a proposed watch stat for QMs which includes a heavy penalty for watch goofs. Get a list of all QMs given to Dept 13 so that gangway QMs be post purpose cleared.” — Lt. N.F. Starkey, Captain, November 14, 1971
——————–
“Aliens used 1/4 of earth animal DNA, and 3/4 theirs from another planetary race. This may explain the wild disparity between different pictures — different places….LRH collected data from Dianetics sessions for a couple of years before he wrote History of Man. A lot of this material was amazing just for the reason that the people had not communicated to each other and had the same incidents. Hubbard really thought he had all of these things correct. It turns out that some of these were in error because of people’s concept of science (their personal belief in ape-man-evolution and use of the faked Piltdown model). Hostile authors like Russell Miller and Jon Atack seized on this to make Hubbard look bad.”
——————–
1999: The St. Petersburg Times reported that Scientology is suing Lisa McPherson’s aunt, Dell Liebreich, alleging that she falsified documents making her executor of Lisa’s estate. “In a petition filed this week, Scientology asks a Pinellas probate judge to remove a Texas woman, Dell Liebreich, as the personal representative of Lisa McPherson’s estate. The church is alleging that Liebreich forged a key document used in setting up the estate. The charge is based on the findings of an expert, Gus R. Lesnevich, who once examined handwriting for the Army and the Secret Service. Liebreich’s attorney, Ken Dandar of Tampa, called the church’s petition slanderous, saying, ‘They’re making some very outrageous and serious allegations.’ The wrongful death case continues to drag on in Hillsborough
County Circuit Court. A trial is scheduled in June, but the church is trying to stop it before it gets that far. According to Scientology, Fannie McPherson never blamed the church for her daughter’s death in 1995. But two years later, when Fannie McPherson was close to death herself, Leibreich took advantage of her sister’s fragile health by filing documents without her consent, the church alleges. In those documents, Fannie McPherson’s right to represent her daughter’s estate was transferred to Leibreich. The church alleges that the dates of the filings coupled with handwriting samples from Fannie McPherson point to fraud and forgery. Dandar said Fannie McPherson and Dell Liebreich were close, and Liebreich has simply carried out her sister’s dying wish that Scientology be exposed for causing Lisa McPherson’s death. The church’s handwriting expert contends Fannie McPherson’s signature on the waiver is a forgery because the smooth strokes do not match the shaky strokes she used on other documents just weeks earlier. Dandar said the signing was witnessed by Liebreich, a hospice worker and a notary public. He also said the church has no legal basis to contest Liebreich’s standing in the estate.”
——————–
“Hubbard had it wrong from the very beginning. Man is an animal and nothing more. Detachment from the material world is one of the main reasons humanity is destroying the material world. Spiritualism is our get out of jail free card.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due August 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing December 1.
Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Jane Does’ response to Scientology’s appeal brief submitted July 30. Scientology’s reply due October 20.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
——————–
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] David Minkoff objects to Scientology death lawsuit: You didn’t consult another quack!
[TWO years ago] Leah Remini and Scientology agree to slow down her lawsuit a little after heated exchanges
[THREE years ago] PODCAST: Leah Remini joins us to talk Scientology, the LAPD, and Shelly Miscavige
[FOUR years ago] DOCUMENT LEAK: Did the ‘Chase Wave’ cause a blacklisting of Scientology?
[FIVE years ago] Jon Atack quizzes Mike Rinder: Scientology’s former spy chief on L. Ron Hubbard’s paranoia
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s David Miscavige served again: This time in a sick case alleging child abuse
[SEVEN years ago] Records of Scientology leader David Miscavige’s speeding tickets contain a small surprise
[EIGHT years ago] Tonight on ‘Leah Remini’: L. Ron Hubbard gets the Russell Miller treatment
[NINE years ago] At an early age, Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard learned how to captivate the press
[TEN years ago] Jeffrey Augustine: Just a friendly reminder — Scientology prices are outrageous
[ELEVEN years ago] Classic Scientology shenanigans as class action lawsuit is filed against legal opponent NAFC
[TWELVE years ago] Jefferson Hawkins Drops In To See What Condition Our Scientology Condition Is In
[THIRTEEN years ago] Lawrence Wright’s Book on Scientology — Going Clear — Hits Bookstores January 17
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,447 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,951 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,457 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,007 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,997 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,383 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,878 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,182 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,833 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,051 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,605 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,946 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,517 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,433 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,600 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,182 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,441 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,478 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,193 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,758 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,073 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,248 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,930 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,267 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,120 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,236 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,598 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,009 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,397 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,281 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,846 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,357 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,617 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,721 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on November 14, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2024 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2024), 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, 20 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Jennings: Killing randos on the ocean is an electoral winner!
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});MAGA is not very happy right now pic.twitter.com/1AdDBdhCc3
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 14, 2025
The right wing in America have created an alternate reality where people can by reassured they are right about everything. Trump had nothing to do with Epstein, George Floyd died of an overdose, COVID was made by Fauci to steal the 2020 election, etc etc. pic.twitter.com/Jc49do5Wfv
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) November 13, 2025
Hayes: If you have someone who’s already fairly advanced in years and they’re aging quickly, it can have a real effect.
It’s weird that everyone just stopped applying those two obvious truths to the situation we’re in now, where they elected who also is on an accelerated aging… pic.twitter.com/gURVlIhoVJ
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 13, 2025
I’ll never get over QAnon spending 4 years decrypting pedo symbolism from pizza orders in Her Emails and the whole time Epstein was barred tf out three cognacs deep iPad-palming “wood u leik to cum over n fuk a gurl i traffick ed?” to the former Secretary of the Treasury
— Natalie Wynn (@ContraPoints) November 13, 2025
"Killing random people is an electoral winner" is absolutely psychotic thing to say. https://t.co/XJ9GmqTS9x
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) November 13, 2025
Trump Teases Signed $2,000 “Tariff Rebate Checks” in New Fundraising Emails
Trump continues to dangle financial rewards during campaign cash grabshttps://t.co/pf4smOefOWhttps://t.co/pf4smOefOW
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 14, 2025
Wolff: I was trying to encourage Epstein to use what information he had to get Trump—let Trump publicly tell a lie then expose the lie. Epstein was afraid of Trump. In the end, I think he was starting to get to this point that he might publicly talk about this relationship but… pic.twitter.com/bB1NWLhi3H
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 14, 2025
Millions of Americans have untreated schizophrenia. https://t.co/PZ1Jm9Gta6
— amanda moore 🐢 (@noturtlesoup17) November 14, 2025
Dan Bongino appears to push back on The Blaze story claiming Jan 6th pipe bomber was a Capitol Police officer: "Some of the media reporting regarding prior persons of interest is grossly inaccurate and serves only to mislead the public" https://t.co/0XPJ3dBYTa
— Will Sommer (@willsommer) November 13, 2025
After a few weeks of bad press for FBI director Kash Patel, the FBI unveils “FBI Rapid Response.” https://t.co/sCH8ajFzqu
— Will Sommer (@willsommer) November 13, 2025
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.
Posted by Tony Ortega on November 14, 2025 at 08:00
November 13, 2025
But his emails: Trump avoids questions about Epstein messages as excrement hits the fan
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Breaking News: House Democrats released emails in which Jeffrey Epstein alleged that Donald Trump knew of the convicted sex offender's conduct and “spent hours at my house” with a victim. https://t.co/UFebMWrYr1
— The New York Times (@nytimes) November 12, 2025
cannot be overstated how funny it is that the “protect the kids” american right consolidated around a guy who was publicly hanging out with the wilt chamberlain of pedophiles for 20 years
— subscribe to the state of the league patreon (@JoestarJokic) November 12, 2025
Jeffrey Epstein email about Trump: “of course he knew about the girls.” https://t.co/bPxIb19a0a
— Will Sommer (@willsommer) November 12, 2025
OMG!!! https://t.co/w93RWSdEFD
— Ben Meiselas (@meiselasb) November 12, 2025
“Thank you. Thank you.”— You can hear the White House press team trying to get the media to leave https://t.co/9eHLgYfSUJ
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 13, 2025
Mike Johnson ends his shutdown of Arizona district https://t.co/5Yg1WJk3dD
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 12, 2025
There were no QDrops that said "Trump's a pedo, but that's cool" so QAnon is working on creating that reality for themselves. pic.twitter.com/Sd6QDoxwcX
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) November 13, 2025
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.
Posted by Tony Ortega on November 13, 2025 at 08:00
Why it was Scientology leader David Miscavige who declared Lisa McPherson ‘Clear’
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: As our lookback at Lisa McPherson’s death 30 years later continues, we examine one of the most important developments to come out about it: The direct link between Scientology leader David Miscavige and her ordeal. ALSO: Leila Mills settles lawsuit with Scientology defendants [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“The main twinning bugs which could arise are those which were encountered earlier on the Saint Hill Special Briefing Course. One twin would get sent to Ethics or Cramming or Review and the other one then had no twin. Thus, twinning could get to be a little bit unpopular and could block somebody from finishing the course unless these factors are handled. The remedy for this sort of thing is to send both twins to Ethics, both twins to Cramming, both twins to Review and if anybody blows, send his twin after him. In other words, we don’t buy the idea that everybody is totally irresponsible for everybody else in this wonderful First Dynamic world. This is not a mere expediency. It takes only a good, straight look at the purpose and WHY of twinning to recognize the value of this system. Those who do recognize its value will enforce and maintain it.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
——————–
THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
——————–
“I myself had a rig worked out in order to take care of witch doctors down in Africa. Ran this way: I was going to get an asbestos glove, you know, and — it doesn’t matter whether something is supercold or superhot, you know? They both burn and there is sensation, so the practitioner should be careful when he’s doing something like this. I was going to take an asbestos glove and I was going to put a metal disc, preferably a lead disc, in the palm of the glove, you see? And there’d be a little snap in there so that it could be taken out and put in easily. And get this little disc supercold, totally supercold, you see? Get it down there to maybe -200 or something like that — way down, you know — and then snap that quickly in the glove and go out and shake hands with the witch doctor. Well, the dampness of a palm is quite adequate there, and it would of course brainwash him. Be very, very effective. As a matter of fact, one could probably take over the entirety of witch-doctoring throughout Africa with the greatest of ease, particularly if you shook hands with all of the witch doctors in front of the tribe, and they instantly went down on their knees and went “gaggo bulla,” and you said, “Bark,” and they would thereafter bark. You see, they hold all the natives in that sort of a thrall. And so if you held them in that sort of a thrall, why, then the natives would of course do what you said twice as good as they would do what the witch doctor says; and this is already perfect.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 13, 1956
——————–
“ENEMY ACTION: We have discovered exactly who has been shooting at Scientology for 18 years and know all the names. They are a small group with international ambitions founded by a madman, taken over by a politically ambitious few. This is turning out to be a bitter and fundamental war. The forces which seek to bring light and freedom to the world — us — have run squarely into the No. 1 engram of the planet, kept alive by a dark and secret enemy of Mankind. These insist on torturing or killing the insane. It is the age old battle of truth and light against the powers of darkness. But, with the enemy active in legislatures and the press, we haven’t much choice but to fight. And we hav begun to fight. We have already hurt his morale and finances enough to make him move his HQ. Our forces are closing in on it again in the new location. This one we’ve got to win. We may not have another chance.” — The Commodore, November 13, 1968
——————–
“The ‘beings’ that run this planet are totally controlled by a superior AI outside of this galaxy to such an extent that we ought not think of them as beings but instead refer to them as MEST entities.”
——————–
1998: The State of Florida this week charged Scientology with crimes in connection with the death of Lisa McPherson, who did in their care in 1995. From the Associated Press: “The Church of Scientology was charged Friday in the 1995 death of a member whose family claimed the church held her against her will for 17 days. Prosecutor Bernie McCabe charged the church with abuse or neglect of a disabled adult and practicing medicine without a license, both felonies.” From Reuters: “The indictment presented by McCabe charges the Church of Scientology with abuse or neglect of a disabled adult and with practicing medicine without a license, but does not charge any individual church members. The indictment alleges that McPherson was psychotic. It says she was kept isolated, prevented from leaving the church building and given medicine without her consent.” From Tampa Fox 13 television news program: “DANDAR: They killed Lisa McPherson. She’s dead. Her entire death was preventable. They chose to let her die. REPORTER: That’s the family attorney talking. The family’s blamed the Church of Scientology for years. Now there are criminal charges against the church, the state claiming the church engaged in unlicensed practice of medicine and knowingly abused and neglected Lisa McPherson. The charges are against the church, as a whole, and Scientologists were relieved no individuals were named. But the Clearwater police say the case is not closed. SHELOR: But understand, this is just another step in a long journey. This is by no means the end of the case.”
——————–
“Shit, I was under the gun for suggesting there were mucho socks on board…which was later proven to be true thanks to help from Robert, StillGrace and Andrew…and I was a big meanie for ragging on the noobs for over-commenting…and then I had the audacity to merely hint that the beloved Knickers was anything less than the Virgin Mary. I wasn’t saying shit to anyone at that point.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due August 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing December 1.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief was filed June 3. Respondent briefs are due September 2.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Jane Does’ response to Scientology’s appeal brief submitted July 30. Scientology’s reply due October 20.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
——————–
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Mike Rinder posts remarkable series of videos amid serious cancer treatment
[TWO years ago] PHOTO: Jenna Elfman emceeing Scientology’s concert, and more IAS fallout
[THREE years ago] Leah Remini remembers when Mackenzie Phillips was rooting against Scientology
[FOUR years ago] Betrayed by L. Ron Hubbard, and stuck in a desert prison: A Scientology horror story
[FIVE years ago] Afraid to leave Scientology? Ex-members describe their lives after David Miscavige
[SIX years ago] Hubbard family member: Mary Sue griped about Scientology leader’s ‘Napoleon complex’
[SEVEN years ago] Shifting gears: Leah Remini talks about tonight’s two-hour special on Jehovah’s Witnesses
[EIGHT years ago] Sexual harassment allegations strike a blow against a Scientology political ally in Florida
[NINE years ago] Scientology saw a tempting target in a Tampa pastor gaining fame for her compassion
[TEN years ago] Why it was Scientology leader David Miscavige who declared Lisa McPherson ‘Clear’
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Photoshopping, Part 2: A mystery disappearance on the yacht Apollo
[TWELVE years ago] LISA MARIE PRESLEY ON SCIENTOLOGY: “CRAZY CRIMINAL PEOPLE”
[THIRTEEN years ago] Lay Off Xenu: An Ex-Scientologist’s Plea
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,446 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,950 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,456 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,006 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,996 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,382 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,877 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,181 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,832 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,050 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,604 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,945 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,516 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,432 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,599 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,181 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,440 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,477 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,192 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,757 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,072 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,247 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,929 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,266 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,119 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,235 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,597 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,008 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,396 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,280 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,845 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,356 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,616 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,720 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on November 13, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2024 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2024), 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, 20 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
November 12, 2025
White House gets shiny labels to help with the tenant’s cognitive issues
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Trump working hard on the healthcare crisis https://t.co/m3RJOSqbFd
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 12, 2025
Some are starting to see it pic.twitter.com/RlI6vX8WrI
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 12, 2025
Khanna on FOX: Donald Trump was right about healthcare. He in the Republican debate said that single payer worked in Canada and Scotland. In 2000, he wrote a book saying we should look at national health insurance into the United States. If he wants to talk about his own ideas… pic.twitter.com/SWDYlatDuO
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 12, 2025
Another feast being prepared at Mar-a-Lago as Trump demands states cut food stamps pic.twitter.com/2QHR9ywXKR
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 11, 2025
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.
Posted by Tony Ortega on November 12, 2025 at 08:00
Countdown to Room 174: Remembering, in real time, Scientology’s grimmest scandal
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Through Dec 5, the 30th anniversary of Lisa McPherson’s tragic death, we’re going to be remembering in real time the many unusual and distressing details of her story, which remains today Scientology’s most awful scandal and a reminder of how this organization still operates. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“Students, particularly when they are new, sometimes get into an exchange of verbal data or opinion while they are twinning. A Supervisor must be on the alert for this and step in to handle at once when he observes it happening. He uses study tech to straighten the scene out and always refers the students to the above mentioned HCOBs on verbal tech. Twinned students, of course, bear a responsibility for not spreading verbal tech, neither between themselves nor to anyone else, for that matter. A twin always refers his fellow student to source materials.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
——————–
THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
——————–
“It is interesting that the Tagalogs weren’t ever told that you were supposed to stop when you were hit by a bullet. So they would get hit with three or four bullets through the heart and one through the head and then run seventy-five yards and take a machete and whack off an American soldier’s head. This was disconcerting to our troops during the Philippine insurrection. So we sent a lot of people in and convinced them that when you were hit by a bullet you were supposed to die. They have never repeated this performance. That is an interesting datum. And yet there were lots of Tagalogs running around getting shot at during World War II and none of them put on this kind of a performance. What actually happened to them was mechanical.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 12, 1951
——————–
“Radical sweeping changes based on the wrong why can crash an org or area. When stats are awful or near zero it doesn’t much matter what you do. But when they’re on a nice steady week after week rise DON’T CHANGE ANYTHING! As one’s pay and morale and Scientology advance depends on this know-how, it is very very important!” — The Commodore, November 12, 1970
——————–
“Many gods rule the Matrix. They are the same ones since the Egyptians but names were changed for the Greek and Roman gods. There is one head God, many lesser gods, the watcher gods are in the millions and ultimately the ones that are here in charge of the prison planet and take human form.”
——————–
1997: The upcoming Channel 4 documentary on L. Ron Hubbard continues to make news as Scientology harasses the creators of the piece with private investigator Eugene Ingram. Chris Owen reported that the police are now looking for Eugene in the UK. “I’m told that the police have now issued a warrant for Ingram’s arrest. The offence, I presume, is criminal harassment which now – following Michael Howard’s infamous Criminal Justice Act – carries a stiff jail sentence. Because we don’t have regional jurisdictions in this country, the warrant means that any police force in England and Wales is now required to arrest Ingram on sight. If anyone sees Ingram while he’s still in the UK, call Tunbridge Wells police; they’ll be interested to hear from you! The Channel 4 documentary on Hubbard (19th Nov, 9pm) has resulted in further sustained bad publicity for Scientology. Following John Travolta’s attempt to bully C4 into dropping the programme and the Independent on Sunday’s expose of Scientology PI Eugene Ingram’s harassment of the film’s authors, virtually every newspaper and TV listings guide has selected the programme as their ‘pick of the day’.” From the Guardian: “Having gained instant fame as the film John Travolta doesn’t want you to see, Jill Robinson’s expose of L. Ron Hubbard, sci-fi fantasist turned self-proclaimed messiah, goes ahead as planned. Of course, accusations of fraudulent behaviour are hardly a recent phenomenon. Hubbard spent half his life on the run from charges of being a gold-digging charlatan – at one point escaping to the high seas, and countering investigation by the US authorities with Operation Snow White, a military-styled exercise to infiltrate high office. What’s so damning is the personal recollections by Hubbard’s former associates: the man who wanted out when L. Ron’s son – under the influence of speed – recounted his past life as a primordial clam. Or the woman who watched aghast as Hubbard, by this time suffering from a paranoia of almost Stalinist proportions, imprisoned a young boy for two days for some minor misdemeanor. Church of the poisoned mind, indeed.”
——————–
“I’m bemused that ex-Scientologists still actively engage in magical thinking, not realizing that the number one reason that they got sucked into Scientology in the first place is because they were already engaged in magical thinking through a belief and interest in the supernatural and the paranormal which had already placed them on the slippery slope to cult hell.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due August 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing December 1.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief was filed June 3. Respondent briefs are due September 2.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Jane Does’ response to Scientology’s appeal brief submitted July 30. Scientology’s reply due October 20.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
——————–
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Danny Masterson’s attorney is helping Priscilla Presley play hardball in court
[TWO years ago] Gottfried Helnwein: The celebrated artist and his loud silence on Scientology
[THREE years ago] LAPD responds to Leah Remini tweets about Shelly Miscavige, gets stuff wrong
[FOUR years ago] Lest we forget: Scientology started out as quack cure-all, selling electronic snake oil
[FIVE years ago] Valerie Haney takes fight against Scientology ‘arbitration’ to California Supreme Court
[SIX years ago] Woman who fled Scientology after being lured in by Jason Dohring acting class goes public
[SEVEN years ago] AUDIO: Scientology fundraising throws in a little conspiracy-mongering for effect
[EIGHT years ago] Tonight on ‘Leah Remini’: Scientology’s front groups, including Narconon, get a special look
[NINE years ago] Leah Remini schools us on what motivates Scientologists to toe the line
[TEN years ago] Countdown to Room 174: Remembering, in real time, Scientology’s grimmest scandal
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Photoshopping: Erasing L. Ron Hubbard’s second wife from ‘The RON Series’
[TWELVE years ago] Bruce Hines Joins Us As Claire Headley Keeps Us Moving Through Scientology’s OT Levels!
[THIRTEEN years ago] Scientology Desperately Wants Your Children: The Cruise Ship Come-On
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,445 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,949 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,455 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 4,005 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,995 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,381 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,876 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,180 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,831 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,049 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,603 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,944 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,515 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,431 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,598 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,180 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,439 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,476 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,191 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,756 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,071 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,246 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,928 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,265 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,118 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,234 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,596 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 4,007 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,395 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,279 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,844 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,355 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,615 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,719 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on November 12, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2024 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2024), 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, 20 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Tony Ortega's Blog
- Tony Ortega's profile
- 19 followers
