Tony Ortega's Blog, page 40
April 30, 2025
Scientology leader David Miscavige is 65 today, and we have presents
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: What a year of milestones for Scientology. ‘Dianetics’ turns 75 on May 9. It’s 50 years since the church first ensnared John Travolta. Travolta’s infamous flop ‘Battlefield Earth’ turns 25. And today, Scientology’s ruthless leader, David Miscavige, marks 65 years on the planet. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“SITUATION: It quite often happens that an org has an auditor that stops producing or doesn’t produce or blows or ceases to audit. Investigation has revealed that the auditor situation is similar to that of students who blow for lack of study tech. Each auditor who lets down has a WHY and has misunderstood words or has not really checked out on his current tech. Thus they foul up, let down or blow. As orgs sometimes find it hard to get auditors, the situation can be very hard on the C/O or ED and Tech Sec unless it is handled.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1977
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
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“We’ve had a little slowdown here recently on research the last six, seven days — I managed to get the show back on the road again — mostly due to the nonsense going on in Australia. The general situation with regard to that is they’re not in any danger or anything like that, they’re just being cross-advised and being generally upset. The government of Australia….Well, these little boys have an opposition there that are quite red and they all of a sudden decided under a fellow of the name of Galbatty to investigate Scientology on account of how bad it all was, you see? And this is the message I want to get across to you, not the state of Australia. An organization starts slipping, they stop following through standard policies, they are not on the ball here and they individuate there and they goof up someplace else. And then you all of a sudden start having trouble in their vicinity and it finally swells up to something like this inquiry you see, and that sort of thing. Just everybody has to some degree or another taken his finger off of his number and goofed up. You get the idea? In this particular case, why, they ran some jerk down there who they knew was a security risk. He couldn’t pass an E-Meter test if you’d held a gun to his head. He is just a complete bum. So they go ahead and give him high-level processing. Name is Werne. And they give this fellow a bunch of high-level processing and restimulate two or three wrong goals on him one way or the other so he goes into a complete spin. And I think he’d been in psychiatric treatment and he went back under psychiatric treatment, and then he runs over and sees Galbatty to get Galbatty to pass legislation so as to cure his GPMs and it just all went to smoke. And it had never even occurred to anybody down in Melbourne simply to handle Werne, refund his money and straighten him up. When they did refund his money, they didn’t even require him to sign a release. So they went and refunded his money; he went over to the court the same afternoon and filed a suit for a hundred and sixty thousand pounds. I mean, it takes genius, see? It just takes goof up after goof up.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 30, 1964
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“Customs needs handling in these ports. Fully. And gently. Anyone trying to put things aboard before full clearance can really mess a port up. If you have anything to do with Customs or even think about taking anything ashore or bringing anything on the ship, see the Ships Rep first! Aboard, you are not in the country. When you go through the gate you are in the country. When you come through the gate to come aboard you are leaving the country. This is true even when the ship is lying alongside a berth. So don’t violate or stir up customs officials. They are at the gate. When you go through that gate things you are carrying or escorting are entering or leaving the country. They lock up ‘smugglers’ for 40 years on bread and water and throw the key away.” — The Commodore, April 30, 1971
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“What if Metteya is an AI/Organic Artificial Intelligence interface stationed at Galactic Central. Anything that can be imagined can be and IS PROGRAMMED including multiple viewpoints and timelines. Anything that persists must contain a lie in order to persist, otherwise it would unravel and vanish. LRH is a very clear and distinct knowingness ‘outside’ all. A person just like you or me. We know from the history of religion that Avatars are used as exactly that. Programmed Consciousness Constructs. This idea of Metteya originating multiple viewpoints and timelines as a complex system of vias is quite possibly just that. LRH is a real person. There is only one of him, just like you or me. The item ‘Me’ rule applies.”
1997: A St. Petersburg Times article this week updated the investigation into the death of Scientologist Lisa McPherson in the Ft. Harrison Hotel in 1995. “More than 50 people have been questioned in what police are calling an ‘expansive’ investigation into the unexplained death of Lisa McPherson, a 36-year-old Scientologist. Although more interviews are planned, police say they expect their work on the case to end ‘soon” but refuse to be more specific. Police say they have questioned more than two dozen church staffers, all of them accompanied by lawyers. ‘Interviews are being conducted of witnesses who were responsible for Lisa’s care during her stay,’ said deputy Clearwater police Chief Paul Maser. Others interviewed by police include paramedics, doctors and hospital employees involved in McPherson’s care before and after her stay at the Fort Harrison, police spokesman Wayne Shelor said. Many of the 50 people questioned gave statements under oath, while others talked to police in less formal interviews, Shelor said.”
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“Scientologists have zero loyalty to anything except Ron and the ‘Tech.’ The concepts of country and patriotism are wog nonsense to them. They are committed to a world wide jihad against all countries and nations. Real Scientologists don’t even feel any loyalty to their family members, let alone their country.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due May 14.
— ‘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 May 12.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud. Pre-sentencing conference was held April 4. Sentencing hearing scheduled for May 5.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief due June 3.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
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After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] David Miscavige is 64 today, and what a gift Scientology cooked up for him!
[TWO years ago] Scientology honcho David Miscavige turns 63 today, and here’s his official church bio!
[THREE years ago] Scientology leader David Miscavige is 62 years old today, and we have presents!
[FOUR years ago] Danny Masterson prosecutor: ‘Scientology is inextricably connected to this case’
[FIVE years ago] Scientology leader David Miscavige is 60 today, and we have presents
[SIX years ago] Questions for Scientologist Elisabeth Moss — from former Scientologists
[SEVEN years ago] David Miscavige turns 58 today, and we’re celebrating with tales of birthdays past
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology leader David Miscavige turns 57 today — what’s your birthday greeting?
[NINE years ago] A STAR IS BORN: Scientology attorney Monique Yingling steals the spotlight on ’20/20′
[TEN years ago] As Scientology crumbles, read the dreams its members are still chasing
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology leader David Miscavige turns 54 today — Hip, hip, hooray!
[TWELVE years ago] The Scientology Method: Drill, Baby, Drill!
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,250 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,745 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,260 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,810 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,800 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,186 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,681 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,985 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,854 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,408 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,749 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,316 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,235 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,403 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,985 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,244 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,281 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,997 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,561 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,876 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,051 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,733 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,070 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,924 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,039 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,401 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,810 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,208 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,084 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,649 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,160 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,416 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,524 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 30, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
100 Days: Trump makes his case that he’s actually the best president ever
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});REPORTER: Amazon will soon display a number next to the price of each product that shows how much the Trump tariffs are adding. Isn't that a perfect demonstration that it's the American consumer who is paying for these policies?
LEAVITT: This is a hostile and political act by… pic.twitter.com/oewT08hBSH
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 29, 2025
A Scaramucci is a unit of time, 11 (sometimes 10) days when a person caves.
A Bezos is when you cave in one minute.
— Radio Justice 📻🎙⚖ (@justiceputnam) April 29, 2025
I had to watch this video and now you do to. pic.twitter.com/zmrQLCX6Jn
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) April 29, 2025
Where are the Epstein files? pic.twitter.com/O6a5cVsYHD
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) April 30, 2025
Marjorie Taylor Greene claims that the people showing up to the AOC and Bernie Sanders rallies are all “fake” pic.twitter.com/C7a5xMvSiO
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) April 29, 2025
Michael Flynn was a hero to pro-Trump conspiracy theorists, and even took the QAnon oath.
But now, his family is the target of a MAGA conspiracy theory.
My latest newsletter for @BulwarkOnline: https://t.co/jF6pi7iQnc
— Will Sommer (@willsommer) April 29, 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 April 30, 2025 at 08:00
April 29, 2025
Scientology reveals its newest masters of the universe!
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Here they are, the newest super beings to complete Scientology’s OT 8, the top step on the Bridge. They are now ’cause over matter, energy, space and time,’ and also probably a million or two lighter in their bank accounts. But how are they feeling about their new near-godhood? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“The basic WHY of the majority of cases of post nonperformance of a staff member and OUT TECH in an org stems from misunderstood words. The primary point that has to be gotten in is study tech. This is also our bridge to society. Yet study tech is the tech that includes misunderstood word tech. Thus if study tech is not in, people on staffs see nothing wrong with hearing or reading orders containing words they do not understand and have no urge to look them up. Further they often feel they do know words that they in fact do not know.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1975
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
[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({});
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“‘If I put in one more galaxy,’ a fellow said to me one day, ‘I’m going to sink straight through the crust of Earth.’ I don’t think he would have although the crust is only 40 miles thick and below that is nothing but molten lava. But anyway, he was getting too heavy.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 29, 1954
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“David Mayo is assigned as an Ad Course Auditor assisting Bob Guilford. This is in addition to his Flag Interneship. This post does the incidental auditing and minor repairs and rud flying needed by Ad Courses. Full checkout on these actions should be done at once. This includes HCO B 26 Apr 71.” — The Commodore, April 29, 1971
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“Psychic auditing is where the auditor audits a person over Skype but the auditor holds the cans of the E-meter and also sends spiritual entities to monitor the PC. Given that the sending of entities to monitor the person is the method of choice for implanters, I think this psychic auditing deserves a warning.”
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1996: Jeff Jacobsen posted some research concerning the basement of the Ft. Harrison Hotel, the cult’s headquarters in Clearwater, Florida. “There is some controversy about whether the Ft. Harrison Hotel in Clearwater (which is a Scientology building) has a basement. Dennis Erlich claims he was locked in the basement as part of his RPF for doing something wrong. Brian Anderson, VP of the church in Clearwater (who is the president?) said on WMNF that Dennis is lying and there is no basement in the Ft. Harrison. I’ve heard that the latest KSW magazine also says there is no basement in the Ft. Harrison. Anyone can go over to the County Courthouse right next to the Ft. Harrison and look up property assessments for any building in Clearwater. The Ft. Harrison is listed as having a basement of 1806 square feet.”
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“In Scientology, ripping off a wog isn’t a crime, it’s a duty.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due May 14.
— ‘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 May 12.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud. Pre-sentencing conference was held April 4. Sentencing hearing scheduled for May 5.
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 Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
——————–
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Common questions we get about Scientology’s court martial it calls ‘arbitration’
[TWO years ago] Mike Rinder and Jon Atack explain why you find it so difficult to leave Scientology
[THREE years ago] New trial granted in defamation case against author who exposed Scientology in Australia
[FOUR years ago] ‘Almost Andy Reid’ says he’s unhappy that Scientology used him in propaganda video
NASA’s new spacesuit shares a name with Scientology’s legendary galactic warlord!
[SIX years ago] Scientology stepping up its promotion of chiropractic, demonizing of the AMA
[SEVEN years ago] As another tiny enclave of Scientologists digs deep for an Ideal Org — what would Ron say?
[EIGHT years ago] Garcias answer: Was Scientology not paying attention to an angry federal judge?
[NINE years ago] Ron Miscavige, his book ‘Ruthless,’ his nervous son, and Scientology Watching’s new reality
[TEN years ago] Want to go Clear? Has Scientology got a deal for you!
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s ‘Hogwarts’ doesn’t want you to think it’s connected to Scientology
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Metaphysics: After Death, Will You Go to Mars or Venus?
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,249 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,744 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,259 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,809 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,799 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,185 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,680 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,984 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,853 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,407 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,748 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,315 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,234 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,402 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,984 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,243 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,280 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,996 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,560 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,875 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,050 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,732 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,069 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,923 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,038 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,400 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,809 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,207 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,083 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,648 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,159 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,415 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,523 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on April 29, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Trump loses big in Canada elections and he wasn’t even on the ballot
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Canadian Voter: I think who I voted for would be the best to take care of Trump, because Trump is, I’m sorry to say, an asshole. pic.twitter.com/DHYuu2tJMm
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 29, 2025
Trump claims the negative polls against him are fake pic.twitter.com/lQUh2qT7WT
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) April 29, 2025
Stallworth: One of the things that bothered me the most was that he was one of the players that back in 2020, when the NFL players were really going after the NFL for not standing up against.. President Trump, he was one of the guys at the forefront saying racism and injustice… pic.twitter.com/ajm9QqWRFd
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 29, 2025
An apparent AI-generated image of arrested Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan has spread as seemingly real among far-right & right-wing social media, getting thousands of engagements. https://t.co/BNbM0lRaIl pic.twitter.com/xqdadeECXG
— Alex Kaplan (@AlKapDC) April 28, 2025
NEW: Two members of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency have been given accounts on classified networks that hold highly guarded details about America's nuclear weapons, two independent sources tell NPR.https://t.co/eAhnTU0Y67
— stephen fowler (@stphnfwlr) April 28, 2025
NEW: Trump’s DC attorney nominee Ed Martin is apologizing, saying he didn’t know about the alleged Nazi sympathizer views of a Capitol rioter he repeatedly praised.
But audio saved by CNN’s KFile shows Martin discussed his views on his podcast — undercutting his claims.
— Andy Kaczynski (@KFILE) April 28, 2025
On Thursday, Trump's Doral resort will host a "Truth Seeker Conference" featuring notorious bleacher Andreas Kalcker.
In 2020, Kalcker was charged with selling fake medicine after a 5yr-old boy died in Argentina from ingesting chlorine dioxide.https://t.co/tDYDfZNdAO
— David Gilbert (@daithaigilbert) April 28, 2025
Another example of the “Heads I win, Tails you lose” nature of QAnon is that if the media declares Trump popular it is proof that America loves him. When the media says he is hated it is proof the media is biased against Trump. pic.twitter.com/aroNbJ3z8D
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) April 28, 2025
Knowing that sweet sweet Canadian Adrenochrome will keep flowing makes this a good night. https://t.co/PIFJCj2Qgj
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) April 29, 2025
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s shirt: “Make America Blonde Again” pic.twitter.com/710jn2tqBp
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) April 28, 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 April 29, 2025 at 08:00
April 28, 2025
Elisabeth Moss front row again for Scientology celebration of founder L. Ron Hubbard
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: A year ago we were stunned to see a very pregnant Elisabeth Moss at Scientology’s annual L. Ron Hubbard birthday in Florida. Now the church has posted photos of this year’s event, and once again Moss was there to give David Miscavige an ovation. How’s that for a handmaid’s tale? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“A two weeks loss of pay and a suspension of certs is a penalty for any C/S or auditor who acts on a case (1) Without an up-to-date FS (2) Without an FES done on auditing, and: (3) Without a preliminary study of the folder before C/Sing or auditing (4) Who C/Ses for or delivers Quickie auditing of any level for ‘completion’ (5) Who does not work for the product of a fully and utterly completed pc on that grade (6) Who falsifies a statistic or a worksheet. FES Units must exist to FES folders for C/Ses. WE MUST END ALL QUICKIE TENDENCIES IN C/Ses AND AUDITORS.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1977
——————–
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
——————–
“In the final analysis, everything is a postulate. Everything came about by postulates. We just could make postulates the end-all of everything, and we’re very safe on it. Everything rationalizes out very nicely. And postulates if treated as a topflight goal bring about a very, very fine condition on the part of the preclear. What are you trying to get him to do, in essence? Change his mind. He has a bad leg, he’s crippled; you won’t get that leg well unless he changes his mind about having to have a bad leg. Believe me, you won’t. The doctors can saw and hew and use axes and materia medica and Morris Fishbeins and everything else on him, and by George, his leg will not get well until he has made up his mind for his leg to get well.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 28, 1954
——————–
“UK is in the mystic band. That’s the last stop this side of Hades, when an empire decides to go, Man. The basic law on this is: When dealing with unknown dangers over which he has no control and against which he has no defense, Man becomes mystic as to cause and effect. Reaching a population in that condition is quite a problem. It can be done, but only on the gradient of tiny cause and effect. By coaxing small reaches and giving very light effects it can be done.” — The Commodore, April 28, 1970
——————–
“Scientology cosmology needs no reform. The brains of some ex-Scientologists need reform and therapy. Some even believe today in Darwin and human ‘democracy.’ The Marcabian takeover of Christianity: L. Ron Hubbard described since the 1960s how extraterrestrial Marcabians and world bankers had taken over Christianity. Today Israel is populated by imposter khazares who belong to Rothschild world banker, who holds the deed (Balfour declaration) and therefore is ipso facto king of the Jews.”
1995: A letter from the cos email group, TNX-L was posted this week. It describes efforts to spread Scientology into Colombia. Mike Edwards and Dick Weigand are involved in the project. They are spreading books and courses to the Colombians using high schools, the military and the police. “This ground work plus our connection to the Echavarria family has opened the door for us. Our purpose is to fill that vacuum created, claiming as much ground as quickly as possible through the introduction of LRH technology to the government, military, police, education and business personnel. The Military trained on LRH tech enabling them to achieve the result of a country without insanity (the real enemy), without criminals (Mafia, Druglords) and without war (guerrillas and terrorists), where the able can prosper and honest being can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights which are the aims of Scientology. To make this goal and target real for the officers and soldiers of the Military. Since the original report we have started delivery of the BSM to 12,000 high school students, which is in progress at this time. We are delivering to the Military enmasse and to the Police. Many great results have been obtained and further delivery is being planned by these agencies. We have 7 other High Schools, 42 elementary schools, and an entire State’s educational system in the country wanting LRH’s educational tech. We are also consulting the biggest businesses in the Country as a means of financing the social reform efforts.”
——————–
“‘Malcolm In The Middle’ was so good I broke my rule for watching TV shows with Scientologists in them.”
——————–
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 May 14.
— ‘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 April 25.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud. Pre-sentencing conference was held April 4. Sentencing hearing scheduled for May 5.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief due June 3.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
——————–
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Val Ross: From Scientology spy to extreme drug withdrawal guinea pig
[TWO years ago] Defense opened the door to hacking allegations in Danny Masterson retrial
[THREE years ago] How a decaying landmark became Scientology’s legendary Hollywood Celebrity Centre
[FOUR years ago] Two Scientologists win seats on Los Angeles neighborhood council
[FIVE years ago] Scientology admits that it numbers ‘tens of thousands’ not millions, as we’ve been saying
[SIX years ago] Leah Remini and Mike Rinder dare Scientology defenders to go on camera
[SEVEN years ago] A new ex-Scientologist memoir provides a journey through extortion in the rank-and-file
[EIGHT years ago] With Scientology at war in Clearwater, religious studies types still seeking its warm & fuzzy side
[NINE years ago] MONIQUE RATHBUN BLAMES FORMER ATTORNEYS AS SHE PLANS TO DROP LAWSUIT
[TEN years ago] Secretly taped Scientology executive complains about cheating on the ‘Survival Rundown’
[ELEVEN years ago] Chris Shelton on the origins of Scientology’s notorious ‘Fair Game’ policy
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: Baby We’re Amazed!
——————–
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 3,248 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,743 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,258 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,808 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,798 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,184 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,679 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,983 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,852 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,406 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,747 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,314 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,233 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,401 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,983 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,242 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,279 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,995 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,559 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,874 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,049 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,731 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,068 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,922 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,037 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,399 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,808 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,206 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,082 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,647 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,158 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,414 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,522 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on April 28, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Making Columbus Great Again: Libturds gnash their teeth at plans for revamped holiday
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});We told the truth about who he is. It has nothing to do with any other Italian or person of Italian descent. He was a mass-murderer, thief, enslaver, torturer, and incompetent governor who was despised by his own men & fellow officers and died penniless after being imprisoned. pic.twitter.com/MckQFz6xS9
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 27, 2025
Just two guys who like genocide pic.twitter.com/ajZ3PHPbGJ
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) April 27, 2025
How come Trump doesn’t do a photo op in front of these massive factories he claims are being built due to his tariffs? pic.twitter.com/i13UzFFLvj
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) April 27, 2025
Was the 2-year-old toddler a member of MS-13? pic.twitter.com/MIl2BeLAJe
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) April 27, 2025
Warnock: I hear people attack poor people and act like it’s a crime to be poor, rather than to recognize it’s criminal for so many people to be poor. They do all of this in the name of Jesus… Jesus is the biggest victim of identity theft in the United States pic.twitter.com/siALCn5ktL
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 27, 2025
Trump sitting next to Saquon Barkley inside his New Jersey golf club pic.twitter.com/4QLVZb4sov
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) April 28, 2025
With the news of Virginia Giuffre committing suicide we have had endless howling from the right wing grift-o-sphere screaming about how she was assassinated by the Deep State. Here we have Liz Crokin blaming her fellow conservatives for not believing in Pizzagate. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/6PKIoTtzrb
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) April 27, 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 April 28, 2025 at 08:00
April 27, 2025
Mike Rinder remembered at Clearwater memorial by family and friends
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We were fortunate to attend a private memorial in Clearwater yesterday for Mike Rinder, the former Scientology exec who had become one of the controversial organization’s most important whistle-blowers. Mike’s courage and compassion really shone through in this touching tribute. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“We maybe ought to have a contest as to who can come up with the most comical actual instances of falsifying meter reads. One ‘auditor’ ‘solved it’ by just calling F/Ns whenever she got tired of the pc regardless of TA position. After a year or more of this she saw the light and put herself in Ethics. The funny part is that her co-auditor had been doing the same thing on her! HONEST TA IS THE BEST POLICY.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1977
——————–
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
——————–
“A Clear apparently is the — oh, not apparently, it’s true — he’s the original electric eel, and so on, and apparently affects physical objects without half trying in that state. That is to say, you can warm something up or something. This isn’t phenomena that you would consider even very good phenomena; I mean, it isn’t very advanced, don’t you see? Now, you can see very easily that throwing a lightning bolt couldn’t be very much of a trick. It merely depends on practice in holding your position. If you could hold your position very accurately, why, you could throw a lightning bolt that would probably char the Empire State Building. But that’s beside the point. That’s just theoretical. What you’ve got here in actual fact is that by staring at things you can make them warm, and things like this, you know. You pick up a, here’s a glass with some ice in it, you know? You stare at it for a few minutes and you haven’t got a glass with ice in it. It’s the warmest Coca-Cola you have ever had anything to do with, don’t you see? This is very, very low-scale phenomena. It’s just monkey business.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 27, 1965
——————–
“I’ve just written an HCO Pol Ltr on ‘Death Wishes’ of interest to the ship.” — The Commodore, April 27, 1969
——————–
“There is a taped lecture called ‘On Rhodesia’ and in it LRH describes the setting up of Scientology in South Africa in case Scientology was taken down in the USA and the establishing of the Sea Org as a means to put ethics in in case of a Scientology takedown in America. But the SO being associated with the Galactic Confederacy’s ‘Galactic Patrol’ it put its authority outside of this planet, and that makes LRH’s intention stick in this case. Namely that the planet might fall prey of international chaos, but the off-planet authorities will be able to put ethics in.”
2001: From Wired News: “A California jury has convicted Keith Henson, a prominent critic of Scientology, of terrorizing the group through Usenet posts and by picketing one of its offices. Henson, a computer engineer who has been involved in prior legal skirmishes with Scientology, was found guilty on Thursday of interfering with Scientologists’ civil rights and now faces a prison sentence of up to one year and a fine of up to $5,000. The charges revolved around posts Henson made in the alt.religion.scientology newsgroup about targeting a nuclear missile at
Scientologists, and Henson’s picketing of the group’s Golden Era Productions in Riverside, California. The jury rejected Henson’s claim that he was exercising his First Amendment right to criticize a dangerous cult, and convicted him of interfering with a religion, one of three counts against him. Henson’s supporters have created a website, freehenson.tripod.com, to rally support for Henson during his legal battle. The site says that Scientology has a suspiciously close relationship with the prosecutor: ‘What kind of Alice-in-Wonderland Court is it that allows organized criminals to sit in the prosecutor’s chair bringing charges against the honest citizens, in which a heavily-armed cult has Mafia lawyers direct the activities of the District Attorney?’ Henson seems undeterred. ‘After court today, my wife Arel and I picketed outside the court with signs about the women killed out at the cult’s place last summer,’ he said in an e-mail. ‘We also gave away about 200 flyers about how Scientology is hurting people and breaking the law.’ Henson was convicted of violating a hate crimes statute, section 422.6 of the California Penal Code. It says: ‘No person, whether or not acting under color of law, shall by force or threat of force, willfully injure, intimidate, interfere with, oppress or threaten any other person in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege.'”
——————–
“The big difference between Scientology and the mafia is the mafia actually go to church on Sunday.”
——————–
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 May 14.
— ‘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 April 25.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief due June 3.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
——————–
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Writers of the Future: Scientology sci-fi front puts on interminable awards show once again
[TWO years ago] Jane Doe 3: Scientology required a victim to get her attacker’s car washed
[THREE years ago] Scientology royalty: Why it makes sense for Tom Cruise to host the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
[FOUR years ago] Clearwater city manager unhappy about landing on our ‘Top 25 Enabling Scientology’ list
[FIVE years ago] Have Jane Doe’s attorneys figured out how to serve Scientology leader David Miscavige?
[SIX years ago] Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard on family and sex: As enlightened as you’d imagine
[SEVEN years ago] Strange days for a woman accusing Danny Masterson of rape — and for her rocker husband
Scientology submits names of 500 members to federal court as ordered, but there’s a catch
[NINE years ago] LIVE IN L.A.: Hearing in Laura DeCrescenzo’s Scientology forced-abortion lawsuit
[TEN years ago] Should Louis Theroux be worried? What a Scientology ‘documentary’ actually looks like
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: More scenes from the End of Days
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology’s Notorious R2-45 Policy: Is There a Smoking Gun?
——————–
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 3,247 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,742 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,257 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,807 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,797 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,183 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,678 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,982 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,851 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,405 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,746 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,313 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,232 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,400 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,982 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,241 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,278 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,994 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,558 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,873 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,048 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,730 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,067 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,921 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,036 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,398 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,807 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,205 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,081 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,646 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,157 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,413 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,521 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on April 27, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Q patriots going wild over arrest of judge: The storm is really finally here!
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Trump repeatedly fell asleep during his trial. He is an old man with little stamina and our press totally ignored this while gleefully attacking Biden 24/7 for being old. pic.twitter.com/Jsdxotjrnb
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) April 26, 2025
In Dupont Circle… pic.twitter.com/Z2kvhRiIZG
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) April 27, 2025
Understandable. pic.twitter.com/OiuerHBe7s
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) April 27, 2025
QAnon is the gamification of reality where everything is a context clue to solve the mystery of what's really happening in the battle between the Illuminati and the Patriots. These people really need to play Blue Prince and just chill out. pic.twitter.com/dWMLC4wiaX
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) April 27, 2025
America would have burned to the ground if we had been shown the Hillary Face Carving Video and then arrested her. Arresting some no name judge on a bogus charge is the sugar America needed to swallow the medicine. pic.twitter.com/1sz8uKN2mq
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) April 26, 2025
Grabbing a no name judge on charges that will be laughed out of court should it ever go to trail is so impressive to Jacob he gives Trump the lightning eyes. No victory too small for QAnon. pic.twitter.com/RSO1RMQ6wp
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) April 27, 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 April 27, 2025 at 08:00
April 26, 2025
Scientology posts photos from LRH Birthday, but not what we’re used to
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: It used to be Scientology’s practice to post lavish slide shows of major events on their websites, but those sites have been static since February. In the meantime, a church magazine has published an account of LRH Birthday. Which of Dave’s statements is the biggest whopper? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“Some auditors ‘spook’ (leap off the road like a horse frightened by something blowing along) at the very thought of high or low TAs. This is because they haven’t got the TRs to handle a low TA nor the tech to handle a high one. Making a meter read falsely low with cream or falsely high with talcum powder or wiping hands continually will not handle the pc’s CASE. That is what the auditor is there to do, not make his session look good! The funniest one I have ever heard was a Solo auditor who had high TA trouble. So he used to fill up a bathtub with scalding water, fill the bathroom full of clouds of steam and then sit in the bath, holding onto his electrodes ‘Solo auditing.’ It gave him a lower TA but it sure didn’t give him any case result.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1977
——————–
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({});
——————–
“That which men fear, they become. That’s a cinch. That which men resist, they become. Now, you know the Christian idea of turn the other cheek? Well, let’s get a comparable idea in Scientology. Not comparing Scientology to Christianity, but let’s get the comparable idea. The Christian idea of turn the other cheek had a little truth in it. Let’s get the comparable idea, and that is assume the other viewpoint. No more vicious and horrible person could possibly be alive than one who is willing to assume any viewpoint whatsoever. The MEST universe has rigged up more fairy tales to condemn people who would do this….You see, the MEST universe really wouldn’t be here at all unless people didn’t object to shifting viewpoints. People insist continually on a persistent viewpoint. They say you must have the same viewpoint over and over, day after day, year after year, century after century, and if they could enforce it they would put you into solid concrete and give you just the one viewpoint at the center of the solid concrete and say, ‘There you are and you had certainly better stay there or we’ll get impatient with you.’ You can’t control anybody who won’t assume the same viewpoint continuously.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 26, 1954
——————–
“GOOD NEWS: With the return of 3 Missionaires a flood of good news was brought. The US Court of Appeals fired back and refused the FDA petition for a re-hearing in the meter case. So that is definitely ended. John McMasters has been touring with huge successes in the Western US and Hawaii and has been seeing many wigs in higher favourable interviews and has been on many national TV shows in the US all very well done. He has been highly commended and his mission ordered to be reinforced. We have a lovely new base all bought. We have been invited to participate in a beachhead. Plans are afoot from a new active group to open up Latin America. They already have a fine beachhead secured.” — The Commodore, April 26, 1969
——————–
“L. Ron Hubbard was right: Christianity is today an Illuminati trap. The hearth of Judaism and Christianity, Jerusalem, is today the house of the Illuminati. ‘Biblical prophecy’ is under the control of the New World Order. According to Capt Bill Robertson of the Freezone, the auditing research indicates that the Illuminati founder, Adam Weshaupt, is the chap that has sunk planet Earth in disaster and chaos since 70 million years ago. So Illuminati disclosure is the very truth.”
——————–
2000: Slashdot reported on April 28th that online auction host eBay has been removing auctions of e-meters due to demands from Scientology under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. “Does the Digital Millennium Copyright Act cover electrical religious artifacts? Apparently the Church of Scientology thinks so. eBay has been yanking auctions of e-meters because of complaints by the CoS. In response to queries by a collector, eBay said ‘the Church of Scientology is giving us Notices of Infringement, which we are legally required to honor. These items are being ended for that reason.’ This is just one more data point in the disturbing trend of the DMCA being used as an all-purpose club to remove material from the Internet. The device itself is just an electrical mechanism, somewhat like a fancy multimeter or oscilloscope. It’s patented, but of course thousands of patented items are sold on eBay every day. To members of the Church of Scientology, however, it’s more than just an electrical device. It’s used in ‘auditing,’ which apparently helps new members advance in the program. Rod Keller, a Scientology critic, noticed that e-meter auctions were being taken down, and wrote eBay to ask why. The response was: ‘These items are not prohibited due to their nature, but the Church of Scientology is giving us Notices of Infringement, which we are legally required to honor. These items are being ended for that reason.’ When Mr. Keller expressed surprise at this, the next message went into a little more detail: ‘There is a procedure under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act whereby someone who claims to be an owner of Intellectual property can send a notice sworn under penalty of perjury that an item is infringing. The internet provider must then remove the item. The seller of the item (not a third party) can request and fill out a counter notice. If he/she does so, the complaining party who filled out the original notice has a limited period of time to file suit, or the provider can go ahead and relist the item. Based on eBay’s statements, the Church of Scientology has sworn under penalty of perjury that it has an ‘exclusive right’ to copyright on the material that was posted in the auction. To me, that seems obviously wrong. But to enjoy the protections of the DMCA, service providers must remove any material as soon as they’re told it infringes on copyright. Once material has been challenged, the service provider must act ‘expeditiously’ to remove it. Only when the material is gone can the accused user make a case to defend it.”
——————–
“If it weren’t for the celebrities, David Miscavige would have less name recognition than Marshall Applewhite or whoever is running the Raelians.”
——————–
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 May 14.
— ‘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 April 25.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud. Pre-sentencing conference was held April 4. Sentencing hearing scheduled for May 5.
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 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] Valerie Haney describes 2 more days of Scientology ‘arbitration’ torment
[TWO years ago] DA led Jane Doe 3 through devastating testimony yesterday, today cross begins
[THREE years ago] AUDIO LEAK: Scientology leader David Miscavige announces ‘Golden Age of Admin’
[FOUR years ago] Scientology is not a cult: The reasoning of an OT 3 Scientologist
[FIVE years ago] Scientology shows that if government gives it even an inch, it tries to take over like a virus
[SIX years ago] Scientology, breaking bad: Signs of desperation here and abroad
[SEVEN years ago] Kim Poff, finally free to speak: ‘I want this story out. I want people to know what Narconon did.’
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology retaliates against Clearwater land deal by trying to shiv a beloved dolphin
[NINE years ago] SCIENTOLOGY LEADER DAVID MISCAVIGE THREATENS TO SUE FATHER OVER BOOK
[TEN years ago] EXCLUSIVE: Secretly taped briefing uncovers precarious state of Scientology right now
[ELEVEN years ago] Selling out, and other strange side-effects of Scientology watching
[TWELVE years ago] RAID ON SCIENTOLOGY’S DRUG REHAB CENTER IN ATLANTA
——————–
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 3,246 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,741 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,256 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,806 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,796 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,182 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,677 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,981 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,850 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,404 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,745 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,312 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,231 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,399 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,981 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,240 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,277 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,993 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,557 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,872 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,047 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,729 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,066 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,920 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,035 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,397 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,806 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,204 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,080 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,645 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,156 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,412 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,520 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on April 26, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan arrested by FBI: Is it a constitutional crisis yet?
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});5 things Trump did this week:
1. Signaled he would cave to China
2. Had judges arrested
3. Claimed grocery prices are way down
4. Admitted he didn’t know the status of the Epstein files
5. Released plan for a golf club trip after attending the Pope’s funeral pic.twitter.com/WyPkLpSGjd
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) April 26, 2025
NEW: A federal judge raised alarm Friday that the Trump administration appeared to have deported a 2-year-old U.S. citizen to Honduras with "no meaningful process" — even as her father was fighting to keep her in the country.
Details w/ @joshgerstein https://t.co/tJZxCnK9Wk pic.twitter.com/fyq4607Jrw
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) April 26, 2025
BREAKING: FBI Director Kash Patel just tweeted and deleted a post saying the agency arrested a judge pic.twitter.com/6H7poT16oZ
— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) April 25, 2025
Trump celebrates the arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan pic.twitter.com/XisAI9eVxB
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) April 25, 2025
House Judiciary's Jamie Raskin:
"This is a drastic escalation and dangerous new front in Trump's authoritarian campaign of trying to bully, intimidate, and impeach judges who won't follow his dictates. We must do whatever we can to defend the independent judiciary in America." https://t.co/fZB2u9TLsC
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) April 25, 2025
George Santos in 2020: “I get a lot of pleasure in seeing people pay for their crimes in jail.”
Santos was just sentenced to over 7 years in jail. pic.twitter.com/jrFEgugnDB
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) April 25, 2025
MAGA Republican House candidate Valentina Gomez: “…the moon landing was fake and we all know it.” pic.twitter.com/wpMGVSpbG7
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) April 25, 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 April 26, 2025 at 08:00
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