Tony Ortega's Blog, page 50
March 11, 2025
Piling on: Scientology’s RTC adds to appeal in Leah Remini lawsuit
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We showed you the full appeal brief submitted by Scientology in Leah Remini’s lawsuit. But RTC, the entity run by David Miscavige, submitted its own brief as well, and we have that for you today. RTC is still angry that Mike Rinder and Claire Headley blew the whistle on Dave. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“The mission of engram running is to free the charge which has accumulated in a being and so restore that being to appreciated life. All eases, sooner or later, have to be run on engrams, no matter what else has to be done. For it is in engrams that the bulk of the charge on the time track lies. And it is therefore those parts of the time track called engrams which overwhelm the thetan. These contain pain and unconsciousness and are therefore the record of moments when a thetan was most at effect and least at cause. In these moments then the thetan is least able to confront or to be causative.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
[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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“I might as well tell you why the foundation at 211 West Douglas just went out of the processing business entirely and is teaching as few students as possible and at this late date is going into research. I’m not quite sure what they’re going to research, but they’re just going into research and so I, this leaves as official entities in the field the HDAs in the field, the affiliates, that is to say the college associates, a professional school in Wichita, and whatever unit is here as far as the lineups are concerned, and of course this foundation. OK? This by the way is a big load off my mind because I’ve been wondering which way those people were going to jump, and sometimes suicides jump the wrong way. And all they seem to have gotten me for so far is to tell the income tax people that I’m vastly out of order on my income tax, so the income tax people are coming down. Do we have anybody around town who’s awfully good on income tax? Well, they wouldn’t let me look at any of the ’51 books, so I don’t know what income they’ve got written down. And they wiped out all my income just before income tax time, so I don’t know, I mean, I wrote the collector of internal revenue about a year ago and I said, ‘God, I’m confused.’ And he never replied, so I guess he is too….What do you know? Well we’ve got to make a couple of theta clears quick and wreck these income tax people right quick.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 11, 1952
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“MATA HARI: LISA O’KRACKEL, ‘the Mata Hari of our times,’ came aboard as the wife of Bill O’Krackel, made trouble, blew, was seen ashore hanging around for a week in Corfu, got $1,600 from her mother and left the area. Turns out she was married before to a Greek in Greece, was not divorced before she ‘married’ Bill. In the meantime she worked as a ‘pros’ in Las Vegas. She has six aliases (different names) and possibly 3 passports, one in her maiden name, one as the Greek’s wife and one as Bill’s ‘wife.’ We guess that Bill found out about her former marriage and no divorce and possibly that’s why she blew. We don’t know that she was here for info but for sure some wild left wing characters in the press are trying to talk about a disappeared ‘girl’ and had the crust to ask the Deputy Prime Minister of Greece about the ‘disappeared girl’ and ‘that ship in Corfu.’ The DPM said our ship was OK and he’d ‘look into the girl matter.’ Well, we’re also looking into it. We mean her no harm. But her blow is causing Dev T. Looks like another ‘Linda Smith’ plant.” — The Commodore, March 11, 1969
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“A psychological operation perpetrated by unfriendly Gray ETs has been Disclosed. In it the Gray ETs choose people for abduction and mind control. After they have been programmed, the abductees and contactees are introduced into society in positions of influence. The ‘Chosen One’ individuals are mainly connected to military or government positions and families. This Psyop has apparently not been identified in Scientology auditing. One reason for that is because there are specific publications by LRH that forbid the inclusion of PCs with connections to governments, intelligence agencies and the military.”
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1997: Boulder Weekly published an article about Stephen Keller, a father who was forced to turn over his daughter to the Scientology mission by police. “Cuffed and sitting in the front seat of a police car, but not under arrest, Keller explained to the cops his fears about the Church of Scientology and his belief that he would never see his daughter again. Amanda is the 15-year-old pawn in a brewing custody battle between Keller and his ex-wife Suzanne, a high-ranking Scientologist. Keller says he has already lost his son Ben to the church. And he says the thought of losing his only daughter is too much to bear. Currently Suzanne Keller, who lives in a Scientology compound in Clearwater, Fla., has custody. A court hearing in Boulder County District Court in early April will determine sole custody. Officers contend that Keller violated a custody order by keeping his daughter in Colorado two days later than the court order mandated, and that they were only doing their job. And, they say, Suzanne Keller gave her permission to the sheriff’s department to turn her daughter over to Boulder Dianetics Foundation executive secretary Susan Anderson – the same woman Keller had run off his property earlier that day. Before being turned over to Anderson, Amanda and Steve Keller had spent three weeks together trying to dance around a Church of Scientology plan to marry Amanda off to a 23-year-old Chilean man to thwart her father’s bid for custody. It was not, Keller says, a merry Christmas. Boulder attorney Michael Morphew, who is representing Keller in the custody action, says he has seen the effects of Scientology on teenagers. ‘The types of developmental issues (teens) face and how they learn to go about becoming an adult. And the challenges and the things you need to be faced with as a teenager isn’t going to happen in a Scientology commune.'”
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“You people’s humanity is rubbing off on me and it’s making me unstable.”
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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 April 15.
— ‘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 March 31.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud, awaiting sentencing.
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.
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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] They’ve done it again! Billboard goes up adjacent to Scientology HQ in Los Angeles
[TWO years ago] PODCAST: HBO ‘Q Into the Storm’ star Fredrick Brennan on Scientology and QAnon
[THREE years ago] Confused by Scientology’s latest moves? L. Ron Hubbard can explain everything
[FOUR years ago] New Scientology magazine boasts that David Miscavige is now a Florida fixture
[FIVE years ago] What it’s like to discover your employer is pushing Scientology on his office
[SIX years ago] New government docs show Scientology trying to snow the Justice Dept after Snow White
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology TV goes live tomorrow at 8 pm Eastern on app, DirecTV
[EIGHT years ago] Source: Scientology made Danny Masterson’s Victim B search past lives to explain being raped
[NINE years ago] Belgian judge throws entire case against Scientology out of court on technicality
[TEN years ago] The ‘Going Clear’ screening in Austin, featuring Marty Rathbun and other familiar faces
[ELEVEN years ago] Judge in Laura DeCrescenzo’s case retires, Scientology objects to his replacement
[TWELVE years ago] LEAKED: Scripts Spell Out How Scientology Directs the Unsuspecting to Its Rehab Network
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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 3,200 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,695 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,210 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,760 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,750 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,136 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,631 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,935 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,806 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,358 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,699 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,266 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,185 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,353 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,935 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,194 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,231 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,947 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,511 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,826 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,001 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,683 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,020 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,874 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,989 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,351 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,760 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,158 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,034 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,599 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,110 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,366 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,474 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 11, 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 sliding into a beautiful Tesla today to own the libs
Some links to Q-related items today
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 March 11, 2025 at 08:00
March 10, 2025
How to ‘declare’ and shame an enemy of the church: The Scientology checklist!
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We have often discussed Scientology’s practice of ‘declaring’ someone a ‘suppressive person,’ the church’s way of labeling an enemy. But how, exactly, are declares put together? What a lot of work they turn out to be, according to this previously unpublished checklist! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“Engrams are run to release charge from a ease. Charge is not released to cure the body or to cure anything physical and the meter cures nothing. Charge is released entirely to return to a thetan his causation over the time track, to restore his power of choice, and to free him of his most intimate trap, his own time track. You cannot have decent, honest or capable beings as long as they are trapped and overwhelmed. While this philosophy may be contrary to the intentions of a slavemaster or a degrader it is nevertheless demonstrably true. The universe is not itself a trap capable only of degradation. But beings exist who, beaten and overwhelmed themselves, can utilize this universe to degrade others.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
[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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“Way back here at origin, you get the first separation from theta. And that actually would be Incident One…It’s very patterned, and you can run it without much trouble. It simply consists of this: The race, with its bodies and so forth, inhabiting a place in THIS universe, a planet in this universe, was hit by, infiltrated by, an incoming race…This invader race came in and says – with a lot of electronics and said, ‘Boys, all you’ve got to do is take this little jim-dandy whizzer, and you know, you will be twice as thetesque as before.’ They sold you all a bill of goods…They knocked us off with a very simple apparatus, and that simple apparatus consisted of something that went around your head and across the top of your head and under your chin — under your throat — and back of your head. And everything pointed at the pineal. They turned on the juice…and your mystic powers more or less went by the boards…Long time later, maybe even a million years later, you eventually wound up before another crew. And this other crew said, ‘We don’t want you around anymore, and we’re going to send you to jail.’ And so they packaged you up and shipped you off, and that is an incident we call Before Earth — B.E….But there’s a race existing right now out in outer space, and this race is not very interested in you, not very interested. And some of you, by the way, without much trouble, can do a contact across, because some of your theta line stayed out there….I’m sorry if it stretches your credulity. I do hope, however, that it doesn’t stretch it to the point where you won’t operate on it.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 10, 1952
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“Margo Clarke is to work 48 hours in the Income Dept preparing statements to become familiar with the rundown. INCOME IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN DISBURSEMENT. Liz Ausley is to act as Temporary Purser, check out on the new P/L on org boards and do a proper org board for Div III FAO. The WHY of any FAO disorganization or slow forming has been traced to lack of knowledge on how to post an org bd as covered by the new P/L.” — The Commodore, March 10, 1971
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“What we see in the world today is the deliberate and knowing application of Reverse Scientology, the compromise, inversion and reversal of truth. KUCDEIOF (know, unknow, curious, desire, enforce, inhibit, none of it, false) is applied downscale by firstly persuading the person to unknow what they actually know to be true. KUCDEIOF is applied in reverse to implant false and substituted stable data. Reverse KUCDEIOF is pyramid sales, WorldBook Encyclopedia for example. The point is one handles all this stuff by applying Scientology upscale. It’s an interesting avenue of approach when we consider that LRH indicates the undercut to the GPMs is increasing perimeters of awareness and increasing awareness levels or responsibility levels within those increasing perimeters of responsibility. Gradients apply.”
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1996: Scientology has lost the case against Netherlands Internet providers and Karin Spaink. They have been ordered to pay the defendant’s attorney’s fees. From the ruling: “It is a fact that defendant sub 23 until a short time ago had a number of passages from above mentioned works on her Internet home page. Also it is a fact that defendant, when the plaintiffs – with pression by the defendants – had put their copyright claims on a better basis, has modified her home page drastically. That she still violates the copyright of any of the plaintiffs has not been made plausible. Insofar as she still has literal passages from protected works they are nothing more than quotations that, considering the context in which they are used, fall under the exempt ruling of art. 15A of the law on copyright. Plaintiffs submitted that with respect to the works OT II and OT III there is no case of lawful publication, but this is rejected. It is a fact that (important parts of) these works as part of the Fishman Affidavit where publicly available during a long time as part of a judicial procedure in the United States. There is no way to see why such a publication is not a publication in the sense of art 15A of the law on copyright. Whether art. 11 of the law on copyright is applicable and whether the Fishman Affidavit is part of a judicial ruling does not need an answer. With respect to defendants sub 1 up to and including 22 it is to be assumed that they do nothing more than to give place for publication and that, in principle, they have no influence on or even knowledge of what the person who has gotten access to Internet through them will supply. So there is in principle no reason to hold them responsible for wrongful – for instance violating copyrights of third parties – doings of users. The foregoing leads to the conclusion that the claims should be rejected. Plaintiffs will, as wrong party, be condemned to pay the costs of this suit. Ruled as such by Mr. A.H. van Delden and pronounced in the public seating of March 12, 1996, in presence of the recorder.”
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“I think right now Katie’s main goal is to get Suri acclimated to the real world and to not give Tom and Bert any ammo for a new custody suit. Can you imagine if Katie got caught smoking pot or something else fairly innocuous to most sane people?”
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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 April 15.
— ‘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 March 31.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud, awaiting sentencing.
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.
——————–
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] Scientology does not want racketeering added to lawsuit from Danny Masterson victims
[TWO years ago] Scientology tells court: Two arbitrators have agreed to serve in Valerie Haney case
[THREE years ago] Paulette Cooper writes her own story: Her struggle against Scientology and so much more
[FOUR years ago] If Danny Masterson’s accusers take lawsuit to Calif. supreme court, they will have issues
[FIVE years ago] Scientology mail contract worth $5 million a year says firm suing a former employee
[SIX years ago] A new drug shows promise for depression, so naturally Scientology is fighting it
[SEVEN years ago] Mike Rinder answers questions about the new ‘Aftermath Foundation’
[EIGHT years ago] Louis Farrakhan, Leah Remini, and a document that helps explain the Scientology-NOI pact
[NINE years ago] Reporter’s notebook: Scientology’s latest intimidation attempt is sadly familiar
[TEN years ago] Scenes from a ‘Going Clear’ screening — Alex Gibney at the True/False Festival
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology fliers can chase away any case of the Mondays
[TWELVE years ago] Hurry, Scientology Needs Your PR Help!
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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 3,199 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,694 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,209 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,759 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,749 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,135 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,630 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,934 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,805 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,357 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,698 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,265 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,184 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,352 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,934 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,193 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,230 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,946 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,510 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,825 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,000 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,682 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,019 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,873 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,988 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,350 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,759 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,157 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,033 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,598 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,109 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,365 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,473 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on March 10, 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
He’s making us all rich and all libturds can do is whine
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Trump working hard to fight inflation this weekend pic.twitter.com/CRGbumB0EI
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) March 10, 2025
Trump promises to make the people of Greenland rich days after demanding homeless people in DC be removed. pic.twitter.com/rqRzSH0FHq
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) March 9, 2025
I've said this before and I'm going to keep on saying it. The man thinks tariffs are a money tree he can plant in the Rose Garden and obtain vast wealth. That our press thought this was a hilarious quirk of his personality and not totally disqualifying is their eternal shame. https://t.co/w8DRjxmtbU
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) March 10, 2025
Internal FAA records show hundreds of aviation safety technicians, quality assurance specialists, mechanical engineers and others are heading for the exits amid a deepening crisis for the agency responsible for air safety https://t.co/ciu6hYYHQC
— Isaac Stanley-Becker (@isaacstanbecker) March 9, 2025
Why does Elon Musk keep challenging people to physical combats that will obviously never occur? pic.twitter.com/sDAB3rn1mZ
— Andrew Fleischman (@ASFleischman) March 9, 2025
Nazis think Elon is dog whistling to them that Jews will be kicked out of America. “110” is a Nazi slogan that Jews have been banished from 109 countries and so they are hoping for the US to be the 110th to do so. pic.twitter.com/SWvXUpvELf
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) March 9, 2025
Marco Rubio at Trump’s Palm Beach golf club this weekend pic.twitter.com/JKy1kfPOlV
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) March 10, 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 March 10, 2025 at 08:00
March 9, 2025
Grant Cardone’s chief exec on why this is Scientology’s moment
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Sheri Hamilton has been the COO of Grant Cardone’s ’10X’ enterprise since 2011, and like him is a dedicated Scientology donor. We thought the timing was interesting for her to make this passionate pitch about forking over your money for the church’s building projects. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“There is no difference in the technology required to run a basic or a later incident. It is only the number of times THROUGH that differs. Basic is run through many times. A somewhat later engram is run through a couple of times. An engram very late on the chain is gone through once. Otherwise all engrams whether basic or not are run exactly the same.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
——————–
THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
——————–
“I blew up a whole writing class one time. It’s a wonder they all didn’t leave school. Actually, they relegated it to sort of getting the professor to reprimand me. It was the short story class of Harvard — excuse me, ‘Hah-varrd.’ They made the mistake of having a series of lectures from successful writers. And each one of these gave them a short series of lectures. And all of these people were in a class called Creative Writing. And they were very nicely dressed children. And so my lectures were very well received, and so forth, right up to a point….Because what I told the class that caused them to completely blow up was, I said, ‘Well,’ I said, ‘when you’ve written a few hundred thousand words, why, then you’ve got a style. And it’s taken me about I think, about a hundred thousand words before I had any inkling of any kind of a style.’ And I suddenly noticed, I looked around, I had a class in front of me that was in a state of shock!…It had never occurred to those damned fools or that professor that writers write! And this had nothing whatsoever to do with their education. I know that’s an unbelievable experience. It left me in a state of shock. ‘Well, Hubbard’s an awful bad fellow.’ Never forgave me. I was probably used as a horrible example in that school for years.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 9, 1965
——————–
“AOUK is the highest GI since September 1969! The International GI is the highest since 5 May 1969! Yet several orgs GIs were missing on it due to telex delays! So the FB and production of FAO are showing up where it counts. This is the direct result of renewed Flag industriousness, the teams we are sending out and the on the ground hard work of willing staffs. All have a part in producing such wins, storesmen, engineers, the whole crew.” — The Commodore, March 9, 1971
——————–
“There are suppressive people in our groups and we are reasonable with them. We allow them to third party good auditors, we allow them to pervert the tech. We allow too much and thus, like a cancer, it spreads, and it taints the very hard work we do to make things go right for us and for the rest of us. Consider that your average SP is dangerous enough. Now, you add Scientology into the mix and you have a much more powerful monster. We have monsters among us. I’m sorry if that’s too critical, too bitchy, too reactive for you to have. We have monsters posing as friends, 1.1ing us all the way until our eventual demise. Confronting evil is necessary. In my opinion it is one of, if not the most ethical thing(s) to do.”
2002: The National Enquirer reported that Scientology celebrities Lisa Marie Presley and Kirstie Alley are taking Scientology
courses to help them find compatible mates. “Feeling that they’re unlucky in love, Scientologists Lisa Marie Presley and Kirstie Alley slipped away to the Church of Scientology retreat in Clearwater, Fla., to take up studies that will help them find men who are life soul mates.”
——————–
“Hey, a free trip to America and free rice and beans probably sounds pretty good to a fairly large segment of the world’s population.”
——————–
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 April 15.
— ‘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 March 31.
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.
— 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.
——————–
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] PODCAST: Mark Bunker on Scientologists stealing his campaign signs
[TWO years ago] Scientology documentary resurfaces, and it leads to a foreign exchange program!
[THREE years ago] Scientology and Ukraine: While some back Putin, Volunteer Ministers see an opportunity
[FOUR years ago] Civil case on ice (for now), and will Danny Masterson show for next criminal hearing?
[FIVE years ago] Scientology attempts to clean up its balloon mess by clearing beach of syringes
[SIX years ago] William Burroughs at Scientology’s ‘Saint Hill Manor’ in 1968, before his discontent
[SEVEN years ago] Scientologists bombarded to attend Hubbard birthday events, and this is our favorite flier
[EIGHT years ago] As Louis Theroux’s ‘My Scientology Movie’ hits U.S., troubling news of co-star Marty Rathbun
[NINE years ago] Scientology ‘disconnection’ billboard to be a block from David Miscavige’s office & residence
[TEN years ago] Scientology documentary ‘Going Clear’ participants getting harassed, threatened
[ELEVEN years ago] Video Vault: When Scientology basked in the success of giant cucumbers
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Mythbusting with Jon Atack: Xenu the Galactic Overlord, Part 1!
——————–
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 3,198 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,693 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,208 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,758 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,748 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,134 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,629 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,933 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,804 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,356 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,697 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,264 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,183 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,351 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,933 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,192 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,229 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,945 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,509 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,824 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,999 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,681 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,018 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,872 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,987 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,349 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,758 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,156 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,032 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,597 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,108 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,364 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,472 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on March 9, 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 to libturds: ‘Shut up about egg prices’
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Weingarten: It’s really only the Congress that can abolish the Department of Education. So, what the president can do is make government basically ineffective—not work—by a thousand cuts. And that’s what they’re doing. So, if you essentially fire the entire staff, or 80% of the… pic.twitter.com/nO2bYEE6En
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 8, 2025
Democrats can’t shut down the government. They don’t have the votes to do that.
If the government shuts down, it will be because Republicans didn’t vote the way Trump wanted them to. pic.twitter.com/yWT7raDefu
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) March 8, 2025
Trump’s posted article: “First, the high price of eggs is in no way President Trump’s fault.” pic.twitter.com/oUcBcsfHlg
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) March 8, 2025
WIRED spoke to federal staffers across agencies about how Elon Musk's $1 spending limit is crippling their research, resources and more. In many cases, employees are already unable to carry out the basic functions of their job.https://t.co/vqmcejMY0l
— WIRED (@WIRED) March 9, 2025
Because of an “error” by DOGE, NWS employees are being paid to not work for weeks.
Now That’s What I Call Government Efficiency. https://t.co/zYDEFkr2C4
— Travis View (@travis_view) March 8, 2025
Trump is busy this morning at his golf course trying to get the Epstein files released pic.twitter.com/GGdTJCQJeY
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) March 8, 2025
MAGA “art” on display at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home pic.twitter.com/fHrCZaC02R
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) March 8, 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 March 9, 2025 at 08:00
March 8, 2025
Scientology wants to know, can you spare a dime for Ron’s new museum?
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 been raising money seemingly forever for ‘L. Ron Hubbard Hall,’ a huge venue in Clearwater, Florida that we assume will someday become the location for maybe all of the organization’s big events. But a new fundraising pitch also suggests it might be even more. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“No full erasure of incidents later than basic is possible, but charge can be removed from them providing they are not ground out but only run lightly a time or two and then an earlier incident on the chain found and similarly run. When the basic is found it is erased by many passes over it. Basic is the only one which can be run many times. The later the incident is (the further from basic) the more lightly it is run.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
——————–
THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
——————–
“Christ bore the burdens of all man and the world, didn’t he? So, if a person keeps on offending, offending, offending against the seventh dynamic, he will eventually offend so wrongly and so widely and broadly that his only solution to it is to wind up as Christ. This isn’t saying that’s the route that Christ went although some of the lost books of the Bible tell you how he spent his early youth using his powers to destroy those around him. You may not be aware of these early accounts. There’s one story, in these lost books of the Bible, about his blinding a playmate merely by telling him to go blind.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 8, 1952
——————–
“THE RUMOURS: The landing ships out in the harbour ‘briefed’ their men on how this ship was out of bounds as ‘full of draft dodgers, marijuana smokers, free love, hypnotism,’ said to have been briefed by their ‘upper echelon.’ We are sending Ensign Dunleavy and a boat out (the sea sled) to call on their senior captain to get it handled. Their men are upsetting the Greeks also. We’ll take care of it. Captains in the US Navy who ‘can’t handle their men’ (the one thing Admirals in the US go bonkers about) are seldom promoted any more. We hold all the aces. We’ll handle it on the lower echelon level and run it back to some psychiatrist they’ve got aboard, I’m sure. Poor old SMERSH.” — The Commodore, March 8, 1969
——————–
“KSW is hard core. It keeps people from squirreling the tech. It is under attack right now and if I follow logic it tells me that the folks attacking it want to squirrel. That’s OK, but go somewhere else and do it. If someone wants to be free with the tech — go ahead, but if you kill someone or maim someone with Black Dianetics or Black Scientology, you are no different than DM. How a piece of paper can ‘stop thought’ is beyond my comprehension. That is such nonsense it makes my head hurt. And about people being victims of Scientology: No one can be a victim of Scientology. LRH said in the tape ‘LRH Talks to Ethics Officers WW’ that if a pc gets sick after an auditing session he is PTS to the auditor and/or the C/S who apparently suppressed him with out-tech. Does that mean the auditor and/or the C/S are suppressive? No. They just committed out tech on the pc and he got sick. So if someone had ill-effects from the ‘Sea Org’ or the ‘Church’ or ‘Scientology’ it was not because of the subject of the ‘Sea Org’ or the ‘Church’ or ‘Scientology,’ it is because of people. A group can be suppressive, like the IRS or the NSA, but when you peel it back it is one person who dictates what to do. Same with the Church, if you take out DM and his connections (SPs) you will have a calmed down scene that would be easy to reform. It is just insanity to say that KSW #1 cuts across thought. LRH busted his ass to get us good workable tech and all he is saying is ‘do it the right way or get the hell out of here.’ That’s all. And people call it ‘thought control.’ My head actually hurts from this stupidity.”
2001: John Ritson and Roland Rashleigh-Berry reports on a protest in London. “The highlight was one of the clams lugging out a thick dictionary to do ‘word-clearing’ in the middle of the pavement. He had managed to convince himself that ‘word-clearing’ was the answer to all problems, because if one misunderstood words while in command of nuclear weapons, one could cause a disaster, but had difficulties when it was pointed out that some sentences could contain perfectly simple words but be nonsense. The sight of the poor soul standing there frantically trying to locate ‘enturbulate’ was mind-blowing. I could manipulate one Scientologist into coming out of hiding simply by describing the criminal L. Ron Hubbard. He would come out and order me not to talk about Hubbard, I would go into detail about Hubbard’s use of Vistaril and ‘pinks and greys’. He would go back inside again. Another staffer tried the ‘Death Stare’ on each picketer in turn, to no effect. Then he tried a bizarre ritual of going up to picketers while holding a clipboard, and then drawing two vertical lines on the paper. We picketed the Martian Embassy on Tottenham Court Road today (10 March 2001). There were me (Roland), Hartley, Jens, Shellac, Martin P, Steve C-T, John Ritson and Duke the dog in attendance. We had a police presence today because the police had got so fed up with being called out on previous pickets from false reports from the clams that they decided to be there and find out what goes on. 550 leaflets were given out to public who actually wanted to take them. John Ritson was a wonder on the boombox. He scored his metaphorical double-century today.”
——————–
“I’d bet the farm that this isn’t the end of the battle for the mind of poor Suri. This was only round one. Things will get ugly, real ugly, further down the road.”
——————–
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 April 15.
— ‘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 March 31.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud, awaiting sentencing.
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.
— 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.
——————–
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] You’ve just been through Scientology’s Wall of Fire: It’s time to party!
[TWO years ago] Is this Scientology’s greatest fundraising flier ever? It’s ‘Mission Earth’ stupendous!
[THREE years ago] Danny Masterson joins Scientology asking CA supremes to review ‘arbitration’ defeat
[FOUR years ago] SHELLY MISCAVIGE ON VIDEO: Never-before-seen footage from before her disappearance
[FIVE years ago] Forcing Scientology ‘arbitration’ on rape victims would be US courts imposing religion
[SIX years ago] Can Scientology be tripped up by consumer protection? You must hear this pitch.
[SEVEN years ago] While in hiding, Scientology’s L. Ron Hubbard sent advice to newly elected Ronald Reagan
[EIGHT years ago] Danny Masterson: Victim C gets support from a veteran actress, but will LAPD answer the call?
[NINE years ago] BACK ON: Scientology ‘disconnection’ billboard OK’d by competitor after Outfront Media bails
[TEN years ago] Scientology really, really, really doesn’t want you to see this movie
[ELEVEN years ago] Jon Atack: Why it takes so long to recover from Scientology
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Targets Aussie Kindergartners, Swedish Grade Schoolers
——————–
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 3,197 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,692 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,207 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,757 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,747 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,133 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,628 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,932 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,803 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,355 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,696 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,263 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,182 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,350 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,932 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,191 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,228 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,944 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,508 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,823 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,998 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,680 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,017 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,871 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,986 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,348 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,757 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,155 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,031 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,596 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,107 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,363 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,471 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on March 8, 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
Economy tanking? Trade wars raging? 47 flies to Florida for another golf weekend
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});5 things Trump did this week
1. Tanked the stock market
2. Falsely claimed Honda was building a new plant in Indiana
3. Flip flopped on tariffs again
4. Suggested the two stranded astronauts could fall in love
5. Flew to Florida to go golf pic.twitter.com/11UMuLUSS0
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) March 7, 2025
The Trump Organization is now suing Capital One for “debanking” the company after the Jan 6 attack. The Trump White House, however, dropped the $2 billion consumer fraud lawsuit the CFPB filed against the bank in the final weeks of the Biden administration pic.twitter.com/8gpxR1oFxM
— Roger Sollenberger (@SollenbergerRC) March 7, 2025
New: We interviewed the White House digital team for a deep dive into how their unapologetic rapid-response social media and influencer operation is working to shape public opinion and dominate the press: "All offense, all the time" pic.twitter.com/wC2CZgiBFZ
— Drew Harwell (@drewharwell) March 6, 2025
I have reported on tech that police currently use that has AI to scrape social media, create “target cards” on “suspects,” and uses cellphone ad ID it buys from data brokers to geolocate and build profiles on people. One is Israeli-made called Cobwebs. LAPD uses it. https://t.co/PH0eFxEWPJ
— joeyneverjoe.bsky.social (@joeyneverjoe) March 7, 2025
Republican Rep. Mike Lawler who represents a swing district in NY gets booed ruthlessly after trying to use the 'waste, fraud, and abuse' line in response to voters' concerns about Medicaid cuts (via lohud) pic.twitter.com/M7Ev9MsNKT
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) March 7, 2025
A DC judge said today he’ll likely order the Trump admin's government efficiency office to preserve its records; no immediate ruling on whether DOGE is subject to FOIAhttps://t.co/ARCyIYLsQg
— Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) March 7, 2025
Super cringe pic.twitter.com/qf20CGSYWW
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) March 8, 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 March 8, 2025 at 08:00
March 7, 2025
An appellate attorney looks at Scientology’s slam on Leah Remini’s lawsuit
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Yesterday we posted the appeal brief that Scientology submitted in Leah Remini’s lawsuit. We found the document repulsive. But could it be effective as a legal instrument? For some help on that, we turned once again to an appellate attorney who is familiar with this litigation. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“Charge is held in place by the basic on a chain. When only later than basic incidents are run charge can be restimulated and then bottled up again with a very small amount blown. This is known as ‘grinding out’ an incident. An engram is getting run, but as it is not basic on a chain, no adequate amount of charge is being released. Later than basic incidents are run either (a) to uncover more basic (earlier) incidents or (b) to clean up the chain after basic has been found and erased.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978
——————–
THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
——————–
THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
——————–
“You can pick up a rock and handle it quite safely. It won’t disappear on you for the excellent reason that it has so many fundamentals, so many basics, so many premises from which it sprang. There are so many alter-isnesses which have proceeded along the line, that it’s not really likely to as-is in your hands. But if you start plowing around about the original rock or the source of all rocks, or you start questioning the source of all rocks, if you did it expertly enough I’m afraid you would feel the rock tremble, because if you did it completely successfully, it’s liable to be gone.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 7, 1957
——————–
“The ship looks good and Captain Robertson is to be congratulated on it and the officers and crew are thanked for their care and attention. I am glad to be back aboard. The only trouble is that ashore the dogs bark all night and now, without this I probably won’t be able to sleep. However, Janet Guilford says we can organize an All Hands Barking Stations.” — The Commodore, March 7, 1970
——————–
“Our DNA does not end here. It is in instant communication with all our cells at the same time, and with any other point in space and time. We have been messed with a long time ago, so that this program, this DNA, was dysfunctional. But it is becoming activated now. I have personally experienced this and tell you guys — clearly well-educated Scientologists — that this is hot stuff. Get ready for some exciting material, delivered in an unusual way compared to LRH’s but believe me it is awesome. What is coolest about it all is that he tells you that this can affect you as God (and as we know through engrams) also can, and that this is a two-way thing. So far, the energy levels of this planet inhibited this, but they are now high enough (higher tone level, higher theta) so that we can now successfully command our DNA. We can be masters, and this is what beings like Jesus were — Masters of their own DNA. We have only 30 percent of our DNA operational and someone with the state of Christ would be 100 percent. Many people on Earth are already above the 30 percent and this process has now momentum and is awakening in every body whether or not they are spiritually minded. This new revival will not make the world spiritual yet. It will bring a conscience of compassion which will in turn bring PEACE on Earth. This is not the end. This will be the beginning, the basis from which real change can begin to occur towards spirituality as until that happens all wisdom and technology can be weaponised.”
2000: The St. Petersburg Times published an editorial on the criminal case against Scientology in the death of Lisa McPherson. “The tragedy of Lisa McPherson’s death in a Scientology hotel room has turned into a sad, convoluted mess that cries out for justice. An unexplained reversal by Pinellas-Pasco Medical Examiner Joan Wood has prosecutors reviewing their case and raises questions about Wood’s competence. Meanwhile, sworn statements by Scientologists paint a disturbing picture of McPherson’s final days and raise this question: Why was no individual charged with a crime? Wood certainly surprised the state attorney’s office. The new autopsy report is ‘something of major significance we need to review,’ said Assistant State Attorney Doug Crow. Amid the doubt, this much is clear: Wood owes the residents of Pinellas County an explanation; and State Attorney Bernie McCabe still needs to prosecute those his office determines to be responsible in McPherson’s suffering and death. No doubt remains that McPherson was ill served by her Scientology ‘caretakers.’ Alain Kartuzinski, a senior church staff member, ordered McPherson’s isolation and authorized medication without a doctor’s approval. Then he lied to police about his involvement. Janis Johnson, a church medical officer and unlicensed doctor, was seen giving McPherson injections of a prescription muscle relaxant that had not been authorized by a doctor. She also lied to police. David Houghton, a dentist, helped administer medication, including forcing crushed aspirin and Benadryl down her throat with a large syringe. David Minkoff, a church member and doctor in Pasco County, prescribed drugs for McPherson over the phone without examining the patient. By the time he saw her, she was dead. Changing a few words on the autopsy report does not change the tragic events that unfolded in a darkened Scientology hotel room. Whatever caused the blood clot that killed McPherson, timely medical care would have given her a chance to survive. No matter how many experts the Church of Scientology hires or how much pressure they put on public officials, a jury should decide if someone committed a crime in the death of Lisa McPherson.”
——————–
“Hubbard deciding the right tone level for being mauled by a bear is fabulous.”
——————–
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 April 15.
— ‘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 March 31.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud, awaiting sentencing.
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.
— 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.
——————–
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] For an outfit that sells immortality, Scientology really sucks about death
[TWO years ago] Scientology: Trafficking suit has a Waffle House problem. ALSO: Newiga sings in Tokyo!
[THREE years ago] The new Impact magazine is here, and we get to see Scientology’s biggest donors celebrated!
[FOUR years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 5: The dirty tricks private eyes
[FIVE years ago] Valerie Haney asks judge to reconsider ruling, and has some excellent arguments
[SIX years ago] Scientology denied: Eleventh Circuit brushes aside church attempt to stop Garcia appeal
[SEVEN years ago] Is American culture now so hopeless that Scientology’s insanity is no longer notable?
[EIGHT years ago] Paul Haggis spoils movie night for Scientology, shows what a real humanitarian does
[NINE years ago] There’s a backstory to the recent news of a Scientology TV ad being banned in the UK
[TEN years ago] Jon Atack visits an org — ALSO: The richest Scientologist gets even richer!
[ELEVEN years ago] BRAD HALSEY, 1957-2014
[TWELVE years ago] NARCONON CEO GARY SMITH LOSES COUNSELOR CERTIFICATION
——————–
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 3,196 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,691 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,206 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,756 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,746 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,132 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,627 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,931 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,802 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,354 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,695 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,262 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,181 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,349 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,931 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,190 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,227 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,943 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,507 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,822 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,997 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,679 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,016 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,870 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,985 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,347 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,756 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,154 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,030 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,595 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,106 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,362 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,470 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on March 7, 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.
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Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Defense purge of DEI includes photos of the Enola Gay because it’s… gay?
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});They purged pictures of the Enola Gay from the DOD websites because they thought it had to do with LGBTQ. You can’t make up how dumb they are. https://t.co/ywOazcxOHL pic.twitter.com/vS5mN4XtrQ
— austerity is theft (@wideofthepost) March 7, 2025
Why does Trump always sound like he’s hearing the gist of the executive order for the first time ever? pic.twitter.com/yTAcVSkESn
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) March 7, 2025
JUST IN: A federal judge has ordered the reinstatement of NLRB board member Gwynne Wilcox, and has some choice language for Trump, whose self-depiction as a king "fundamentally misapprehends the role under Article II of the U.S. Constitution." https://t.co/FsS2avMfRH pic.twitter.com/CqkJOXfPyS
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) March 6, 2025
NEWS: Trump abruptly assembled his cabinet today to let them know Elon MUSK is not in charge of hiring/firing — they are.
It was an abrupt admonition that appeared aimed at the mounting legal scrutiny of Musk's power over the government.
w/ @DashaBurns… pic.twitter.com/Fgg8EHZWkZ
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) March 6, 2025
Here's a good article on @DataRepublican, a clueless grifter who was boosted by Elon Musk for peddling conspiracy theories about USAID predicated on a complete lack of understanding of how government spending works. She is now contributing to DOGE.https://t.co/c6AgVS12gk
— Momentum Chaser (@electricfutures) March 6, 2025
reporters stop writing entire articles premised on the idea that musk is in charge of DOGE without mentioning that the government has claimed in court that he’s not in charge of DOGE and that he’s not an employee of DOGE and that he doesn’t have any decision-making authority…
— Anna Bower (@AnnaBower) March 6, 2025
DOGE to kill $5B investment in midwestern energy infrastructure to own the libs?
Reality: It's a LOAN GUARANTEE. The government is not paying for anything unless the project fails and the borrower defaults. The AG of Missouri is apparently an idiot. pic.twitter.com/MeTtSK71In
— Momentum Chaser (@electricfutures) March 6, 2025
A federal judge has held Mike Lindell and My Pillow in contempt of court for refusing to turn over analytics data for his website in lawsuit brought by Smartmatic. https://t.co/z49uOanToz pic.twitter.com/8bq18uyOgl
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) March 6, 2025
A Tucker appearance was part of SBF'S "reputation recovery plan", written just after FTX collapse and presented at trial by prosecutors. It led to sentence enhancements because it showed his lack of remorse.
Continuing the weird effort to make him a right-wing cause celebre. https://t.co/tSDqSpZDC4
— David Z. Morris (@davidzmorris) March 6, 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 March 7, 2025 at 08:00
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