Tony Ortega's Blog, page 52
March 2, 2025
Mike Myers as Elon: The comic relief we so desperately need
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});SNL debuts a new Elon Musk: Mike Myers pic.twitter.com/ivTYtpyeBy
— LateNighter (@latenightercom) March 2, 2025
Mike Myers wears a "Canada is not for sale" shirt at the end of #SNL pic.twitter.com/qLHPIYNbcG
— Jordan Davidson 🇨🇦 (@jordangeville) March 2, 2025
Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi just received a huge standing ovation in a Trump +5 Congressional District at Hofstra University after talking about how despicable Trump‘s behavior was in the Oval Office with Zelensky. Americans are furious. pic.twitter.com/93uRwuWlMB
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) March 1, 2025
Protest to protect Medicaid in Mount Kisco, New York. This is NY-17, Republican Rep. Mike Lawler’s district. pic.twitter.com/QMU4oRewnq
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) March 2, 2025
This article might dampen your weekend mood, but it's a must read.
The situation in the US government is already dire, but trying to comprehend what comes next is even more unsettling. https://t.co/oqfB78SLpb
— WIRED (@WIRED) March 2, 2025
NEW STORY: When the Trump Admin abruptly cancelled almost all USAID programs, it also refused to pay $2bln the U.S. govt owes **for work that’s been done.**
One of the cut-off programs in Syria couldn’t afford security and was robbed by masked men. pic.twitter.com/BzjgF7kCzy
— Jesse Eisinger (@eisingerj) March 2, 2025
Confirmed: White House Gave Epstein Binder to Supporter Who Wore 'Free Ghislaine' Shirt
Ghislaine Maxwell was found guilty of grooming underage victims for Jeffrey Epstein https://t.co/BPVsbHPJXK
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) March 2, 2025
Deleted tweet from incoming FBI deputy Director Dan Bongino on January 6thhttps://t.co/MaHAAqj5NP pic.twitter.com/O3w13LnFCN
— Andy Kaczynski (@KFILE) March 1, 2025
ProPublica identified 95 Facebook pages that regularly post made-up headlines designed to draw engagement — and, often, stoke political divisions.
The pages, most of which are managed by people overseas, have a total of more than 7.7M followers.https://t.co/JVWwk35frH
— ProPublica (@propublica) March 1, 2025
Trump Attempts to Pardon Pete Rose Into the Hall of Fame
Trump Prioritizes Pete Rose Pardon Over Inflation Concerns https://t.co/ySeLsOxAsQ
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) March 1, 2025
Lindsey Graham dining with Trump at Mar-a-Lago last night. Trump uses velvet ropes to keep his club members away from him. pic.twitter.com/RV59azI8WX
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) March 2, 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 2, 2025 at 08:00
March 1, 2025
Scientology’s David Miscavige may be coming to party in your town soon!
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Last year saw Scientology open four new ‘Ideal Orgs’ by April, but nothing since then. Now we have evidence that two more may be very close to their grand openings. You know what that means: Dave will be coming out of his hidey hole to cut a big ribbon and shoot off some confetti! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“Although finding and curtailing the development of the time track at genus is not improbable, the ability of the preclear to attain it early on is questionable without reducing the charge on the existing track. Therefore, any system which reduces the charged condition of the time track without reducing but increasing the awareness and decisionability of the preclear is valid processing. Any system which seeks to handle the charge but reduces the preclear’s awareness and decisionability is not valid processing but is degrading.” — 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.
——————–
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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“A radio ad in the Los Angeles area in l950 was pulling in 125 new people a night. They came in, they were given cards, they were given a very bright lecture, they were very interested, they were given these cards to fill out as to whether or not they wanted training and processing, and what was their home address and phone number. The cards were handed out to them. The organization left them on the chairs, they fell off the chairs and on the floor, and eventually an old showman, the janitor, sort of got the idea maybe he shouldn’t be burning up all this trash and started turning them into me directly…That was the operating line of PE, l950. The organization was making a fortune, until it all just went bong bang crash thud bong on just too much Dev-T, out-ethics, dishonesty, various things. Somebody decided he’d like to cut himself a whole piece of the organization, things of this character. But the organization could be put back together again to run at that high rate of speed anytime, any minute. We have found out it doesn’t matter what the papers say, it doesn’t matter what Time Magazine says, it doesn’t matter what the psychiatrists say, the word of mouth in the streets, it doesn’t matter one bit at all. It doesn’t matter how many football matches, it doesn’t matter how many this, how many that and so forth. An effective, efficient organization which is viably running and so forth, makes a mint.” — L. Ron Hubbard, March 1, 1972
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“We sail at 1700 today. Have all readiness reports in by 1500 and all bills paid please. Cond I will take her out of harbour and Condition VI with A2 up first will handle at sea. A VIP reception will be given in the next port on the 3rd of March. The ship will be cleaned, scrubbed and painted up for this event.” — Capt W.B. Robertson, Flag Ship Org, March 1, 1971
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“My purpose years ago was to become a free spirit and I had totally given up all considerations on MEST and really didn’t need it. I used it as it was required and had no need or inclination to acquire more of it as I considered it baggage. Money and or the exchange of goods and services got me where I needed to be and I was happy. My current wife is totally MEST-driven and has gotten me trapped in the acquisition of more and more of it to a point where I have a house with five bedrooms of which three are empty. Whaaaat? This is a huge trap for me. I am a free spirit not this MEST-accumulating humanoid. I have become what I didn’t want and used to look at others in the same position and see their trap. I need to revitalize my purpose.”
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2001: Dave Touretzky reported receiving a legal warning from Scientology lawyer Ava Paquette regarding his plans to discuss Scientology’s secret materials at a lecture at Carnegie Mellon University. “You have posted an announcement to the newsgroup, alt.religion.scientology about your intention to publicly display the entire text of NOTs 34 under the guise of ‘teaching’ activities. Labeling
this activity as ‘teaching’ does not give rise to any exemption notwithstanding your views of the law. Given the context in which you are announcing your intentions, it is plain that your threatened display of the entire text of NOTs 34 as educational ‘fair use’ is a pretext. As you well know, Judge Whyte enjoined the unlawful reproduction of that work even when, according to Keith Henson, its reproduction was relevant to his
purported purpose. For these reasons, we demand that your refrain from your announced display of NOTs 34, without prejudice to any of RTC’s rights or remedies, all of which are expressly reserved, as is RTC’s right to take action without further notice to you.” “Dear Ms. Paquette, I was disappointed to receive your email message this evening, because my lecture in the Information Warfare class was at 11:30 this morning. I agree with you that use of material in the classroom is subject to copyright limitations. However, I reject your assertion that those limitations are exactly the same in all contexts. Copyrighted works are routinely displayed in their entirety in classroom settings, especially in the case of movies, audio recordings, or poetry. Nonetheless, I am delighted to see you acknowledge the possibility of fair use of Scientology materials. For the sake of argument, could you tell me exactly which paragraphs of NOTs 34 you think could be displayed to a class without exceeding the bounds of fair use?”
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“Crowley adherents take the man at his word just like you-know-who do. They don’t understand he was a showman B.S.-artist and it was all about the sex and drugs. They believe in ‘magick’.”
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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.
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?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Priscilla Presley hangs out with Scientology celeb and longtime friend Gottfried Helnwein
[TWO years ago] David Miscavige objects to being served, claims he does no business in Florida
[THREE years ago] Scientology asks California Supreme Court to review its defeat on ‘religious arbitration’
[FOUR years ago] Hidden microphone: Scientology staffer shows how far they’ll go for $50
[FIVE years ago] Videos capture Scientology’s bizarre ideas about Clearwater election and Mark Bunker
[SIX years ago] Adam Holland, Scientology whistle-blower who exposed Sea Org conditions, 1988-2019
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology bragging on how well its Super Bowl ad did is the best thing ever
[EIGHT years ago] 15 of the strangest things Scientology’s two supreme leaders ever uttered
[NINE years ago] What Scientology kids are really taught to believe about other religions and ‘God’
[TEN years ago] Sunday Funnies: Scientology going all-in with fundraising and fire fighters
[ELEVEN years ago] Jon Atack: The harassment of independent Scientologists didn’t begin with David Miscavige
[TWELVE years ago] Is The L.A. Cyclist Who Was Nearly Killed in Hit-and-Run a Scientology “Sea Org” Worker?
——————–
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 3,190 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,685 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,200 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,750 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,740 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,126 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,621 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,925 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,796 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,348 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,689 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,256 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,175 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,343 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,925 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,184 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,221 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,937 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,501 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,816 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,991 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,673 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,010 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,864 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,979 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,341 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,750 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,148 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,024 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,589 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,100 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,356 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,464 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on March 1, 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
February 28, 2025
Scientology is crowing about a Senate resolution it’s helping to goose along
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We’ve cited examples of wealthy Scientologists with close ties to the 2nd Trump administration, but #Scientology itself has been pretty quiet about it. Now, however, the church is crowing about something in DC that pulls together characters we’ve been watching for years. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“Routine 2 will be with us a long, long time and it is worth learning well. It takes the toughest case apart and is the only process that can start the actual clearing of 80 percent or more of all cases. I have done or reviewed thousands of hours of auditing in forming and organizing and testing Routine 2. It is the most gratifying (and sometimes hair-raising) auditing I have ever done or viewed. You can’t oversell Routine 2. You just can’t. For it is the first gateway to light, life and liberty for all Mankind at last.” — 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.
——————–
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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“A man decides to smoke. He therefore becomes an identity known as a smoker. You’ve seen them in the ads. They look very placid. If they smoke cigarettes, they chase pretty girls. And if they smoke pipes they chase fireplaces. You know? And we’ve seen this. Whatever this identity was, he’s assumed this identity and then he gets married and his wife objects to his being a smoker; so now he has an opposition known as a wife. So he assumes a new identity which is ‘a dominating husband’ in order to handle the identity ‘wife.’ But now we have a new identity show up. We have something called the Ladies’ Aide Society, and his wife has joined that. And their combined forces are going to cause him to stop smoking. So now he has to become a wealthy self-determined individual. You see that? And the Ladies’ Aide Societies then get a bunch of quacks — members of the AMA — together and they say that if you smoke it produces cancer. They don’t know what produces cancer but they say that smoking does. They, you see that’s the ghost-shirt messianic thing. They have no solution to it, they can’t cure it so they pick on something and they say, ‘Well, everybody spits in the water so that’s what causes typhoid fever.’ They don’t know. You see? So now he has a counter-identity called the American Medical Association. You see? And that’s an identity. So, this fellow now in desperation to handle this situation becomes a political genius, you see. Because you have to be a political genius these days to handle the AMA. That’s the only place where they operate effectively. Don’t operate effectively in the operating room anymore, only in Congress. So here he is now a genius, you see, a political genius. Now, the political genius runs into an opposition party. So, you have an opposition party — the Democrats. You see, that’s the next oppterm. And that’s about the high tide of the whole thing.” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 28, 1963
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“The Sea Org flotilla is close to a fleet now with six vessels all (except Flag) in excellent operating condition. Only Apollo is slightly unready, needing completions on safety work and Lloyds Survey, and a bit below standard in appearance and training. Her divisional officers all say they need more men but as other vessels improved on less crew than over. I think the opinion should be revised.” — The Commodore, February 28, 1969
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“Personally speaking I have no doubt whatsoever on the validity and precision of Original LRH Precepts and the practical reality of such states as Clear, Theta Clear, Cleared Theta Clear, Native State and OT per definition, having seen them demonstrated in session and practical life by people I have known and worked with.”
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2000: Jyllands-Posten reported that Scientology staged a demonstration at the newspaper’s offices to protest recent articles. “About 250 Scientology members were tuesday morning standing outside of the newspaper office of Jyllands-Posten in Copenhagen, to protest the newspaper’s article series on the controversial movement. During the last week, Jyllands-Posten has written about the extensive activities of Scientology in Denmark, where the movement has its European main office. A string of defectors have come forward to tell about coercion, exploitation and manipulation inside, but Scientology dismisses the criticism as ‘black propaganda.’ Those who had met up were all members of the central core of Scientology – the so-called ‘Sea Organization’, where people give themselves 100 percent to the movement. About 700 of them are residing in Copenhagen. Most of the protesters were foreigners and could not speak any Danish, but they said they had had the articles translated. Scientologist Brian Hickey from Ireland said, that the German or French governments might be behind the articles in Jyllands-Posten.”
——————–
“Who would have thunk back in the 90s that Tom Cruise and ‘batshit crazy’ would become synonymous thanks to a bunch of juvenile delinquents calling themselves ‘Anonymous.’ Thank Xenu I lived long enough to see it.”
——————–
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?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Heber Jentzsch is 88, but Scientology still makes this surprising claim about him
[TWO years ago] Scientology: SCOTUS ruling says judge can’t rule on duress in trafficking lawsuit
[THREE years ago] And now a word from Scientology’s very own church ladies — Valley chapter
[FOUR years ago] Scientology social media: Things really couldn’t be better in Miscavigeland
[FIVE years ago] What do billion-year-contracted Scientology Sea Org workers do all day?
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s founder L. Ron Hubbard on the ‘God trick,’ Christ implants, and Muslims
[SEVEN years ago] Scientologist ‘Dapper CEO’ Vick Tipnes wins victory against discrimination lawsuit in Tampa
[EIGHT years ago] The most Scientology-involved movie ever made? Here comes Nancy’s baby!
[NINE years ago] Erika Christensen goes psychbuster as we launch Rod Keller’s Scientology Social Media Review!
[TEN years ago] LEAK: Scientology celebrities are stepping up their involvement behind the scenes
[ELEVEN years ago] AOLA’s grand re-opening — a look at the last time Scientology cut the ribbon at Big Blue!
[TWELVE years ago] Blogging Dianetics, Part 9: Hubbard and Perversion!
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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 3,189 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,684 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,199 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,749 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,739 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,125 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,620 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,924 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,795 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,347 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,688 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,255 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,174 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,342 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,924 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,183 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,220 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,936 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,500 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,815 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,990 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,672 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,009 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,863 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,978 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,340 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,749 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,147 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,023 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,588 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,099 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,355 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,463 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on February 28, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Q-flavored influencers get pranked by White House over Epstein ‘release’
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});America's "Epstein Files" reviewers: MAGA meme guy DC Draino, Libs of TikTok, former OAN anchor Liz Wheeler, and Pizzagate promoter Mike Cernovich. https://t.co/dObHTkvYsa
— Will Sommer (@willsommer) February 27, 2025
NEW: Those involved in the Jeffrey Epstein case for two decades fear that the case –and Epstein's victims — are being used for political purposes.
"This isn’t a news story, it’s a publicity stunt,” said lawyer Spencer Kuvin, who has worked on the case since 2005, representing…
— julie k. brown (@jkbjournalist) February 27, 2025
Libs of TikTok creator Chaya Raichik posing with her Epstein files binder at the White House.
Disgusting. pic.twitter.com/sQoBde5JHI
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) February 28, 2025
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) February 28, 2025
— Minion Death Cult Podcast (@miniondeathcult) February 27, 2025
Knives are out over the Epstein files debacle, and AG Pam Bondi is taking a lot of hits.
Bannon acolyte Raheem Kassam has an interesting write-up, which notes that it's "embarrassing" for the White House in part because Trump is himself in the files. https://t.co/gAbnKf0VAr
— Will Sommer (@willsommer) February 28, 2025
A fight is shaping up on the right over whether Andrew Tate, facing trafficking and rape charges, is welcome in American MAGA now that he's stateside.
Some have taken the anti-Tate side — though if Trump helped him get out of Romania as reported, that's likely all Tate needs. pic.twitter.com/FIO3aUIi57
— Will Sommer (@willsommer) February 27, 2025
Letting in the Tate Brothers and spiking the Epstein report is such a hilariously brazen dab on everyone, to the point it managed to make even MAGA diehards start getting pissed.
Incredible work guys. Really nailed this one.
— Gayest Tone (@gayest_tone) February 27, 2025
Dozens of DOGE "receipts" saved no money at all and actually killed contracts meant to boost efficiency.
In fact, many of the receipts published by Elon Musk's DOGE aren't even receipts.
"It took a long time to build all that stuff up and mere minutes or hours for all of that…
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 27, 2025
"Outs"? Are government employees supposed to operate under secret identities? https://t.co/QOPeoPeNBG
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) February 27, 2025
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.
Posted by Tony Ortega on February 28, 2025 at 08:00
February 27, 2025
Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard is turning 114, and here’s the date of his party!
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology is throwing its annual party for founder L. Ron Hubbard, who is turning 114 this year. Ron can’t come because he’s running around a distant planet somewhere, but we thought you’d want to see this year’s invite and go over some recent LRH Birthday history! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“The reason why Routine 2 errors are more deadly than purely auditing errors is that Routine 2 is handling the pc by batches of lifetimes. All the stress and gore and agony of generations exist on the lists of any one package. An auditing error can be gross and get by unless it is sitting on a Routine 2 error. Then the tiniest auditing flub can produce a reaction like an earthquake. The charge is all coming from Routine 2 mishandling and is evident on the surface only by the auditing error.” — 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
——————–
“Look at the laudable withholds of a lady. She withholds herself from drinking. She withholds herself from swearing. She withholds herself from rowdy companions. She withholds herself from dirt, you know, and getting dirty. Withholds herself from getting sweaty. See, all the things a lady withholds herself from. Withholds herself from sex, from pleasure, from pleasurable excitement. This starts to look like a very interesting series of withholds. And we finally find out that a lady’s primary mission was to hold herself from living. Not that that’s — things I have mentioned are the total composite of living.” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 27, 1962
——————–
“The trick in books is the ‘stock book.’ Whenever a title in stock gets low through sales you reorder before you are out. You don’t just sell it all the way out of stock before reordering. Once youve let a title vanish off the shelves you’re in trouble as it takes a while to reprint. Meanwhile backorders and complaints swamp the comm lines and there goes the old ball game. A pubs activity can’t remain solvent on paperbacks or bulk discount sales! Theres a special skill to the mail order book business. The keynotes are promote, have them on hand, deliver within 24 hours and order receipt. It will take a lot of work by the SO to get this back in.” — The Commodore, February 27, 1971
——————–
“The curb you sometimes trip over on your way to work each day — you think that curb rings true simply because you skinned your knee on it? No, it is formed from lies. One day we will want to dispense with that curb. It has served its purpose. Now we want to move on to another universe or simply create a different kind of curb. On that day you want to dispense with that curb, you will need to track it back to its source. When you find the source you will have the complete truth about the curb and it will as-is. It’s the same with every piece of mest in this universe – including Scientology. The reason it is such a problem is that the individual pieces are not easily tracked back to source. So we are stuck with the mass and the garbage tips are getting bigger and bigger. The real truth is, at the end of the day the only thing we can take with us is our knowingness because it isn’t made out of mest.”
1999: The Independent reported this week that a Dublin woman has accused Scientology of attempting to brainwash her. “Judgment was reserved yesterday in High Court proceedings brought by a 33-year-old businesswoman who claims she was subject of mind control techniques by the Church of Scientology. Mary Johnston operates a sport equipment shop at Westwood, Foxrock, Dublin. She brought an application seeking documents against the organisation, which she described as a pseudo religious cult. Ms Johnston claimed the documents were necessary in her action for damages against the church and three of its members – John Keane, Tom Cunningham and Gerard Ryan. She alleged that while undergoing ‘treatment’ offered by the church she suffered increasingly with a dissociative stress reaction, became intolerant and rejected family and friends. Ms Johnston claimed she suffered a distinct personality change, would often adopt a fixed stare and simulated smile while switching off her feelings. She also said she became increasingly confused and her health suffered. Pressure was exerted on her to have a test which took place in March 1992 and the evaluator was Mr Keane. Ms Johnston claimed Mr Keane and Mr Cunningham pressurised her into subscribing for a ‘purification rundown and training routing’ at a cost of £1,200. She was told to attend a ‘doctor’ of the organisation who transpired not to be a registered medical practitioner but a cult member. She said she was persuaded to join the ‘Sea Organisation’ and sign ‘a billion-year contract’ to work for Scientology. David O’Neill BL, for the church, said his clients believed they would suffer damnation if they disclosed the counseling folder.”
——————–
“The ‘church’ had to admit to TR-L in the Canadian trial when they questioned the veracity of the prosecution’s ex-Scientologist witnesses by stating to the judge their testimony couldn’t be trusted because they had been specifically trained to lie while in the church.”
——————–
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] Scientology in the ‘good’ old days: Prison of belief just as confining as today
[TWO years ago] David Miscavige insists he was still not served, asks court for time to object to ruling
[THREE years ago] Clark Carr, 75, who gave up comedy dreams to become Scientology’s drug rehab mouthpiece
[FOUR years ago] Another Scientology OT jumps from a tall building
[FIVE years ago] Balloons? Here’s what Scientology should really be apologizing for
[SIX years ago] A letter of surrender, written from the basement of Scientology’s ‘Big Blue’ HQ
[SEVEN years ago] New memoir ‘Flunk. Start.’ richly illuminates the appeal — and betrayal — of Scientology
[EIGHT years ago] Keep your Oscars, we won a Scientology ‘bigot’ award!
[NINE years ago] Augustine: How Scientology makes it so hard to get your money back
[TEN years ago] Gerry Armstrong’s full 1997 ‘Secret Lives’ interview about L. Ron Hubbard
[ELEVEN years ago] Is Ukraine’s proposed new prime minister a Scientologist? Says his niece: ‘That’s crap’
[TWELVE years ago] Lori Hodgson Appeals to Scientology’s “Spin Doctor,” Michael Sitrick
——————–
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 3,188 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,683 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,198 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,748 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,738 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,124 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,619 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,923 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,794 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,346 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,687 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,254 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,173 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,341 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,923 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,182 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,219 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,935 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,499 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,814 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,989 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,671 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,008 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,862 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,977 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,339 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,748 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,146 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,022 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,587 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,098 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,354 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,462 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on February 27, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
RFK Jr chaos: With kids with measles struggling to breathe, next year’s flu shot is at risk?
Some links to Q-related items today
BREAKING: An unvaccinated school-aged child in Texas has died of measles, the first associated with an outbreak that has infected more than 100 people. https://t.co/s2YQsPvthI
— ABC News (@ABC) February 26, 2025
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in a 2021 book wrote that Americans had been "misled … into believing that measles is a deadly disease."
He said measles outbreaks had been "fabricated" to push people towards vaccines. https://t.co/lBXK42mpjj pic.twitter.com/lo7ZA0nv8F
— Aaron Blake (@AaronBlake) February 26, 2025
After the first measles death in a decade—a child—HHS Secretary Kennedy in a cabinet meeting seemed to downplay the Texas outbreak saying outbreaks were "not unusual." He also said the some 18 kids hospitalized were "mainly for quarantine." A pediatrician on the ground said they… https://t.co/2iPT388cgS pic.twitter.com/BHns5myCVv
— Brandy Zadrozny (@BrandyZadrozny) February 26, 2025
An FDA vaccine advisory committee meeting that was set to discuss what flu strains to include in next season's flu vaccine has been canceled, multiple sources told ABC News. https://t.co/yhmr90b138
— ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2025
Make a huge mistake. Then make a false claim about how you fixed it.
They did it for PEPFAR.
Now Ebola.
I follow this particular topic VERY closely, so here's what really happened and why this isn't true AT ALL…🧵 https://t.co/J6n3mCXRyZ
— Craig Spencer MD MPH (@Craig_A_Spencer) February 26, 2025
The @AP has obtained the full list of 875 contracts to be cut at the @DeptVetAffairs, lauded by DOGE and now paused for more review. They include: Cancelling a contract that supports disability ratings assessments; a contract to answer 24,000 requests for military records to help…
— Tara Copp (@TaraCopp) February 27, 2025
New: Jeff Bezos announces a change to Washington Post opinion pages in memo to staff: "We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets … viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others."
— John Hudson (@John_Hudson) February 26, 2025
Nothing says personal liberties and free markets like trade wars and the US Attorney for your locality threatening newspapers that don't use the King's preferred language for a body of water.
— Tim Miller (@Timodc) February 26, 2025
I'm trying to imagine how the right wing media would react if Barack Obama posted a video featuring a giant gold statue of Barack Obama with kids looking up at it in awe. pic.twitter.com/1QHtdhPQrY
— Mike Rothschild (@rothschildmd on blu sky) (@rothschildmd) February 26, 2025
In an interview a few days ago with QAnon-affiliated podcast SGT Report, AZ state Senator Mark Finchem praised the show's host for "open[ing] your show with the Rothschilds & the banking cartel" because "we are going to return the American government back to the American people." pic.twitter.com/wcFfjA6hoQ
— Alex Kaplan (@AlKapDC) February 26, 2025
Not even an obviously fake pretext here he’s just straight up saying that his punishing the firm for helping his enemy. https://t.co/xVxw2VYbsj
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) February 26, 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 February 27, 2025 at 08:00
February 26, 2025
Finally, proof that Scientology can make you Super (for the right price)!
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: It’s been a while since we’ve seen something from Scientology about the futuristic ‘Perceptics’ installations at its Super Power Building. Some folks really do turn over big bucks to go through these rundowns, as these testimonials show. And we knew you’d want to see them! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“We have known since ‘55 that rough auditing reduces havingness. Here’s why: Rough auditing lowers the pc’s ability to confront in the session. The pc’s havingness is proportional to his ability to confront in the session. If a pc’s havingness by can squeeze test is lower at session end than at beginning on Routine 2, then there’s something wrong with the auditing or with the way Routine 2 is being applied (one of the above Routine 2 errors is being made). The remedy for the bad auditing is to make the auditor only acknowledge anything and everything the pc says or put it on the list. Tear out all rudiments, Tiger Drills, two-way comm, and forbid any chance to comment or act on an origin by the pc, and get only Routine 2 done.” — 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
——————–
“There’s a very simple way of making somebody’s arthritis turn on with violence. And you just walk up to ’em like this and wiggle your hands in front of his face. And of course by giving him this confusion outside of his body, he holds harder onto the body and that is what arthritis is, it’s a solid hold. All right. Now, you take an arthritic and you start to say hello and OK to this arthritic leg or joint, or something of this character, you are actually attempting to as-is or knock out of existence my communication, a lot of actual calcium. So it isn’t going to work. Not well or easily. But you take slight little somatics, little conditions, or fears of things, and run two way communication on them and you get some fabulous results.” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 26, 1957
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“If you think we are losing ground, according to a head count to date, three major enemies and the three biggest enemy names are finished. Cecil King lost his directorship in the Bank of England and his newspaper claim which included the Daily Mail. Sir William Carr has also lost his directorship in the Bank of England and has been ousted from his papers and was last seen trying to unite with ‘Truth’ newspapers of Australia, owned by Murdoch. Kenneth Robinson, ex-Minister of Health UK has been ousted and is in disgrace with his group. All three were also directors of the ‘National Association for Mental Health’ of the UK. Three scalps. Any more candidates for our ‘coupstick’?” — The Commodore, February 26, 1969
——————–
“I wanted to share a win. The other day I was driving on the freeway and behind me there was a Highway Patrolman. It was a beautiful day and my anchor points were way out. I could ‘feel’ all the other cars around me and I could feel the tenseness from the other drivers. The tone level noticeably dropped. I still kept my space and confronted the area. The next thing that happened is that the cop pulled someone over. He turned his lights on and the other car pulled off the freeway to get his ticket or whatever. Instantly I felt a big blowdown from the other drivers and the tone level shot up into cheerfullness. It just reminded me that I am a thetan and that I am able to percieve many good things. I got a lot from the Scientology philosophy. I am thankful for many of my experiences with the tech.”
1998: Passau New Press carried an article on Konrad Aigner, the Scientologist who died and led in part to the raid on the Munich org to get records of his mistreatment in Scientology. “Three years ago Konrad Aigner unexpectedly moved back to the house of his birth. In the meantime his father had died. Konrad threw away his secure civil service job and became independently employed with a used bus. ‘That way I can earn a lot of money, so I can move up the Bridge as soon as possible’, he told his mother Anna, today 76 years old. The ‘Bridge’ – that means ‘salvation’ for Scientologists. ‘In the last two years Konrad changed. He was tense, nervous, thoughtful’, said Bernhard. The family often spoke about it and came to the conclusion that it must have had to do with the worries that come with self-employment. Only after Konrad’s death in August, 1997 was the personal catastrophe apparent. The first time his brothers and sisters entered his room. Books, pamphlets, letters – Scientology documents everywhere. Bernhard said, ‘We had no idea that he was in it so deep.’ The bachelor left behind a financial ruin. Forms showed that he had within the last few months given about 70,000 marks over to the organization. It must have been over 600,000 marks, estimates Barnhard Aigner, in the course of the years. ‘Konrand made good money and was very frugal. He never bought a new car, never went on vacation and had no hobbies. In spite of that he left only debts.’ Witnesses testify that Konrad had often tried to throw off the chains of the sect. He poured his heart out to a doctor, with whom he had been friends for a long time, ‘I want to get out, because I’ve changed for the negative. I have finally seen through the group.’ The doctor offered his help. Months later Konrad showed up at his place for the last time, ‘Everything’s all right, things are moving again.’ About one year ago he tearfully said to his mother, ‘Mom, I want to get away from them. I have learned something so terrible that if I were to tell you, you would fall dead on the spot.’ But Konrad stayed with them until the end. Konrad Aigner died in August 1997 after being delivered to a Swabian hospital and after a three-week coma: multiple organ collapse – heart, lungs and stomach had simultaneously shut down. Neither did the autopsy bring an explanation. ‘For his age the man had unusually poor organs’, reported Chief District Attorney Helmut Meier-Staude. Vitamin pills from the Netherlands were found among Conrad Aigner’s possessions. It is suspected that Scientologists encouraged him to take them. For that reason a charge against the pharmaceutical and medical laws will be pursued.”
——————–
“For the last time it’s a genderless demon eating a turkey leg.”
——————–
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 February 24.
— 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] Scientology gushes about David Miscavige’s ‘Ideal’ appearance in Austin
[TWO years ago] Celebrity Sunday: Erika Christensen, Michael Peña and a tribute to… Prince?
[THREE years ago] In Danny Masterson rape case, Scientology tried to put LA court through ‘Truth Rundown’
[FOUR years ago] Appellate court halts Scientology ‘arbitration’ as it considers petition by Masterson accusers
[FIVE years ago] SEVENTH victim comes forward to LAPD accusing Scientology actor Danny Masterson
[SIX years ago] Jenna Elfman’s career finds new life in the zombie apocalypse
[SEVEN years ago] What happened when we had a scientist look at L. Ron Hubbard’s ‘science’ of life in the womb
[EIGHT years ago] Florida attempts sensible change to mental health law — so Scientology goes on attack
[NINE years ago] The shocking space opera secret that is guiding Scientology litigation
[TEN years ago] Can you help solve this odd Scientology financial mystery?
[ELEVEN years ago] Ryan Hamilton files another lawsuit against Scientology’s Nevada drug rehab facility
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology’s “Disconnection” Policy: Music Lovers, This One Will Break Your Heart
——————–
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 3,187 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,682 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,197 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,747 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,737 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,123 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,618 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,922 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,793 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,345 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,686 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,253 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,172 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,340 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,922 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,181 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,218 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,934 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,498 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,813 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,988 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,670 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,007 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,861 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,976 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,338 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,747 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,145 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,021 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,586 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,097 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,353 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,461 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on February 26, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
Trump posts AI video of a vision of Gaza: Will Q patriots eat it up?
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Trump posted this “Trump Gaza” AI video late last night to Truth Social pic.twitter.com/lMLIhqByfV
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) February 26, 2025
Pretty sure this is gonna be the section of the AI slop video that Trump posted that's going to be most offensive to his fanbase. The transgender dancers are one thing but Trump and Bibi chilling out at the pool is gonna be bad times for all the folks that want Israel destroyed. pic.twitter.com/wRtX2j7sZg
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) February 26, 2025
Transnational gangs can easily afford $5M for a gold card. https://t.co/Hv79L2IaUn
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) February 26, 2025
NEW: A federal judge gave the Trump administration about 36 hours to pay out hundreds millions of dollars for work performed by foreign aid contractors — and is demanding details about potential defiance of his orders.https://t.co/b3OSs6LKGQ pic.twitter.com/IZ0b0Kw1Q9
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) February 25, 2025
HUD has 'escorted off the property' the individual accused of playing AI footage of Trump kissing Musk's feet on monitors at the agency.
'Legal ramifications are being explored,' a HUD spokesperson said.https://t.co/l570cx5oyu
— Mikael Thalen (@MikaelThalen) February 25, 2025
Trump's new FBI Director spends first day in office vowing "world's largest manhunt"https://t.co/dxsSjRQLmC
— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) February 26, 2025
New from AP : Nearly 40% of the federal contracts that President Donald Trump’s administration claims to have canceled as part of its signature cost-cutting program aren’t expected to save the government any money, the administration’s own data shows. https://t.co/qU30R0iGeN
— Tara Copp (@TaraCopp) February 25, 2025
BREAKING: Press Sec Karoline Leavitt @PressSec announced the White House Correspondents Association will no longer determine the press pool.
“White House Press Pool will now be determined by the White House Press Team.” pic.twitter.com/mBDzJBHmRQ
— Dasha Burns (@DashaBurns) February 25, 2025
I wrote about exactly what we're seeing in the White House press corps and elsewhere: the rise of a new state media. https://t.co/aV8IUGxnjX
— Anna Merlan (@annamerlan)
This was always going to be the payoff. The Illuminati destroyed the evidence that Chucky the Typewriter killed JFK. They burned only copy of the Epstein List that was sitting on Pam Bondi’s desk. Patriots are in Control until the narrative demands they aren’t. pic.twitter.com/ZwmroWQCZU
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) February 25, 2025
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.
Posted by Tony Ortega on February 26, 2025 at 08:00
February 25, 2025
Scientology’s new hype video will get you stoked to go OT!
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We love Scientology hype videos, so it’s kind of a thrill to get a copy of this new promotion, which tries to convince Scientologists to come to LA and to go OT. Los Angeles! Hollywood! Movie Stars! And Scientology! How could anyone resist? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“Don’t try to null a list until you’ve seen a clean flowing needle for a lot of items, maybe 50. Then get in fast mid ruds on the list and do it without cleaning any cleans. Then start nulling. If the needle dirties up after 30-40 items, skip mid ruds, just show the pc the page and have him spot any big thoughts he had on it. Then immediately get back to nulling. If the needle is dirty still, resume listing until it’s clean. Just do those actions and (given error-free Routine 2 as per this HCO Bulletin) you’ll have a smooth, smooth happy time of it in nulling.” — 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
——————–
“One of the things that is going to happen in the next few months: You will probably see, increasingly, the word ‘Scientology’ occurring. And that is in order to give doctors of medicine and psychiatrists and psychologists an out. It is pretty hard, after a man has made a pronunciamento about which he knows nothing, to convince him that he ought to say something else about it now that he knows something about it, because he will lose face with the people he has said this to. So if we just give him another word for a similar package and we say ‘Now it’s Scientology, and Scientology embraces the Axioms,’ why, then, two things will happen: He can say, ‘Well, Dianetics was no good and Hubbard was really crazy when he threw that one. But Scientology — now, that’s different. scientifically done. It has a great many things to recommend it. Well organized, and it works! (Dianetics didn’t!)’ And as the students who are going to graduate out of Hubbard College will discover, their degrees are in Scientology, not in Dianetics. It says that they are professional Scientologists and that they are capable of understanding mental and physical stress and are eligible for further degree work in Scientology. So I hope these graduates will feel themselves capable of understanding physical and mental stress!” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 25, 1952
——————–
“In LA and now on Flag someone is justifying reserves and prices charged by saying ‘Ron needs it’ or ‘it goes to repay Ron.’ It isn’t true. I’ve received no 10 percents for ages. An audit of monies owed me by orgs showed about 13.5 million pounds some years ago. I long since forgave the 13.5 million. Other more recent sums aren’t included. It takes money to run things and keep the show on the road. A lot of money. Particularly in our expanding scene. It’s all for a worthwhile cause. The actual cost of L10ing someone and giving all grades is close to the price charged. A hundred million would be a low down payment for our org tech. So realise the value of what’s being bought and sold. What’s the value of health to a suffering man? What’s the value of immortality to an Earthbound eclipsed being? You’re right. It would be priceless. There isn’t that much money. It doesn’t go to me. So let’s keep the scene real in all selling and pricing. It’s for priceless results. For the pc. Not for me. I am in a relaxed frame of mind of owing no one anything and not being worried about what I’m owed. Let’s keep it cool. (And by the way did you know the psychoanalyst and psychiatrist charge ten times our total fees for delivering a long and agonizing death?)” — The Commodore, February 25, 1971
——————–
“Once I heard of a college mathematics professor who was teaching his students that it was impossible to divide by zero. Based on what I had learned from LRH about the nature of zero I said to him, ‘Sure you can, and in all cases the answer is infinity.’ He started to say ‘No, no, no,’ but then his eyes opened wide and he said, ‘Wait a minute. You’re right! How did you know that? I never heard anyone say that before!’ He thought I was a genius. But it was LRH.”
1997: Otmar Lendl summarized a press release from the German government concerning Scientology. “Bavaria’s minister for internal affairs Beckstein noted with satisfaction that the NY-based Jewish World Congress distanced itself clearly from the recent propaganda action of Hollywood-stars if favor of CoS. Beckstein regards the JWC as uniquely legitimized to speak up against despotism, violence, and cynical human rights violations. In a letter he thanks JWC’s president Edgar Bronfman for his courageous words and calls for all well-meaning and sensible persons in the USA to follow Bronfman’s example. Comparison to holocaust is an insult to holocaust victims. Thanks for voices who defend Germany. Germany has to protect its citizens, regardless whether the danger calls itself ‘religion’ or not. CoS couldn’t prove a singe human right violation CoS is a danger to individuals and the community as whole. CAN takeover, hate-campaign vs Germany shows CoS intentions thus we need to oppose CoS with a all legal means This is possible in the US, too, as some court ruling show.”
——————–
“When you tell vaLLarrr that LRH had no degrees or academic training, s/he replies that science hasn’t caught up to LRH yet and that Newton was insane and Einstein was a high school dropout. Rathbun was doing the same thing when he was trying to compare the quantum theory that nothing really exists unless you’re looking at it with Hubbard’s bullshit about subjective reality.”
——————–
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 February 24.
— 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] David Miscavige went to ‘Crazy Town’ at Scientology’s Austin Ideal Org opening!
[TWO years ago] PODCAST: Karen Pressley on Scientology’s radicalizing of Tom Cruise
[THREE years ago] Latest Capitol rioters arrested: Florida TV chef and poker player — and OT Scientologists
[FOUR years ago] Scientology celeb family the Mastersons selling houses: Getting out of Dodge?
[FIVE years ago] Is David Miscavige winning? Scientology seems to be on a roll, but is the law about to step in?
[SIX years ago] No, the National Enquirer has not ‘found’ Scientology’s Shelly Miscavige
[SEVEN years ago] Orlando, you’re next! Scientology makes an ‘Ideal’ move on the magic kingdom
[EIGHT years ago] More federal charges for Scientology family that sold rhino horn products
[NINE years ago] Laura DeCrescenzo, on eve of crucial hearing, explains Scientology for new judge
[TEN years ago] Now it’s Scientology UK that opens its books, and we have the numbers
[ELEVEN years ago] Telepathic space-age exorcism — Let’s do Scientology’s New Operating Thetan Level Six!
[TWELVE years ago] Anne Archer, Terry Jastrow, and…Could It Be…Tommy Davis, At Film Reception Tonight?
——————–
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 3,186 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,681 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,196 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,746 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,736 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,122 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,617 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,921 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,792 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,344 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,685 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,252 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,171 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,339 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,921 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,180 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,217 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,933 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,497 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,812 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,987 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,669 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,006 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,860 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,975 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,337 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,746 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,144 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,020 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,585 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,096 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,352 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,460 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on February 25, 2025 at 07:00
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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…
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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
Libturd prankster behind HUD toe-sucking AI video will be first against the wall, right?
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Let me get this straight: a Republican congressman beat up the woman he was having an affair with and police are ready to arrest him but they can’t because Trump’s appointed U.S. attorney refuses to enforce the law against republicans https://t.co/3oC2lltI0F
— sam (@sam_d_1995) February 25, 2025
&bsp;
Federal workers have to choose between following the directives of their actual manager or the guy who LARPs as their manager on Twitter.
The right call in this situation is less obvious than it ought to be. https://t.co/VSvOt5aeKP
— Travis View (@travis_view) February 25, 2025
✅ Yes, an AI-generated video of President Trump kissing Elon Musk's feet played on TV monitors in HUD headquarters.
X's Grok displayed its own AI-generated headline, "HUD Monitors Hacked: Cyber Incident Displays Satirical Video." https://t.co/2cHaRQxVoB https://t.co/2cHaRQxVoB
— Jordan Liles (@jordanliles) February 24, 2025
Elon Musk now calling for a W. Bush appointed judge who worked for Ken Starr to be removed from office pic.twitter.com/HDOI29khpR
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) February 24, 2025
to be a member of the Trump admin you must have
1. been featured in at least one episode of the podcasts QAA, TrueAnon or Knowledge Fight,
or
2. taken a tombstone piledriver on Monday Night Raw
— Dean Buckley (@deanfbuckley) February 24, 2025
A week after the DOGE "wall of receipts" was launched, it has yet to be updated again (other than correcting a multi-billion dollar typo and removing a few listings)
The site says it "will initially be updated twice per week."
It still has overstated $$$ savings listed, too. pic.twitter.com/gDOK3OcsUT
— stephen fowler (@stphnfwlr) February 24, 2025
If Democrats flip the House and Senate in 2026, this will be the reason. Voters are rejecting Elon Musk actively. https://t.co/ttXaD3H2H4
— Aaron Parnas (@AaronParnas) February 24, 2025
I guess the Department of Education is where they have the budget for the Adrenochrome Farms. Any day now Elon’s gonna find all the money the Deep State is using to house the Mole Children. pic.twitter.com/a64mNWgClJ
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) February 24, 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 February 25, 2025 at 08:00
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