Tony Ortega's Blog, page 7
October 11, 2025
IAS on Halloween: Scientology’s party is set, and so is the protest
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology has finally put out word that the IAS gala will take place the weekend of October 31 at its UK headquarters. Former London staffer Alex Barnes-Ross will also be there with his annual protest of the event. Here’s his case against the church’s proposed new development! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“In case you are under the mistaken impression that Scientology was bruised in 1978 you should know that raw public bought and are buying Scientology texts in a wave of best selling that is making history in the retail and publishing world. There has never before been such a boom in any specialized organization’s books. Book publishers use us as an astonishing example of what can happen. Hordes of new public are sweeping these books out of the stores and in the better run orgs, are crowding the Public Division to the rafters for service. Truth doesn’t bruise very easily. New books also got attention in ‘78. HAVE YOU LIVED BEFORE THIS LIFE? was introduced at the Atlanta Book Fair and, in the hands of retail distributors, began its own boom. It has gone 5X the normal best seller and is still going. (After all. we discovered past lives.)” — 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
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
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“Now, ‘When did the PC’s physical body change characteristics?’ Getting this out of women, you will have to take the E-Meter and beat them over the head. A woman at 110 will never admit that her body changed anything from that of a beautiful 16-year-old girl, or something like that, you know? It’s just things they won’t talk about, so you have to pull that the hard way. Go ahead and grab it.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 11, 1961
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“On Flag we have a maxim that we get it in on Flag before we yell at the deficiencies of others elsewhere. The housewife can’t clean up her neighbors if she can’t scrub her own kitchen. So, Steward’s Dorm, let’s see you set an example on your own home and then export it to the ship. Ernie and Annabelle made a good start on their yesterday. Others there give a hand.” — The Commodore, October 11, 1970
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“Apparently OSA’s most successful black operation was to indoctrinate American indies that Bill Robertson followers were squirrels.”
2000: The Riverside Press-Enterprise reported that Keith Henson has been charged with an additional crime in connection with his protests
outside Scientology’s Gold Base near Hemet, California. “Calling it a third misdemeanor criminal charge has been filed against a Northern California man accused of making terrorist threats against the Church of Scientology’s film studio, authorities said. The newest count charges Keith Henson with making threats against the church because of its beliefs and those of its members said Deputy District Attorney Thomas Gage. He was previously accused of making threats against several church members while picketing the complex off Gilman Springs Road. Henson, who denied the allegations Wednesday, remains free on his promise to appear at his next court hearing. An Oct. 30 trial date has been set. If convicted on the charges, Henson could be sentenced to a year in jail on each charge.”
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“Man-animals, come out of your caves. The Psychlos have deserted the planet. We have won!”
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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 August 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing December 1.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief was filed June 3. Respondent briefs are due September 2.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Jane Does’ response to Scientology’s appeal brief submitted July 30. Scientology’s reply due October 20.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
——————–
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Scientology’s new list of donors providing a mountain of money in 2024!
[TWO years ago] Check out how excited the kids at Scientology’s London org are about the IAS gala’s return
[THREE years ago] Jury selection begins today in the Danny Masterson trial, and we’re there for you
[FOUR years ago] The country’s 6th largest school district is helping a Scientology front group reach kids
[FIVE years ago] Danny Masterson asks to halt civil lawsuit while criminal case is ongoing, as expected
[SIX years ago] Scientologist on Clearwater downtown board does a classic ‘dead agenting’ of Mark Bunker
[SEVEN years ago] Dave Richards, 1948-2018, ran the Founding Church of Scientology in DC
[EIGHT years ago] Tara and Nathan — subjects of last night’s ‘Leah Remini’ — respond to Scientology’s smears
[NINE years ago] Louis Theroux’s movie comes to Oregon, and Jefferson Hawkins is there to talk Scientology
[TEN years ago] L. Ron Hubbard’s regressive homophobia: Can Scientology’s celebrities handle the truth?
[ELEVEN years ago] Scientology’s ‘International Justice Chief’ surfaces for the Garcia lawsuit
[TWELVE years ago] HOW SCIENTOLOGY COERCED A CHILD TO HAVE AN ABORTION: THE LAURA DECRESCENZO FILES
[THIRTEEN years ago] L. Ron Hubbard Explains Your Life “Before Earth”
——————–
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 3,413 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,917 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,423 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,973 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,963 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,349 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,844 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,148 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,799 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,017 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,571 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,912 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,483 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,399 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,566 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,148 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,407 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,444 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,160 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,724 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,039 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,214 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,896 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,233 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,086 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,202 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,564 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,975 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,363 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,247 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,812 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,323 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,583 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,687 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on October 11, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2024 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2024), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 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: Nobel peace prize winner would give it to me if I asked
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});A very sore loser https://t.co/Y1APuwJL1l
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) October 10, 2025
call me a woke lib but I don’t think our elected officials should be tweeting thank you messages to the kremlin pic.twitter.com/f4JTxf4DxX
— Brett Meiselas (@BMeiselas) October 10, 2025
Where are these mythical low grocery prices? https://t.co/Nc6Om0VAJ0
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) October 10, 2025
Just a rambling crackpot https://t.co/5Ks73lk9Ot
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) October 10, 2025
MAGA isn’t taking this well pic.twitter.com/pybGwn1Qs2
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) October 10, 2025
Trump Education Secretary Linda McMahon Follows Flat Earth Account
McMahon wants to close the Department of Education https://t.co/HugZc7nGuShttps://t.co/HugZc7nGuS
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) October 10, 2025
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.
Posted by Tony Ortega on October 11, 2025 at 08:00
October 10, 2025
Scientology opens Silicon Valley ‘Ideal Mission’ — where it already has ‘Ideal Org’
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Scientology chose Wednesday to put out a press release announcing that it had opened another “Ideal Mission” last month, on September 21. The delay in announcing the news seems a little odd, but it’s the location that is the real puzzler. Also: Apostate Alex stands tall! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“There was one discovery in ‘78 that I haven’t said very much about and am really not likely to since it is a sad thing. It is what really happens to a thetan who is not salvaged or processed and goes on down the route. Man, when I saw that and knew it to be true I actually felt sorry for these guys that try to hit at us. Poor devils. Some religions talk about hell. It’s an understatement of what really happens. I got a real close look at what we were salvaging people from. Well, we can do it, better than ever today, especially with these newest discoveries. All this developmental work was done in ‘78 despite the fact that I also spent several months of that year directing, photographing, lighting — you name it — nine bright sparkling training films! They are now in the process of being edited and you’ll be hearing much more about them when they begin to be released later on in ‘79.” — 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
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
——————–
“Have you ever run a sperm sequence? It doesn’t have any energy in it either but it has all the energy there is in it. Have you ever seen anybody lying on the couch in the sperm sequence, and seen his feet start to swing sideways in an impossible motion? He says, ‘What am I doing?’ The energy which is generating that was of the magnitude necessary to wiggle the tail of something which is only visible in a microscope. And yet this fellow is wiggling his whole body on this tiny, tiny amount of energy.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 10, 1951
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“The Sea Org proper was begun with Flag Order No. 1, 12 August 1967. On about that date the ‘Avon River’ was launched in Las Palmas. FO 639 gives 9 Oct 67 as the ‘proper’ beginning as it then had a function. But 12 Aug would be its real birthday.” — The Commodore, October 10, 1970
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“I am immediately demanding a Committee of Evidence. Ron 2.0 is threatening to declare me suppressive and cancel all of my certs and refuses to let me use his materials in the future.”
1999: The Dark Horizons web site carried a description from the set of Battlefield Earth this week, the movie in production based on a book by L. Ron Hubbard. “I had reservations about this movie, Battlefield Earth based on a book written by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard and of course with Travolta’s involvement, one has to think Is this an attempt to mainstream Scientology beliefs into our movie theaters? But after reading the B.E. script (revised and revised, I might add!) and researching this L. Ron Hubbard person, I found that this movie is based on a great science-fiction story! L. Ron Hubbard it seems was a ordinary writer way back in 1930’s, writing 1000’s of stories for pulp magazines, mostly science fiction. The religion of Scientology didn’t seem to get started until later in his life, and it seems just a way to make money! Scientology does have a website for this movie WWW.BATTLEFIELDEARTH.COM. I rank this new B.E. movie somewhere between Planet of the Apes and Star Wars. At exactly 11:55am I notice people coming out of their office’s and sure enough there he was! Shaking hands, hugging people, John Travolta, with short grayish hair and goatee had arrived! He seemed to be very friendly and accommodating to everyone. He actually looked down the hall at me and nodded. Travolta then disappeared into one of the many offices. The rest of the day went well, I grunted and yelled in my man-animal costume just liked the director wanted.”
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“I lived through 70’s Punk, early 80’s hardcore, late 80’s alternative, and whatever passed for a scene in the first half of the 90’s, and most of my friends from those time periods are dead. But at least they had some really good times before their number came up. I don’t think Scientologists can say the same.”
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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 August 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing December 1.
Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Jane Does’ response to Scientology’s appeal brief submitted July 30. Scientology’s reply due October 20.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
——————–
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] As Scientology whistleblower Hana Whitfield braced for Milton, she had news for us
[TWO years ago] Biggest protest since Anonymous era planned for Scientology leader’s return to England
[THREE years ago] The case against Danny Masterson: Details from the prosecution brief on the eve of trial
[FOUR years ago] Tom Cruise, looking puffy again between movie shoots, gets booed at SF game
[FIVE years ago] Read the prosecution’s smackdown of Danny Masterson’s attempt to get out of rape charges
[SIX years ago] Nancy Cartwright tops $17 million as Scientology celebrates its whales
[SEVEN years ago] Scientology’s cruise ship the Freewinds: Why OT 8 needed to be delivered off-shore
[EIGHT years ago] Here’s how Scientology tried to keep you from seeing tonight’s episode of ‘Leah Remini’
[NINE years ago] One of Scientology’s new Narconons got inspected — and turned up one surprising result
[TEN years ago] Another minor omen of the coming Scientology apocalypse appears in Florida
[ELEVEN years ago] Vance Woodward’s lawsuit dismissed as judge grants Scientology’s anti-SLAPP motion
[TWELVE years ago] OOPS: Government Shutdown Stalls EEOC Lawsuit Against Miami Scientology Chiropractor
[THIRTEEN years ago] Why Tom Cruise Can’t Quit Scientology
——————–
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 3,412 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,916 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,422 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,972 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,962 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,348 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,843 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,147 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,798 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,016 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,570 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,911 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,482 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,398 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,565 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,147 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,406 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,443 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,159 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,723 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,038 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,213 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,895 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,232 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,085 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,201 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,563 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,974 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,362 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,246 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,811 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,322 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,582 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,686 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on October 10, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2024 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2024), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 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 overlooked for Nobel Peace Prize as he goes to war against own country
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});The Nobel Peace Prize 2025 has been awarded to Venezuelan democracy activist María Corina Machado.
The committee recognised her “struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”
Exactly the opposite of what Trump is doing to the United States. pic.twitter.com/e6SrdrXl2v
— Adam Schwarz (@AdamJSchwarz) October 10, 2025
Letitia James responds to Trump’s weaponization of the DOJ https://t.co/rLQQLUHgNM
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) October 9, 2025
Just remember as Trump goes to the hospital for whatever is really going on with him, he is fortunate to have the best health care in the world which is paid for by US tax payers at the same time as he is ripping away basic health care from the same people funding his.
— Ben Meiselas (@meiselasb) October 10, 2025
Rep. Virginia Foxx in NC-05 may like telling reporters to "shut up" when they ask her questions, but she'll have to answer to her constituents about this massive rise in costs. pic.twitter.com/eP9GwEiRk7
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) October 9, 2025
The Trump administration is preparing a crackdown on liberal political groups — including the funding arm of the Democratic Party — that will utilize the FBI, DHS, IRS and Treasury and Justice departments https://t.co/vqNBOj5ucx
— Evan Hill (@evanhill) October 9, 2025
🚨 Senator warns that NSPM-7 is fueling a secret watchlisting effort targeting Americanshttps://t.co/UnfZyOqR5O
— Ken Klippenstein (NSPM-7 Compliant) (@kenklippenstein) October 9, 2025
A Rutgers University professor who taught a course on anti-fascism was blocked from leaving the US for Spain on Wednesday night hours after Donald Trump hosted a White House roundtable highlighting the impact of antifa–or “anti-fascist”–far-left activists. https://t.co/nDspfNcSEo
— Spencer Beswick (@spencerbeswick) October 9, 2025
RFK Jr: Children who are circumcised early have double the rate of autism, and it's highly likely because they're given Tylenol.
Trump: There's a tremendous amount of of proof or evidence. I would say as a non-doctor, but I've studied this a long time pic.twitter.com/9g8U6oWIiL
— FactPost (@factpostnews) October 9, 2025
Always blaming Biden https://t.co/oItdDqnVLK
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) October 9, 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 October 10, 2025 at 08:00
October 9, 2025
LRH 2.0 tells ‘Expedited Scientology’ fans he’s mulling 17-year plea deal
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Could the ex-con who legally changed his name to L. Ronald Hubbard while convincing some he’s the reincarnated Scientology founder, and who has been sitting in a Tennessee jail since 2021, really be about to see freedom again? That’s what he’s telling his followers this week. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“Man is a complex being, far more complex than he ever conceived. And he possesses abilities and potentials that neither he nor any of the wise men of the ages
ever dreamed of. In 1978, a great many new insights and revelations about life were disclosed, many of them discovered in my research at very upper levels. These then were used to speed up the lower and more fundamental grades. Without discarding any of the tech we already had, all of which remains very valid, the time and cost for a given result was greatly reduced.” — 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
——————–
“Anderson, Q.C., Melbourne inquiry. Complete gibbering psychotic idiot. Up to the gills with R-6. ‘Scientology must be wrong, because we cannot explain where all the new bodies come from. All the new spirits. Where would all the new spirits come from if everybody had a spirit, why, where would all the new spirits come from, huh?’ Actually, what he didn’t realize, this silly ass — he was disproving Catholicism. Catholicism claims there’s one spirit per body, so he was asking some silly little kid question that is asked of his own religion, Catholicism. And yet he was busy hanging Scientology because it couldn’t… You get the irrationality of it? The man occupies a perfectly valid position. He’s looked on. He’s a Queens’ consulate. Actually he’s just a gibbering idiot. You probably couldn’t even catch him to get a straight jacket on him.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 9, 1968
——————–
“SECURE THE PORT: We are very popular in this port. Were publicized heavily before arrival. Snap up the PR. Get out your white uniforms for watches and good clothes for the beach. Make a splash here. We’ll be here 3-4 days and will push to make it heavy PR.” — The Commodore, October 9, 1970
——————–
“I live in Perth Australia which including myself has a grand total of 3 independents that are actually doing anything and no organisation to speak of. One day I’ll be the Captain of this city but not today.”
1998: Bob Minton reported on additional harassment by Scientology of his former business partners. “A 14-page DA pack was delivered to my former partner, Jeff Schmidt, and the Nigerian Minister of Finance in Washington, D.C., this week during the IMF meeting. The DA pack was sent by Peter Franks, a private investigator for the Church of Scientology working out of England, and was no doubt hand-delivered by OSA personnel at the DC org. A leaflet [was] handed out
during pickets at the home of Selwyn Lewis, my other former partner in Capetown, South Africa. In this latest ‘Trash the Critics’ operation, the Church of Scientology has said that the mere act of not providing them with information about me makes Mr. Lewis a dishonest businessman who lacks principles. It is interesting to note that the Scientologists have decided to completely trash the Nigerians. The purpose of this is clearly to drive a wedge between Jeff and the Nigerian government in order to disrupt his business with them. Further, Jeff will in turn put pressure on me, they hope, to get the Scientologists off his back. In fact, this morning, Jeff told me, ‘You are really making my life miserable.’ With titillation galore, for some reason Scientology thinks the Nigerian government is interested in their usual scurrilous statements about Vaughn and Stacy. Probably in a concessionary moment to the Moslem faith of the Nigerian delegation, Scientology sought to soften their trashing of Vaughn and Stacy by making such patently absurd statements as the following: ‘This story is not an attempt to just trash the Youngs, but to provide an accurate perspective from which to understand how they arrived at the point where they abandoned their own spiritual enlightenment and turned to evil, where they now find themselves in the pay of an extremely unscrupulous attorney (who has been accused by a former associate of having sex with minor boys).’ Peter Franks, the English PI working for Scientology, called a New Hampshire company in which I have a substantial investment a couple of days ago. Jeff, who is also a partner in this New Hampshire company, told me about this in Washington, D.C., this week. It seems that the company involved is extremely concerned about being brought into this ruckus with Scientology, and has informed Jeff that they must find a way to buy out my interest in the company. John Hockenberry, Dateline producer Sharon Isaak, and their crews of sound and camera people interviewed me today in New Hampshire to follow up on the June ‘Crusader’ story involving our favorite cult. John Hockenberry, as you may remember, can be an aggressive interviewer. Today he pulled out his Rayco machine to ask me about shotguns, pickets, and other personal matters.”
——————–
“This place is nuts, but not half as nuts as YouTube. It’s just a little bit more serious and astute and friendly.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due August 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing December 1.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief was filed June 3. Respondent briefs are due September 2.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Jane Does’ response to Scientology’s appeal brief submitted July 30. Scientology’s reply due October 20.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
——————–
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] All the Scientology allowed by Riley Keough in her mother Lisa Marie Presley’s ‘memoir’
[TWO years ago] It’s spooky season, and Scientology doesn’t want to miss out on the recruiting opportunity!
[THREE years ago] How a major Scientology donor family is caught up in the Danny Masterson case
[FOUR years ago] He was Scientology ‘I/C’ — ‘in charge’ — of Paulette Cooper’s harassment. And now he’s dead.
[FIVE years ago] SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS, Episode 10: Bryan Seymour wraps up his series axed by Seven News
[SIX years ago] CLEARWATER APOCALYPSE! No, not really. But let’s help Scientology run its new board
[SEVEN years ago] What it was like last night at Scientology’s Los Angeles TV ‘season’ premiere party
[EIGHT years ago] BLOCKBUSTER EXCLUSIVE: It turns out the National Enquirer is blowing smoke again
[NINE years ago] EXCLUSIVE: Recent deaths of Scientology rehab staffers points to ongoing problem
[TEN years ago] The Scientology-Ireland connection that propelled Cathriona White to Hollywood
[ELEVEN years ago] Ryan Hamilton files two more federal lawsuits against Scientology’s drug rehab network
[TWELVE years ago] Anonymous and Craigslist: Proof that Scientology Knows It’s Under Attack
——————–
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 3,411 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,915 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,421 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,971 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,961 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,347 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,842 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,146 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,797 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,015 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,569 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,910 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,481 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,397 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,564 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,146 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,405 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,442 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,158 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,722 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,037 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,212 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,894 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,231 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,084 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,200 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,562 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,973 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,361 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,245 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,810 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,321 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,581 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,685 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on October 9, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2024 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2024), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 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
Peace deal: good. Announcing it first on Truth Social: winning.
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Secretary of State Marco Rubio whispers in the ear of President Donald Trump after handing him a note about a Middle East deal saying “Very close. We need you to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce deal first” pic.twitter.com/ISEJ2RsUOq
— Evan Vucci (@evanvucci) October 8, 2025
The president is giving directives to his cabinet via Truth Social DM? https://t.co/ecH97o6Cc1
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) October 8, 2025
Insane https://t.co/J39KCSLBUy
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) October 8, 2025
He's absolutely lost and the media is never going to call him out on it. The books about his obviously failing mind are too profitable to ruin by accurately reporting on the President now. https://t.co/fp6GRtn0er
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) October 8, 2025
Johnson: Miss Grijalva has not yet had a scheduled date because she was elected after the house was out of session,
Gallego: You don't want her to be on the Epstein discharge.
Johnson: You guys are experts at red herrings. The Oversight Committee is working on the Epstein… pic.twitter.com/BtIk1HieBE
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 8, 2025
Defiant L's and Resist the Mainstream are both run by Rumen Naumovski, who donated $3K to "QAnon candidate" Ron Watkins' 2022 House primary race, before realizing he wasn't allowed to, he said. Naumovski allegedly pays other influencers to promote his content.
Half a dozen…
— Jacqueline Sweet (@JSweetLI) October 8, 2025
TPUSA is still struggling with the MAGA conspiracy ecosystem they helped fuel pic.twitter.com/Uao82jLQWl
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) October 9, 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 October 9, 2025 at 08:00
October 8, 2025
Scientology blasts lawyers for Masterson victims in AI fiasco, wants sanctions
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: We assumed that # attorneys would go for the throat after a lawyer for the Danny Masterson victims admitted that bogus AI-generated citations had been left in a filing during the case’s current appeal, and they do not disappoint. We have the whole awful mess for you. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
“The SAINT HILL SPECIAL BRIEFING COURSE still roars on. This is the place where the auditor gets all the tech that has ever been issued below that level, this is where his sessions are video’d and polished, this is where he gets all his auditing to catch him up on his grades. These are the Dukes of the auditor elite, the Saint Hillers. One joins the clique only by hard work and great results.” — 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
——————–
“These memory recordings aren’t passed along from cell to cell. They could be, but they are not stored as electrical energy. You start examining this any way you want to and you will find that there isn’t an energy in the physical universe — at least which we know about — which has a small enough wavelength to store memory recordings. Oddly enough, this was a discovery I made in 1932 when I was in atomic and molecular physics at George Washington University. I made an exhaustive study of the matter. There aren’t wavelengths small enough; physical scientists would know that. The boys fooling around in medicine would not know it because they don’t know the laws of energy, and as a consequence they have postulated, as the best postulates which they can offer, that memories are stored in punched protein molecules. That is cute!” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 8, 1951
——————–
“The cholera shot knocked quite a handful down. They’re mostly well again. Those not trained in Scientology possibly don’t realize one has to decide to be ill before one does. One can also decide to be well. Those off duty on MO lines are also off allowances and bonuses. Doc Robinson is cleaning up a lot of lifetime cycles. She’s a whiz at it. She’s looking for volunteers for a health food diet just sent in by a former Ship’s Rep.” — The Commodore, October 8, 1970
——————–
“Who thinks LRH is Donald Trump? I think Trump has come in and is derailing the new world order program, the program to ‘make happy slaves of us all’ that is mentioned in the truth revealed briefing. He said he would come back as a misunderstood politician to save the day. Trump is a big thetan like LRH was.”
1997: Scientology held a celebrity-attended event to open a mission in Memphis, Tennessee this week, as reported by the AP. “Celebrity devotees Lisa Marie Presley and Isaac Hayes told a crowd at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Church of Scientology’s Memphis mission to ignore media criticism of the religion also followed by John Travolta and Tom Cruise. ‘For me, it saved my life and my sanity many times,’ Presley said Saturday of the religion founded by the late L. Ron Hubbard in 1954. Hayes and the daughter of Elvis Presley financed the renovation of the church building. Before he became a Scientologist, Hayes was skeptical of the group described by critics as a cult, but joined after visiting one of the church’s celebrity centers in Los Angeles and asking a lot of ‘hard questions.’ ‘The most important thing is to find out for yourself,’ Hayes said.”
——————–
“Not all of us are rich enough to afford cable and some of us think it’s a wasteland.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due August 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing December 1.
Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Jane Does’ response to Scientology’s appeal brief submitted July 30. Scientology’s reply due October 20.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
——————–
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Scientology ham hock Grant Cardone lambasted for suggesting gov’t sent Hurricane Milton
[TWO years ago] Before the IAS gala returns to England, here are photos secretly taken at the 2012 event
[THREE years ago] PODCAST: Mirriam Francis is thriving since defying Scientology’s code of silence
[FOUR years ago] Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s cosmos: An ancient battlefield shot through with ‘psychs’
[FIVE years ago] The Top 25 People Enabling Scientology, No. 13: Google and other tech titans
[SIX years ago] Scientologists will face trial after judge cites ‘sophisticated fraud’ scheme
[SEVEN years ago] With Scientology TV premiering a new ‘season’ tonight, David Miscavige is having a moment
[EIGHT years ago] Guelph quest: Scientology sets up temporary shop in Canadian town and faces stiff opposition
[NINE years ago] Atack: The forgotten history of disproving Scientology’s status as a “religion”
[TEN years ago] For some reason, news sites are keeping quiet about who found Cat White’s body. So here he is.
[ELEVEN years ago] EXCLUSIVE: Scientology didn’t want you to see this letter it sent to the San Francisco Chronicle
[TWELVE years ago] William S. Burroughs and Scientology: Setting the Record Straight
[THIRTEEN years ago] Your Thoughts on The Master: Who Was Freddie Quell?
——————–
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 3,410 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,914 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,420 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,970 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,960 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,346 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,841 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,145 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,796 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,014 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,568 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,909 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,480 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,396 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,563 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,145 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,404 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,441 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,157 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,721 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,036 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,211 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,893 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,230 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,083 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,199 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,561 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,972 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,360 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,244 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,809 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,320 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,580 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,684 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on October 8, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2024 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2024), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 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
Pam Bondi goes on the attack and evades questions about Epstein in hearing
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Bondi Evades Answering if FBI Has Photos of Trump 'With Half-Naked Young Women'
Attorney General refuses to deny existence of Epstein's Trump photoshttps://t.co/X1xl3k9LLohttps://t.co/X1xl3k9LLo
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) October 7, 2025
This question seems really specific and Bondi not denying it is damming. https://t.co/MK1IHPGFFf
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) October 7, 2025
Bondi is unfit for office https://t.co/f1mozYa0NB
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) October 7, 2025
Is Trump thinking about pardoning George Santos? pic.twitter.com/7by4213NZr
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) October 8, 2025
Anyone who has merged with Trump has regretted it https://t.co/OVO9g3Mrpm
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) October 7, 2025
can we get our $20 billion back https://t.co/GJLtnMqqCC
— Brett Meiselas (@BMeiselas) October 7, 2025
Members of the Texas National Guard have arrived in Illinois, according to sources familiar with their whereabouts and video taken of them at an Army Reserve training facility in a Chicago suburb.
Read more: https://t.co/AkmU3diD97 pic.twitter.com/chTjQ1TrFY
— ABC News (@ABC) October 7, 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 October 8, 2025 at 08:00
October 7, 2025
Scientology now tells members to save Oct 24 or 31 for big tent party
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: What a bizarre game of cat-and-mouse Scientology leader David Miscavige is playing with West Sussex officials, and also with his own followers. Scientologists have been told to “save the date” for this year’s big IAS gala. But when is this shindig actually going to happen? [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
——————–
Technology Cocktail
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“SUPPRESSED PERSON RUNDOWN. This is a magical rundown just now being released to Class IV and other orgs. It utilizes a principle found in an early ACC but never fully developed and released till ‘78 that one could bring the suppressive in a person’s life to communicate to him and seek peace, without ever contacting him. When expertly done on a person who has been the target of suppression by antagonistic people it brings him back to freedom and handles his environment as well. When one realizes that most illness is precipitated by suppression one can understand the need and use of such a miraculous rundown. It’s unbelievable until one experiences it.” — 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
[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({});
——————–
“How do you run a grief charge? Take him to the beginning of the moment when the incident first occurred….This goes way back on the track to a thing called, evidently, the Weeper — salt water. And for about half a million years man was having a hell of a time trying to rush into the waves long enough to get some food and rush back to get some air. And he didn’t have anything with which to rush. And it was, and it was very frustrating. So frustration winds up in spilling salt water. He had a couple of little tubes and he pushed these out of the shell and he’d pump like mad trying to pump out all the salt water. You run a preclear on this and it’s just fabulous.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 7, 1953
——————–
“Persons on Festival posts must report back to former status and post. They will be assigned further by the ED 140 FAO Mission, Ens David Mayo in some instances. This mission, David Mayo and Andrea Sibirsky, has the job of phaseover. Help him all you can.” — The Commodore, October 7, 1971
——————–
“At OT 34-40 (Games Master) = Games, one of the abilities is to get out of MEST Universe and appear at another time and space of MEST Universe at will.”
——————–
1996: Hud Nordin reported a second appearance of the Scientology Chicken on the Conan O’Brien show. “The famous Scientology Chicken, Johnson, made his second appearance on NBC’s Conan O’Brien show, on Tuesday October 8 (broadcast early morning, October 9). The plot was about the same, the animated chicken is invited out to entertain the kids and fails to do anything but harp on L Ron Hubbard, Dianetics and scientology. This time, when pressed, Johnson’s aborted attempt at a story was about a boy named Tom, and a girl named Nicole, and a pie made out of… scientology berries!”
——————–
“I had a dream I was L. Ron Hubbard and I was wearing a cape, sitting on a throne, with a bevy of teenage beauties sitting at my feet.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due August 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing December 1.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief was filed June 3. Respondent briefs are due September 2.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Jane Does’ response to Scientology’s appeal brief submitted July 30. Scientology’s reply due October 20.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
——————–
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Can Scientology’s OT’s deflect Hurricane Milton headed right for its HQ?
[TWO years ago] PODCAST: Trish Conley and her sister Liz on how Scientology destroyed their family
[THREE years ago] Olmedo Rules: Details of the court’s decision on Scientology in Danny Masterson’s case
[FOUR years ago] Scientology OT, after having scam shut down, tests the waters for a comeback
[FIVE years ago] First look at ‘Brothers Broken,’ a Scientology documentary that features the Bunker
[SIX years ago] As Scientologists face another day in L.A. court, we have a bizarre twist to the case
[SEVEN years ago] Exploiting Tony Bourdain’s suicide or giving out weird massages, Scientology never rests
[EIGHT years ago] Scientology is hacked off that Luis Garcia and attorney will appear on ‘Leah Remini’
[NINE years ago] What’s the worst that can happen when you sue Scientology? Here’s one frightening example.
[TEN years ago] A secret Scientology wake, a ‘Snow White’ link, & more odd twists emerge in the Cat White story
[ELEVEN years ago] Comedy gold: Mark Ebner catches Scientology cheating with Sarah Silverman
[TWELVE years ago] U.S. SUPREME COURT DENIES SCIENTOLOGY IN FORCED-ABORTION LAWSUIT
[THIRTEEN years ago] How You Can Help Raise Money for Narconon’s Legal Defense!
——————–
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 3,409 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,913 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,419 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,969 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,959 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,345 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,840 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,144 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,795 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 4,013 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,567 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,908 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,479 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,395 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,562 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,144 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,403 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,440 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,156 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,720 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,035 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,210 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,892 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,229 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,082 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,198 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,560 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,971 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,359 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,243 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,808 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,319 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,579 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,683 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on October 7, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2024 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2024), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 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
Bernie: ‘Pathetic’ that Congress is on vacation during a shutdown
Some links to Q-related items today
Advertisement(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});I know the whole thing is awful, but has anyone noticed that he asks for clarification with pretty much every question? Where's the nonstop talk about fitness for office that Biden got hit with? https://t.co/EGcZNKqf2r
— Eric the Deep State Operative (@NotBadgers) October 6, 2025
Sanders: And I wish that the Mr. Johnson, had not given his members a vacation, taking them out of Washington. In the middle of this crisis, they're not here. That's pretty pathetic. pic.twitter.com/WWoMKWbxnT
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 7, 2025
YouTube has apparently reinstated Liz Crokin, a prominent QAnon & Pizzagate conspiracy theorist. Crokin wrote she's "cautiously optimistic I will be allowed to expose elite pedophiles, sex trafficking & Pizzagate over there without censorship." YouTube had banned her in 2020. https://t.co/tLyU3dWabk pic.twitter.com/Jdi6fmjHgY
— Alex Kaplan (@AlKapDC) October 6, 2025
Robin Williams' daughter Zelda tells fans: “Please, just stop sending me AI videos of Dad.”
“If you’ve got any decency, just stop doing this to him and to me, to everyone even, full stop. It’s dumb, it’s a waste of time and energy, and believe me, it’s NOT what he’d want. To… pic.twitter.com/Cw1zQsG0KW
— Variety (@Variety) October 6, 2025
"Please can we start killing people. I got into QAnon because I wanted a justification for seeing all the liberals I hate being murdered. Give me a little something for my bloodlust." These people are deranged. pic.twitter.com/9fV8ljA9Jl
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) October 7, 2025
“The Super Bowl halftime show is an Illuminati ritual led by evil people in celebration of their evil Gods.” Used to be something only crazy people on the internet would say. Now elected officials (who have no fear of losing re-election) are saying it. pic.twitter.com/4zOQaicY4U
— Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) October 6, 2025
Looking for some background on the QAnon movement? We recommend Travis View’s excellent article at New York magazine as a place to start.
THE LOWDOWN is our blog for news, the QAnon phenomenon, and other subjects not related to our coverage of the Church of Scientology. If it’s our Scientology coverage you re looking for, please use this bookmark for our latest stories.
Posted by Tony Ortega on October 7, 2025 at 08:00
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