Author | Lightnews

Tony Ortega

Tony Ortega

@tonyortega.bsky.social

1.3K followers 11 following 590 posts

On sale: 'The Unbreakable Miss Lovely' https://amzn.to/3nciFKa; in the movie 'Going Clear'; Blog: http://tonyortega.substack.com

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 23h

In May, #Scientology celebrated the 75th anniversary of the book that started it all, L. Ron Hubbard’s 'Dianetics.' Actor Jason Dohring is promoting the book's relaunch with a personal appearance at a Barnes & Noble tonight in Fullerton, California. ALSO: More very young recruits

TONIGHT: Jason Dohring and Scientology's bible at ... Fullerton Barnes & Noble?

In May, Scientology celebrated the 75th anniversary of the book that started it all, the May 9, 1950 publication of L.

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 1d

One consequence of #Scientology waiting to reveal the date of this year’s IAS gala (Oct 31) is that the church is now hurrying to get members amped up enough to make the trip to Saint Hill Manor, in England. And especially since this is the one event Tom Cruise usually attends!

More Scientology hype videos for the event Tom Cruise usually crashes

One consequence of Scientology leader David Miscavige waiting so long to reveal the date of this year’s IAS gala — taking place over three nights from October 31 to November 2 — is that the church is ...

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 2d

Leigh Silverton is a clinical psychologist and Underground Bunker reader who took special interest in Saturday’s bonus story about how #Scientology broke up the first two marriages of Tom Cruise. We’re anxious to see how our audience reacts to her insights.

The Church of Letting Go: How Scientology sells the silence of self-erasure

Leigh Silverton is a clinical psychologist and Underground Bunker reader who took special interest in Saturday’s bonus story about how Scientology broke up the first two marriages of Tom Cruise.

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 3d

#Scientology has opened another new 'Ideal Mission,' this time in Sacramento, and less than a month after a similar celebration just down the freeway in San Jose. Scientology will hope this gives the impression that it’s on something of a roll. ALSO: The IAS trailer!

Another 'Ideal Mission' in California: Is Scientology on a roll?

Scientology has put out yet another press release celebrating the grand opening of a new “Ideal Mission,” this time in Sacramento, California, less than a month after a similar celebration just down t...

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 4d

When #Scientology reveals at the last minute the date of its big annual event Tom Cruise actually goes to, it has to scramble to get people to drop everything and attend! Helping out is none other than megadonor Tom Cummins. You tell us: Does he knock it out of the park or what?

Scientology mega-donor explains why you must attend the big thetan meetup of 2025

What happens when you don’t reveal until the last minute the date of your big annual event that Tom Cruise actually goes to most years?

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 5d

Former Dream Exchange employee Jeff Ferrell went public this week with more problems at the startup featured in a Wall Street Journal investigation. We talked to him about the problems he saw at the company, and what he encountered that had to do with #Scientology.

Former Dream Exchanger on Scientology at the startup, and other problems

On September 14, the Wall Street Journal published a hard-hitting investigation of a Chicago startup called Dream Exchange, which is seeking SEC approval to become a stock exchange.

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 6d

With the tabs saying Tom Cruise is back on the market after he and Ana de Armas called it quits (and we don't know if that's actually true one way or the other), we decided to re-post our 2015 story about how #Scientology definitely broke up Tom's first marriage, to Mimi Rogers.

How Scientology broke up Tom Cruise and Mimi Rogers: The story you haven’t heard

This story was originally published on April 12, 2015 at our dot org legacy site.

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 6d

With less than two weeks until the start of this year’s big IAS gala at #Scientology’s UK headquarters in England, the church’s planning application that seeks to redevelop its Saint Hill Manor grounds for future galas has run into yet more snags, Alex Barnes-Ross tells us!

Scientology runs into even more obstacles as big tent party approaches

With less than two weeks now until the start of this year’s big IAS gala at Scientology’s UK headquarters in East Grinstead, England, the church’s planning application that seeks to redevelop its Sain...

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 7d

Even if #Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s vision of taking over the planet is even less likely now than when he was alive, people signing billion-year contracts today dedicate themselves just as ardently as the recruits of yesteryear. We have a great example for you today.

Scientology has found its secret weapon to take over the planet. He's 23.

Think about what Scientology has been through just in the last couple of decades.

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 8d

The tabs are saying Tom Cruise’s romance with fellow actor Ana de Armas is already kaput. We don’t know if that’s true, but once again #Scientology has tapped into Tom’s fame to help it convince members they must give even more than they already have for an 'All-Ideal USA.'

Tom Cruise single again? Scientology is ready to cash in again either way!

The tabloids are saying that Tom Cruise’s romance with fellow actor Ana de Armas is already kaput.

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 9d

We’ve been writing about #Scientology’s professional ham hock Grant Cardone since 2011, and we are always surprised that his various antics don’t run him into more regulatory snags. So it’s refreshing to see that some busybodies over in the UK are awake and paying attention.

Scientology's ham hock Grant Gardone slapped down by UK ad council

We’ve been writing about Scientology’s professional ham hock Grant Cardone since 2011, and we are always surprised that his various antics as a carnival barker, motivational speaker, and investment gu...

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 10d

#Scientology blasted Boies Schiller partner John Kucera for AI errors in the lawsuit against Danny Masterson & the Church. Kucera has now replied, asking the court to separate whatever price should be paid for the AI blunder from the merits of the suit from the Jane Doe victims.

Attorney for Masterson victims again admits AI error, but rejects Scientology remedy

Last week, we told you that Scientology had predictably blasted the prestigious law firm Boies Schiller Flexner and its partner John Kucera, who is representing the Jane Doe victims in the civil lawsu...

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 11d

Now that the IAS gala is set for Halloween at #Scientology’s UK headquarters, we have a reminder that not only has this event been held at different times, but also outside of Great Britain. Patty Moher sent us this account of when the party was held on Scientology’s cruise ship.

IAS set for Halloween (boo!), but was once held on Scientology's spooky cruise ship!

Now that the IAS gala has been set for the unusual date of Halloween at Saint Hill Manor, Scientology’s UK headquarters, we have a reminder that not only has this pivotal annual event been held at dif...

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 12d

The Wall Street Journal investigation of startup Dream Exchange was a hard-hitting look at a business that wants to become a stock exchange catering to Black-owned businesses. Now, a former executive has posted more damning allegations about #Scientology at the startup.

More Scientology allegations about Dream Exchange, now from a former executive

The Wall Street Journal’s investigation of Chicago startup Dream Exchange was a hard-hitting look at a business that wants to become a stock exchange (pending SEC approval) catering to Black-owned and...

tonyortega.substack.com

Reposted by Tony Ortega

Roy Edroso @edroso.bsky.social · 13d

In case your opinion of Scientology was not low enough already tonyortega.substack.com/p/blacks-not...

Blacks not ready for the vote: L. Ron Hubbard’s 1960 talk supporting apartheid

This story was originally published on February 20, 2020 at our dot org legacy site.

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 13d

#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!

Scientology tries to pull a fast one with UK project: Here's the detailed case against it

We heard this morning that Scientology has finally put out word to its followers that the IAS gala will take place the weekend of October 31-November 2 at its UK headquarters Saint Hill Manor in East ...

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 14d

#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!

Scientology opens Silicon Valley 'Ideal Mission' — where it already has 'Ideal Org'

Scientology chose Wednesday to put out a press release announcing that it had opened another “Ideal Mission” last month, on September 21.

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 15d

Could the ex-con who legally changed his name to L. Ron 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.

LRH 2.0 tells 'Expedited Scientology' fans he's mulling 17-year plea deal

Could Justin Craig, the California ex-con who legally changed his name to Lafayette Ronald Hubbard while convincing some “independent Scientologists” that he’s the reincarnated author of Dianetics, an...

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 16d

We assumed that #Scientology's 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.

Scientology blasts lawyers for Masterson victims in AI fiasco, wants sanctions

Since news first emerged that the lawsuit against Scientology and Danny Masterson brought by his victims (Bixler v.

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 17d

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?

Scientology now tells members to save Oct 24 or 31 for big tent party

What a bizarre game of cat-and-mouse Scientology leader David Miscavige is playing not only with government officials in West Sussex, but also with his own followers.

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 18d

What a temptation it must be, as a newly minted #Scientology OT 8, to speak to the little people after you've spent a million or two getting to the top of the 'Bridge.' What a testimonial we have for you today. We really look forward to your thoughts on how this one is worded.

Hit superhuman level in Scientology? Time to pat yourself on the back, thetan

Scientology founder L.

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 19d

One of our helpers had a brainstorm and checked sci-fi fanzines about #Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard and his book Dianetics in the months after it was published in 1950. We have more examples showing that as the months went by, resistance to this 'science' was growing.

More early sci-fi fanzines dunking on L. Ron Hubbard and 'Dianetics'

On Thursday, we told you that one of our helpers had a brainstorm and looked for what science fiction fanzines might have said about L.

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 20d

Now at our Substack, the story where we talked to the detective who determined that Shelly Miscavige's mother had killed herself — by shooting herself three times in the chest and once in the head with a long rifle. Still one of the craziest #Scientology-related deaths ever.

The strange death of Flo Barnett, mother-in-law to Scientology's David Miscavige

This story was originally published on January 25, 2012 at the Village Voice when we were editor there.

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 20d

What a great result for a recent Wall Street Journal investigation, evidence suggesting an SEC probe is happening as a result. But #Scientology is feeling good about the feds this week after the Department of Justice announced a new focus on protecting 'houses of worship.'

Scientology & the Feds: Why the church is celebrating despite news of an SEC probe

What a great result from the Wall Street Journal’s recent investigative report about OT Scientologist and Gold Meritorious ($1 million) donor Joe Cecala allegedly keeping the investors in his startup,...

tonyortega.substack.com

Tony Ortega @tonyortega.bsky.social · 21d

Now it can be revealed: When the psychiatrist's association secretly paid for a presentation about #Scientology's war on their profession, and heard from some of the best in the business! Another great tale from Patty Moher, the wonderful addition to our Group Therapy podcast.

When the evil psychs secretly paid for information about Scientology!

Patty Moher has become a wonderful addition to our weekly podcast, Group Therapy.

tonyortega.substack.com