Tony Ortega
@tonyortega.bsky.social
On sale: 'The Unbreakable Miss Lovely' https://amzn.to/3nciFKa; in the movie 'Going Clear'; Blog: http://tonyortega.substack.com
Yesterday the Church of #Scientology’s offer of an amicus brief in Danny Masterson’s criminal appeal was denied but 'without prejudice.' We think the brief may get re-filed, and so we're still very interested in an analysis by our resident expert, appellate attorney TX Lawyer.
Will Scientology redo its amicus? TX Lawyer on Dave's big favor for Danny Masterson
As we reported yesterday, the 2nd Appellate District denied the Church of Scientology’s offer of an amicus brief in Danny Masterson’s criminal appeal, but “without prejudice.” It did the same with the...
tonyortega.substack.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Yesterday the Church of #Scientology’s offer of an amicus brief in Danny Masterson’s criminal appeal was denied but 'without prejudice.' We think the brief may get re-filed, and so we're still very interested in an analysis by our resident expert, appellate attorney TX Lawyer.
Yesterday we had so much fun telling you how #Scientology’s amicus brief submitted in Danny Masterson’s appeal was actually one long tantrum by church leader David Miscavige. But the court has already weighed in: It wants no part of Dave's nonsense, and won't consider the brief. Ouch!
Scientology DENIED: Court turns down church 'amicus' brief for Danny Masterson
Yesterday we had so much fun telling you how the Church of Scientology’s amicus brief submitted in Danny Masterson’s appeal was actually one long tantrum by church leader David Miscavige.
tonyortega.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Yesterday we had so much fun telling you how #Scientology’s amicus brief submitted in Danny Masterson’s appeal was actually one long tantrum by church leader David Miscavige. But the court has already weighed in: It wants no part of Dave's nonsense, and won't consider the brief. Ouch!
This morning we posted the entire amicus brief #Scientology has filed on behalf of Danny Masterson. At the center of it is church leader David Miscavige’s continuing ire over something that happened in court in 2021. In this video, we explain what it is that drives Dave so crazy.
VIDEO: Scientology's desperate attempt to free Danny Masterson from prison
This morning we published the entire amicus brief that Scientology has asked an appeals court to accept on behalf of Danny Masterson, and we pointed out a few things that we found really troubling abo...
tonyortega.substack.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:35 PM
This morning we posted the entire amicus brief #Scientology has filed on behalf of Danny Masterson. At the center of it is church leader David Miscavige’s continuing ire over something that happened in court in 2021. In this video, we explain what it is that drives Dave so crazy.
On Saturday we told you the docket in Danny Masterson’s appeal indicated #Scientology was still backing him in a big way by filing an amicus brief on his behalf. We have now received a copy of that brief from the court, and we know you’re going to want to see it in its entirety.
Scientology's attempt to get Danny Masterson out of prison: The full 'amicus' brief
On Saturday, we told you that the court docket in Danny Masterson’s criminal appeal indicated that the Church of Scientology was still backing him in a big way by filing an amicus curiae (“friend of t...
tonyortega.substack.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:57 AM
On Saturday we told you the docket in Danny Masterson’s appeal indicated #Scientology was still backing him in a big way by filing an amicus brief on his behalf. We have now received a copy of that brief from the court, and we know you’re going to want to see it in its entirety.
We’re glad to be done with our series about Lisa McPherson, who died 30 years ago Friday, and we thought we owed you some comic relief, namely, #Scientology leader David Miscavige spinning conspiracies about it. ALSO: Do you recognize this get-rich author and Scientology hound?
Postscript: How David Miscavige spun the death of Lisa McPherson
We’re very glad to be done with our series about Lisa McPherson, who died 30 years ago Friday.
tonyortega.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 11:56 AM
We’re glad to be done with our series about Lisa McPherson, who died 30 years ago Friday, and we thought we owed you some comic relief, namely, #Scientology leader David Miscavige spinning conspiracies about it. ALSO: Do you recognize this get-rich author and Scientology hound?
#Scientology has updated its plans to pave over fields near its UK headquarters for its once-a year gala, and is seeking council approval. And what of the poor protected amphibians in the way? Alex Barnes-Ross takes a look at the new proposal. ALSO: The toddler who just donated 50 grand!
Scientology's new plan for Saint Hill's newts: If they die, they die
Alex Barnes-Ross has been keeping a close eye on Scientology’s ongoing attempts to get local officials to sign off on changes at its UK headquarters, Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead, England.
tonyortega.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:56 AM
#Scientology has updated its plans to pave over fields near its UK headquarters for its once-a year gala, and is seeking council approval. And what of the poor protected amphibians in the way? Alex Barnes-Ross takes a look at the new proposal. ALSO: The toddler who just donated 50 grand!
As a former London staffer and with his annual protests of the IAS gala at #Scientology’s UK headquarters Saint Hill Manor, Alex Barnes-Ross is uniquely positioned to judge the severity of the ransomware breach of Saint Hill that emerged this week. He has some great insights.
Scientology ransomware data breach: Alex Barnes-Ross on how bad it really is
As a former Scientology London staffer and with his annual protests of the IAS gala at Scientology’s UK headquarters, Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead, England, Alex Barnes-Ross is uniquely position...
tonyortega.substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 11:56 AM
As a former London staffer and with his annual protests of the IAS gala at #Scientology’s UK headquarters Saint Hill Manor, Alex Barnes-Ross is uniquely positioned to judge the severity of the ransomware breach of Saint Hill that emerged this week. He has some great insights.
The Church of #Scientology has filed an amicus brief in support of Danny Masterson’s attempt to overturn his conviction that has him serving 30 years to life. This is the most definitive evidence yet that Scientology has not dropped its support of the 'That ‘70s Show' actor.
Scientology trying to intervene with court to help Danny Masterson get out of prison
According to the docket at the 2nd Appellate District state court of appeals in Los Angeles, the Church of Scientology has filed an amicus curiae brief (“friend of the court” letter) in support of Dan...
tonyortega.substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 11:57 AM
The Church of #Scientology has filed an amicus brief in support of Danny Masterson’s attempt to overturn his conviction that has him serving 30 years to life. This is the most definitive evidence yet that Scientology has not dropped its support of the 'That ‘70s Show' actor.
Yesterday, cybersecurity news sites reported the hacking of #Scientology’s UK headquarters by a criminal ransomware gang. We are interested in Scientology itself as a criminal organization, so we are looking at the screenshots from the breach. Please help us go through them.
Screenshots from the ransomware attack on Scientology's UK headquarters
Yesterday, Cybersecurity news websites reported the hacking of Scientology’s UK headquarters by a criminal ransomware gang known as Qilin.
tonyortega.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Yesterday, cybersecurity news sites reported the hacking of #Scientology’s UK headquarters by a criminal ransomware gang. We are interested in Scientology itself as a criminal organization, so we are looking at the screenshots from the breach. Please help us go through them.
And so we reach the 30th anniversary of #Scientology's grimmest scandal, the tragic death of Lisa McPherson. We conclude our series about her final days with the truly disturbing details about her final hours. ALSO: Scientology's UK headquarters hacked by ransomware criminals!
Thirty years ago today: The final hours of Lisa McPherson’s Scientology life
We want to warn you the story we’re reprinting today is very disturbing and contains graphic descriptions that some may find difficult to deal with.
tonyortega.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:57 AM
And so we reach the 30th anniversary of #Scientology's grimmest scandal, the tragic death of Lisa McPherson. We conclude our series about her final days with the truly disturbing details about her final hours. ALSO: Scientology's UK headquarters hacked by ransomware criminals!
Day after day, #Scientology's 'caretakers' stood by and watched Lisa McPherson deteriorate. How could they do that and not get her real care? Just a day before the 30th anniversary of her tragic end, we look back at the underlying Scientology concepts that created this horror.
How Scientology ‘caretakers’ could stand by and watch Lisa McPherson deteriorate
Inside the room there was hardly anything other than a bed and the person being given the silent treatment.
tonyortega.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Day after day, #Scientology's 'caretakers' stood by and watched Lisa McPherson deteriorate. How could they do that and not get her real care? Just a day before the 30th anniversary of her tragic end, we look back at the underlying Scientology concepts that created this horror.
#Scientology calls itself the world’s fastest growing religion without a shred of evidence. It’s always fun to examine actual facts and figures that expose this lie whenever they’re available. And thanks to some hard work from one of our podcast stalwarts, we have some!
Scientology says it's the world's fastest-growing religion, but its own stats say otherwise
Scientology calls itself the world’s fastest growing religion without a shred of evidence to back it up.
tonyortega.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 11:58 AM
#Scientology calls itself the world’s fastest growing religion without a shred of evidence. It’s always fun to examine actual facts and figures that expose this lie whenever they’re available. And thanks to some hard work from one of our podcast stalwarts, we have some!
Big donors. Super Scientologists. Market mavericks. At one time the Feshbach brothers were legends in #Scientology with a reputation for profiting on the misery of others. But more recently they've hit hard times. The latest setback is a bankruptcy with a surprising explanation.
Former Scientology titan Kurt Feshbach in bankruptcy, blames Google
The Feshbach brothers.
tonyortega.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Big donors. Super Scientologists. Market mavericks. At one time the Feshbach brothers were legends in #Scientology with a reputation for profiting on the misery of others. But more recently they've hit hard times. The latest setback is a bankruptcy with a surprising explanation.
#Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard said every person is actually trillions of years old, and over that many lifetimes has committed every horrific crime possible. Maybe that explains why there's an OT Scientologist in Pinellas County Jail right now accused of truly awful things.
An OT Scientologist is in Pinellas County Jail for a truly awful reason
On November 13, WFLA-TV reported that a 57-year-old Clearwater, Florida man named Aaron Matthes had been arrested for SA of a child less than 12 years old, with more than 30 incidents stretching over ...
tonyortega.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:57 AM
#Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard said every person is actually trillions of years old, and over that many lifetimes has committed every horrific crime possible. Maybe that explains why there's an OT Scientologist in Pinellas County Jail right now accused of truly awful things.
Only days into a 7-year sentence, convicted fraudster and longtime #Scientology donor David Gentile was freed from custody Wednesday. The White House didn't grant clemency to Gentile's non-Scientologist crime partner, the latest sign of Scientology's in with this president.
Trump frees Scientologist fraudster, doesn't free non-Scientologist crime partner
Jeffrey Augustine broke the news this weekend and the New York Times confirmed it this morning: Only a few days into his seven-year prison sentence, convicted fraudster David Gentile had his sentence ...
tonyortega.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Only days into a 7-year sentence, convicted fraudster and longtime #Scientology donor David Gentile was freed from custody Wednesday. The White House didn't grant clemency to Gentile's non-Scientologist crime partner, the latest sign of Scientology's in with this president.
Today we present #Scientology's really big whales, the megadonors who have given at least $1 million each to church leader David Miscavige's legal slush fund, with the trophies they were given at this year's IAS gala. Recognize anyone?
Scientology’s IAS trophy winners part two: The big whales keeping Dave afloat in 2025
Yesterday we showed you the first half of the long list of donors who were recognized at this year’s International Association of Scientologists gala on November 1 in East Grinstead, England, with tho...
tonyortega.substack.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Today we present #Scientology's really big whales, the megadonors who have given at least $1 million each to church leader David Miscavige's legal slush fund, with the trophies they were given at this year's IAS gala. Recognize anyone?
The Patrons Ball at this year’s IAS gala was held less than 4 weeks ago, but #Scientology has already put out our favorite, Impact magazine, and you know what that means: Scientology whales and their trophies! Can you help us identify them? ALSO: A Hubbard made the scene!
It’s here! Scientology’s list of trophy-winning donors from 2025’s Patrons Ball!
The Patrons Ball at this year’s IAS anniversary gala was held less than four weeks ago, but Scientology has already put out our favorite of its publications, Impact magazine, and you know what that me...
tonyortega.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The Patrons Ball at this year’s IAS gala was held less than 4 weeks ago, but #Scientology has already put out our favorite, Impact magazine, and you know what that means: Scientology whales and their trophies! Can you help us identify them? ALSO: A Hubbard made the scene!
The Underground Bunker wishes its American readers a very happy Thanksgiving. Once again, we return to our tradition of asking readers to tell us what they're thankful for as we enjoy one of #Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard's most hilarious tall tales. Pass the Source!
Thanksgiving 2025 is here and it’s time to pass the Source again!
Our American readers are celebrating Thanksgiving today, and we hope you’ve managed to get through your holiday travel without too much fuss so you can enjoy a wonderful feast today.
tonyortega.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:57 AM
The Underground Bunker wishes its American readers a very happy Thanksgiving. Once again, we return to our tradition of asking readers to tell us what they're thankful for as we enjoy one of #Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard's most hilarious tall tales. Pass the Source!
The Wall Street Journal followed up its investigation of Dream Exchange, the Chicago startup run by OT Scientologist Joe Cecala, with news today that the SEC has denied the company the license it was looking for. So we called up former employee Jeff Ferrell to get his views. He did not hold back.
Jeff Ferrell on Dream Exchange denied SEC license: 'Christmas just before Thanksgiving'
The Wall Street Journal followed up their terrific investigation of Dream Exchange, the small Chicago startup run by OT Scientologist Joe Cecala that was trying to become a stock exchanged aimed at Bl...
tonyortega.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:40 PM
The Wall Street Journal followed up its investigation of Dream Exchange, the Chicago startup run by OT Scientologist Joe Cecala, with news today that the SEC has denied the company the license it was looking for. So we called up former employee Jeff Ferrell to get his views. He did not hold back.
#Scientology has put up its holiday catalog again, with images to prove how much L. Ron Hubbard’s church cares about this treasured day of the year. What's that? Ron said Jesus was a figment of Xenu's imagination? Well, try not to think about that, space cadet, and buy, buy, buy!
Holy Xenu's sleigh bells: The 2025 Scientology holiday catalog is here!
Hankering to give someone on your list a $5,000 Mark Ultra VIII E-meter for Christmas?
tonyortega.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:56 AM
#Scientology has put up its holiday catalog again, with images to prove how much L. Ron Hubbard’s church cares about this treasured day of the year. What's that? Ron said Jesus was a figment of Xenu's imagination? Well, try not to think about that, space cadet, and buy, buy, buy!
Looking back 30 years later, it's incredible to think that three medical professionals who were trying to prescribe something for Lisa McPherson were overruled by her #Scientology 'spiritual' adviser. ALSO: Danny Masterson's habeas petition hits an early snag with the court.
Lisa McPherson and the doctors: Hamstrung by the ‘spiritual’ needs of a thetan
Lisa McPherson’s first week under confinement at the Fort Harrison Hotel ended thirty years ago today.
tonyortega.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Looking back 30 years later, it's incredible to think that three medical professionals who were trying to prescribe something for Lisa McPherson were overruled by her #Scientology 'spiritual' adviser. ALSO: Danny Masterson's habeas petition hits an early snag with the court.
#Scientology has posted its photos from this year's big IAS gala at its UK headquarters, and we have the highlights for you. One surprise: voice of Bart Simpson actress Nancy Cartwright finally got her Freedom Medal, the highest award for an L. Ron Hubbard space cadet!
Scientology IAS gala photos: Nancy Cartwright gets her Freedom Medal!
Scientology’s slide show from its recent IAS gala weekend at its UK headquarters is up at its website, and once again it shows a massive party under a giant tent and all is well in L.
tonyortega.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:00 PM
#Scientology has posted its photos from this year's big IAS gala at its UK headquarters, and we have the highlights for you. One surprise: voice of Bart Simpson actress Nancy Cartwright finally got her Freedom Medal, the highest award for an L. Ron Hubbard space cadet!
Bad enough that the Boies Schiller firm blundered with AI errors in a filing that #Scientology pounced on in the Danny Masterson civil lawsuit, but now the court has rejected a make-up brief that was intended to fix those errors. ALSO: Brooks Gibbs on the Clearwater council clash
Court rejects brief from Danny Masterson victims intended to fix Boies Schiller AI blunder
According to the 2nd Appellate District’s website, the appeals court has denied the motion from Boies Schiller partner John Kucera to accept a corrected brief after AI-generated errors were found in a...
tonyortega.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Bad enough that the Boies Schiller firm blundered with AI errors in a filing that #Scientology pounced on in the Danny Masterson civil lawsuit, but now the court has rejected a make-up brief that was intended to fix those errors. ALSO: Brooks Gibbs on the Clearwater council clash
An interesting clash broke out at Thursday's Clearwater City Council meeting when Mayor Rector confronted Councilman Allbritton about sending a letter to the Florida AG about a street #Scientology wants. Was Allbritton doing the church's bidding? We have the full transcript.
Drama on Clearwater City Council over letter regarding Scientology: The transcript
What a remarkable exchange took place Thursday night at the Clearwater City Council meeting.
tonyortega.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:57 AM
An interesting clash broke out at Thursday's Clearwater City Council meeting when Mayor Rector confronted Councilman Allbritton about sending a letter to the Florida AG about a street #Scientology wants. Was Allbritton doing the church's bidding? We have the full transcript.
With this week’s court filings, Danny Masterson is now pursuing two separate strategies for trying to reverse his 2023 conviction. To help us make sense of these documents is our expert, an appellate attorney and longtime member of the Underground Bunker community, TX Lawyer.
TX Lawyer examines Danny Masterson's two separate bids to overturn his conviction
With this week’s court filings, Danny Masterson’s legal team is now pursuing two separate strategies for trying to reverse his 2023 conviction.
tonyortega.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:58 AM
With this week’s court filings, Danny Masterson is now pursuing two separate strategies for trying to reverse his 2023 conviction. To help us make sense of these documents is our expert, an appellate attorney and longtime member of the Underground Bunker community, TX Lawyer.