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
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.
Danny Masterson completes his criminal appeal with his 'appellant’s reply brief,' which answers the arguments of the state AG, who wants him to stay right where he is. We have the entire thing for you, and yes, this is separate from the habeas petition he also filed this week.
Danny Masterson completes his appeal with 'reply brief,' and we have it all for you
Danny Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison in September 2023, and since then his attorneys have been working on trying to overturn that conviction.
tonyortega.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Danny Masterson completes his criminal appeal with his 'appellant’s reply brief,' which answers the arguments of the state AG, who wants him to stay right where he is. We have the entire thing for you, and yes, this is separate from the habeas petition he also filed this week.
Thirty years ago today, Lisa McPherson's tragic #Scientology nightmare really kicked into gear with her first day on the 'Introspection Rundown' out by the pool at the Fort Harrison Hotel. ALSO: Another new superhuman Scientology success story!
‘Babywatch,’ day one: Lisa McPherson raves out by Scientology’s holiest swimming pool
After spending several hours at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida, Lisa McPherson arrived at the Fort Harrison Hotel late on a Saturday night, and already some questionable decisions were b...
tonyortega.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Thirty years ago today, Lisa McPherson's tragic #Scientology nightmare really kicked into gear with her first day on the 'Introspection Rundown' out by the pool at the Fort Harrison Hotel. ALSO: Another new superhuman Scientology success story!
Thirty years ago today, Lisa McPherson's #Scientology life reached a bizarre breaking point. In our continued look back at her final weeks in real time, we reach the moment when she had her last chance for real mental health care. ALSO: A new Sea Org recruiting video!
Lisa McPherson’s last opportunity for standard care ended 30 years ago today
Joe McDonald was angry.
tonyortega.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Thirty years ago today, Lisa McPherson's #Scientology life reached a bizarre breaking point. In our continued look back at her final weeks in real time, we reach the moment when she had her last chance for real mental health care. ALSO: A new Sea Org recruiting video!
The habeas petition that Danny Masterson’s attorneys have been promising is finally here, and we have the whole thing for you. The first thing that jumps out at us is that it tends to rely on #Scientology witnesses and documents, but it doesn't tell the court that.
Danny Masterson habeas petition relies mainly on Scientology witnesses never called at trial
The habeas petition that Danny Masterson’s attorneys have been promising since he was sent to prison in 2023 is finally here, and we have the whole thing for you.
tonyortega.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:35 PM
The habeas petition that Danny Masterson’s attorneys have been promising is finally here, and we have the whole thing for you. The first thing that jumps out at us is that it tends to rely on #Scientology witnesses and documents, but it doesn't tell the court that.
Today in our lookback at Lisa McPherson 30 years later, our tech experts help us understand the bizarre #Scientology exercises in self-blame she was forced to go through that helped set up her tragedy. ALSO: Photo evidence of light attendance at the IAS!
Scientology tech experts review Lisa McPherson’s grim cycle of guilt and self-blame
Thirty years ago today, at three in the morning, Brenda Hubert woke up in her Orlando hotel room to find her roommate, Lisa McPherson, sitting on her, holding her arms down.
tonyortega.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Today in our lookback at Lisa McPherson 30 years later, our tech experts help us understand the bizarre #Scientology exercises in self-blame she was forced to go through that helped set up her tragedy. ALSO: Photo evidence of light attendance at the IAS!
As we continue to look at what was happening with Lisa McPherson 30 years ago in real time, our sources help us understand why the pull her boss had as a major #Scientology donor played an important part in how Lisa was being pressured to succeed despite her obvious mental health issues.
Lisa McPherson in Orlando: What her hotel roommate witnessed, and the Slaughter rule
Lisa McPherson woke up the morning of November 16, 1995 looking like hell.
tonyortega.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:01 PM
As we continue to look at what was happening with Lisa McPherson 30 years ago in real time, our sources help us understand why the pull her boss had as a major #Scientology donor played an important part in how Lisa was being pressured to succeed despite her obvious mental health issues.
Continuing our look back at Lisa McPherson's tragic story 30 years ago, today we have stunning testimony from Tom DeVocht, who witnessed #Scientology leader David Miscavige personally intervening in Lisa's 'case' just weeks before her death. ALSO: Alex goes to Parliament
Tom DeVocht: Watching David Miscavige watch Lisa McPherson and her faulty ‘needle’
Thirty years ago today, on Wednesday, November 15, 1995, Lisa McPherson and her friend Brenda Hubert drove from Clearwater, Florida to Orlando and checked into a hotel.
tonyortega.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Continuing our look back at Lisa McPherson's tragic story 30 years ago, today we have stunning testimony from Tom DeVocht, who witnessed #Scientology leader David Miscavige personally intervening in Lisa's 'case' just weeks before her death. ALSO: Alex goes to Parliament
#Scientology has put out the new list of OT 7 completions, the level that consists of you finding the last of the disembodied spirits clinging to you that are left over from a 75-million-year old genocide! ALSO: The appeal in the Masterson civil suit has a date for oral arguments
Finally, free from space cooties: The new Scientology OT 7s are here!
A new issue of Source magazine is out, the Scientology publication for the Flag Land Base in Clearwater, Florida.
tonyortega.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:57 AM
#Scientology has put out the new list of OT 7 completions, the level that consists of you finding the last of the disembodied spirits clinging to you that are left over from a 75-million-year old genocide! ALSO: The appeal in the Masterson civil suit has a date for oral arguments
As our lookback at Lisa McPherson's death 30 years later continues, we examine one of the most important developments to come out about it: The direct link between #Scientology leader David Miscavige and her ordeal. ALSO: Leila Mills settles lawsuit with Scientology defendants
Why it was Scientology leader David Miscavige who declared Lisa McPherson ‘Clear’
Marc Headley remembers where he was and what he was doing because David Miscavige, the leader of Scientology, was spitting obscenities about, of all things, the bad teeth belonging to Marc’s stepfathe...
tonyortega.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:56 AM
As our lookback at Lisa McPherson's death 30 years later continues, we examine one of the most important developments to come out about it: The direct link between #Scientology leader David Miscavige and her ordeal. ALSO: Leila Mills settles lawsuit with Scientology defendants
Through Dec 5, the 30th anniversary of Lisa McPherson’s tragic death, we’re going to be remembering in real time the many unusual and distressing details of her story, which remains today #Scientology's most awful scandal and a reminder of how this organization still operates.
Countdown to Room 174: Remembering, in real time, Scientology’s grimmest scandal
Right around this day thirty years ago, Dallas resident Fannie McPherson, who was then 70 years old, had her last telephone conversation with her 36-year-old daughter Lisa.
tonyortega.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Through Dec 5, the 30th anniversary of Lisa McPherson’s tragic death, we’re going to be remembering in real time the many unusual and distressing details of her story, which remains today #Scientology's most awful scandal and a reminder of how this organization still operates.
For months we've been pointing out how #Scientology has interesting connections to the White House this term. But how does that actually benefit Scientologists? Well, we have an interesting example of that today, and it involves one of the most famous Scientologists of them all.
How Scientology's friend Pam Bondi made a problem for John Travolta go away
Please follow the bouncing ball, campers…
tonyortega.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:59 AM
For months we've been pointing out how #Scientology has interesting connections to the White House this term. But how does that actually benefit Scientologists? Well, we have an interesting example of that today, and it involves one of the most famous Scientologists of them all.
Alex Barnes-Ross keeps sending us good stuff from last weekend’s IAS gala, which took place at #Scientology’s UK headquarters. On Saturday was the Patrons Ball, when only donors of at least $50,000 can get in the place, and even the little whales need to be treated well, right?
Let them eat caviar: What Scientology's big donors chowed down on at the IAS gala
Alex Barnes-Ross keeps sending us good stuff from this year’s IAS gala, which took place last weekend under the giant tent at Saint Hill Manor, Scientology’s UK headquarters.
tonyortega.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Alex Barnes-Ross keeps sending us good stuff from last weekend’s IAS gala, which took place at #Scientology’s UK headquarters. On Saturday was the Patrons Ball, when only donors of at least $50,000 can get in the place, and even the little whales need to be treated well, right?
We told you that Valerie Haney would be going through a 15th day of 'religious arbitration' Friday, an unprecedented slog through this kangaroo court where #Scientology sets all the rules. Now, after talking to her attorney, we've learned she's not sure what comes next.
Scientology leaves Valerie Haney in limbo after 15th day of 'arbitration'
We told you that on Friday, Valerie Haney would be going through her fifteenth day of Scientology “religious arbitration,” an unprecedented slog through this kangaroo court where Scientology gets to s...
tonyortega.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:57 AM
We told you that Valerie Haney would be going through a 15th day of 'religious arbitration' Friday, an unprecedented slog through this kangaroo court where #Scientology sets all the rules. Now, after talking to her attorney, we've learned she's not sure what comes next.
#Scientology is getting some outside help with a 'friend of the court' letter to an appeals court weighing what to do about the AI blunder we’ve been telling you about in the lawsuit that Danny Masterson’s victims filed against the imprisoned That ‘70s Show actor and the church.
Scientology piles on with amicus brief to punish Danny Masterson victims in AI mess
Scientology this week submitted a new filing to a California appeals court, hoping to tip the scales in its favor as the court weighs what to do about the AI blunder that we’ve been telling you about ...
tonyortega.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:58 AM
#Scientology is getting some outside help with a 'friend of the court' letter to an appeals court weighing what to do about the AI blunder we’ve been telling you about in the lawsuit that Danny Masterson’s victims filed against the imprisoned That ‘70s Show actor and the church.
The same day one of our readers forwarded to us a clip that featured Elena Cardone flogging #Scientology’s bible for a Scottsdale podcaster, we also heard from an expert who really put the video into perspective: This new surge in Dianetics promotion tells a story, he says.
Elena Cardone flogging Dianetics? Scientology must be pretty desperate, expert says
This was a fortuitous coincidence.
tonyortega.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:59 AM
The same day one of our readers forwarded to us a clip that featured Elena Cardone flogging #Scientology’s bible for a Scottsdale podcaster, we also heard from an expert who really put the video into perspective: This new surge in Dianetics promotion tells a story, he says.
Since October '23, Valerie Haney has endured days and days of #Scientology’s dubious 'religious arbitration,' with no end in sight. Yesterday her attorneys tried to convince Judge Gail Killefer to put some constraints on what Scientology is doing, again to no avail. Incredible.
Valerie Haney forced to go an unprecedented 15 days in Scientology 'arbitration'
Since October 2023, Valerie Haney has been subjected to days and days of Scientology’s dubious “religious arbitration,” with no end in sight.
tonyortega.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Since October '23, Valerie Haney has endured days and days of #Scientology’s dubious 'religious arbitration,' with no end in sight. Yesterday her attorneys tried to convince Judge Gail Killefer to put some constraints on what Scientology is doing, again to no avail. Incredible.
The new #Scientology 'OT Phenomena' are here, continuing a trend that this once-vaunted feature may be turning a corner! For years, we've enjoyed reading these ghost stories passed off as evidence that Scientologists gain superpowers after tons of cash down the drain. Dig in!
OT Phenomena: More talking with the dead for Scientology superbeings!
The new OT Phenomena are here, and they continue a trend we saw in July that this once-vaunted feature may be turning a corner!
tonyortega.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:02 PM
The new #Scientology 'OT Phenomena' are here, continuing a trend that this once-vaunted feature may be turning a corner! For years, we've enjoyed reading these ghost stories passed off as evidence that Scientologists gain superpowers after tons of cash down the drain. Dig in!