Leah Remini TV series about how Scientology rips families apart

USC: SCIENTOLOGY FAKED LETTER FROM PROFESSOR TO DISNEY, PROBE OPENED

By Tony Ortega, The Underground Bunker, February 8, 2019

Quote:

We’ve told you that Scientology’s “grass roots” effort it calls the “STAND League” is a fake. But even we were stunned when we learned that Scientology’s astroturf attack on Leah Remini’s A&E series has allegedly engaged in an outright fraud that has a major American university launching an investigation.

In December, the Stand League claimed that the Rev. Dr. Cecil “Chip” Murray, the well-known former leader of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles who joined the University of Southern California as a University Fellow in 2005, had written a letter to Disney CEO Bob Iger complaining about the “one-sided” nature of Remini’s television show about Scientology.

Murray has been very friendly with Scientology in the past, and in 2011 spoke at the dedication of a new Scientology “Ideal Org” in Inglewood, California.

<photo snipped>

So we weren’t too surprised that in December, Murray had seemed to help out Scientology with a letter complaining to Iger at Disney, which owns half of the A&E network that airs Remini’s series:

<snipped>

Here’s the full text of the letter:

<snipped>

But an enterprising brand marketer in Arizona, Robin Athlyn Thompson, was concerned that USC’s Center for Religion and Civic Culture would allow its brand to be used in this manner, and she inquired about it with her public relations counterparts at the university.

She informed Leah Remini that she received this stunning reply from USC:

Dear Ms. Thompson,

I want to personally acknowledge your letter to President Austin, which she has read and shared with me. She has asked me to respond on her behalf.

We strive for accuracy and appropriateness in all of our university communications. Reverend Murray has stated that he was not the author of the letter that was addressed to Mr. Iger on a discontinued letterhead. We are currently looking into the misuse of the university’s trademarks.

Thank you for sharing your concern with us.

Sincerely,

Brenda Maceo

Vice President of Public Relations and Marketing

University of Southern California

The Center for Religion and Civic Culture put out its own statement, saying that the Center and Dr. Murray take no position on Disney’s programming:

More at https://tonyortega.org/2019/02/08/u...letter-from-professor-to-disney-probe-opened/

Leah Remini's 'Scientology' viewers suspicious of Clearwater police, who are treading carefully

Police Chief Dan Slaughter said despite Scientology's contentious history, he must treat them as any other tax exempt church. Critics say it's enabling.

By Tracey McManus, Tampa Bay Times, February 11, 2019

Quote:

The social media comments started a few weeks ago, then only intensified, devolving into what Police Chief Dan Slaughter called a “public relations nightmare.”

Following two January episodes of the Emmy award-winning Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath A&E series that focused on Clearwater history, suspicion on Facebook and Twitter rained down on Slaughter’s department and its interaction with the Church of Scientology.

Critics attacked the fact Scientology can hire off-duty officers for security like any other local church when it is the only one with a documented policy for destroying enemies’ lives. They also criticized Slaughter’s cordial public interaction with an organization investigated, though not charged, by the FBI in 2009 in connection with human trafficking.

The attacks prompted Slaughter to take the rare step of posting a video response online and a guest column in the Tampa Bay Times explaining that despite the church’s history, he is obligated by law to treat Scientology like any other federally recognized religious organization.

The bulk of more than 300 commenters on the police department’s Facebook post of the video only hit harder.

“It looks like Scientology has you and the rest of the force right where they want you. ... in their back pocket,” Cindy Doss responded.

The social media frenzy didn't unearth many new details. But it revived incredulity over Clearwater’s dynamic with the controversial church: Some see the city as simply coexisting while others see that as enabling.

“We have a long history of doing the right thing,” Slaughter said in an interview. “For some reason I’ve become the microcosm for the last 30 years.”

Continued at https://www.tampabay.com/clearwater...r-police-who-are-treading-carefully-20190211/

Untouchable? Scientology’s 60-year plan to protect itself from the law

By Chris Owen, The Underground Bunker, February 11, 2019

Quote:

One of the most common comments heard after every episode of Leah Remini’s Scientology and the Aftermath is, “Why doesn’t the government do something about it?” This isn’t a complaint that is limited to the US — Scientology has faced challenges in dozens of countries around the world. Yet it has survived nearly 70 years of criticism, lawsuits, defections, investigations, raids and scandals. How has it managed to do so?

That’s the subject of a major project that I’ve been working on for the past year, a new book exploring Scientology’s relationship with its adversaries around the world, from 1950 to the present day. It’s a project which has so far taken me through three continents and many thousands of pages of archived documents, much of which has never been reported on before. Regular Bunker readers will have seen some of the offshoots of that research on this blog during the course of the year.

(If you can, please help to support this project via my GoFundMe page!)

Scientology’s long history of facing external opposition — from governments, law enforcement agencies, and medical organisations — has left a deep mark on its structure and outlook. Its predecessor, Dianetics, collapsed in a welter of unpaid bills and lawsuits. Hubbard set about making his new Scientology organisation invulnerable to external pressure. His goal was threefold: to deflect, deter, and defeat any external opponent.

Scientology’s approach to deterring conflict has a lot in common with that of a porcupine: Look dangerous, make threatening noises, and inflict severe pain on an enemy if necessary. Governments potentially have a huge amount of power, but they are constrained by laws, regulations, and resources. (And rightly so; it’s the reason our societies don’t look like, say, China.) Scientology has found ways of leveraging the law and its opponents’ weak points to deter and defeat them.

From Scientology’s perspective, it is obviously best to avoid any issue becoming the subject of an investigation. Most problems start out locally, so a top priority for any Scientology org is to carry out what L. Ron Hubbard called “safepointing” — getting close to local politicians, police officers, and other influential figures who could cause trouble for Scientology or, alternatively, help it to avoid problems. Hubbard told Scientologists to “carefully and painstakingly find out who exactly are the top dogs in the area in financial and political circles, and their associates and connections, and to what each one is hostile … Viability [of Scientology] depends on having all areas and persons who could affect or influence the operation under PR control.” Outreach to police departments, such as in Los Angeles or Clearwater, are examples of “PRO [Public Relations Officer] Area Control” in action.

Continued at https://tonyortega.org/2019/02/11/u...-60-year-plan-to-protect-itself-from-the-law/

There are some important updates about Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath in the thread titled Danny Masterson rape allegations investigated by LAPD.

https://whyweprotest.net/threads/danny-masterson-rape-allegations-investigated-by-lapd.132720/page-4

‘Aftermath’ subject Brandon Reisdorf arrested for entering San Diego Scientology church

By Tony Ortega, The Underground Bunker, February 13, 2019

Quote:

It pains us to report that Brandon Reisdorf, who we got to know from his appearance in the first season of Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, has been arrested again, this time for attempting to enter Scientology’s church in San Diego.

According to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, Brandon was arrested on Saturday evening, and he has been in the county jail since then, with a court date this morning at 8 am. His mother, Lois Reisdorf, asked us to speak with Brandon’s attorney, Graham Berry, and Berry said he would speak to us as soon as he was able.

In the seventh episode of her first season Remini featured Brandon, whose parents Lois and Gary were deeply into Scientology in South Africa before drifting away from it. Brandon and his older brother Craig got into Scientology on their own, and Lois and Gary didn’t interfere. But eventually because of their connection to a friend who had spoken out against the church, Lois and Gary were declared “suppressive persons,” and all church members were ordered to disconnect from them. Brandon chose his parents and left the church, but Craig didn’t.

For Brandon, it was devastating to lose contact with his older brother. Combined with his own emotional problems, it produced a rage in him that he decided to take out on the church. In January 2016 he drove from San Diego to Los Angeles and threw a hammer into a window on a Scientology church at 2 in the morning. No one was hurt.

Rather than try to help Brandon with his rage, the church asked the LA District Attorney to charge him with a felony for vandalizing a “place of worship.”

In Remini’s program, she highlighted how Scientology was leveraging its questionable status as a religion in order to ramp up charges against a former parishioner who needed help, not jail time.

Brandon was sentenced to probation and was ordered to stay away from all Scientology facilities. Since then he’s been trying to get his felony conviction downgraded to a misdemeanor. We’ve spoken to him numerous times about that in the last couple of years, and he was hopeful that it was going to happen soon.

But it was also clear that Brandon’s emotional problems were not going away. This was a young man who desperately needed serious help. We wish we could have done more than simply bring up his recent behavior with his family. Maybe we could have.

According to the San Diego Sheriff’s website, Brandon is being held on a misdemeanor charge of disobeying a court order. But two felonies are also listed: violation of probation, and vandalizing a house of worship. We’re hoping to find out from Berry just what charges Brandon is facing this time, and which are carry-overs from before.

The church itself claims that Reisdorf had made a threat on social media about the church and then was caught trying to sneak into the San Diego org. The church has already begun using Brandon’s latest arrest to attack Remini and her show on its own social media feeds.

Source: https://tonyortega.org/2019/02/13/a...ed-for-entering-san-diego-scientology-church/

Mike Rinder posted an update on the status of the unaired episodes - including the one on Masterson. The site was crashed a few times, so posting in full here:

"The Aftermath — An Update"
February 13, 2019 By Mike Rinder

Quote:

This is an attempt to quell some of the rumors and erroneous speculation swirling about The Aftermath.

Though I am not in a position to know everything about decisions that are made outside my control (or Leah’s), I do have some insight – more than most who may claim to have “heard rumors,” rely on anonymous sources or merely speculate because they have a keyboard on which they can type.

First, and most important for me, I want to dispel the lies that have been circulated (most likely by scientology) that episodes or the show as a whole are in peril because of Leah Remini’s demands for money and/or diva like behavior.

I have worked side by side with Leah for three years on this show. Is she passionate about what she does? Is she determined and resolute about the stories we present? Yes, yes and yes. Qualities she would be celebrated for if she were a man.

A diva, she is not. This show would not exist without her. It would not have been the critically acclaimed award winning show it is without her — not just before the camera, but more importantly behind it.
I know what I have experienced working by her side every day. Her dedication and willingness to work incredibly hard is beyond imagination. Her driving purpose has been and always will be for the victims and particularly for those who have appeared on The Aftermath. She has put herself and her position on the line for victims, and even for me, when others would not. Always standing on the side of the truth and demanding that everyone involved in the show do so is something to be admired. Ask any of the people who have been on The Aftermath and they will all 100% agree with me — for they have experienced the force of nature that is Leah crusading for justice for the victims of scientology (and now other abusive organizations). She is the best friend you could ever want to have in your corner.

Of course, scientology doesn’t like her or anything she does. They wish fervently that she would shut up and go away and are doing everything they possibly can to make that happen. There have also been some who would rather avoid the hard work needed to make sure everything is accurate and the shows were the very best they could be. They have not been a good fit. Not everyone shares our passion. That is unfortunate but unavoidable in a business like making TV. Nevertheless, those people got paid, some very handsomely and they have an Emmy nominated and winning show on their resume.

I have watched Leah work on her birthday, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and weekends – often from 6am to 10pm or later. Not because she is being paid extra to do so, but because she believes so strongly in giving a voice to those who wouldn’t otherwise have a platform and in making the show the best it can be. For scientology to accuse her of being motivated by money is laugh out loud ridiculous and beyond ironic (scientology is purely motivated by money). She could make a LOT more doing sitcoms. With a lot less stress.

As her friend, I cannot sit by and watch as anonymous “sources” attempt to mess with her. She probably needs no defense, as her good work speaks for itself, but I feel compelled to say it anyway.

Anyone who wants to besmirch her or spread false stories is not trying to help end the abuses of scientology. They are trying to end her exposure of the abuses of scientology.

As for the Masterson episode: At no time has A&E said the Danny Masterson episode would not air. The victims were given an air date, but things often change when there are so many competing interests involved. Episodes constantly shift around, particularly on this show. It is not the victims job to know or understand this. They were of course upset. So were Leah and I, but we had the advantage of a better understanding of how the sausage of reality tv is made, even if we were not involved in the decision on when to air.

We first filmed with the Masterson survivors two years ago and there has been a lot of water under bridge since then; the detectives investigating the case have been targeted by scientology operatives, the survivors have been stalked and harassed by scientology PI’s. The scientologist witnesses have been acting in accordance with scientology policy — it is a scientology “crime” to testify against a scientologist “in good standing.” There is still an on-going investigation and LA County District Attorney Jackie Lacey has the case “on her desk” awaiting a decision to move forward. We believe this case is stalled solely due to the efforts of scientology putting pressure on the D/A. And that is where the counter-pressure should be directed.

A&E decided to air the show at a later date in order to give this atrocious story the full measure of respect it deserves.

Everyone needs to understand there are MANY factors that come into play in getting a show to air. Primarily it is the desire to tell the true stories. Partly it is what is in the best interests of the victims. Partly it is legal concerns. Partly it is corporate concerns based on the bottom line, and even sometimes what happens with other, completely unrelated shows. You can be sure, the last thing a TV network wants is to NOT air a show that they have paid for. Frankly, if Leah and I had our way, the decisions would ONLY be based on the first two points above. But we don’t own a TV network and don’t have the money to finance producing a TV series. So a lot of other factors enter the equation, and though everyone would love for it to all be transparent, it never will be. This is big business.

As for the other 2 possible stories that have been talked about: the victim who had been helped by The Aftermath Foundation could be a whole additional episode about what happened in trying to get this put together and the subsequent events. As could the episode focused on the disappearance of Heber Jentzsch. Hopefully at some point we will be able to tell these stories and the background events as they give fascinating insight into the machinations of the world of scientology. But right now is not the time.

We will give you more information as we get it and as it can be released without jeopardizing any of the many factors at play.

We thank you for caring enough to be outraged. Sometimes we feel the same way.

Rest assured, as Leah has said many times, we will never give up until the abuses have been stopped.

https://www.mikerindersblog.org/the-aftermath-an-update/

Scientology’s street theater in New York: A bid to head off a 4th ‘Aftermath’ season?

By Tony Ortega, The Underground Bunker, February 14, 2019

Quote:

Leah Remini’s A&amp;E series, Scientology and the Aftermath, concluded its third season on February 5. In past years, we’ve heard about her show being renewed about a month after a season finale, so we don’t expect word to arrive about a possible fourth season of the show for some time yet. But Scientology appears to be pulling out all the stops to persuade A&amp;E not to give Leah another round.

Yesterday, Scientology’s “LA Faith Coalition” showed up with some local participants outside the Manhattan offices of A&amp;E on 45th Street, carrying signs urging A&amp;E to “stop the hate,” and targeting A&amp;E CEO Paul Buccieri, who has been smeared online for months with Scientology propaganda.

Scientology’s fake “grass roots” protest organization, the “Stand League,” bellowed about the demonstration on its Twitter feed:

<snipped>

We received this statement last night from Lois and Gary Reisdorf about their son Brandon’s arrest:

More at https://tonyortega.org/2019/02/14/s...ork-a-bid-to-head-off-a-4th-aftermath-season/

Graham Berry updates us on Brandon Reisdorf

By Tony Ortega, The Underground Bunker, February 15, 2019

Quote:

Attorney Graham Berry sent us this dispatch late last night:

The San Diego City Attorney’s Office had until noon today (Thursday) to decide whether to charge Brandon with a misdemeanor charge of willfully disobeying a court order (Penal Code section 166 (4)). The video courtroom receives the new case arraignments in hourly batches. There is no advance warning. Consequently, I spent the morning hanging out in the courtroom and the cafeteria. Scientology attorney Kendrick Moxon was there as well.

I was back at my hotel during the lunch recess when the City Attorney’s Office kindly sent me an email advising that they were not filing a new case, although Brandon would still have to deal with the separate probation issues and would be held in custody until his appearance on Thursday, February 21, in Department 101.

I then visited with Brandon at the County jail. He was in good spirits and said that he was being treated well by the deputies and other ‘guests.’ It was certainly warmer and drier in there than outside in the very heavy rain and strong winds that were buffeting the city and blowing umbrellas inside out.

Source: https://tonyortega.org/2019/02/15/t...rds-science-y-foundation-of-scientology-tech/

Scientology Files Criminal Complaint Against Me | Growing Up In Scientology



"I discuss recent fair game tactics Scientology had taken against me, the Aftermath Foundation and the Scientology and the Aftermath show."

Leah Remini accuses former Scientologists of sabotaging an episode of ‘Aftermath’

By Tony Ortega, The Underground Bunker, February 19, 2019

Quote:

Leah Remini has accused two former members of the Church of Scientology of sabotaging an episode of her A&E series, Scientology and the Aftermath, linking to their Twitter accounts, calling them “Scientology Operatives” and encouraging them to “get help.”



She also linked to a YouTube video posted earlier in the evening by ‘Aftermath’ guest Aaron Smith-Levin, who accused the two former church members of not only sabotaging the episode (which didn’t air), but also of filing a criminal complaint against him with the Clearwater Police Department.

Continued at https://tonyortega.org/2019/02/19/l...ogists-of-sabotaging-an-episode-of-aftermath/

A report from Robin Athlyn Thompson.

https://twitter.com/RobinAthlyn/status/1098722524429348864




Background: https://tonyortega.org/2019/02/08/usc-scientology-faked-letter-from-professor-to-disney-probe-opened/


The Murray letter currently on the STAND website is below. To read the letter you may have to enlarge it. I'll note the letter is not technically on the letterhead of the First AME Church of Los Angeles (FAME). The letterhead does note Rev. Dr. Murray's status as &quot;Pastor Emeritus First AME Church of Los Angeles.&quot;

Code:

https://www.standleague.org/news/media-watch/disney-ceo-bob-iger-please-address-my-outraged-community.html#

More tweets by Robin Athlyn Thompson. I believe these were in response to my observation about the letterhead.

https://twitter.com/RobinAthlyn/status/1098756671470428160



https://twitter.com/RobinAthlyn/status/1098757262451961856

First AME Church & USC both disclaim letter Scientology using against Leah Remini

By Tony Ortega, The Underground Bunker, February 22, 2019

Excerpt:

Several other STAND League figures are flat-out fakes. But more than a hundred other people sent out angry letters on STAND letter head to various companies, with Disney receiving the bulk of them. Who were these letter writers? It turns out most of them are simply the usual Scientology operatives who have been relied on to carry out Scientology’s initiatives over the years, and who would do anything David Miscavige asked them. Here’s a rundown on some of them, which we put together with the help of several former church members:

Beth Akiyama (Letter to Anheuser-Busch, Aug 22, 2017), OSA Int
John Allender, Bay Area public and notorious Squirrel Buster
Laurie Bartilson, ex-In-House lawyer for OSA Int
Linda Batdorf (Little Caesars Pizza, Nov 1, 2017), LA public
Gerald Beeny (Disney, May 31, 2017), LA Public
Gracia Bennish, LA Public
Siouxie Boshoff, Flag public
Toby Burwell (Walgreen, Jun 16, 2017), LA public
Gail Carroll (Disney, Dec 23, 2017) LA Public
Michael Chan (Disney, Aug 15, Aug 26 and Oct 1) Flag public and searcher for Obi-Wan Kenobi
Leisa Collins, ex-SO
Courtney Condon, PTL public
Michael Duff, LA public
Riggs Eckelberry (Disney, Dec 22, 2017) LA Public
Bodhi Elfman, LA Public and flaky celebrity
Catherine Emrani (Anheuser-Busch, Oct 8, 2017), LA Public
Pat Felske (Toronto Star, Mar 10, 2017), Ex-GO Canada
Dean Glosup (Disney, Dec 12, 2017) LA Public
Lee Holzinger (Expedia, Sep 27, 2017), DSA STB ex-OSA Int
Jim Kalergis (Disney, Oct 15 and Dec 23, 2017) LA Public
Andrea Kluge (A&E, Dec 21, 2016), LA Public
Avi & Shiri Lonstein (ABC, Jan 5, 2017), LA Public
Jim Meskimen (Disney, Dec 19, 2017) hack d-list celeb
Paris Morfopoulous, Flag public
Joel Morris (The Wonderful Company, Jan 15) LA Public
Dennis Negley (Skechers, Sep 5, 2017), SFO public, former staff
Cathy Norman, DSA Austin
Jennifer Pantermuehl (A&E, Dec 22, 2016), Public
John Pantermuehl (Volkswagen, Aug 24, 2017), Texas public
Edward Parkin, OSA Int and STAND League director
Ann Pearce (Aaron’s Stores, Jan 15) DSA Seattle Org
Matt Pearce (Disney, Jan 6, 2017) SO member
Bernard Percy (Proctor & Gamble, Aug 15) LA Public
Carolyn Percy (Hyundai Motor America, Sep 21) LA Public
Joel Phillips (Nestle, Aug 21, and Disney, Jan 4) LA Public
Raleigh Pruitt, ex-SO
Jeff Quiros (Sears, Sep 18, 2017), DSA SGO and San Francisco head goon
Edith Reuveni (Disney, Aug 2, 2017), LA Public
Eric Roux, DSA Belgium
Ken Shapiro (Walgreen, Jun 16, 2017), ex-SO ASHO
Judi Shervell (Anheuser-Busch, Jan 15) OSA Int
Peter Sokoloff (Disney, June 1) LA Public
Randy Stith (Walgreen, Jun 16, 2017), LA Public and embarrassing goon
Koko Tabibzadeh (Hyundai, Oct 8, 2017), LA Public
Alethiea Taylor (Nestle, Oct 7, 2017), ex-SO from the Apollo
Clair Taylor (Burger King, Oct 22, 2017), LA public
Diane Temps (KFC, Oct 21, 2017), LA public
Pam Vilinsky, DSA
Rev. Peter J. Vilinsky (Liberty Mutual, Oct 24, 2017), NY public
Cass Warner (Disney, May 30, 2017), LA Public and studio figure
Jenny Widmaiger, ex-SO
Janet Weiland, OSA Int and longtime Scientology operative
Richard Weiland, OSA Int
Nick McNaughton (Walgreen, June 16, 2017), OSA Int

We’d like to believe that A&E, Disney, and the other companies getting these astroturf messages from the STAND League can see through them and realize what a put-up job this campaign is.

Unfortunately, some actual religious leaders in Los Angeles appear to have been taken in. But Scientology always manages to find some shills.

More at https://tonyortega.org/2019/02/22/f...letter-scientology-using-against-leah-remini/

USC Annenberg Media: USC denies campus religious leader sent letter of support for Scientology.

http://www.uscannenbergmedia.com/2019/02/23/usc-denies-campus-religious-leader-sent-letter-of-support-for-scientology/

Mick Roberts is on it.

https://twitter.com/mickroberts74/status/1099499528829521921




**************************************************************





EDITED TO ADD:

Mick Roberts elaborates:

https://twitter.com/mickroberts74/status/1099500784813830145

Mike Rinder on Scientology’s smears, Miscavige’s fears, and waiting for ‘Aftermath’ news

By Tony Ortega, The Underground Bunker, March 2, 2019

Quote:

Here’s a timely treat for us today as Jeffrey Augustine talks with Leah Remini’s Scientology and the Aftermath costar Mike Rinder about several issues that we’ve been concerned with here at the Bunker lately.

Rinder is one of the chief targets of Scientology’s smear machine, headed up by OSA goon Ed Parkin and his “STAND League.” Here’s what he had to say about it:

“What Ed Parkin does is he gathers together typical Scientology smear material about anybody that appears on ‘The Aftermath’ or about Leah and me and sends this out primarily on Twitter but also on their Facebook page, and you know most of which I can’t even see because though I’m one of the main targets of the quote ‘STAND League’ —they have me blocked. So they’re out there tweeting about me all day long but they don’t want me to see it, which sorta ought to tell you just about everything you need to know about the legitimacy of what it is that they’re saying.”

And on the controversy that we’ve been following about letters the STAND League promotes, supposedly written by prominent Los Angeles religious figure Rev. Dr. Cecil “Chip” Murray, who is also a fellow at USC. The letters are addressed to Disney CEO Bob Iger, and they condemn ‘The Aftermath” as a bigoted attack on religion. But the university has said publicly that Murray didn’t write the letters, Scientology has insisted that he did, and Murray himself has kept his mouth shut about it.

“[Rev. Murray’s] silence speaks volumes, frankly. The fact that he has not come out and made a statement one way or the other — he is caught between a rock and a hard place. He doesn’t want to come out and say anything that contradicts USC because that’s part of his, you know, legacy and where his money comes from. And on the other side of the equation is the Church of Scientology…he doesn’t want to kick that dog and have that dog turn on him. I suspect we’ll never hear from him.”

Mike is also asked why Miscavige himself never makes public pronouncements about Leah’s show.

“[Miscavige] believes it is…beneath his station in life to do that…He’s afraid that if he were to make commentary about that and express his opinion or speak about it, that it would open him up to a potential lawsuit. And he is really paranoid about ever being put in a deposition. And that’s why he doesn’t appear publicly, because he fears that someone will serve him with a subpoena, or there’ll be a reporter there, or someone from the government to serve him with a subpoena, or at this point he fears that someone with an iPhone will ask him a question that he can’t answer, and it will go viral…Can you imagine Miscavige out in public where everybody has a cell phone and walking up to him and saying, hey, Miscavige, where’s your wife Shelly? He can’t deal with that, and that’s just one example.”

And about Shelly’s disappearance:

“[Miscavige] got rid of the last person who was able to challenge him in any way (or his authority) which is his wife — just like Hubbard did.”

Jeffrey also felt compelled to ask about a season four of ‘Aftermath.’ Is it happening?

“No news, Jeff. And it’s not because I’m withholding some information or Leah is withholding some information. There is just a lot of moving parts that go into a thing like this. There is the production company, there is the network, there is the audience, there is the time and other commitments and all sorts of things and literally things are just up in the air right now as to what happens next.”

Video: https://tonyortega.org/2019/03/02/m...caviges-fears-and-waiting-for-aftermath-news/

The Aftermath Foundation has just printed another 100,000 Aftermath cards. Anyone who wants more or wants to start distributing them, just let the Foundation know.

https://twitter.com/AftermathFdn/status/1106197828634886145

The Mike Rinder bobblehead: Turning the tables on Scientology’s smeary harassment

By Tony Ortega, The Underground Bunker, March 27, 2019

Quote:

In November, we pointed out that Scientology had responded to the start of Leah Remini’s third season of Scientology and the Aftermath with a typically smeary video taking swipes at Leah, her costar Mike Rinder, and guests on the show.

But what really caught our eye was that they had gone to the trouble to create a bobblehead toy of Rinder to make the point that he tends to agree with what Leah is saying on the show. (Imagine that.) Here’s the still from the video we posted, showing their unique little item:

<photo snipped>

Our quote: “They have a MIKE RINDER BOBBLEHEAD? How do we get one!”

Well, the folks at the Aftermath Foundation heard our plea. Last night, Foundation board member Marc Headley texted us the image you see at the top of the page and let us know that Mike Rinder bobbleheads are available for purchase with proceeds benefiting the Foundation, which helps Scientologists leave the organization and land on their feet.

Is there a more brilliant way to turn around Scientology’s smeary harassment than with humor and to benefit a good cause?

We’ve reached out to Rinder to see how he feels about being immortalized in this way. Here’s what he sent us…

We thought it was a fun idea to raise money for the Aftermath Foundation. What drives Miscavige nuts is not taking him seriously. I know he thought the bobblehead of me they put in that video was a stroke of genius. The sycophants around him no doubt told him how brilliant it was. Sweet irony to know it inspired this fundraiser and now every one sold is putting money towards helping people escape from Scientology. Marc and I thought of sending him a card to thank him as each is mailed out, but decided not to waste the money…

We plan to develop more products — all themed around having some fun at the expense of the cult. Depending on the success of this first bobblehead, we may even do more of them. It would be great if they would show us some other bobbleheads in their videos. But we have some other ideas percolating too.

There is no better response to Scientology’s efforts to smear, harass or intimidate than laughing in their faces. And supporting The Aftermath Foundation at the same time is a double whammy.

We are hoping the SP Shop is going to be a big success. We are of course using Hubbard’s standard administrative tech (and intend to sign the shop up for a full WISE membership) so you can expect us to be rocketing up the conditions of existence into Affluence and Power in short order.

We also asked Mike if he had any news about the TV series.

We hope to be able to announce the next step in the very near future. Leah and I want to make sure that it is as certain as it can be before any public statements are made given the earlier history of missteps and misstatements. Be sure, we will let everyone know the minute it is final. Be just as sure that our efforts to bring an end to the abuses of Scientology are far from over.

Thanks for those updates, Mike.

More at https://tonyortega.org/2019/03/27/m...the-tables-on-scientologys-smeary-harassment/

Inquisitor
Leah Remini Talks ‘Shame’ Over Scientology Past On Instagram

by Lucille Barilla

Leah Remini took to Instagram to talk about her feelings of shame over the discovery of several photos and items that link her to her Scientology past, sharing these intimate pics with fans along with a heartfelt caption where she talks how “embarrassed” she is over her past as a member of the religious organization.

The actress posted two photos; one where she and her husband, Angelo Pagan, posed alongside the Chairman of the Board of Scientology David Miscavige and another of several awards the couple received for their work to help promote the religion via the donation of large amounts of money.

Throughout her time as a practicing Scientologist, she had what she alleged were “many nights” of being “harassed and hounded” to give over large amounts of money because Scientology was reportedly “saving the world” from discrimination, bigotry, crime, and hate.

more@link
https://www.inquisitr.com/5382090/leah-remini-talks-shame-over-scientology-past-on-instagram/

Leah Remini: Where’s the outrage about Scientology’s disappeared?

By Tony Ortega, The Underground Bunker, April 16, 2019

Quote:



We hope we can convey to you how much it hit us square in the solar plexus when Leah Remini sent us the photo above, which she came across as she was going through some of her things.

You no doubt recognize Leah in the middle, and you may also recognize Shelly Miscavige on the right. In 2005, Shelly was disappeared by her husband David Miscavige, the leader of Scientology, and we believe she’s been held for all of that time at a small, very secretive mountain compound in Southern California that we’ve told you about many times.

But the woman on the left? That’s Barbara Ruiz, another woman Miscavige made vanish, which we’ve been saying since 2012, and to no avail.

She vanished sometime after 2007, and we’ve received no information about her whereabouts. Leah tells us she’s incensed that former Sea Org executives who might know something haven’t come forward with information about numerous people Miscavige has disappeared.

“I have a huge issue with all of these former executives, like Tommy Davis, who witnessed abuse and then went off to live their lives without doing anything about it,” she tells us.

In 2006, after her fateful experience at Tom Cruise’s wedding in Italy, Leah was not only asking about what had happened to Shelly Miscavige, she was also asking about Barbara Ruiz, a woman who was such a trusted executive, she ran the annual L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future awards gala for Scientology.

“Barbara was in David Miscavige’s circle. She was in Tom Cruise’s circle. And she was close to Shelly,” Leah tells us. “When Shelly went missing I called Barbara’s husband Javier.”

Javier Ruiz had been a longtime Sea Org member who had been the president of Author Services, Inc., the branch of Scientology that acts as L. Ron Hubbard’s literary agency and oversees the Writers of the Future Contest. But when Leah called him, Javier had left the Sea Org, but was still in the church.

“I told him I was worried about what was going on in Scientology,” Leah says. She told him that Shelly didn’t seem to be around, and Barbara had also seemingly vanished.

“We’re divorced. What do I give a fuck where Barbara is?” Javier told her. And soon after that conversation, Leah found herself being called down for a meeting.

“I was called in and confronted by Shane Woodruff, Todd Woodruff, Hansuli Stahli and Mike Sutter — Hansuli and Mike are Miscavige’s henchmen,” Leah says.

She learned that Javier Ruiz had dropped a dime on her.

“He wrote a Knowledge Report, an internal report on me, saying I was trying to start a mutiny because I wanted to know where Shelly and Barbara were. They confronted me with the KR and wanted to know if I was trying to start a mutiny. That is where the beginning of the end started for me,” Leah says.

“I started going to all of my friends I considered my family, people like John and Valerie Futris, who were both OT8s and also my daughter Sofia’s godparents, my closest personal friends in Scientology. I believed they would want to know that our church was hiding people away. But all of them, my friends like Michelle and Justin Workman, Stacy Francis, and Jaime Landers, all turned me in to Scientology. They simply didn’t care, it had nothing to do with them.

“I was also concerned with the control Tom Cruise had over our church, and the control he had over Scientologists who had the unfortunate luck of working with him. They were getting into trouble with Scientology for simply not wanting to work for him anymore, which came out during intense interrogations of them,” she says. “I was asking about it all, the abuse, the missing executives, Tom Cruise, and I was reprimanded for asking not only by my church but my closest friends who simply didn’t care.”

At the time she started asking about Shelly, in 2006, Leah didn’t know anything about a strange prison for executives that had been started a couple of years earlier at Scientology’s secretive international management compound, also known as Gold Base, near Hemet, California. The prison at the base came to be known as “The Hole.”

Mike Rinder has told us that when he was a prisoner in the Hole in 2004, Barbara Ruiz was actually helping to run it, dishing out punishments to its inmates for not coming up with more confessions about their “crimes.”

Later that year, Barbara ran her last Writers of the Future gala, the only one that David Miscavige ever personally attended. After that, Barbara became a prisoner in the Hole herself.

Continued at https://tonyortega.org/2019/04/16/leah-remini-wheres-the-outrage-about-scientologys-disappeared/

Sandra Oh, Leah Remini Among Gracie Awards Winners | Multichannel News

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The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation has named the winners for its 44th annual Gracie Awards, which include such actresses as Sandra Oh. Leah Remini and Patricia Arquette.

The Gracie Awards, which recognize exemplary programming created by women, for women and about women in all facets of media and entertainment, will honor its awardees during a May 21 ceremony in Los Angeles, according to the organization.

The winners include Sandra Oh, who was named best actress in a drama for her role in BBC America's Killing Eve, which was also the top choice in the drama category. CBS's Mom won the best comedy award, and Showtime's Escape at Dannemora, starring Patricia Arquette, won for best limited series. Leah Remini was named best On-Air Talent in the Lifestyle and Entertainment category for her role in A&E's Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, which also won for best non-fiction entertainment series.

More: https://www.multichannel.com/news/sandra-oh-leah-remini-among-gracie-awards-winners

Leah Remini’s ‘Aftermath’ nominated for another Emmy: Tell her your favorite scenes | The Underground Bunker

https://tonyortega.org/2019/07/17/l...r-another-emmy-tell-her-your-favorite-scenes/

Leah Remini Claims Scientology Survivors ‘Stalked’ By Church After Appearing On A&E Show

Quote:

Leah Remini claims in a new Instagram post that survivors of the controversial Scientology religion have been “stalked” by current members of the organization after their appearances on the A&E show she hosts with Mike Rinder, Scientology and the Aftermath. This information came on the heels of a post where the actress thanked those who honored her and Rinder with an Emmy nomination in the category of Outstanding Informational Series or Special for the 2019 awards.

Leah said in a lengthy social media statement that she was thankful to the television academy for recognizing the series, and claimed that the contributors to the series, as well as others who work on the A&E show, get “harassed, stalked and slandered every day for speaking and giving a platform to Scientology’s survivors.”

https://www.inquisitr.com/5534793/l...urch-after-appearing-on-ae-show-on-instagram/

‘Aftermath’ supporters put Scientology on notice in its own ‘spiritual mecca’

By Tony Ortega, The Underground Bunker, August 8, 2019

Quote:

Now that’s what we call getting up in C.O.B.’s grill.

Clearwater residents have noticed the new billboard there challenging Scientology to take part in Leah Remini’s A&E series, Scientology and the Aftermath. We’ve noted that challenge in the past, but this seems particularly in-your-face, and it also brings up an obvious question…

…is this actually promotion for upcoming Aftermath activity?

We sent Leah Remini a message, asking her if she could tell us anything about it.

We will say that we have been sitting on some Aftermath news at the request of A&E, but we have a feeling that an announcement of some kind is coming very soon.

And this billboard sure has us itching to know more!

Pick up the phone, Dave! Or send an email, something. It’s time for you to sit down for an interview with Leah and Mike!

UPDATE: Leah tells us the billboard is the product of some loyal Aftermath supporters, and she appreciates the effort. “We’ve asked for three seasons for someone to come on the Aftermath, and no one will because they know they can’t confront anyone who knows the truth about Scientology.

“Regardless of the Aftermath’s schedule,” she continued, “Mike and I would show up anywhere, anytime, with cameras rolling if any Scientology executive or celebrity or current parishioner would ever have the courage to sit in front of us and answer questions about the church.”

Source: https://tonyortega.org/2019/08/08/aftermath-puts-scientology-on-notice-in-its-own-spiritual-mecca/

LAPD investigating itself?

By Tony Ortega, The Underground Bunker, August 11, 2019

Quote:

Kat LaRue, the ‘Aftermath’ fan who was behind the new billboard in Clearwater, revealed on Facebook that she has also heard from the Los Angeles Police Department after asking it to investigate itself for its ties to the Church of Scientology.

She submitted photos that we’ve all seen before, of the LAPD appearing at Scientology Celebrity Centre events, and Captain Cory Palka’s antics in support of the church.

And now she’s received notice that the LAPD has opened an investigation, even though she’s not an LA resident or even a California resident. Wow!

Considering the way the LAPD blew off Leah Remini’s request for information a few years ago, this seems a pretty surprising change in attitude. We hope it results in something beyond merely an interview.



Source: https://tonyortega.org/2019/08/11/scientologys-efforts-to-suck-up-to-power-is-appearing-to-pay-off/

Leah Remini's 'Scientology and the Aftermath' to End with Explosive Special | Hollywood Reporter

Quote:

The actress and activist discusses the Danny Masterson accusations and her efforts moving forward: "When Scientology’s tax exempt status is revoked and people are in prison, that’s when I’ll start healing."

Continued at https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/n...aftermath-ending-special-sexual-abuse-1231767

‘Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath’ will end with a 2-hour special August 26 | The Underground Bunker

Quote:

After three amazing seasons on the A&E network, Leah Remini’s Emmy-winning series, Scientology and the Aftermath, will conclude with a hard-hitting 2-hour special on Monday night, August 26 at 9 pm.

Here’s what the network sent us describing the program: “Filmed for the first time in front of a live studio audience, Remini and Mike Rinder explore stories of how Church of Scientology policies have hindered members from reporting instances of abuse and sexual assault to the authorities. They will speak to a number of ex-Scientologists who share their stories of abuse at the hands of other Scientologists, and describe how these policies are aimed at preventing the alleged crimes from becoming public. The episode will also feature a panel of legal, psychological and law-enforcement experts, who provide insight into the impact Scientology’s practices have had on its former parishioners and advise how they can seek justice and effect change in the future.”

[The Hollywood Reporter spilled the beans this morning that the episode will feature two of Danny Masterson’s rape accusers. Yesterday’s lawsuit filed by the accusers no doubt gives A&E some legal room to finally put their stories on the air.]

Leah herself had this to say: “Mike and I will always be grateful to A&E for giving us a platform to expose Scientology and give the victims a chance to be heard. Without the A&E team’s support ‘The Aftermath’ wouldn’t be what we intended. We recognized it was time to move on to the next chapter and help people in new ways. We thank our viewers for caring in the way that you do. It means everything to us. There is not a day that goes by that we don’t have people stop us with a ‘thank you for doing what you guys are doing’ and it’s your support that gives us our strength to carry on. And carry on, we will.”

The program will air just as Scientology is facing a legal barrage that has grown directly out of the work done by Leah and her co-star Mike Rinder. On June 18, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of Leah’s assistant, Valerie Haney, whose incredible escape from Scientology’s secretive “Int Base” was featured in the premiere episode of the show’s third season. Yesterday, a second lawsuit was filed on behalf of Danny Masterson’s alleged rape victims, who had taped an episode with Leah that the LA District Attorney asked her not to air.

More lawsuits are planned, and we’re looking forward to see if we learn anything about them in the August 26 special.

Last night, Mike Rinder posted a touching farewell to the series, saying that he and Leah will go on to pursue avenues that they couldn’t on a sponsored television program:

Our work is not done yet. Unfortunately sponsored television has limitations. There are things we cannot film or show on camera because of certain restrictions. These restrictions have limited us in many ways to tell the full story and in some cases, not permitted us to tell the story at all.

For us, the work never stops. There are things we and others have done and are doing that have not been able to air.

We have met with lawyers, we have met with law enforcement and victims have come forward and spoken. You will see and hear more about this in the future.

Continued at https://tonyortega.org/2019/08/15/l...ath-will-end-with-a-2-hour-special-august-26/

‘Scientology and the Aftermath’ participants send in their tributes as series is set to end | The Underground Bunker

Quote:

Leah Remini’s remarkable Emmy-winning series Scientology and the Aftermath will be coming to an end with a 2-hour special on August 26, but we are still stunned that the show existed at all, and that Leah and her co-star Mike Rinder were able to expose so much about the abuses of the Church of Scientology.

And of course, besides the two stars themselves, what really made the show unique were the many fascinating guests who told their stories. Here are some of the things they told us about Leah’s program and what it meant to them.

Continued at https://tonyortega.org/2019/08/17/s...nd-in-their-tributes-as-series-is-set-to-end/

Leah Remini Calls Out Trump Administration’s Ties to Scientologists | Daily Beast

https://www.thedailybeast.com/leah-remini-calls-out-trump-administrations-ties-to-scientologists

Tonight, Leah Remini ends ‘Scientology and the Aftermath’ with a hard look at Danny Masterson | The Underground Bunker

https://tonyortega.org/2019/08/26/t...ftermath-with-a-hard-look-at-danny-masterson/

Indiewire

Leah Remini Persists, and Her Fearlessness Reaps Emmy Acclaim

With “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath” coming to a conclusion Aug. 26, “I’m ruled by what I believe is the right thing to do,” she told IndieWire.

Libby Hill
Aug 26, 2019 3:47 pm
https://www.indiewire.com/2019/08/l...ShbJsLAoT1FGqFa5qpq6IKWe8NF8pZDEunP2UhefEzRpY

Cult Dotard on the loose

Support the Aftermath Foundation through AmazonSmile.

Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to The Aftermath Foundation.

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