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
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!
While we wait to see which of #Scientology’s big donors were bestowed new trophies this past Saturday at the IAS Patrons Ball, it turns out the church put out a new Impact magazine recently with a whole new set of space cadets whose donations are propping up this wacky cabal!
Meet the people keeping Scientology afloat in 2025!
While we wait to see which of Scientology’s big donors were bestowed new trophies this past Saturday night at the IAS Patrons Ball, it turns out that the church put out a new Impact magazine recently ...
tonyortega.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:01 PM
While we wait to see which of #Scientology’s big donors were bestowed new trophies this past Saturday at the IAS Patrons Ball, it turns out the church put out a new Impact magazine recently with a whole new set of space cadets whose donations are propping up this wacky cabal!
Tom Cruise once again made the scene for this year's #Scientology IAS gala at its UK headquarters, the one big event he tends to show up for. But this time, former London staffer Alex Barnes-Ross got a better look at Top Gun and his helicopter than he was expecting!
Tom Cruise spotted flying in and out of Scientology's big UK three-day party
Yesterday, former London staffer Alex Barnes-Ross completed his three-day protest at Scientology’s big annual IAS gala, and he saved his wildest experience for last.
tonyortega.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Tom Cruise once again made the scene for this year's #Scientology IAS gala at its UK headquarters, the one big event he tends to show up for. But this time, former London staffer Alex Barnes-Ross got a better look at Top Gun and his helicopter than he was expecting!
EXCLUSIVE: For the first time we have photo evidence of Isabella Cruise attending a #Scientology IAS event, held annually at the church’s UK headquarters to celebrate its biggest donors. She was at the Patrons Ball last night, where her dad Tom Cruise usually also makes the scene.
Isabella Cruise spotted at last night's Scientology gala for major donors
It was the Underground Bunker that in 2019 brought you the bizarre “success story” Tom Cruise’s daughter Isabella Cruise wrote about becoming an “auditor” at Scientology’s London organization.
tonyortega.substack.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:58 AM
EXCLUSIVE: For the first time we have photo evidence of Isabella Cruise attending a #Scientology IAS event, held annually at the church’s UK headquarters to celebrate its biggest donors. She was at the Patrons Ball last night, where her dad Tom Cruise usually also makes the scene.
A group of protesters led by former London staffer Alex Barnes-Ross was in place yesterday for the start of this year’s IAS gala at #Scientology’s UK headquarters. After the demonstration, we debriefed Alex about what took place this time, including a Tom Cruise sighting!
Scientology's IAS gala 2025: First impressions from this year's opening protest
A group of protesters led by former London staffer Alex Barnes-Ross was in place yesterday for the start of this year’s IAS gala at Scientology’s UK headquarters, Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead, E...
tonyortega.substack.com
November 1, 2025 at 11:00 AM
A group of protesters led by former London staffer Alex Barnes-Ross was in place yesterday for the start of this year’s IAS gala at #Scientology’s UK headquarters. After the demonstration, we debriefed Alex about what took place this time, including a Tom Cruise sighting!
#Scientology begins its 3-night IAS gala at its UK headquarters, and once again Alex Barnes-Ross will be there with protesters. For some reason, church leader David Miscavige is really freaked out by the demonstrations, judging by last minute attempts to foil Alex and his group.
IAS gala starts tonight: Scientology throws last-minute hurdles at protesters
Scientology is scheduled this evening to begin its annual three-night gala to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of its membership organization, the International Association of Scientologists.
tonyortega.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 11:01 AM
#Scientology begins its 3-night IAS gala at its UK headquarters, and once again Alex Barnes-Ross will be there with protesters. For some reason, church leader David Miscavige is really freaked out by the demonstrations, judging by last minute attempts to foil Alex and his group.
Reposted by Tony Ortega
Increase the chances that this precious document will be found among the ruins of our declining state.
It's all hands on deck. I am shamelessly asking, one more time, for reposts and signal boost as this bird glides toward a landing in a few hours. It's gonna be a beautiful book, and there aren't going to be very many available afterwards!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/tom...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/tom...
Our Long National Nightmare by Tom Tomorrow
Relive the trauma of the last five years through the cartoons of Herblock Award winner and Pulitzer nominee Tom Tomorrow.
www.kickstarter.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Increase the chances that this precious document will be found among the ruins of our declining state.
#Scientology has submitted new briefs in the appeal that is holding up Leah Remini’s lawsuit, with more of the church's gripes about Leah’s case. But are these new documents effective as legal instruments? Once again we turn to appellate attorney TX Lawyer for his take.
Appellate attorney sizes up new Scientology appeal briefs in Leah Remini suit
Scientology has submitted new briefs in the appeal that is holding up Leah Remini’s lawsuit.
tonyortega.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:58 AM
#Scientology has submitted new briefs in the appeal that is holding up Leah Remini’s lawsuit, with more of the church's gripes about Leah’s case. But are these new documents effective as legal instruments? Once again we turn to appellate attorney TX Lawyer for his take.
#Scientology has been livid ever since a court allowed affidavits by Mike Rinder and Claire Headley to keep its subsidiary RTC in Leah Remini's 'Fair Game' lawsuit. The case is on appeal, and once again RTC bellyaches about those declarations. We have the whole thing for you.
Scientology still irate about Mike Rinder, Claire Headley affidavits in Leah Remini lawsuit
We were in court in January 2024 to see it happen: Scientology’s Religious Technology Center tried to get itself out of Leah Remini’s lawsuit, but affidavits the court allowed from Mike Rinder and Cla...
tonyortega.substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#Scientology has been livid ever since a court allowed affidavits by Mike Rinder and Claire Headley to keep its subsidiary RTC in Leah Remini's 'Fair Game' lawsuit. The case is on appeal, and once again RTC bellyaches about those declarations. We have the whole thing for you.
#Scientology’s attorneys filed two lengthy briefs in Leah Remini’s lawsuit this week, and today we have the longer of the two in its entirety. Once again the church is arguing that it says such terrible things about Leah online because, well, she started it first.
Scientology attacks Leah Remini's 'Fair Game' lawsuit in new appeal briefs
Scientology’s attorneys filed two lengthy briefs in Leah Remini’s lawsuit this week, and today we have the longer of the two in its entirety.
tonyortega.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:06 AM
#Scientology’s attorneys filed two lengthy briefs in Leah Remini’s lawsuit this week, and today we have the longer of the two in its entirety. Once again the church is arguing that it says such terrible things about Leah online because, well, she started it first.
#Scientology’s floating cathedral the Freewinds is where members can complete the 'Bridge to Total Freedom' and experience the auditing level OT 8 and become the superhuman megabrains the church needs to complete its planetary takeover. Do you qualify for its strict criteria?
Scientology's barge wants you aboard — as long as you're not gay, on psych drugs, or in tax debt
Much of our attention recently has been focused on Scientology’s big IAS gala, which begins this Friday night in East Grinstead, England.
tonyortega.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:04 AM
#Scientology’s floating cathedral the Freewinds is where members can complete the 'Bridge to Total Freedom' and experience the auditing level OT 8 and become the superhuman megabrains the church needs to complete its planetary takeover. Do you qualify for its strict criteria?
You probably saw the news in all the major media that Bijou Phillips asked a court to have her daughter’s last name changed to her own, dropping her ex Danny Masterson's surname. The tabs, however, seem confused about where Danny is at the moment. ALSO: Our legal roundup
Bijou Phillips files to have daughter's last name changed from ex Danny Masterson's
You probably saw the news yesterday in all the major media that on Friday, Bijou Phillips asked a court to have her daughter’s name changed from Fianna Francis Masterson to Fianna Francis Phillips.
tonyortega.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 11:07 AM
You probably saw the news in all the major media that Bijou Phillips asked a court to have her daughter’s last name changed to her own, dropping her ex Danny Masterson's surname. The tabs, however, seem confused about where Danny is at the moment. ALSO: Our legal roundup
Former staffer Alex Barnes-Ross has some stunning new photos from #Scientology’s UK headquarters in West Sussex, where the annual IAS gala will be held beginning this Friday. the church has covered an entire field with temporary paving in defiance of environmental concerns.
Newts be damned! Scientology covers field with paving despite ecological warning
Former London Scientology staffer Alex Barnes-Ross alerted us last night that he had some stunning new photos from Scientology’s UK headquarters in West Sussex, where the annual IAS gala will be held ...
tonyortega.substack.com
October 25, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Former staffer Alex Barnes-Ross has some stunning new photos from #Scientology’s UK headquarters in West Sussex, where the annual IAS gala will be held beginning this Friday. the church has covered an entire field with temporary paving in defiance of environmental concerns.
In May, #Scientology celebrated the 75th anniversary of the book that started it all, L. Ron Hubbard’s 'Dianetics.' Actor Jason Dohring is promoting the book's relaunch with a personal appearance at a Barnes & Noble tonight in Fullerton, California. ALSO: More very young recruits
TONIGHT: Jason Dohring and Scientology's bible at ... Fullerton Barnes & Noble?
In May, Scientology celebrated the 75th anniversary of the book that started it all, the May 9, 1950 publication of L.
tonyortega.substack.com
October 24, 2025 at 11:06 AM
In May, #Scientology celebrated the 75th anniversary of the book that started it all, L. Ron Hubbard’s 'Dianetics.' Actor Jason Dohring is promoting the book's relaunch with a personal appearance at a Barnes & Noble tonight in Fullerton, California. ALSO: More very young recruits
One consequence of #Scientology waiting to reveal the date of this year’s IAS gala (Oct 31) is that the church is now hurrying to get members amped up enough to make the trip to Saint Hill Manor, in England. And especially since this is the one event Tom Cruise usually attends!
More Scientology hype videos for the event Tom Cruise usually crashes
One consequence of Scientology leader David Miscavige waiting so long to reveal the date of this year’s IAS gala — taking place over three nights from October 31 to November 2 — is that the church is ...
tonyortega.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:04 AM
One consequence of #Scientology waiting to reveal the date of this year’s IAS gala (Oct 31) is that the church is now hurrying to get members amped up enough to make the trip to Saint Hill Manor, in England. And especially since this is the one event Tom Cruise usually attends!
Leigh Silverton is a clinical psychologist and Underground Bunker reader who took special interest in Saturday’s bonus story about how #Scientology broke up the first two marriages of Tom Cruise. We’re anxious to see how our audience reacts to her insights.
The Church of Letting Go: How Scientology sells the silence of self-erasure
Leigh Silverton is a clinical psychologist and Underground Bunker reader who took special interest in Saturday’s bonus story about how Scientology broke up the first two marriages of Tom Cruise.
tonyortega.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Leigh Silverton is a clinical psychologist and Underground Bunker reader who took special interest in Saturday’s bonus story about how #Scientology broke up the first two marriages of Tom Cruise. We’re anxious to see how our audience reacts to her insights.
#Scientology has opened another new 'Ideal Mission,' this time in Sacramento, and less than a month after a similar celebration just down the freeway in San Jose. Scientology will hope this gives the impression that it’s on something of a roll. ALSO: The IAS trailer!
Another 'Ideal Mission' in California: Is Scientology on a roll?
Scientology has put out yet another press release celebrating the grand opening of a new “Ideal Mission,” this time in Sacramento, California, less than a month after a similar celebration just down t...
tonyortega.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
#Scientology has opened another new 'Ideal Mission,' this time in Sacramento, and less than a month after a similar celebration just down the freeway in San Jose. Scientology will hope this gives the impression that it’s on something of a roll. ALSO: The IAS trailer!
When #Scientology reveals at the last minute the date of its big annual event Tom Cruise actually goes to, it has to scramble to get people to drop everything and attend! Helping out is none other than megadonor Tom Cummins. You tell us: Does he knock it out of the park or what?
Scientology mega-donor explains why you must attend the big thetan meetup of 2025
What happens when you don’t reveal until the last minute the date of your big annual event that Tom Cruise actually goes to most years?
tonyortega.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 11:06 AM
When #Scientology reveals at the last minute the date of its big annual event Tom Cruise actually goes to, it has to scramble to get people to drop everything and attend! Helping out is none other than megadonor Tom Cummins. You tell us: Does he knock it out of the park or what?
Former Dream Exchange employee Jeff Ferrell went public this week with more problems at the startup featured in a Wall Street Journal investigation. We talked to him about the problems he saw at the company, and what he encountered that had to do with #Scientology.
Former Dream Exchanger on Scientology at the startup, and other problems
On September 14, the Wall Street Journal published a hard-hitting investigation of a Chicago startup called Dream Exchange, which is seeking SEC approval to become a stock exchange.
tonyortega.substack.com
October 19, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Former Dream Exchange employee Jeff Ferrell went public this week with more problems at the startup featured in a Wall Street Journal investigation. We talked to him about the problems he saw at the company, and what he encountered that had to do with #Scientology.
With the tabs saying Tom Cruise is back on the market after he and Ana de Armas called it quits (and we don't know if that's actually true one way or the other), we decided to re-post our 2015 story about how #Scientology definitely broke up Tom's first marriage, to Mimi Rogers.
How Scientology broke up Tom Cruise and Mimi Rogers: The story you haven’t heard
This story was originally published on April 12, 2015 at our dot org legacy site.
tonyortega.substack.com
October 18, 2025 at 6:17 PM
With the tabs saying Tom Cruise is back on the market after he and Ana de Armas called it quits (and we don't know if that's actually true one way or the other), we decided to re-post our 2015 story about how #Scientology definitely broke up Tom's first marriage, to Mimi Rogers.