Email Author Tony Ortega

2012 Stories by Tony Ortega

• Ursula Caberta on Scientology: "You Have to Be Always Watching Them"

  published May 20, 2012

  This week, a 90-minute documentary about Scientology's intelligence-gathering wing, the Office of Special Affairs, aired on the French and German cultural channel ARTE. Titled "Office of Special Aff... More >>

• Scientology: Kiwi Reporter Puts Lisa Marie Presley On the Spot; Playboy Blows Tom Cruise

  published May 18, 2012

  On Sunday, we broke the news that the lyrics to Lisa Marie Presley's song "So Long" -- from her new album Storm and Grace -- contained an even more obvious message that she was leaving Scientology t... More >>

• Scientology, "Disconnection," and Homophobia: Derek Bloch's Story

  published May 16, 2012

  Derek Bloch just wanted to share his story. He wanted to tell other people what he'd been through, growing up in Scientology, getting kicked out of its hardcore "Sea Org" when it turned out that he ... More >>

• Lisa Marie Presley Removes All Mention of Scientology From Her Official Website (UPDATED)

  published May 14, 2012

  After the jump: Less than 30 minutes after we pointed out one last CCHR mention on her website, Lisa Marie scrubbed it! Yesterday, the Voice revealed the lyrics to the song "So Long" on Lisa Marie ... More >>

• Lisa Marie Presley Says "So Long" to Scientology

  published May 13, 2012

  Last month, we noted that Lisa Marie Presley's single "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet," which she released ahead of her new album, Storm and Grace, came with lyrics that read like a kiss-off to the Chur... More >>

• The Best Reasons Why You Should Doubt the Allegations in the John Travolta Sex-Assault Lawsuit (UPDATE: John Doe #1 DROPPED)

  published May 11, 2012

  Well, we hate to tell you we told you so but, WE TOLD YOU SO: John Doe #1 has been dropped by Okorocha, RadarOnline is reporting. See details below. Monday evening, we wrote that the sex-abuse lawsui... More >>

• 8 Craziest Eurovision Song Contest Entries of All Time

  published May 10, 2012

  Last week, we gave you a basic rundown on the biggest annual non-sporting television event in the world, the Eurovision Song Contest, which is about to start up again, this time in Baku, Azerbaijan.... More >>

• The Five Most Dream-Like Sequences in the John Travolta Sex-Assault Lawsuit (UPDATED)

  published May 07, 2012

  After the jump: Surprise! A second unnamed plaintiff has been sloppily added to Okorocha's sloppy lawsuit. The Internets are buzzing this afternoon with news that actor John Travolta has been sued by... More >>

• Sunday Funnies: Birmingham Raises the Odds on Ideal Orgs!

  published May 06, 2012

  Scientologists don't really have a Sunday service. They like to say that they do, because they crave mainstream acceptance. But unless Xenu rested after six days and L. Ron Hubbard just forgot to ment... More >>

• Amanda Palmer Loved Kate Bornstein's Memoir So Much, She Crashed the Book Party

  published May 04, 2012

  Tuesday night, we were invited to play a small part in Kate Bornstein's book party at the experimental theater Dixon Place, to celebrate the release of her memoir, A Queer and Pleasant Danger. Earli... More >>

• Top 10 Eurovision Song Contest Winners* of All Time

  published May 04, 2012

  In a couple of weeks, the biggest, gaudiest, gayest and easily the most-watched televised music event in the world will unfold, this year from Baku, Azerbaijan, and once again Americans will be almost... More >>

• 

  COVER STORY

  Kate Bornstein's Amazing Voyage

  published May 2, 2012

  To set up his story of the night he met Kate Bornstein for the first time, Tony Lioce wants me to know some background about a different... More >>

• Sunday Funnies: Librarians Under Assault!

  published Apr 29, 2012

  Scientologists don't really have a Sunday service. They like to say that they do, because they crave mainstream acceptance. But unless Xenu rested after six days and L. Ron Hubbard just forgot to ment... More >>

• How Debbie Cook Exposed Scientology and Got Away Scot-Free

  published Apr 27, 2012

  Our legal expert, Manhattan attorney Scott Pilutik, has been busy fielding questions since news broke earlier this week that the Church of Scientology had settled its lawsuit with former executive Deb... More >>

• SCIENTOLOGY SETTLES WITH DEBBIE COOK

  published Apr 24, 2012

  It's turning into quite a day of revelations for Scientology Watchers. Earlier this morning we reported that charges had been dropped against Scientology executive Jan Eastgate in Australia. And now... More >>

• Charges Dropped Against Scientology Executive Jan Eastgate

  published Apr 24, 2012

  UPDATE: After the jump, Australian Senator Nick Xenophon's statement about this development -- and attorney Grainne O'Donovan helps us understand Australian law on this matter. Stunning news out of A... More >>

• Scientology Sunday Funnies: Jake and Elwood Want Your Cash!

  published Apr 22, 2012

  Scientologists don't really have a Sunday service. They like to say that they do, because they crave mainstream acceptance. But unless Xenu rested after six days and L. Ron Hubbard just forgot to ment... More >>

• David Edgar Love: "I Think I Have Scientology By The Balls"

  published Apr 20, 2012

  When I talked to David Edgar Love by Skype at his Montreal apartment Wednesday evening, he sounded exhausted -- he'd had only an hour of sleep in the past two days. "I'm pretty tired. I was up until... More >>

• One Year Ago Today: Did the Squirrel Busters Mark the Beginning of the End of Scientologyr

  published Apr 18, 2012

  On April 18 last year, a man named Marty Rathbun opened his door at the sound of knocking and was presented with the sight you see here. Three men on his porch holding video cameras, and with backup c... More >>

• Writers of the Future, Today! Scientology Gets Its Party On

  published Apr 15, 2012

  Oh my, do we have a treat for you today. For several weeks now, we've been reporting on the "L. Ron Hubbard Writers and Illustrators of the Future" contest. For several years, certain writers have q... More >>

• Scientology Admits Connection to Slimy Anonymous Attack Websites

  published Apr 13, 2012

  We've pointed out in the past that Karin Pouw, the Church of Scientology's spokeswoman, appears to be struggling, having been thrust into the role of chief mouthpiece since Tommy Davis vanished someti... More >>

• This is How You Finance an "Ideal Org"

  published Apr 12, 2012

  Tuesday morning we included a recruitment video from the Scientology "org" in Orange County, California in our post about Lisa Marie Presley. It was loads of fun, but then our tipsters alerted us la... More >>

• Is Lisa Marie Presley Telling Off Scientology in a Songr

  published Apr 10, 2012

  For a couple of days now, our excellent tipsters have been alerting us to this new song from Lisa Marie Presley. It's not that they're big Lisa Marie fans -- although this song really isn't bad, I... More >>

• Marty Rathbun is Big in the U.K., Still Waiting for Major U.S. Treatment

  published Apr 08, 2012

  This weekend's lengthy profile of Marty Rathbun by The Independent's Guy Adams really brought back a lot of memories for us. Last year, we brought you frequent coverage of the bizarre "Squirrel Buste... More >>

• Nancy Cartwright and Karen Black Announced For 'Writers of the Future' Gala -- a Direct Response to the Voicer

  published Apr 06, 2012

  Last week, we brought you several moments from Scientology's big L. Ron Hubbard birthday event that was held on March 10 in Clearwater, Florida. Here's another few minutes from that celebration that... More >>