Tommy Davis

"Tom Cruise Worships David Miscavige Like a God": The John Brousseau Story, Part Two

Yesterday, we published the first part of our conversation with John Brousseau, a 32-year veteran of Scientology's "Sea Org" who escaped from the church's International Base east of Los Angeles in 2010. In our first part, Brousseau described his work in the Tom Cruise household with Katie Holmes an ... More >>

Scientology on the High Seas: Hubbard Welcomes the New Meat!

In November we started a new feature here on Fridays: the Voice has obtained hundreds of copies of L. Ron Hubbard's previously unpublished "Orders of the Day," which he gave to crew members as he sailed the Mediterranean. Our documents cover the period from late 1968 through 1971, and this time we'r ... More >>

More Scientology Miracles! And L. Ron Hubbard Tells You How to Make a Slave

Fellow Scientology watchers, we're working on several big stories for you. In fact, we went out of town this weekend on a fact-finding mission, and we are planning to tell you about that soon. But for now, those stories aren't quite ready. In the meantime, we were so happy to see how popular was Mo ... More >>

Scientology on the High Seas: Squirrel Cookery!

​In November we started a new feature here on Fridays: the Voice has obtained hundreds of copies of L. Ron Hubbard's previously unpublished "Orders of the Day," which he gave to crew members as he sailed the Mediterranean. Our documents cover the period from late 1968 through 1971, and this ti ... More >>

Scientology Viscosity: Commenters of the Week!

It was an amazing week here at the underground bunker, where we keep an eye on all things Scientology. Let's take a look back at how the week unfolded before we recognize the work of our illustrious commenting community. We starting things out by having fun with the Tone Scale in our regular weeken ... More >>

Scientology on the High Seas: L. Ron Hubbard Frets Over His Sexy Crew

In November we started a new feature here on Fridays: the Voice has obtained hundreds of copies of L. Ron Hubbard's previously unpublished "Orders of the Day," which he gave to crew members as he sailed the Mediterranean. Our documents cover the period from late 1968 through 1971, and this time we'r ... More >>

Scientology on the High Seas: Ringing in 20 A.D. with the Commodore!

On November 18, we started a new feature here on Fridays: the Voice has obtained hundreds of copies of L. Ron Hubbard's previously unpublished "Orders of the Day," which he gave to crew members as he sailed the Mediterranean. Our documents cover the period from late 1968 through 1971, and this time ... More >>

Scientology in Crisis: Debbie Cook's Transformation from Enforcer to Whistleblower

Debbie Cook and her husband Wayne Baumgarten, Christmas 2010​Most of the press reporting on Debbie Cook so far has focused on her past as a high-ranking executive in the Church of Scientology and her sudden transformation this week into a whistleblower trying to rally her fellow church members ... More >>

Our Scientology Puzzle Solved!

In yesterday's story celebrating our commenting community at the end of the year, I mentioned that back in the summer, I had planted a puzzle in our very successful series, The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology. Despite the large readership of that series, no one managed to spot the little visua ... More >>

Scientology Spectacular: Commenters of the Year!

"M-A-R-C-O-T-A-I. They'll never figure out it's me with this fake Italian accent!"​Here on this final day of 2011, we're replacing our usual Saturday morning celebration of the week's best comments with a special announcement. Our IT department has done the math, we've run those numbers throu ... More >>

Scientology in the Village Voice: 2011 in Review

Here at the Voice we wrote 234 stories on Scientology this year. They generated more than a million pageviews and more than 20,000 comments from our loyal readers. Our first story of the year was posted in February, when we lauded Lawrence Wright's excellent, lengthy New Yorker profile of church de ... More >>

Scientology on the High Seas: Yuletide Cheer, Including Dickens Adapted with Evil Psychs

​On November 18, we started a new feature here on Fridays: the Voice has obtained hundreds of copies of L. Ron Hubbard's previously unpublished "Orders of the Day," which he gave to crew members as he sailed the Mediterranean. Our documents cover the period from 1968 to 1971, and this time we' ... More >>

Martin Bashir Compares Newt Gingrich to Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, and more in our Thursday Stats Roundup!

It's that time of the week, when Scientology workers scramble to get their statistics turned in. And with the Thursday 2pm deadline looming, we like to do the same, rounding up the church's stats for the past week. First up, a little political humor... Yesterday, Martin Bashir did a bit of editor ... More >>

Scientology Capsize: Commenters of the Week!

The scene here in the underground bunker is like the quiet after a major storm. A hurricane blew up out of the Caribbean this week and hit us square on. The place is a mess. The cats are skittish. But the excitement has finally died down a bit, the lights are low, the empty bottles have been cleared ... More >>

L. Ron Hubbard Schools Richard Nixon: Sailing on the Apollo Nov 27 - Dec 3

On November 18, we started a new feature here on Fridays: the Voice has obtained hundreds of copies of L. Ron Hubbard's previously unpublished "Orders of the Day," which he gave to crew members as he sailed the Mediterranean. Our documents cover the period from 1968 to 1971, and this time we're look ... More >>

Scientology vs. Pollution, a Lisbon Cocktail Party, and More: Sailing on the Apollo Nov. 20-26

Last week, we started a new feature here on Fridays: the Voice has obtained hundreds of copies of L. Ron Hubbard's previously unpublished "Orders of the Day," which he gave to crew members as he sailed the Mediterranean. Our documents cover the period from 1968 to 1971. In this installment, we're lo ... More >>

Scientology Dumpster-Dive: Commenters of the Week!

Clearing the planet, one dumpster at a time​For our longtime, loyal readers and commenters (of all persuasions), I just want to say how much I appreciate your continued interest in things we're doing here at the underground bunker. This week, we got a huge influx of new folks as our stories we ... More >>

Scientology Responds in Typical Fashion to South Park Investigation Documents

Karin Pouw loves the word "apostate"​As we've been reporting the last couple of days, a man who was once the second-highest ranking executive in Scientology, Marty Rathbun, has made public several documents showing that in 2006, the church attempted to dig up dirt on South Park creators Trey P ... More >>

Scientology Mocked at the South Pole: Now That's Cold

​ We continue to work very hard on some upcoming stories; in the meantime, we have this interesting image from the bottom of the world. I found it here. I have no information on it -- it might be months or years old, for all I know. I only know this: I want to hear from this person, so that ... More >>

Scientology Effervescence: Commenters of the Week!

​Here in the underground bunker, this was something of a strange week. While enduring a middling but annoying cold, we tried to get back in the swing of things after a week out of town. And while things started a bit slow, by Friday this had turned into one slammin' sevenday. Things kicked of ... More >>

Scientology Officially Probing the Village Voice!

​We've just received confirmation that ace reporter Jim Lynch has been handed a new assignment, and that assignment is us! Today, he called a PR firm in San Francisco that we used to work with, asking about "the finances of the Village Voice." The finances of the Voice? Hey, Jim, when you fi ... More >>

Philip Boyd, Saving Grace Actor, Rips "The Business That Is Scientology"

"If I could save one person from buying into the business that is Scientology, then it would be worth you writing my story." That's how actor Philip Boyd concluded an interview that I didn't even expect to happen. Let me back up: I'm in Southern California for a school visit, and with some free t ... More >>

Scientology Apotheosis: Commenters of the Week!

Well, this was a week we've been looking forward to for some time here in the underground bunker. And now that we've finally finished our big countdown, there's a slight feeling of letdown here at Scientology-watching central. Even the cats are listless. But let's look back at a week that was. We s ... More >>

Scientology Internal E-Mails: Even More Depressing Than You Might Assume

For a few weeks now, we've been watching with some incredulity the material coming out of a particular Scientology "org," which is located in Birmingham, England. A Scientology-watcher who calls himself "CarltonBANKS" has been posting pretty amazing material from the Birmingham org's net servers wh ... More >>

The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology: Readers Poll Results!

LRH came out on top of our countdown, but did he top out our readers poll? Take a look inside!​Actually, make that the top fifty people crippling the Church of Scientology -- we received more than 3,000 individual choices by 141 voters, with more than 300 different people receiving votes. Our ... More >>

The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 5: Joe Childs and Tom Tobin

​On August 5, we started a countdown that will give credit -- or blame -- to the people who have contributed most to the sad current state of Scientology. From its greatest expansion in the 1980s, the church is a shell of what it once was and is mired in countless controversies around the worl ... More >>

The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology: The Readers Poll!

​You've watched us reveal all but the top five entries in our big countdown, The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology -- now it's your turn to vote for your own list! Here's the link you've been waiting for -- now go and tell us who you think is doing the most to contribute to the Church of Sc ... More >>

Scientology Schweinehund: Commenters of the Week!

"Rathbun? I see nothing!"​We were feeling pretty whiplashed this week here at the underground bunker where we keep an eye on all things Scientology related -- on the one hand, our big countdown was really heating up, but we also needed to keep an eye on the big news breaking out in Germany, wh ... More >>

A Scientology Countdown Announcement: Before We Start the Top Ten, a Programming Note

Who's number one?​Tomorrow morning, we begin to reveal the final ten in our big countdown, "The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology." Today, however, we wanted to provide a programming note and announce some addenda. As we predicted from the beginning, our readers have been vocal about their ... More >>

The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 12: Tommy Davis

​On August 5, we started a countdown that will give credit -- or blame -- to the people who have contributed most to the sad current state of Scientology. From its greatest expansion in the 1980s, the church is a shell of what it once was and is mired in countless controversies around the worl ... More >>

Scientology Flameout: Commenters of the Week!

Marcotai conquers entheta!​We're sitting here in the underground bunker, looking back on what was another amazing week of Scientology watching. More and more tips are coming in, things are breaking overseas, and the cats are mewing for their breakfast. We're on sensory overload here, but let's ... More >>

The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology

​We're starting something new here at Runnin' Scared. From our underground bunker, where we keep an eye on all things Scientology, we've been stunned to see how hard things have been for the venerable church lately. From surveys which suggest membership is dwindling, to a mass exodus that is ... More >>

Scientology Spinout: Commenters of the Week!

Elvis wasn't seduced by Scientology's siren song​After some time away, we came back with a slew of stories this week, and naturally, our readers were ready to pounce on them. On Tuesday, we took another look at intriguing young DC-area Scientologist Tad Reeves. We're still hoping to talk to t ... More >>

Scientology's Hollywood Landmarks: More from THR Reporter Daniel Miller

Hollywood's Celebrity Centre​Last week we ran a brief item about Daniel Miller's story about Scientology's Hollywood properties which ran at The Hollywood Reporter. The more we looked at Miller's piece, however, the more impressed we were with how much investigative work he'd done on it, and ... More >>

Michael Fairman, Familiar TV and Film Actor, Makes Public His Expulsion from Scientology

​"Accused -- prosecuted -- found guilty -and sentenced right there on my door step. And here is my certificate of doom." For Scientology watchers, spectacular news this morning. Familiar television and movie character actor Michael Fairman, a longtime member of the "church," has made public ... More >>

Scientology and Proposition 8: Debunking the Church Myth That It Stays Out of Politics

Kirstie Alley, ballot neutral.​One of the most interesting things about Lawrence Wright's recent article about Scientology in the New Yorker was the way he exposed the hypocrisies and outright lies of the wacky organization's top members and spokespeople. But there's a key assertion peddled ... More >>

Scientology Gets Fact Checked, Huffington Post Gets Overrated, Tea Party Gets a Magazine

via​Yesterday, we praised Lawrence Wright's cover story in The New Yorker, a 24,195-word mega-exposé about Hollywood writer/producer/director Paul Haggis' defection from the corrupt and crazy Church of Scientology after 35 years. Today, NPR's Fresh Air has a behind-the-scenes look at the maga ... More >>

Scientology in The New Yorker: Lawrence Wright Buries L. Ron Hubbard For Good

Paul Haggis: "I was in a cult for thirty-four years. Everyone else could see it. I don't know why I couldn't."​We've been looking forward for some time to New Yorker writer Lawrence Wright's account of the defection of 'Crash' director Paul Haggis from Scientology. But this thing. Wow. I thi ... More >>

Police Seek Suspect in Upper West Side Shooting

​On Thursday, October 7, at 11:13 a.m., police responded to a 911 call of a person shot inside 29 West 119 Street. Upon arrival, police discovered a 53-year-old man who had been shot but sustained only minor bruising because the bullet did not penetrate the skin. The suspect, Tommy Davis, 51 ... More >>

Clip Job: The Triumph of the Nebbish

​Clip Job: an excerpt every day from the Voice archives. September 15, 1966, Vol. XI, No. 48 The Dodgers: Triumph Of the Nebbish By Stan Fischler The Los Angeles Dodgers are Herbie Flam and don't even know it. Perhaps it's better that way. Herbie Flam, like the Dodgers, was born in Brook ... More >>

'Crash' Director Paul Haggis Ditches Scientology

"I am only ashamed that I waited this many months to act. I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Scientology." ​Over the past few days, a remarkable letter was published in four parts at the blog of Marty Rathbun, a former high-level Scientology official who has left the church and no ... More >>

Post-Xenu Beghe Reveals TV's First 'Mangina'

​We know we're a little late on this one, but we're still in shock (and awe) after watching Jason Beghe's star turn in this week's Californication season premiere, in which he revealed series television's first "mangina." You remember Beghe, a veteran TV (Melrose Place) and film (Monkey Shine ... More >>

Tom Cruise Lured Back Into Scientology By Man The Church Now Says Was "Demoted" And A "Lunatic"

Today, the St. Petersburg Times unveiled part two of its devastating series on David Miscavige, diminutive leader of Scientology.An indication of how much this series is hitting Scientology to the bone: rare and vehement denunciations by Miscavige himself, and by his spokesman, the clearly in-over-h ... More >>

Scientology Gets Its Ass Kicked In the Desert

[Tommy Davis on the hot seat, from KESQ]SEE UPDATE, after the jump.Wise Beard Man tipped us recently that KESQ, a local television station in Palm Springs, California, has put together a pretty terrific 5-part investigation of Scientology.Why Palm Springs? Well, one of Scientology's stranger facilit ... More >>

Jason Beghe Is Still Denouncing Scientology -- This Time in Germany

Jason Beghe to Scientology Mouthpiece Tommy Davis: 'You're Losing Your Soul'

Scientology Spokesman Gives Non-Answers on CNN

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