Secrets of Scientology’s most secretive branch, part 3: CST’s people
We’re always encouraged when an Underground Bunker reader takes a deep dive into Scientology’s arcane depths, and this time a reader has come forward with some eye-opening research on Scientology’s most secretive branch, the Church of Spiritual Technology, which operates vaults for storing Hubbard’s writings and lectures in order to last for thousands of years, and also operates the compound where we believe Shelly Miscavige is being kept out of sight. Today, part three of three: CST’s people.
In part one and two of this series, we explored the legal structures and property holdings of the Church of Spiritual Technology. In part three, we take a closer look at the Church of Spiritual Technology’s Headquarters and staff.
Whistleblowers have long identified the Church of Scientology’s Headquarters as a facility located in Twin Peaks, CA. Property records show CST as the owner of 52 acres in this area. Additionally, the physical address of CST company, Mile High, Inc., is listed as 25406 State Highway 189, Twin Peaks, CA 92391.
Bird in a Gilded Cage
The Twin Peaks compound is described as the primary facility of CST’s “Archival Project.” A small portion of the CST property includes approximately 16 buildings, including an underground vault, offices, storage facilities, dining hall, a 9-room dormitory, and a luxury residence for the deceased L. Ron Hubbard. However, the level of security provided to this site is unique among the CST vaults and includes electronic surveillance, private security guards, and even UltraBarrier spiked-fencing, pointing both inward and outward.
One section of the property, most likely this luxury residence, is now valued at $4.5 million and is not exempt from property taxes. This tax carve-out may be an attempt to partially inoculate CST from the IRS rules on personal inurement.
The most recent changes to this property footprint occurred in December 2021, when 7 acres was transferred to the California Department of Transportation, presumably for road construction.
Michele Diane ‘Shelly’ Barnett Miscavige, age 62, is originally from Texas. Public records independently confirm that she was associated with CST’s Twin Peaks compound in the years 2008 and 2009. From approximately 2009 to 2019 her mailing address was then sometimes listed as being in Scientology offices in the Los Angeles area. There are no updates to her public address history at all since 2019, but as Tony has pointed out numerous times, Scientology attorneys have personally claimed to have spoken to Shelly in recent years, suggesting that she is still alive.
Whistleblowers have reported that Shelly may be accompanied at the Twin Peaks compound by up to three Scientology minders: Antonella Tisi (her auditor), Anne Joasem (formerly Anne Rathbun) and Else Benrhaeim (the legal spelling of her name). While this may be the case, public records are unable to independently verify their connection to the facility itself as their own address histories indicate they have been living in other locations for some time.
Cloak-and-Dagger
As reported earlier, “Mile High Inc.” was established as a property holding company prior to CST gaining tax-exempt status in 1993. For years, even the Wikipedia entry for the Church of Spiritual Technology has highlighted this connection. Today, Mile High’s apparent use is to mask the identity of CST and its Twin Peaks, CA headquarters with various corporate vendors and even elements of the US Government.
One public record shows Mile High Inc, used its physical address in Twin Peaks, CA, to enter into a contract in April 2023 with United Natural Foods, Inc. for bulk food deliveries to the property. In another example, Mile High Inc., used its mailing address in Hollywood, CA, in a 2014 filing with the Federal Communications Commission to secure an antenna license for a CST facility. Such extreme measures to obfuscate CST’s operations might more expected of a Top Secret facility protecting national security, not those of a religious non-profit.
Archival Project
Under the “Archival Project,” CST reported to the IRS by 1989 it had already spent $52 million and anticipated spending another $114 million to finish its vault construction. It is unclear how much it subsequently spent to collect and perfect its archiving techniques.
A review of US patent data over the last few decades shows CST was busy with this archiving work until at least 2009, when its last patent was filed. Its list of eleven patents, impressive by many standards, credit several non-Scientologists as well as former CST staff, Russell Bellin and Albert Trussell. The patents show interests in both archival techniques and in apparently attempting to improve Scientology’s E-meter:
• Patent 5434734, filed in 1993, granted in 1995 (Apparatus for reducing distortion during recording in a tape recorder)
• Patent 5710685, filed in 1995, granted in 1998 (Apparatus for reducing distortion during recording in a tape recorder)
• Patent D462561 filed in 2001, granted in 2002 (Storage container for compact discs)
• Patent 6659272, filed in 2002, Granted in 2003 (System for storing and transporting discs and accessory materials)
• Publication 20080139957, filed in 2004, Granted in 2008 (System for measuring and indicating changes in the resistance of a living body)
• Patent 8121676, filed in 2004, Granted in 2012 (System for measuring and indicating changes in the resistance of a living body)
• Patent D615594, filed in 2006, granted in 2010 (Document stand and shield)
• Patent D616768, filed in 2008, granted in 2010 (Device for indicating changes in a physiological parameters of a living body)
• Patent D594057, filed in 2009, granted in 2009 (Binder)
• Patent D625212, filed in 2009, granted in 2010 (Electrode for an electropsychometer)
Circumstantially, the lack of newer patent filings and Scientology’s own recent television broadcasts on the ultra-secretive project may be indications CST has largely wrapped up the Archival Project itself. CST’s more recent focus appears to be in overseeing property purchases and restoring some of the former homes of L. Ron Hubbard.
CST Staff
Records indicate CST’s staff is small and operating with approximately only 20 people at its various locations. The average age of this staff is now 61.
David Miscavige does not live on the Twin Peaks compound but is known to direct its activities. He even touts his direct involvement on his own website, davidmiscavige.org, where video testimonials of CST personnel are posted alongside others. In one video, Miscavige is credited with the installation of a human gyroscope “to put your body in any position you want to so you can actually perceive gravity from any perceptic.” This contraption is still visible from the public roads adjacent to the Twin Peaks compound.
Sara V. Reyes (formerly Sara Bellin), age 71, was originally listed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CST in 2020. She has been gaining titles one by one and is now listed as the CEO of Heritage Properties, LLC (since 2010), Heritage Properties International, Ltd. (since 2014), Mile High Inc (since 2016), Preservation Media International (since 2017) and IP Designs, Inc. (since 2017). She is divorced from Russell Bellin, the former CEO of CST himself and who was reportedly sent to Scientology’s infamous “Hole” at its Gold Base compound around 2004. Records identify Reyes’s address to be the Twin Peaks compound itself.
Jane A. McNairn, age 69, is originally from California. She has been Secretary of CST since at least 1994. She has also been the long term Secretary of Mile High, Inc., IP Designs, Inc., Archival Technologies, LLC, Heritage Properties, LLC and Heritage Properties, Ltd. McNairn is known for being the face of CST and corresponding with county officials. She did have public notary commission #1221089 from San Bernadino County, CA, but this license expired in 2011. She was previously married to Scientologist Brad Peeters. Records also identify McNairn’s address to be the Twin Peaks compound itself.
Arthur C. Bolstad, age 65, is originally from New Zealand. He has been the Treasurer of CST since at least 1997. He is also listed as the Treasurer of IP Designs, Inc., Archival Technologies, LLC, Heritage Properties, LLC, and Heritage Properties, Ltd. Despite being responsible for managing at least hundreds of millions of assets, his accounting credentials were not identified in either California or international databases. He likely has a brother, named Bruce Bolstad, who is also affiliated with CST. Records indicate he lives at the Twin Peaks compound along with other officials.
Jacqueline J. Locke, age 73, is reportedly CST’s Director of Disbursements. She is believed to be married to Mark Locke, also of CST. Records list Locke’s last address to be the Author Services Inc. Building in Hollywood, CA.
Marcia E. Trussell, age 68, is reportedly CST’s Technical Preservation Secretary. She is believed to still be married to Albert Trussell, who was sent to Scientology’s Hole along with other CST personnel. Records list Trussell’s last mailing address to be the Author Services Inc. Building.
Matthew C. Choi, age 70, is originally from Hawaii. He is likely a technical representative for CST as FCC records show he is responsible for maintaining a CST radio signal. Records list Trussell’s last mailing address to be the Author Services Inc. Building.
Whistleblowers report multiple CST officials, including Russell Bellin, Bruno Moresi, Albert Trussell, Thomas Vorm, Michelle Wheelis and Tom Willis, and were all sent to Scientology’s infamous “Hole” on its Gold Base in San Jacinto, CA around 2004. Many of these individuals remain unaccounted for and may remain on that compound, a constant reminder to CST staff today.
— an Underground Bunker reader
Our thanks for this research of CST records over this three-part series. Now, if only the US government would get interested in CST’s strange activities and in particular ask some questions about its most famous resident, Shelly Miscavige.
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The archival project sets Scientology apart from all other religions. It’s the only organization to go to extreme lengths to preserve the founders books, recordings, bulletins and policies in preparation for doomsday. Active members still believe scientology technology is the only true path to immortality and saving the planet so by creating the heritage project it physically reinforces for members that Hubbards claptrap must be true. If Scientology were a real cherch it would spend those millions on effective social programs that actually do help people. And the joke is they don’t spend money on their own social betterment front groups. Ultimately it’s all show and accumulation of more assets. It is still one of the biggest frauds in the world.
Thank you Bunker researcher, you found gold in them thar hills. So the current heads of CST are the survivors of the 2000's purge. I bet they do exactly what the COB tells them to do. Things like keep Shelly busy and out of any public scrutiny. Otherwise, the Hole for you.
Chukicita's reference to the '92 tax decision is a hoot and has one great reference to the entire Clampire.
"Scientology had a "commercial character," and showed "scripturally based hostility to taxation" and organization seeking exemption had "enormous potential for both accumulating wealth and bestowing shelter from taxation." 26 U.S.C.A. s 501(c)(3).
Sounds like the IRS had the Clampires modus operandi down perfectly.