Memories of Jefferson Hawkins from people who knew and admired him

Karen#1 · Jan 8, 2026

TONY ORTEGA
Excerpt:

[Jefferson with Leah Remini, Mike Rinder, Amy Scobee and Marc and Claire Headley]

We were stunned by the news yesterday that Jefferson Hawkins died on Monday after a series of strokes. He was 79. We first wrote about him in 2010 at the Village Voice when he published his masterful memoir, Counterfeit Dreams. This is what we said about it at the time:

Perhaps better than any other defection narrative that has come out, Counterfeit Dreams carefully and clearly spells out so much of the bewildering Hubbard jargon that characterizes Scientology. And Hawkins himself may be one of the best people to write a history of the organization — his career mirrors so much of Scientology’s arc, from its hippie era early growth to its 1980s apotheosis, to its decline and increasing paranoia under Miscavige.

We admired Jefferson very much, and we were so pleased that he chose to write a series of articles for us here at the Underground Bunker about Scientology’s bizarre ideas about justice and “ethics.”

But we wanted to hear from his former colleagues and friends, the people he helped so much by writing about his experiences leaving Scientology. Here is what they had to say.

Amy Scobee: Oh, what sad and unexpected news! David Miscavige hated Jefferson because he was extremely smart. Along with Mike Rinder, Jeff scored among the highest on the IQ test Miscavige had the whole staff of the Gold base take — I suppose so he would know who to take out. At one time, I was in charge of making executive appointments and I don't recall anyone refusing a promotion, except Jeff. He had integrity. He felt that his talent was better utilized where he was in marketing (not wrong). Jefferson was a definite target for Miscavige. I know that he was physically assaulted by him more than once, but the time that I personally witnessed was during a meeting when Miscavige lunged across the conference room table and landed on Jefferson, knocking him to the ground, wrestling with him, tearing his shirt and just acting like a wild animal. Jeff did not "deserve" this (no one would). If Miscavige didn't like the way a person answered him or just the look on your face, it would set him off. After escaping Scientology in 2005, Jefferson was one of the first people I reconnected with. With all of his artistic and marketing skills, I asked Jefferson to design the cover of my book, Scientology — Abuse At The Top. In what seemed to be a few hours, Jefferson sent me a book cover which perfectly described in picture form the abuse we endured during the years we shared at the Hemet headquarters. It was perfect. During a deposition for something completely unrelated, I was asked by Scientology's lawyers (obviously for Miscavige) who designed my book cover. Haha. It was none other than the extremely talented Jefferson Hawkins! For me, Jefferson will always be remembered as a smart and caring person and a joy to be around. My prayers are with his family during this difficult time. Jefferson touched many people's lives and will forever hold a special place in my heart.

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