I've read Berger's book. There are widely varying estimates of the number and influence of the messianists in Chabad. What is your perspective?
Berger's book is an ugly hit piece written by a bitter, angry and jealous man. Sue Fishkoff's "The Rebbe's Army" is a much more objective and balanced book.
There are pockets of silly messianists in Crown Heights and Israel, but the shluchim and the movement's leadership have moved on.
In the LA Times article you will find a quote from Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky which exactly describes Alouette's opinion of the "messianists." BTW my son is married to Rabbi Krinsky's granddaughter.