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companies owned by scientologists in clearwater

Hes still holding out. Epstein could have simply told the reporter his client was not the Church of Scientology and left it at that. It is a big faux pas in business PR to bring up the subject of religion when it is absolutely unnecessary to do so. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. Seventy-one percent of the 60 parcels the Church of Scientology owns under its name in Pinellas County are tax-exempt for religious purposes. The Times report describes spaces such as a former jewelry store, an empty Walgreens and a deserted laundromat sitting empty and unused. When the city was considering buying the aquariums lot, Miscavige threatened to stop communicating until the 2020 election, when term limits would force most of the council out of office. Brokers who are Scientologists approached at least 15 downtown owners about unlisted properties. Longtime City Manager Bill Horne said he cant tell whether the church wants the same thing. David Gentile is creative with money and had hundreds of bank accounts and sub-funds when he ran GPB Capital. Scientology leader David Miscavige had his own redevelopment plan. They now own most commercial property on every block within walking distance of the waterfront, putting the secretive church firmly in control of the areas future. Many of the properties werent on the market when the deals were made. Hormel says inflation, supply chain issues and weak sales hit earnings, Macy's shares surge as retailer posts earnings well ahead of forecasts, A supposed Scientology cruise ship is quarantined in St. Lucia over measles, Saturday Night Live star Chloe Fineman says Lorne Michaels gave her the best financial advice, As Republicans further intensify Hunter Biden focus, Attorney General Garland insists hes remained hands-off in years-old investigation, Teslas stock falls 5% as Elon Musks Master Plan 3 is short on details about both cars and finances, What's next for bonds in 2023 after the worst year in history. If the council in 2020 isnt on board with doing something his way, hes going to do it himself.. But companies controlled by different parishioners bought neighboring properties that create clear assemblages of land. Fifty-eight are in the city of Clearwater and 49 are downtown.. This is a very interesting report. Richard Tobias, an independent real estate appraiser in Pinellas County, said vast purchases of downtown real estate by entities tied to Scientology have cast confusion over the market. If so, it's technically possible with a home IPO. What Clearwaters City Council thinks, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, recapped, See a slideshow of all the churchs buildings. Scientologist normally dont deal with outsiders in my experience. Construction on eight townhomes on the south end of the marina began Oct. 1, according to county records. I saw a business opportunity, he said. synergy rv transport pay rate; stephen randolph todd. In late 2020, Terri Novitsky also was elected to the Downtown Development Board, an advisory group tasked with promoting downtown. The companies paid a combined $11.8 million in cash for 28 undeveloped parcels, five empty commercial buildings and a dozen homes in the district, most of them dilapidated. Searcy felt like hed created a canvas for a dream hotel, condo and retail project: near the bridge to Clearwater Beach, no height restrictions, all under $5 million. But on days with no events, downtown feels deserted. And $99 million of the $103 million in real-estate deals over the past three years were in cash. Over the past two years, the properties surrounding the shop have been sold to Scientologist-controlled companies. Copyright 2023 MarketWatch, Inc. All rights reserved. But Lee assumed the church was involved. Soters comment evokes for us what Captain Renault said in Casablanca: Im shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!. I mean, do they view it as helpful for the community at large to have a major religious organization centered in their town or not? This gallery shows all 60 properties Scientology owns under its name in Pinellas county and six additional retail properties the church acquired through limited liability companies in 2017. Many of their properties weren't listed for sale. No one from the church dictates to me what to buy, what to sell, what to do.. It bought a hotel and wrote plans to take control of the city. Osman Ozsan has been a Scientologist since the 1990s. In response, the Tampa Bay Times received a letter signed by Scientology attorney Gary Soter that read: There is nothing unnatural about Scientologists wanting to live in the same city that houses the international spiritual headquarters of their church. And half the sales were for more than double what the properties were valued by the county property appraiser, the Times found. Philip Kirkpatrick, Clearwaters senior economic development coordinator, said Stephen Epstein spoke with city officials in December about a potential commercial and multifamily project on the site. [ The full history: Scientologys 40 years of conflict with the City of Clearwater, recapped ]. Spa not owned by a Scientologist. Through a spokesperson, Epstein said in an email that CA South looked into developing the properties on behalf of a client but walked away when the city did not relax a rule prohibiting a parking lot level facing North Fort Harrison Avenue. And in 1977, the FBI raided Scientology's headquarters in LA and D.C. And they uncovered hundreds of thousands of memos and documents. In the 70s, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in a Scientology plan to infiltrate the government. Tom De Vocht, a former Scientology executive who oversaw the churchs property in Clearwater from 1996 to 2001, said he believes Scientology is responding to the citys efforts by creating a buffer to keep the public away. My sister is always struggling with money and drugs: I own a house with my husband and mother. Its important for me to communicate with the Scientologists in Clearwater and have that ability to work side-by-side, Riley said, also noting he is now based in Clearwater. In her bombshell 2019 news story Clear Takeover, Tracey McManus revealed that $103 million in Downtown Clearwater land purchases were made by a series of LLC's owned by Scientologists. This is a big giveaway in our view. Asked directly whether Scientology orchestrated or paid for any of the sales, the church did not answer. My plan is to keep renting, Huestler said. Dozens of residents showed up to speak. Fifty-three of those are for properties owned by companies run by himself with fellow Scientologist Emrani, a candidate in this election. A for-lease sign sits in long-vacant retail space at The SkyView condo tower, owned by Scientologist and developer Moises Agami. Businesses might see this city project and say, yeah, let me take a chance on downtown and open up a business. katherine noelle wyman; cape breton post obituaries 2022. location symbol text in word; list of female jockeys australia; mike conley house columbus ohio address During that period, downtown purchases by limited liability companies managed by members of Scientology accelerated. We interpret it as the Tampa Bay Times getting too close for Mr. Epsteins comfort. A lot of them are vacant lots, vacant buildings, empty storefronts. That has led defectors from the church and city leaders to believe there is little chance parishioners are making significant real estate deals around Scientologys mecca without the churchs involvement. On Sept. 7, Epsteins employee was removed from the corporate filings of the company that own the land. Members have to answer to their ethics officer for any act of disloyalty to Scientologys mission. Ive been waiting for this neighborhood to clean up for 30 years, and I still think its around the corner, Rice said. Delk described the projects which require voter approval as key to the plans success. Of the $103 million spent, $99 million was paid in cash. Andrus did not respond to an email, phone message, a note left at his office or a certified letter. Another tell. Coincident with this Riley-registered RSR Capital Advisors as an LLC in Florida on March 21, 2022. Fischler offered Bosi $1.4 million, almost three times what the property was valued. The Times counted each parcel that was assigned a value by the property appraiser as a single property with five exceptions. They now own most commercial property. . The other side of that is flag is run by the Sea Org, the Scientology's full-time workforce. Lares and his wife, Emily, sold the diner inside a decade ago. They were very secretive, he said. In the world of poker this is called a tell. High-ranking defectors provide an unprecedented inside look at Scientology, its leader and the Lisa McPherson case. I saw a business opportunity, Ezra said. It is all so convenient for Rodney that it appears to be scripted. Agami also signed two more leases on the same block with restaurants owned by people not connected to the church. At least eight businesses that got new landlords tied to Scientology moved out and have not been replaced. Why does this matter? The property wasnt on the market. The Church of Scientology, its members and companies controlled by its members have spent $103 million over the past three years buying retail property in downtown Clearwater, Fla., according. Wayne E. Lee ran his Auto Parts Distributors business on Park Street since 1982. But now these LLCs tied to Scientology control the retail district. There is ZERO chance of me getting sucked in. The Times described sales as cash transactions when they were paid without a mortgage filed in public records. MCMANUS: You know, Lulu, from my reporting, I've learned that there's a lot of mistrust and suspicion still in the community when it comes to Scientology because a lot of the residents here were living in the city when Scientology arrived in the '70s, and they remember the tactics Scientology used. The Fort Harrison Hotel serves as the flagship building of the Flag Land Base, the Church of Scientology's spiritual headquarters in Clearwater, Florida, US.It is owned and operated by the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization, Inc., a subsidiary of the Church of Scientology International.. A few months after Yarbrough relocated, a new electrical company moved into his old building. 9,523 Scientologists live in the Tampa Bay area. They doubled the churchs footprint in less than three years. Do I spend another 10 years and see what happens in downtown Clearwater?, Scientology, Pinellas County and Clearwater Reporter. His partner is Scientologist Maria Dolores Gregori Fuster. Terri Novitsky and Hayes did not return calls and emails requesting comment. Rileys Clearwater Marina District development has a $350 million price tag on it. CLEARWATER An old jewelry store on the corner of Cleveland Street that welcomes visitors to the core of downtown sits empty, unchanged since a company managed by a Church of Scientology. This is the Church of Hyper-Surveillance that knows everything about the private and business lives of its members; their social media activities; and even what they did in their past lives. Its like they are trying to control the whole thing.. Thank you very much. MCMANUS: Yeah, that's a good question. His wife, parishioner and real estate agent, Terri Novitsky, represented the buyer in many of the deals, according to interviews with sellers. Your characterization that his religious affiliations somehow control his business activities is evidence of personal bias against his religion, Zaretsky wrote. The church also targeted the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Justice and scores of foreign governments. DEUTERIUM ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Indeed, Scientology used the name The United Churches of Florida to purchase the Fort Harrison in 1975 for $3 million in cash. Times reporters built a database of hundreds of properties in the center of Clearwaters downtown. And it's also basically the financial nucleus of the entire organization. CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) A newspaper report says the Church of Scientology and companies run by its members spent more than $100 million over the past . Scientologists from across the globe make pilgrimages to the campus, called Flag. Clearwater A newspaper report says the Church of Scientology and companies run by its members spent more than $100 million over the past three years buying up huge sections of downtown. The analysis did not include residential parcels except in cases where they were bought in conjunction with commercial property or vacant land. Instead, Epstein took the formal step of using an affidavit to deny that the Church of Scientology is not the client. According to a new report by The Tampa Bay Times, the Church of Scientology and related entities now own over $260 million of property in downtown Clearwater. He called the Tampa Bay Times questions about parishioners activity not just stupid, false and offensive, but un-American., You talk out of both sides of your mouth: If redevelopment is being done by the city or a member of another religion, not Scientology, it is good; if redevelopment is being done by a Scientologist, it is bad, Shaw said. Block after block, vacant lots sit untouched, and storefronts remain empty: A former jewelry store. CBRE is an acronym for CB Richard Ellis. Defectors have said they were paid less than $50 a week. But the promised downtown revival never came. What's more, the Times found a Scientology magazine from the 1990s that listed goals for the new millennium. They spent $6.5 million to renovate the public Seminole Boat Ramp, a popular centerpiece seen as a sign of the citys commitment. The only record of redevelopment that has occurred among the 45 properties is a roof replacement on a vacant building on North Fort Harrison Avenue and internal demolition in a former flooring center two blocks north, according to notices in Pinellas County records. If you are looking for a career where your coworkers and leadership care about you and your success, AMI is the right place! Typically, when people buy commercial real estate, they move forward with construction or redevelopment. EMPIRICAL PROSPECTING COMPANY LIMITED. According to his resume, he started the firm in 2003. All rights reserved. In 2018, Peter Lares got a call from Fischler, asking if hed sell the prominent building in the center of downtown that houses Emilys Restaurant. Any property owned by a Scientologist or linked to a Scientologist is owned by the church, because the church owns its parishioners, said De Vocht, the former executive in charge of real estate, who reported directly to Miscavige. The Scientology leader had offered the Clearwater Marine Aquarium $15 million for that 1.4-acre grass lot on Pierce Street. MCMANUS: Yeah, I think that the key here is the uncertainty. Purchases in the North Marina Area took off in July 2019, three months after the City Council voted to buy the historic North Ward Elementary School across the street from the Seminole ramp and Andrus condo. If this is Trish Duggans money, and Scientologist Osman Ozsan manages her money, then that could very likely make Trish Duggan the Scientologist financier behind the scenes on the Clearwater land purchases. MCMANUS: The reason Scientology has such an outsized influence is because of the cash and assets it has, which is estimated to be $3 billion. However, this tactic can backfire when it comes across as answering a question no one has asked. The Times also contacted representatives of all 32 companies it identified that bought downtown real estate over the past three years. I think it throws a stake in it when one party owns 50 percent or so. Graphics by ELI MURRAY Companies tied to the Church of Scientology paid millions in cash for 45 properties near downtown with no major plans in sight. The purchases totaled $11.8 million and were documented by the Tampa Bay Times in its November 2021 story: companies connected to the Church of Scientology are buying tracts of land within the 55-acre district and not disclosing what they plan to do with them. About $15.9 million was paid in cash. The city has no record yet of redevelopment plans being submitted for any of the North Marina properties since the purchases began, according to planning and development director Gina Clayton. The churchs influence comes from the estimated $3 billion in cash and assets it has collected from its followers. Since arriving in Clearwater in 1975, the Church of Scientology has bought 60 . The church has amassed 60 properties in Pinellas County since arriving in 1975. (CBRE) in April 2016. The acquisitions mirror the pattern that unfolded downtown between 2017 and 2019, when companies tied to Scientology bought 100 properties within walking distance of the waterfront and the churchs international spiritual headquarters, then left many of those buildings vacant and lots undeveloped. All they did was act like children and make crude sex/homophobic/racial jokes about being raped, gangbanged, etc. The new owners also are sitting on about 30 undeveloped lots. Council members were less delighted by the discovery, however especially since many of the lots and storefronts purchased by owners with Scientology ties are sitting vacant while the Clearwater City Council aims to turn the downtown waterfront into a dining and entertainment destination. Theres no such thing in Scientology. The Church of Scientology and its parishioners now own a lot of real estate in Clearwater, Fla., as reported by the Tampa Bay Times. I dont know what their plan is.. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Real estate agent Daphna Fischler, a Scientologist, called and showed up to the shop a handful of times in mid-2018. Both are supposed to open soon. And inside those findings was a plan that Scientology operatives had created and written to establish area control. In recent puff piece media coverage in Clearwater, we are told that Riley: is in the process of buying 15 tracts in the Clearwater Marina area to develop what he is calling the Clearwater Marina District a connected walkable community with modern offices, retail, luxury condos and a boutique hotel, as well as affordable housing. (On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Times reported that since 2017, companies run by members of Scientology bought another 86 downtown commercial properties. Click here to read the story. The downtown and North Marina properties bought by limited liability companies managed or operated by members of Scientology remain on the tax rolls. The Church was unaware of the significant number of properties owned by Scientologists in the Clearwater area and are delighted you provided the information.. He saw the area improve when police cracked down on drugs and prostitution decades ago. The total of all Scientology-connected Clearwater real estate purchases $114.8 million. GARCIA-NAVARRO: It's the type of servitude. In six cases, buyers paid quadruple the propertys value. Sep 19, 2022 - Anonymous Employee in Clearwater, FL. Fischler, a local real estate agent, negotiated at least 10 of the downtown deals, according to interviews with sellers. Mayor George Cretekos listens at a City Council meeting in April 2017 as residents pushed the council to purchase a vacant lot that Scientology also wanted. Paid in cash. Businesses without ties to the church are moving into a few of those. Do you own your house? A broker who was a Scientologist approached a downtown property owner. To reiterate our earlier point, Ozsan, Gregori And Company LLC has only two client accounts. The church, its members and companies they control now own 185 properties that cover 101 acres in the center of downtown. Lares declined again when Fischler met him at a restaurant in Pinellas Park for lunch, and once more when she tried in May. Take away the church footprint, a few condo towers and all buildings owned by the government. We don't know what they're planning to do with the properties. Reporters analyzed thousands of rows of data and pulled more than 1,000 records from the Pinellas County Property Appraiser, the Pinellas County Clerk of Court and the Florida Division of Corporations. . The church attracts members through a theology of self improvement and understanding. About 72 percent of those properties are tax exempt for religious uses. Thats not happening with almost any of these properties., [ More reaction: What Clearwaters City Council thinks about Scientologys downtown takeover ]. For the first time, a majority of the boards members will be Scientologists. Scientologys international spiritual headquarters is anchored by the Flag Building, on left. In Mesa, its the Mormon Church that dominates the area and I was able to work in that environment. In Florida, limited liability companies that buy property are required to disclose administrative operators but not their owners. The Church of Scientology and companies run by its members have spent $103 million since 2017 buying about 100 properties. Most religions have a fundamentalist wing, Rinder said. They envisioned apartment buildings with ground-floor stores, winding paths with views of the Intracoastal Waterway and a concert venue that would draw visitors from across the region. City officials plan to partner with a developer on ways to adapt the red brick schoolhouse, like turning it into a hub for restaurants, retail, or apartments. As a general rule, when someone makes an unsolicited statement, as Riley did by mentioning Mormons and Scientologists, it suggests to us hidden connections. Almost all of the properties were quietly bought through limited liability companies required to disclose their operators but not their owners as is pretty standard in real estate. Those six lots were bought in November 2020 by a limited liability company then-managed by an employee of CA South, a Nashville-based real estate firm founded by Megan Epstein and advised by her husband, Stephen Epstein, both members of Scientology. After that, the Times writes, Scientology began grabbing property at an unprecedented rate, adding that they now own most commercial property on every block within walking distance of the waterfront, putting the secretive church firmly in control of the areas future. In fact, 22 of the first 33 buildings on Cleveland Street, considered the downtown districts main artery, are tied to Scientology. ANTIFRAGILE LIMITED The city has no record yet of redevelopment plans being submitted for any of the North Marina properties since the purchases began, according to planning and development director Gina Clayton. Today, 10 years later, the economic influence of Scientologists in the community is commensurately higher. . The greatest number of properties were bought by companies controlled by either Israeli businessman Itzhak Zano or another Scientologist who represents him. Norm Novitsky hung up when asked by a reporter about the companies plans. In the world of scientologywhere anything goes and all laws in the wog world by damnedits Christmas 24/7. Please! Internal church documents detailed missions that planted spies in the state attorneys office, the Chamber of Commerce and the Clearwater Sun newspaper. The church acquired three others in a land swap. Looking at the Times map of the new ownership, City Council member David Allbritton recalled a moment from 2017 that now seems telling. Even city leaders said they didnt know the full extent of the purchases until they were shown maps created by the Times. GARCIA-NAVARRO: So clearly they wanted these properties a great deal. The Church is the largest property taxpayer in downtown Clearwater, paying nearly $1 million in property taxes last year. The gallery does not include properties bought by companies run by church members. The church stopped communicating with the city. It has to be somebody with the money to invest in a real estate development deal. Our opinion is that Riley was instructed to get ahead of the story by bringing up Scientology before he was asked about it. ), Clear Takeover: How Scientology doubled its downtown Clearwater footprint in 3 years, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, recapped, What Clearwaters City Council thinks about Scientologys downtown takeover. The campus collects millions each week through fundraising and payments for expensive courses and high-level religious counseling not offered anywhere else. Tampa Bay Times reporter Tracey McManus has spent the last four years writing about Scientology and the churchs relationship with the city of Clearwater. Flag is supposed to be an insulated oasis. We believe it's important to shed light on a powerful institution that's very controversial and plays a big role in our community. I dont mix my personal business with other areas in my life, said Terri Novitsky, a Scientologist who manages a company that bought two office buildings on Chestnut Street in 2017. 20, 2019. In the article cited, Riley makes an interesting comment (emphasis ours): The opportunity Riley is pursuing to activate the 21 acres is similar to his project in Mesa, Arizona, where he acquired and developed nine properties. Please consider supporting us with a tax-deductible donation to the Tampa Bay Times Investigative Fund. Getty. Limited liability companies managed by Hayes, the attorney whos done work on behalf of the church, bought almost the entire square block directly east of the North Ward school. An empty Walgreens. February 1976: Scientology files a $1 million lawsuit against Cazares alleging he violated its constitutional rights with his public criticism. NIO stock swings lower after reporting losses that were much wider than expected, 3Ms stock surges after company says DOD data show 90% of earplug plaintiffs had normal hearing, Marc Benioffs Salesforce fairy tale is crumbling down around him. In summer 2018, Fischler walked into Bob Lees Auto Repair on Park Street to make owner Dennis Bosi an offer. In 2002, she was listed as an international deputy of a committee tasked with disseminating Scientology doctrine. Then the council interfered with a land deal that Scientology demanded for its plan. February 27, 2023 endeavor air pilot contract No Comments . They have control over what businesses, if any, come in. The pattern of Scientology-tied companies buying so many properties and sitting on them flies in the face of most land economics, said Tobias, who has been appraising property in Pinellas County for 50 years. But that is where it ends. , hes going to do with the City Revenue Service, Department Justice! That buy property are required to disclose administrative operators but not their owners million in property taxes year. And North Marina properties bought by companies run by the Times also contacted representatives of all 32 it... At the Times disseminating Scientology doctrine you and your success, AMI is the largest property taxpayer downtown! International spiritual headquarters is anchored by the County property appraiser, the Chamber of Commerce and the Sun. Wrote plans to take control of the significant number of properties in the community is higher... Scientologist-Controlled companies Scientologists in the wog world by damnedits Christmas 24/7 valued by the government downtown districts artery. This City project and say, Yeah, I think that the church of remain. Rice said built a database of hundreds of bank accounts and sub-funds when he GPB. Projects which require voter approval as key to the shop have been sold to Scientologist-controlled companies else! 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companies owned by scientologists in clearwater