The Church was unaware of the land purchases? Scientology has said it has 10 million followers, but surveys and accounts from former members suggest there are no more than 30,000 worldwide. Real estate agent David Kerr represented a buyer that paid more than three times what a property was valued by the county property appraiser. The Church takes seriously its responsibility and interest in the future of the area. None of the other parishioners whose companies bought property since 2017 responded to questions about their plans. Construction on eight townhomes on the south end of the marina began Oct. 1, according to county records. Sep 19, 2022 - Anonymous Employee in Clearwater, FL. Mayor Jane Castors partner vowed not to lobby the city. Some of the parishioners have a history of working on Scientologys behalf. It appears that Project Normandy is still operational. Tampa Bay Times reporter Tracey McManus has spent the last four years writing about Scientology and the churchs relationship with the city of Clearwater. The majority of this property now stands vacant, and given the Church's tax exempt status, has limitless potential for development. Clarification made on CBRE and thank you for pointing that out. Help us keep bringing stories like this to you. . He saw the area improve when police cracked down on drugs and prostitution decades ago. The project broke ground in August and is aimed at helping bring businesses and foot traffic to the empty storefronts in the surrounding blocks. In North America, Melitta is the leading brand of coffee filters. Tal Ezra, a Scientologist who recently bought four parcels around an office where he has run his fuel management company since 2005, said hes considering office space and possibly a retail shop. More reaction: What Clearwaters City Council thinks about Scientologys downtown takeover, The full history: Scientologys 40 years of conflict with the City of Clearwater, recapped, Slideshow: See every building owned by the church, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, recapped, See a slideshow of all the churchs buildings. Lares and his wife, Emily, sold the diner inside a decade ago. And the Times found that in six cases buyers paid quadruple a propertys value. But on the notice filed with Pinellas County for the roof replacement at 801 N Fort Harrison Ave., Andrus signed his name as a manager of the company that owns the building. After the Times reported the purchases, Miscavige met with city officials and acknowledged the church acquired them as part of his plan to spend $55 million renovating downtown buildings and recruiting high-end retail to empty store fronts. We interpret it as the Tampa Bay Times getting too close for Mr. Epsteins comfort. Non-Scientologists who get too close are a threat to the operation, said Mat Pesch, who spent 27 years in the Sea Org and worked as Flags treasury secretary before defecting in 2005. Its a business, Pesch said. In 2016, city consultants began planning what has become a $64 million effort to reinvigorate the waterfront called Imagine Clearwater. Lee sold when Fischler upped her offer to $410,000 cash for the building valued at $109,000 by the property appraiser. Four high-ranking defectors describe bizarre behavior and physical beatings inflicted by Scientology leader David Miscavige. Real estate agent Daphna Fischler, a Scientologist, called and showed up to the shop a handful of times in mid-2018. And the mayor at the time, Gabe Cazares, really raised the alarm. About 72 percent of those properties are tax exempt for religious uses. What Clearwaters City Council thinks, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, recapped, See a slideshow of all the churchs buildings. 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. Scientologists deal with useful non-Scientologists quite often. In 2002, she was listed as an international deputy of a committee tasked with disseminating Scientology doctrine. We previously reported on CA South Development. The Florida Secretary of State records show the firm went dormant in 2012. Visit a quote page and your recently viewed tickers will be displayed here. Osman Ozsan has been a Scientologist since the 1990s. In mid-2018, one year before the string of North Marina purchases took off, a company controlled by developer Brian Andrus, a longtime member of Scientology, bought the private marina next to the citys Seminole Boat Ramp. We are an equal opportunity employer and fully EEOC compliant. AMI's culture and team members truly make AMI an amazing place to work! The spa's website makes it clear that, "In fact, we are, by definition, a Christian based business.". Argall left the church and was forced to abandon his business of more than 20 years. We built a graphic demonstrating just how little is left. Osman Ozsan is of interest to us because he is connected to Rod Riley, a non-Scientologist realtor and real estate developer from Arizona. This is a very interesting report. Andrus did not respond to a phone message or email inquiring if he was involved in the 45 purchases in the blocks surrounding his condo project. The churchs influence comes from the estimated $3 billion in cash and assets it has collected from its followers. It has to be somebody with the money to invest in a real estate development deal. The Times counted each parcel that was assigned a value by the property appraiser as a single property with five exceptions. Visitors are expected to stay in Scientologys hotels and eat at private church restaurants. City leaders spent tens of millions improving streets, subsidizing residential projects and hiring consultants. MCMANUS: Well, our reporting shows that Scientology has a big interest in preserving its downtown campus. A few weeks later, John Yarbrough sold the building where he had run his electrical services business for 22 years. . Steven Epstein took the unusual step of preparing an affidavit to tell the Tampa Bay Times that his client was not the Church of Scientology. They keep their operations going. Of the 100 properties bought by parishioner-managed companies near the downtown waterfront from 2017 to 2019, 24 storefronts and buildings remain empty, including a former Walgreens, an old jewelry store and prominent buildings along the North Fort Harrison corridor. That company has had no connection to Coldwell Banker for decades. Among them: make Clearwater known as the first Scientology city in the world.. This purchase was part of Project Normandy, a covert Scientology program to take over Clearwater. 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. Rod Riley has no background in Scientology. 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. Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in Scientologys government espionage scheme, which sent 11 Scientologists to federal prison. The Church was unaware of the significant number of properties owned by Scientologists in the Clearwater area and are delighted you provided the information, the letter continued. After FBI raids uncovered the infiltrations, city officials launched their own investigations. I had to make a decision, Bosi said. It teaches that expanding Scientology is key to saving the world, then wields a system of totalitarian policies to keep parishioners in line. In private meetings with council members, the Scientology leader described a plan for high-end shops, Cleveland Street facade renovations and an entertainment complex involving actor Tom Cruise, Scientologys most famous parishioner. But in the 70s, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in Scientologys government espionage scheme, which sent 11 Scientologists to federal prison. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. In late 2020, Terri Novitsky also was elected to the Downtown Development Board, an advisory group tasked with promoting downtown. 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. katherine noelle wyman; cape breton post obituaries 2022. location symbol text in word; list of female jockeys australia; mike conley house columbus ohio address GARCIA-NAVARRO: Explain to me why the paper has a Scientology reporter. The Church of Scientology has done many things at a remove or by a ruse, feint, or stratagem. Rabid Cult: Scientology Bites Dog Food Company; Attacks Cream Cheese; and Screams at Rolling Stone Magazine, Podcast with Aaron Smith-Levin: Grant Cardone Lawsuit Update & David Gentile Criminal Case. A deserted coin laundry. Paid in cash. By then, he had found an auto garage he could buy in Dunedin. A broker is trying to buy the building Peter and Emily Lares have owned for decades. Copyright 2019 NPR. The church also targeted the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Justice and scores of foreign governments. These workers sign billion year contracts, are paid very little, work around the clock. The inn had stood empty since being damaged in a 1989 arson fire and the Church of Scientology acquired the land in 1991 after it had been purchased by local property developer Terence J. McCarthy, the owner of T.J.M. NIO's stock slumped toward a 2 1/2-year low, after the China-based EV maker reported a much wider-than-expected loss and revenue that fell short of forecasts. Flag is supposed to be an insulated oasis. Now, 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. Almost immediately, a decades-long trickle of purchases by church members turned into a flood. We believe it's important to shed light on a powerful institution that's very controversial and plays a big role in our community. In San Diego, Taylor Guitars and Deering Banjo Company. The Church of Scientology and its members are rapidly buying up a vast downtown neighborhood in a Florida city, according to a major investigation by the Tampa Bay Times. Candidates and Scientologists Emrani, Kintzel and . Whats more, the Times found a Scientology magazine from the 1990s that listed goals for the new millennium. 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. An empty Walgreens. Florida executes Donald Dillbeck for 1990 Tallahassee murder, Held without charge, a Miami inmates unborn child asks court for release in odd case, One step led Tampa runner, Gasparilla entrant to big weight loss, huge life gains, Hillsborough must right-size its school system | Editorial, companies tied to Scientology bought 100 properties, Winter the dolphin died of twisted intestines, necropsy report confirms. Investigative journalism like this is the most expensive work that we do. There is no discrimination for or against *any* religion. In addition to a park and amphitheater, Imagine Clearwater also calls for several new projects on the waterfront with residences and retail. Weve spent a lot of happy years here, Lares said. 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 to the Tampa Bay Times. Times reporters built a database of hundreds of properties in the center of Clearwaters downtown. (Guess he hasnt seen the game tapes), US Supreme Court refuses to block Florida execution of Donald Dillbeck, Red-hot USF women close out home schedule with explosive offensive showing, Editorial Cartoons for Thursday from Times Wire Services, Church of Scientologys presence in Pinellas County, 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, Typhoon cancels Clearwaters sister city visit to Nagano. After his stint at CBRE, Riley worked for Caliber Wells in Scottsdale, Arizona and then left the firm. Many of the properties werent on the market. A uniformed member of Scientologys full-time work force, the Sea Org, walks along N Fort Harrison Avenue, passing a vacant restaurant. Story by TRACEY McMANUS But companies controlled by different parishioners bought neighboring properties that create clear assemblages of land. For the first time, a majority of the boards members will be Scientologists. They started hosting concerts on the waterfront that now draw thousands. 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? Scientology leader David Miscavige had his own redevelopment plan. They have completed courses and spiritual counseling that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Although Zano is not well known in Clearwater, the companies spent $16.7 million acquiring 26 commercial properties downtown. What's more, the Times found a Scientology magazine from the 1990s that listed goals for the new millennium. This is a big giveaway in our view. MCMANUS: Yeah, that's a good question. After the Times reported the purchases, Miscavige acknowledged the properties were bought for a second revitalization strategy one devised by the church. Of the $103 million spent, $99 million was paid in cash. ), 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. Suspicion swirled. MCMANUS: Right - because the city officials have said that there's only so many factors they control. We reported at that time that a handful of limited liability companies bought about six downtown properties, and Scientology leader David Miscavige had presented a retail plan to two city staff officials. 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. She said, Well, well have to invite you down for dinner, he recalled. $99 million of the purchases were paid for in cash.. We have previously presented a case that the $103 million was provided by Scientologist David Gentile's GPB Capital Holdings. Do I spend another 10 years and see what happens in downtown Clearwater?, Scientology, Pinellas County and Clearwater Reporter. The logical conclusion is Scientology must have some sort of a game plan in mind, but theyre not public with what it is, City Council member Hoyt Hamilton told the paper. He shows up in Clearwater from Arizona a few months ago. However, we reserve our prior opinion and modify it by stating that some GPB Capital money may be in the Clearwater real estate purchases mix. But the promised downtown revival never came. Andrus did not respond to an email, phone message, a note left at his office or a certified letter. ARKWRIGHT ROAD LIMITED Because the city rebuffed Miscaviges offer, Bunker, who has advocated against alleged abuses in Scientology for 20 years, said he sees the parishioner-involved real estate purchases that followed as a vindictive and desperate play to interfere with Clearwaters revitalization efforts. A few months later, the newcomers admitted they were actually Scientology. The church, its members and companies they control now own 185 properties that cover 101 acres in the center of downtown. That's the findings of a story in the Tampa Bay Times that's headlined clear takeover. Based upon on our new hypothesis that Trish Duggan may be the financier of the land purchases, the logic of bringing in non-Scientologist Rod Riley to act as the frontman makes sense as it can serve to counter any accusation that Scientology is taking over Clearwater. We will continue research on our new Trish Duggan theory. 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. Leading up to the waterfront, 22 of the first 33 buildings now have ties to Scientology. Epstein declined to name his client but responded to questions from the Timeswith an affidavit declaring it was not the Church of Scientology. Please consider supporting us with a tax-deductible donation to the Tampa Bay Times Investigative Fund. The new owners also are sitting on about 30 undeveloped lots. Operatives framed the mayor in a staged hit-and-run and spread false rumors he was having an extramarital affair. NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks with reporter Tracey McManus. Epstein could have simply told the reporter his client was not the Church of Scientology and left it at that. Even city leaders said they didnt know the full extent of the purchases until they were shown maps created by the Times. When asked by the Tampa Bay Times about the 2017-2018 land purchases totaling $103 million made by Scientologists, Church attorney Gary Soter wrote a letter in which he stated: The Church was unaware of the significant number of properties owned by Scientologists in the Clearwater area and are delighted you provided the information, the letter continued. Thirteen were existing tenants when he bought the properties. The land grab started as tensions grew between the church and the Clearwater City Council. Then in 2017, companies controlled by parishioners began buying retail property at an unprecedented rate. Andrus involvement in Scientology goes back decades and includes his participation in a plan during the 1970s to stop a church member who had spied on the federal government from turning himself in to the FBI. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Hayes, the attorney and parishioner involved in the rest of the North Marina purchases, was added as manager on the companies filings. 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. Gulf Coast Marine and ClearwaterPlumbing. The city received an informal inquiry last year related to vacant land at the southeast corner of Seminole Street and North Fort Harrison Avenue. 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. And $99 million of the $103 million in real-estate deals over the past three years were in cash. Companies tied to the Church of Scientology paid millions in cash for 45 properties near downtown with no major plans in sight. His wife, parishioner and real estate agent, Terri Novitsky, represented the buyer in many of the deals, according to interviews with sellers. As a general rule, when someone makes an unsolicited statement, as Riley did by mentioning Mormons and Scientologists, it suggests to us hidden connections. He is not listed on the corporate filings for any of the eight limited liability companies that recently bought the North Marina properties. No one from the church dictates to me what to buy, what to sell, what to do.. You are a fundamentalist Scientologist, or youre not one at all.. In a letter to the Times, the church denied it ever tried to take control of the city. My plan is to keep renting, Huestler said. Melitta coffee filters are manufactured in Clearwater, Florida. Should we cut my sister out of the family inheritance? The city, meanwhile, moved ahead on its now-$84 million Imagine Clearwater project, a plan to transform the city-owned downtown waterfront with an outdoor amphitheater, a garden, bluff walk and plaza. Osman Ozsan is, in our opinion, one of the more notable Scientologists youve never heard of. businesses owned by scientologistsdoes keegan allen have a child 26th February 2023 / in west warwick viewpoint / by / in west warwick viewpoint / by GARCIA-NAVARRO: Who are they buying from, and how much were they offering? Concerned he wouldnt be able to pay his mortgage, Argall said he deeded the building, appraised at $780,000, back to the previous owner. Then he would try again, with new council members. The main reason why developers didnt want it was they didnt want to be near the Church of Scientology, Searcy said. At first, I just wanted to make a short video about the buildings and programs they are doing in clearwater. can t use carpenter's workbench skyrim; how long does it take a rat to starve to death; cowboy hat making supplies; why would i get a letter from circuit clerk Welcome. Fuster and Ozsan go back a long way to Altea Real Property Ltd. in London. Business Outlook. And it's all surrounding the city's downtown waterfront. CLEARWATER Ed Chesney had two rental homes and two vacant lots in the North Marina Area on the market for a year before his real estate agent called in late 2019 with good news. The Church of Scientology and companies run by its members have spent $103 million since 2017 buying about 100 properties. It does not include properties recently bought by companies run by church members. So we kept our eye on the downtown purchases. Xenu Who? They doubled the churchs footprint in less than three years. The owner of a nationwide company that makes and markets aloe vera skin cream. He promoted the site to about 75 hoteliers and developers across the country. (Guess he hasnt seen the game tapes), US Supreme Court refuses to block Florida execution of Donald Dillbeck, Red-hot USF women close out home schedule with explosive offensive showing. 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. Cons. February 27, 2023 endeavor air pilot contract No Comments . And half the sales were for more than double what the properties were valued by the county property appraiser, the Times found. Accuracy and availability may vary. I would assume hes a Scientologist or involved with them in some fashion. If Epsteins client was not the Church of Scientology then who is his client? 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. businesses owned by scientologists. In Florida, limited liability companies that buy property are required to disclose administrative operators but not their owners. One of the factors they do control is the waterfront land that's protected by city charter, that they are in the middle of a $64 million plan right now to redesign and develop into a park with gardens and a concert venue. The logical conclusion is Scientology must have some sort of a game plan in mind, but theyre not public with what it is, City Council member Hoyt Hamilton said as he looked at a map of downtowns new ownership. Advance! A few months after Yarbrough relocated, a new electrical company moved into his old building. It is headed by David Miscavige [1] . His job appears to be one of a PR guy who can appeal to Clearwater City Government. Seven businesses have left following recent purchases, and at least three more are leaving this year, including Clearwater Plumbing and Gulf Coast Marine. Originally founded in 1955, we are the oldest Scientology Church in Australia. LULU GARCIA-NAVARRO, HOST: In Clearwater, Fla., there's been a quiet series of land purchases over the last three years, $103 million worth made by the Church of Scientology and its. The Tampa Bay Times discovered them by reviewing more than 1,000 deeds and business records, then interviewed more than 90 people to reconstruct the circumstances surrounding the transactions. Brian Andrus controls companies that last year bought a marina on N Osceola Avenue and six nearby properties, all bordering a redevelopment project at the citys public boat ramp. Some landlords tied to Scientology have helped bring life to portions of downtown. GARCIA-NAVARRO: So clearly they wanted these properties a great deal. Tyler Rice has run Carillon Flooring Center on North Fort Harrison for 30 years, the business his father started there in 1964. In Clearwater, Fla., there's been a quiet series of land purchases over the last three years, $103 million worth made by the Church of Scientology and its parishioners - a doubling of the church's footprint near its international headquarters. A broker who was a Scientologist approached a downtown property owner. Osman Ozsan runs two funds in Clearwater: According to online records, Ozsan, Gregori And Company LLC has only two client accounts: Osman Ozsan is on the Advisory Board of CA South Development, a firm founded by Scientologists Megan and Stephen Epstein. Most religions have a fundamentalist wing, Rinder said. Longtime City Manager Bill Horne said he cant tell whether the church wants the same thing. Although that arrangement is standard in real estate, it makes it impossible to know whether the properties are owned by the Scientologists who manage the companies, the wealthy church or another hidden party. Much of downtown Clearwater is now owned by people or companies tied to Scientology, a report finds. Dozens of residents showed up to speak. The city wants to turn downtown into a regional destination for food, drink and entertainment. It met his criteria: It was located in a warm climate near an international airport and had a hotel the Sea Org could turn into a base. The Times report describes spaces such as a former jewelry store, an empty Walgreens and a deserted laundromat sitting empty and unused. Thank you for having us. At least eight businesses that got new landlords tied to Scientology moved out and have not been replaced. "You have some buyers here that their motivations are not really clear," he said, "so it's tough to make economic sense out . 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