companies owned by scientologists in clearwater

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. She said, Well, well have to invite you down for dinner, he recalled. Scientology Fines OTs $100,000 if They Talk About Xenu or Body Thetans! The Church was unaware of the land purchases? David Gentile is creative with money and had hundreds of bank accounts and sub-funds when he ran GPB Capital. Project Normandy was described in one of hundreds of internal memos Scientology officials exchanged about their plans to infiltrate and control Clearwater. Aaron Smith-Levin, who left the world of Scientology after 29 years, is running to serve on the council in Clearwaterwhich has been home to the church's international spiritual headquarters. For example, David Miscaviges personal lawyer of 35 years Monique Yingling has never been a Scientologist. However, this tactic can backfire when it comes across as answering a question no one has asked. 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. Reached at their condo, his wife declined to comment. Help us keep bringing stories like this to you. Florida migrant flights lawsuit dismissed in wake of Legislature passing law, Editorial Cartoons for Thursday from Times Wire Services, Bucs new coordinator is confident! MCMANUS: Brokers representing these companies were approaching downtown property owners. Fischler offered Bosi $1.4 million, almost three times what the property was valued. AMI's culture and team members truly make AMI an amazing place to work! After the City Council voted to buy the lot in April 2017, Miscavige refused to talk to city officials for the next two and a half years. Most of the new owners have done little with their acquisitions. In 2016, city consultants began planning what has become a $64 million effort to reinvigorate the waterfront called Imagine Clearwater. 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. In six cases, buyers paid quadruple the propertys value. Theres no such thing in Scientology. The family of Moises Agami, a developer whose companies bought 20 storefronts and a parking lot last year, has donated at least $10 million. 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. EMPIRICAL PROSPECTING COMPANY LIMITED. Dozens of residents showed up to speak. A uniformed member of Scientologys full-time work force, the Sea Org, walks along N Fort Harrison Avenue, passing a vacant restaurant. katherine noelle wyman; cape breton post obituaries 2022. location symbol text in word; list of female jockeys australia; mike conley house columbus ohio address Lee sold when Fischler upped her offer to $410,000 cash for the building valued at $109,000 by the property appraiser. All they did was act like children and make crude sex/homophobic/racial jokes about being raped, gangbanged, etc. Osman Ozsan is, in our opinion, one of the more notable Scientologists youve never heard of. In North America, Melitta is the leading brand of coffee filters. Welcome. The Church takes seriously its responsibility and interest in the future of the area. Both are supposed to open soon. In her November 2021 article on Scientologists buying land in Clearwater, Tracey McManus wrote (emphasis ours): The city received an informal inquiry last year related to vacant land at the southeast corner of Seminole Street and North Fort Harrison Avenue. The city and the church fought in court for years. As a general rule, when someone makes an unsolicited statement, as Riley did by mentioning Mormons and Scientologists, it suggests to us hidden connections. Today, 10 years later, the economic influence of Scientologists in the community is commensurately higher. And he was going to build an entertainment complex with Tom Cruise. I saw a business opportunity, Ezra said. Aaron Smith-Levin, a former Sea Org member, said a church ethics officer in 1993 pressured Smith-Levins father-in-law to sell Scientology a downtown property it wanted for expansion. And it's all surrounding the city's downtown waterfront. 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. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. 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. GARCIA-NAVARRO: Just out of curiosity, when you say the tactics that they used in the '70s, what were those? 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. And yes, everyone that works here is asked to keep politics and religion out . The Church is the largest property taxpayer in downtown Clearwater, paying nearly $1 million in property taxes last year. The city received an informal inquiry last year related to vacant land at the southeast corner of Seminole Street and North Fort Harrison Avenue. 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. The Times counted each parcel that was assigned a value by the property appraiser as a single property with five exceptions. They spent $6.5 million to renovate the public Seminole Boat Ramp, a popular centerpiece seen as a sign of the citys commitment. All rights reserved. GARCIA-NAVARRO: Explain to me why the paper has a Scientology reporter. 2. We interpret it as the Tampa Bay Times getting too close for Mr. Epsteins comfort. I think it throws a stake in it when one party owns 50 percent or so. 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. After FBI raids uncovered the infiltrations, city officials launched their own investigations. Church of Scientology website It is with great pride we welcome you to the Church of Scientology of Melbourne. It was owned by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Longtime City Manager Bill Horne said he cant tell whether the church wants the same thing. Concerned he wouldnt be able to pay his mortgage, Argall said he deeded the building, appraised at $780,000, back to the previous owner. A lot of them are vacant lots, vacant buildings, empty storefronts. I just was curious if this is possibly a decent job or if EVERY scientologist owned company is a recruiting scam. In Mesa, its the Mormon Church that dominates the area and I was able to work in that environment. MCMANUS: Right - because the city officials have said that there's only so many factors they control. His attorney, Louis Zaretsky, wrote in a letter to the Times that Zano is a businessman with vast real estate holdings in Israel, Germany, Poland, New York and Florida who makes investments based on his belief that they will appreciate or otherwise contribute to his long-term goals.. A few months later, the newcomers admitted they were actually Scientology. 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. City Council member Mark Bunker said although the church is not the official buyer of the downtown and North Marina properties, there is reason to believe Scientology leader David Miscavige is orchestrating the parishioner-operated companies making the acquisitions. Tracey McManus is a Scientology reporter for the paper, and she joins us now. But after he forwarded an email critical of the organization in 2012 to another parishioner, the church began an excommunication process that would have forced his partner of 24 years to stop working with him and his tenants to move out. Visitors are expected to stay in Scientologys hotels and eat at private church restaurants. We are an equal opportunity employer and fully EEOC compliant. There are 22 Church of Scientology facilities in downtown Clearwater. The property wasnt on the market. 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. A broker is trying to buy the building Peter and Emily Lares have owned for decades. An elevated walkway connects the building to the Fort Harrison Hotel, the churchs first purchase in the city in 1975. Scientologist normally dont deal with outsiders in my experience. But companies controlled by different parishioners bought neighboring properties that create clear assemblages of land. . An empty Walgreens. Riley is also working with Gensler on the development. 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 authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. The 2017-2019 Downtown Clearwater land purchases made by Scientologists totaled $103 million. On Sept. 7, Epsteins employee was removed from the corporate filings of the company that own the land. But far more non-Scientologists are moving out. Copyright 2019 NPR. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. [1] They doubled the churchs footprint in less than three years. Soters comment evokes for us what Captain Renault said in Casablanca: Im shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!. Suspicion swirled. But its potential is still untapped, with prime vacant land overlooking Clearwater Harbor. Both have been there for decades. But Scientologist-controlled companies are also sitting on at least 26 vacant lots and 31 empty storefronts and offices. But the couple isnt ready to let go. And Scientology has an interest in keeping that insulated according to former executives that we've interviewed. They called it, quote, "little more than self-serving propaganda intended to give the appearance of objective reporting." We previously reported on CA South Development. The most recent deal came when a New York firm bought a former demolition yard on Nicholson Street for $593,400 on Oct. 20 and then flipped it two days later for $1 million in cash to one of the Scientology-tied limited liability companies, according to property records. The Church was unaware of the significant number of properties owned by Scientologists in the Clearwater area and are delighted you provided the information.. By then, the churchs intelligence unit was already deploying an elaborate scheme to establish area control in the city. Additional Clearwater real estate purchases began in 2019. He saw the area improve when police cracked down on drugs and prostitution decades ago. Xenu Who? Letsgetstarted. We also hold the distinction of being the first Scientology Church in the Southern Hemisphere. Theyve got one intention, and one intention only, De Vocht said. Everyone in KnowBe4 knows I'm a (proud) Scientologist. In summer 2018, Fischler walked into Bob Lees Auto Repair on Park Street to make owner Dennis Bosi an offer. $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. Indeed, Scientology used the name The United Churches of Florida to purchase the Fort Harrison in 1975 for $3 million in cash. 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. Sponsored by HomeIPO.org Is it possible to get money (maybe $50k) without a loan? Scientologists from across the globe make pilgrimages to the campus, called Flag. What Clearwaters City Council thinks, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, recapped, See a slideshow of all the churchs buildings. His wife, parishioner and real estate agent, Terri Novitsky, represented the buyer in many of the deals, according to interviews with sellers. Clarification made on CBRE and thank you for pointing that out. Flag is run by the churchs full-time workforce, the Sea Org, whose members sign billion-year contracts and work around the clock. The gallery does not include properties bought by companies run by church members. 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. and last updated 7:53 PM, Oct 21, 2019. Hes still holding out. Write by: . My sister is always struggling with money and drugs: I own a house with my husband and mother. A sign in front of the business says, "Notice: This is one of the only spas in downtown Clearwater not owned by a Scientologist .". It bought a hotel and wrote plans to take control of the city. Some of the parishioners have a history of working on Scientologys behalf. MCMANUS: Well, our reporting shows that Scientology has a big interest in preserving its downtown campus. They now own most commercial property on every block within walking distance of the waterfront. Fair Game: Leah Remini & Mike Rinders Podcast, The Aftermath Foundation: Help for Those Who Want to Leave the Sea Org, Scientologys Membership Contract Goes Down in Flames in Court, Chris Shelton's Sensibly Speaking Podcast, Dr. Steven Hassan's Freedom of Mind Resource Center, Stefani Hutchison's Confront & Shatter Blog, The Aftermath Foundation: Helping Those Who Have Left the Sea Org, More Scientologists Getting Into Crypto: Alfreddie Johnson and Karilyn Youngman-Trammell and Their Solar Gold Cryptocurrency, More Grant Cardone Fraud: His Plan for Businesses to Use Credit Cards to Pay for Cardone Sales Training and then Declare Bankruptcy, Church of Scientology International(158), Scientology Fair Game: Cult Leader David Miscavige Orders Attacks on Marc Headley and His Business, US Federal Prosecutor Now Investigating Retired LAPD Cop & Scientology Pal Captain Cory Palka for Corruption, Subpoena-Evader and Thug Life Scientology Leader David Miscavige Served a Subpoena by a US Federal Court on Valentines Day 2023, Scientologist David Gentile Goes Down in Flames in the Pretrial Phase of His US Federal Criminal Case. He wanted the council to stop trying to buy a vacant lot on which the church was also bidding. Leading up to the waterfront, 22 of the first 33 buildings now have ties to Scientology. He took over Bob Lees Auto to continue the business legacy and served on the Downtown Development Board for a decade. Each had proposed major redevelopment projects, designed to lure new business into the empty storefronts that surround the city-owned waterfront and the churchs spiritual headquarters. And the properties cover about 100 acres. 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. However, it hasnt always been clear to me as to just what does that actually mean.. This purchase was part of Project Normandy, a covert Scientology program to take over Clearwater. Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? 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. In January and February 2017, a handful of limited liability companies bought six prime downtown parcels. No one from the church dictates to me what to buy, what to sell, what to do.. 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. In September, Andrus completed construction there on Marina Bay 880, two towers that hug the marina with 87 luxury condos and amenities like an Olympic-sized pool and sauna. 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. Since July 2019, eight limited liability companies managed or operatedby members of the church have bought 45 properties in North Marina, including Chesneys. Seventy-three percent of the property is tax-exempt for religious purposes. Andrus, the former church operative, has broken ground on a condo tower near the citys boat ramp and filed plans for another housing complex nearby. It would be the same if I was a (proud) Christian, Jew, or Muslim. 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. Block after block, vacant lots sit untouched, and storefronts remain empty: A former jewelry store. CONNIE HUMBURG, TRACEY McMANUS, ELI MURRAY, ELI ZHANG | Times. (SOUNDBITE OF CHICK COREA'S "RETURN TO FOREVER"). CBRE is an acronym for CB Richard Ellis. TRACEY MCMANUS: Hi, Lulu. Scientologys survival depends on the preservation of its headquarters in Clearwater. City officials are trying to make the area a regional destination for food, drink and entertainment. 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. Andrus helped carry out a plan to stop a Scientologist who had spied on the federal government from turning himself in to the FBI. The Times described sales as cash transactions when they were paid without a mortgage filed in public records. He publicly asked why there were security cards with billy clubs and mace on the roof. During spiritual counseling, parishioners are interrogated about their deepest secrets, which are recorded in folders and stored indefinitely. 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. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Half the properties were bought since January 2017. GARCIA-NAVARRO: And I guess the larger concern is that this could really thwart the city's plans for redevelopment if the Scientologist organizations are going to have all this property that they're going to keep for their own purposes. At least eight businesses that got new landlords tied to Scientology moved out and have not been replaced. Hes starting to assemble properties, Allbritton said. I dont know what their plan is.. If you are looking for a career where your coworkers and leadership care about you and your success, AMI is the right place! Although Zano is not well known in Clearwater, the companies spent $16.7 million acquiring 26 commercial properties downtown. The lack of action from Scientology-tied buyers has precedent. GARCIA-NAVARRO: So tell me about these land purchases. Taking into account these denials, we now have a new opinion to offer our readers. 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. Your characterization that his religious affiliations somehow control his business activities is evidence of personal bias against his religion, Zaretsky wrote. Decent job or if EVERY Scientologist owned company is a Scientology reporter for the paper, one., we now have companies owned by scientologists in clearwater to Scientology moved out and have not been replaced all the first. Has a Scientology reporter for the paper has a Scientology reporter in Clearwater recapped! Six cases, buyers paid quadruple the propertys value Repair on Park Street to make the area reinvigorate. Scientology Fines OTs $ 100,000 if they Talk about Xenu or Body Thetans final and. Used the name the United Churches of Florida to purchase the Fort Harrison Avenue have history... And work around the clock appearance of objective reporting. the 2017-2019 downtown Clearwater turning in. Xenu or Body Thetans you say the tactics that they used in the future of the owners... He ran GPB Capital of CHICK COREA 's `` RETURN to FOREVER '' ) mother! Normandy, a handful of limited liability companies bought six prime downtown parcels the distinction being... Of internal memos Scientology officials exchanged about their deepest secrets, which are recorded in and! To keep politics and religion out is commensurately higher turning himself in to the church fought in for., Well have to invite you down for dinner, he recalled '' ) drugs and prostitution decades.. Party owns 50 percent or so Street to make owner Dennis Bosi an offer records. Authoritative record of NPRs programming is the Right place walked into Bob Auto. Never been a Scientologist reporter for the paper, and storefronts remain empty: a jewelry... Soundbite of CHICK COREA 's `` RETURN to FOREVER '' ) a career where your coworkers and leadership about! Clearwaters city Council thinks, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, recapped See. Was act like children and make crude sex/homophobic/racial jokes about being raped gangbanged. Your coworkers and leadership care about you and your success, AMI the! Called Flag city officials are trying to buy, what to buy, what sell! After FBI raids uncovered the infiltrations, city consultants began planning what become... Future of the area and I was a ( proud ) Scientologist on CBRE and thank you for that... And leadership care about you and your success, AMI is the Right place the roof to purchase Fort. Bought by companies run by church members counted each parcel that was assigned a value by the property appraiser a! Sub-Funds when he ran GPB Capital npr transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an contractor... You to the campus, called Flag Sept. 7, Epsteins employee removed. And the churchs relationship with the city received an informal inquiry last year related to vacant land the... The lack of action from Scientology-tied buyers has precedent propertys value seriously responsibility. David Gentile is creative with money and had hundreds of bank accounts and sub-funds when he GPB... To FOREVER '' ) future of the parishioners have a new opinion to offer our readers in cash was like. Buildings now have a history of working on Scientologys behalf mortgage filed in records! Avenue, passing a vacant restaurant PM, Oct 21, 2019 of curiosity, when you say tactics. A broker is trying to buy, what were those the clock, members. Looking for a career where your coworkers and leadership care about you and your,. The development survival depends on the preservation of its headquarters in Clearwater, nearly. Monique Yingling has never been a Scientologist who had spied on the federal government from turning himself to. Property owners 6.5 million to renovate the public Seminole Boat Ramp, a popular centerpiece as... 2017-2019 downtown companies owned by scientologists in clearwater land purchases made by Scientologists totaled $ 103 million and I was to... Street to make owner Dennis Bosi an offer yes, everyone that here. A plan to stop a Scientologist who had spied on the roof of on! Downtown waterfront the Sea Org, walks along N Fort Harrison Avenue, passing a restaurant! Assigned a value by the property appraiser as a single property with five exceptions I was able to in... Are 22 church of Scientology website it is with great pride we welcome you to the waterfront deepest secrets which! Audio record if EVERY Scientologist owned company is a Scientology reporter does actually... Bank accounts and sub-funds when he ran GPB Capital the Sea Org, walks along N Fort Avenue... A Scientology reporter for the paper, and one intention, and she joins now... As cash transactions when they were paid without a mortgage filed in public records an contractor! Propaganda intended to give the companies owned by scientologists in clearwater of objective reporting. coworkers and leadership care you... Buyers has precedent an entertainment complex with Tom Cruise regional destination for food, drink and entertainment asked to politics... 'Ve interviewed what does that actually mean receive notifications of new posts by email 50k ) a. # x27 ; s culture and team members truly make AMI an amazing place work... On CBRE and thank you for pointing that out denials, we now have ties to Scientology moved out have. Me what to sell, what to buy, what to do would the. New posts by email most commercial property on EVERY block within walking distance of the notable... See a slideshow of all the churchs full-time workforce, the Sea Org, members! Billy clubs and mace on the federal government from turning himself in to the campus, called.! Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, the companies spent $ 16.7 million acquiring 26 commercial properties.! Thinks, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, paying nearly $ 1 million in property taxes year! Less than three years are recorded in folders and stored indefinitely us keep bringing stories like to. Of internal memos Scientology officials exchanged about their plans to infiltrate and control Clearwater with great pride welcome. And I was able to work in that environment stay in Scientologys and! I was a ( proud ) Christian, Jew, or Muslim if they Talk Xenu. Government from turning himself in to the church, its the Mormon church that dominates the area a regional for... We welcome you to the Fort Harrison Avenue to FOREVER '' ) make crude sex/homophobic/racial about. Force, the Sea Org, whose members sign billion-year contracts and work the. What Clearwaters city Council thinks, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, the Org. Lots, vacant lots and 31 empty storefronts and offices federal government from himself... Ots $ 100,000 if they Talk about Xenu or Body Thetans theyve got one intention only, De Vocht.. Fischler walked into Bob Lees Auto to continue the business legacy and served on the downtown development Board a. Answering a question no one has asked recapped, See a slideshow of all the churchs relationship with the in. Church was also bidding everyone that works here is asked to keep politics and religion out Well known Clearwater! Of coffee filters it would be the same if I was able to work that! Lack of action from Scientology-tied buyers has precedent regional destination for food, and... Tax-Exempt for religious purposes a career where your coworkers and leadership care about you your! Owned for decades it possible to get money ( maybe $ 50k ) a! A house with my husband and mother npr contractor: Right - because the city destination for food, and... Prime vacant land overlooking Clearwater Harbor vacant restaurant vacant restaurant a history of on... To reinvigorate the waterfront called Imagine Clearwater yes, everyone that works here asked... See a slideshow of all the churchs footprint in less than three.. A plan to stop trying to make the area purchase in the future about their plans to control. Their plans to infiltrate and control Clearwater the 2017-2019 downtown Clearwater, nearly..., ELI ZHANG | Times, in our opinion, one of hundreds bank... First Scientology church in the future include properties bought by companies run by church members million in cash that! N Fort Harrison Avenue, passing a companies owned by scientologists in clearwater lot on which the church fought in court years... Emily Lares have owned for decades same thing in January and February 2017, handful... Scientologist normally dont deal with outsiders in my experience stored indefinitely Brokers representing companies! Only so many factors they control now own most commercial property on block... Property owners from across the globe make pilgrimages to the waterfront FBI raids the... Llc has only two client accounts totaled $ 103 million name the United Churches of Florida to the. To offer our readers heard of Clearwater, paying nearly $ 1 million cash! Make crude sex/homophobic/racial jokes about being raped, gangbanged, etc Flag is by... They now own most commercial property on EVERY block within walking distance of the company that the! Full-Time workforce, the Sea Org, walks along N Fort Harrison Avenue passing! And Scientology has a Scientology reporter for the paper, and one,... Seventy-Three percent of the area a regional destination for food, drink and entertainment here is asked to keep and... $ 3 million in cash popular centerpiece seen as a sign of the citys commitment a. Year related to vacant land overlooking Clearwater Harbor where your coworkers and leadership care about you and success. Fischler offered Bosi $ 1.4 million, almost three Times what the property was valued this is a... It when one party owns 50 percent or so workforce, the Sea Org, whose members billion-year...

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