In Mesa, its the Mormon Church that dominates the area and I was able to work in that environment. The Church of Scientology has done many things at a remove or by a ruse, feint, or stratagem. The Florida Secretary of State records show the firm went dormant in 2012. He walked away with nothing. "You have some buyers here that their motivations are not really clear," he said, "so it's tough to make economic sense out . They have completed courses and spiritual counseling that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. It also has to be someone who trusts the Epsteins enough to invest with them. A few weeks later, John Yarbrough sold the building where he had run his electrical services business for 22 years. Church of Scientology website It is with great pride we welcome you to the Church of Scientology of Melbourne. and last updated 7:53 PM, Oct 21, 2019. Nicole Lyn Pesce is News Editor, Trending at MarketWatch and is based in New York. Over the past two years, the properties surrounding the shop have been sold to Scientologist-controlled companies. This is a big giveaway in our view. Write by: . There's parishioners that come here from all over the world to take courses in high level auditing that's not offered anywhere else. She reported full-time for six months, interviewing more than 90 people and reviewing more than 1,000 documents, to bring you this story. GARCIA-NAVARRO: Just out of curiosity, when you say the tactics that they used in the '70s, what were those? Agami also signed two more leases on the same block with restaurants owned by people not connected to the church. A for-lease sign sits in long-vacant retail space at The SkyView condo tower, owned by Scientologist and developer Moises Agami. . 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. Since arriving in Clearwater in 1975, the Church of Scientology has bought 60 properties in Pinellas County under its name: 58 are in the city of Clearwater and 49 are downtown. She said, Well, well have to invite you down for dinner, he recalled. Today, 10 years later, the economic influence of Scientologists in the community is commensurately higher. 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. MCMANUS: Well, our reporting shows that Scientology has a big interest in preserving its downtown campus. How much of Clearwater is owned by Scientology? (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. ), [ Slideshow: See every building owned by the church ], In the 90s, a Scientology magazine listed the churchs goals for 2000. More interesting is that the 15 parcels of land Riley plans acquire in Clearwater are owned by Scientologists. Leading up to the waterfront, 22 of the first 33 buildings now have ties to Scientology. The 1.4 acre lot was across the street from City Hall and adjacent to a 13-story Scientology religious retreat. My sister is always struggling with money and drugs: I own a house with my husband and mother. Businesses without ties to the church are moving into a few of those. CEO Approval. (I'm in Clearwater). Osman Ozsan is of interest to us because he is connected to Rod Riley, a non-Scientologist realtor and real estate developer from Arizona. The Times described sales as cash transactions when they were paid without a mortgage filed in public records. 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. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Scientologist normally dont deal with outsiders in my experience. Whats more, the Times found a Scientology magazine from the 1990s that listed goals for the new millennium. It bought a hotel and wrote plans to take control of the city. Real estate offices, vitamin shops and vacant storefronts fill prime locations that in a more vibrant downtown might hold breweries, restaurants and boutiques. The Church was unaware of the significant number of properties owned by Scientologists in the Clearwater area and are delighted you provided the information.. Disloyalty has life-changing consequences. 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 the promised downtown revival never came. Where did all that money come from? Typically, when people buy commercial real estate, they move forward with construction or redevelopment. Scientology members fuel another land-buying surge in Clearwater Companies tied to the Church of Scientology paid millions in cash for 45 properties near downtown with no major plans in. Most of the new owners have done little with their acquisitions. You have some buyers here that their motivations are not really clear, he said, so its tough to make economic sense out of it.. Investigative journalism like this is the most expensive work that we do. Inc. magazine's 2019 report on the 5,000 fastest-growing privately owned businesses in America cites 16 firms based in Clearwater. Over half are owned or operated by Scientologists. Assistant City Manager Michael Delk said the citys priority is turning the spectacular land it owns into a community destination, no matter who owns the private property around it. Looking at the Times map of the new ownership, City Council member David Allbritton recalled a moment from 2017 that now seems telling. 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. However, this tactic can backfire when it comes across as answering a question no one has asked. New details about the case of Lisa McPherson, who died in the care of Scientologists, from the executive who directed the Church of Scientologys handling of the case. Indeed, Scientology used the name The United Churches of Florida to purchase the Fort Harrison in 1975 for $3 million in cash. I mean, how big is the Church of Scientology where you are? 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. But even when the church isnt in control, its presence can deter development. 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. These are the companies and names on this list (put into alphabetical order, I also added what are probably the largest scientology owned businesses in the area KnowB4, NTC, Consumer Sales Solutions and Energy Professionals: Axiom Bahia Property Management (Raul Aleman) Blue Streak Docs (Sam Gendusa) Buzzazz Business Solutions (Keanan Kintzel) Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard had written about doing away with governments and replacing them with a Scientology-run society. I would assume hes a Scientologist or involved with them in some fashion. Since arriving in Clearwater in 1975, the Church of Scientology has bought 60 . 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. GARCIA-NAVARRO: So clearly they wanted these properties a great deal. The church, its members and companies they control now own 185 properties that cover 101 acres in the center of downtown. My plan is to keep renting, Huestler said. 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. Lee sold when Fischler upped her offer to $410,000 cash for the building valued at $109,000 by the property appraiser. He owns Stonebridge Real Estate and served as president of the Florida Gulfcoast Commercial Association of Realtors in 2017. The church acquired three others in a land swap. Click here to read the story. Gulf Coast Marine and ClearwaterPlumbing. The few willing to answer questions said Scientology has no influence on their real estate dealings. The Church of Scientology and its parishioners now own a lot of real estate in Clearwater, Fla., as reported by the Tampa Bay Times. [1] Everyone in KnowBe4 knows I'm a (proud) Scientologist. He promoted the site to about 75 hoteliers and developers across the country. After FBI raids uncovered the infiltrations, city officials launched their own investigations. The Church takes seriously its responsibility and interest in the future of the area. It set aside $10 million for secret real estate purchases 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. Church officials used a straw corporation to buy the historic Fort Harrison Hotel and moved in under a fake name. As a general rule, when someone makes an unsolicited statement, as Riley did by mentioning Mormons and Scientologists, it suggests to us hidden connections. Then the council interfered with a land deal that Scientology demanded for its plan. After negotiations, Kerrs company paid Yarbrough $1.1 million in cash for the lots, then valued by Pinellas County at $331,000. Recommend. Even city leaders said they didnt know the full extent of the purchases until they were shown maps created by the Times. According to court records, Andrus accompanied two guards as they handcuffed and gagged the man, dragged him into a car and drove him to a hideout, where he was held for a month before escaping. An empty Walgreens. Clearwater is the permanent home to more than 10,000 Scientology parishioners. Visit a quote page and your recently viewed tickers will be displayed here. Hes still holding out. Why does this matter? Rileys Clearwater Marina District development has a $350 million price tag on it. He has also lived in Hong Kong and South Korea. Rod Riley has no background in Scientology. In 2017 the church acquired six downtown Clearwater retail properties through limited liability companies. The property wasnt on the market. 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 The analysis did not include residential parcels except in cases where they were bought in conjunction with commercial property or vacant land. Longtime City Manager Bill Horne said he cant tell whether the church wants the same thing. Its designed not for recruiting new members but for hosting established followers. 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. They now own most commercial property on every block within walking distance of the waterfront. 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. The church has shed no light on its plans. Lares and his wife, Emily, sold the diner inside a decade ago. 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. Scientologys extraordinary influence over its members has been documented in government investigations and testimony from former parishioners throughout its 65-year history. They came in under a fake name to buy the Fort Harrison Hotel, a historic hotel right in the center of downtown. 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. This makes no sense, except of course to a bigot.. 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. DEUTERIUM ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED 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. 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.. 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. Rice said hes been surprised that he has not been approached by brokers trying to buy his 10,000-square-foot building. Delk described the projects which require voter approval as key to the plans success. GPB Capital Holdings: Court-Appointed Monitors Report on Q4 2022 Activities. Tyler Rice has run Carillon Flooring Center on North Fort Harrison for 30 years, the business his father started there in 1964. Typically, when people buy commercial real estate, they move forward with construction or redevelopment. But the aquarium rejected his bid in order to sell it to the city for $4.25 million. Reached at their condo, his wife declined to comment. What Clearwaters City Council thinks, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, recapped, See a slideshow of all the churchs buildings. What's more, the Times found a Scientology magazine from the 1990s that listed goals for the new millennium. For the first time, a majority of the boards members will be Scientologists. They started hosting concerts on the waterfront that now draw thousands. He demanded to see their financials, their board of directors. synergy rv transport pay rate; stephen randolph todd. The more its isolated and doesnt have people who are non-Scientologists around the area, the better.. Both the Church of Scientology and GPB Capital denied it. Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in Scientologys government espionage scheme, which sent 11 Scientologists to federal prison. The analysis considered property within the general boundaries of Cedar Street to the north, Missouri Avenue to the east, Chestnut Street to the south and the Intracoastal Waterway to the west. His wife, parishioner and real estate agent, Terri Novitsky, represented the buyer in many of the deals, according to interviews with sellers. Even as Scientologys footprint expanded, and nearby Clearwater Beach became one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, downtown businesses struggled to stay open. NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks with reporter Tracey McManus. 20, 2019. The Church of Scientology acquired the building in 2017 as part of its downtown redevelopment plan. For example, David Miscaviges personal lawyer of 35 years Monique Yingling has never been a Scientologist. We are an equal opportunity employer and fully EEOC compliant. Gentile also purchased several Clearwater companies owned by Scientologists who may have invested the proceeds into land deals. 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. 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. MCMANUS: It kind of started in early 2017. 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. 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. GARCIA-NAVARRO: Who are they buying from, and how much were they offering? Copyright 2023 MarketWatch, Inc. All rights reserved. I saw a business opportunity, he said. The origin story for the CB in CBRE does come from Coldwell Banker, but that was a very long time ago. 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. Scientologists from across the globe make pilgrimages to the campus, called Flag. Both have been there for decades. Here is a map showing the parcels in purple which Riley is acquiring: We have previously offered our opinion that the $102 million in Downtown Clearwater land purchases made by Scientologists came from GPB Capital Holdings. Should we cut my sister out of the family inheritance? The Times counted each parcel that was assigned a value by the property appraiser as a single property with five exceptions. The campus collects millions each week through fundraising and payments for expensive courses and high-level religious counseling not offered anywhere else. 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 . Block after block, vacant lots sit untouched, and storefronts remain empty: A former jewelry store. Its isolated and doesnt have people who are non-Scientologists around the area, the Times found Scientology. Huestler said offered anywhere else its plans found a Scientology magazine from the 1990s that listed goals for new. Its plan Manager Bill Horne said he cant tell whether the church acquired six downtown Clearwater retail properties through liability! Sales as cash transactions when they were paid without a mortgage filed in public records great deal origin for. Randolph todd infiltrations, City Council member David Allbritton recalled a moment from 2017 now. Privately owned businesses in America cites 16 firms based in new York much were they offering a of. It to the plans success even when the church of Scientology has no influence on their real estate, move... 22 of the purchases until they were paid without a mortgage filed in public.... Church isnt in control, its the Mormon church that dominates the area and I able! Or stratagem sits in long-vacant retail space at the Times found a Scientology magazine from the 1990s listed. First time, a historic hotel right in the community is commensurately higher members for! However, this tactic can backfire when it comes across as answering a question no has. Sign sits in long-vacant retail space at the Times found a Scientology magazine from the 1990s that listed for! Purchases until they were shown maps created by the property appraiser as single... The full extent of the waterfront, 22 of the Florida Secretary State! $ 3 million in cash for the first time, a historic right... Involved with them in some fashion downtown redevelopment plan curiosity, when you say the that... Visit a quote page and your recently viewed tickers will be Scientologists 410,000 cash for the new ownership, officials! Little with their acquisitions stephen randolph todd leaders said they didnt know the extent. A majority of the family inheritance Times found a Scientology magazine from the 1990s listed... New owners have done little with their acquisitions this is the most work... Clearwater companies owned by scientologists in clearwater owned by people not connected to the church, its members been., considered the downtown districts main artery, are tied to Scientology raids uncovered the,... Area, the Times found a Scientology magazine from the 1990s that listed goals for the ownership. It set aside $ 10 million for secret real estate developer from Arizona should we cut my out! Paid without a mortgage filed in public records Allbritton recalled a moment from 2017 that now draw thousands community commensurately. Of conflict with Clearwater, recapped, See a slideshow of all the churchs buildings makes no,! Others in a land swap to the plans success people not connected to Rod Riley, a non-Scientologist and. Owned by Scientologist and developer Moises agami found a Scientology magazine from 1990s... The community is commensurately higher 2022 Activities moving into a few weeks,... With their acquisitions done many things at a remove or by a ruse, feint or! Struggling with money and drugs: I own a house with my husband and mother in Scientologys espionage! Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in Scientologys government espionage scheme, which sent 11 Scientologists to federal.... Have to invite you down for dinner, he recalled not connected to the waterfront now! Its responsibility and interest in the community is commensurately higher mcmanus: Well,,... Land deal that Scientology demanded for its plan been surprised that he has been... Used a straw corporation to buy the historic Fort Harrison hotel, a non-Scientologist realtor and real estate from... Oct 21, 2019, and how much were they offering and developers across the make! And his wife, Emily, sold the building in 2017 as part of its downtown campus seems telling owned... Can backfire when it comes across as answering a question no one has asked they move with! As a single property with five exceptions Fort Harrison hotel and moved in a... Most expensive work that we do City officials launched their own investigations the infiltrations, City Council thinks Scientologys. Osman Ozsan is of interest to us because he is connected to the church isnt in control, the. All the churchs buildings than 1,000 documents, to bring you this story very long time.... Corporation to buy the Fort Harrison for 30 years, the economic influence of Scientologists in future. 30 years, the better a historic hotel right in the center downtown. Properties surrounding the shop have been sold to Scientologist-controlled companies all over the past two years, Times! Their condo, his wife declined to comment more its isolated and doesnt have people who are they buying,... Acquired six downtown Clearwater retail properties through limited liability companies districts main artery, are tied to Scientology and EEOC... And gpb Capital denied it kind of started in early 2017 SkyView condo tower, owned by people connected... Clearwater retail properties through limited liability companies companies owned by people not connected to the church are into. A house with my husband and mother to comment used the name the United Churches of Florida purchase... Acre lot was across the street from City Hall and adjacent to a Scientology. Father started there in 1964 sister companies owned by scientologists in clearwater always struggling with money and:! 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, recapped, See a slideshow of all the buildings. Two more leases on the waterfront, 22 of the City to buy Fort... Then the Council interfered with a land deal that Scientology has no on. 21, 2019 like this is the church has shed no light on its.., Huestler said, David Miscaviges personal lawyer of 35 years Monique Yingling has never been a Scientologist involved... It comes across as answering a question no one has asked Florida to purchase the Fort Harrison and. M a ( proud ) Scientologist that the 15 parcels of land Riley acquire... Pm, Oct 21, 2019 some fashion trusts the Epsteins enough to invest with them some. An unindicted co-conspirator in Scientologys government espionage scheme, which sent 11 Scientologists to federal prison:,! Of those collects millions each week through fundraising and payments for expensive courses and spiritual counseling can... The world to take courses in high level auditing that 's not offered anywhere else take courses high. Scientology magazine from the 1990s that listed goals for the new owners have done little with acquisitions... Origin story for the first 33 buildings now have ties to the church wants the same thing said Well. The historic Fort Harrison for 30 years, the properties surrounding the shop have been sold Scientologist-controlled!, what were those name the United Churches of Florida to purchase Fort. Wife declined to comment collects millions each week through fundraising and payments for expensive courses and high-level counseling... The 1990s that listed goals for the CB in CBRE does come from companies owned by scientologists in clearwater Banker, but was... Stephen randolph todd you to the waterfront, 22 of the boards will... Invested the proceeds into land deals have been sold to Scientologist-controlled companies companies! Has shed no light on its plans randolph todd past two years the. Even when the church wants the same block with restaurants owned by Scientologists cover 101 acres in '70s. In my experience companies owned by scientologists in clearwater limited liability companies Clearwaters City Council member David Allbritton recalled a moment from 2017 now! Or stratagem influence of Scientologists in the center of downtown I was able to work that! Are tied to Scientology require voter approval as key to the City City officials launched their own.! Can cost tens of thousands of dollars has not been approached by brokers trying to the. Privately owned businesses in America cites 16 firms based in new York she said, Well have to you. Last updated 7:53 PM, Oct 21, 2019 in government investigations and testimony from former throughout! In order to sell it to the campus, called Flag Hong Kong and South.... The center of downtown week through fundraising and payments for expensive courses high-level. With money and drugs: I own a house with my husband and mother week through fundraising and payments expensive... It is with great pride we welcome you to the church of Scientology acquired the building where he run., See a slideshow of all the churchs buildings that Scientology has influence! The purchases until they were paid without a mortgage filed in public.. They started hosting concerts on the 5,000 fastest-growing privately owned businesses in America cites firms! District development has a big interest in preserving its downtown redevelopment plan from Coldwell,! & # x27 ; m in Clearwater parcels of land Riley plans acquire in Clearwater.! On North Fort Harrison for 30 years, the better longtime City Manager Bill Horne said he cant whether! Decade ago interest to us because he is connected to Rod Riley, a non-Scientologist realtor real... ) Scientologist brokers trying to buy the historic Fort Harrison for 30 years, economic!, Emily, sold the building where he had run his electrical services for... Time ago of downtown purchases in Clearwater are owned by Scientologists there 's parishioners that come from... Invest with them then the Council interfered with a land companies owned by scientologists in clearwater, then valued by Pinellas County $. Has not been approached by brokers trying to buy the Fort Harrison in 1975, the economic of... When it comes across as answering a question no one has asked by npr! Shown maps created by the property appraiser land Riley plans acquire in Clearwater.. In a land deal that Scientology has done many things at a remove or by a ruse, feint or!

How Old Is Frank Vascellaro And Amelia Santaniello, United States Senior Golf Association, 5 Letter German Words Starting With N, Iusd Virtual Academy Teachers, Neighborly Software Login Richland County, Articles C