MCMANUS: It kind of started in early 2017. Scientology has said it has 10 million followers, but surveys and accounts from former members suggest there are no more than 30,000 worldwide. All rights reserved. Some of the parishioners have a history of working on Scientologys behalf. 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. 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 its potential is still untapped, with prime vacant land overlooking Clearwater Harbor. 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. Since arriving in Clearwater in 1975, the Church of Scientology has purchased 60 properties in Pinellas County under its name. 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. I would assume hes a Scientologist or involved with them in some fashion. 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. Instead, the aquarium sold it to the city in April 2017 for a lot less $4.25 million. Cazares responds with an $8 million libel suit. Half the sales were for more than double what the properties were valued at by the county property appraiser. 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. Of the $103 million spent, $99 million was paid in cash. ( magazine) Applied Philosophy ARC Straightwire (ARC stands for affinity-reality-communication) ARC Fil Direct Audited NOTs (NOT stands for NED [New Era Dianetics] Operating Thetan) The Auditor We are an equal opportunity employer and fully EEOC compliant. They spent $6.5 million to renovate the public Seminole Boat Ramp, a popular centerpiece seen as a sign of the citys commitment. CONNIE HUMBURG, TRACEY McMANUS, ELI MURRAY, ELI ZHANG | Times. Scientologists living in Clearwater span the gamut of professional life . Once we dug into the data and pulled records, we found that LLCs tied to the Church of Scientology had bought about 100 properties. In addition to a park and amphitheater, Imagine Clearwater also calls for several new projects on the waterfront with residences and retail. Write by: . Defectors have said they were paid less than $50 a week. . In 2016, city consultants began planning what has become a $64 million effort to reinvigorate the waterfront called Imagine Clearwater. Much of downtown Clearwater is now owned by people or companies tied to Scientology, a report finds. Spa not owned by a Scientologist. 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. 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. Unrestrained 5-year-old child falls out of truck, run over in Tampa, troopers say, Hundreds of USF students join statewide walkout to protest DeSantis education policies, Rays Shane McClanahan already hitting upper 90s nice to see, Estimates vary widely on cost to expand school vouchers in Florida, Food company A Good Human is opening a vegan cooking school in St. Petersburg, Bucs new coordinator is confident! Accuracy and availability may vary. And the Times found that in six cases buyers paid quadruple a propertys value. Times Staff WritersOct. My sister is always struggling with money and drugs: I own a house with my husband and mother. Since July 2019, eight limited liability companies managed or operated by members of the church have bought 45 properties in North Marina, including Chesneys. He is linked to the Church of Scientology via the Epsteins and Trish Duggan. Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard had written about doing away with governments and replacing them with a Scientology-run society. VIDEO: Finally, Scientific Proof that Scientologys Body Thetans Cannot Exist! Flag is run by the churchs full-time workforce, the Sea Org, whose members sign billion-year contracts and work around the clock. Disloyalty has life-changing consequences. 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. On Sept. 7, Epsteins employee was removed from the corporate filings of the company that own the land. It has to be somebody with the money to invest in a real estate development deal. Rice said hes been surprised that he has not been approached by brokers trying to buy his 10,000-square-foot building. Part of the reason for that is because they have this Sea Org that works full time and is paid less than $50 a week. The origin story for the CB in CBRE does come from Coldwell Banker, but that was a very long time ago. . And our analysis found that these church officials were offering two, three, four times what the property appraiser said the properties were valued. The gallery does not include properties bought by companies run by church members. So we kept our eye on the downtown purchases. February 27, 2023 endeavor air pilot contract No Comments . Most of the sales have not previously been reported. The church promised to spend $55 million. Take away the church footprint, a few condo towers and all buildings owned by the government. Internal church documents detailed missions that planted spies in the state attorneys office, the Chamber of Commerce and the Clearwater Sun newspaper. Thats a factor we do not control, Delk said. They keep their operations going. GARCIA-NAVARRO: So tell me about these land purchases. The churchs campus grew slowly over decades. After leaving Caliber Wells, Rodney Riley began working with Megan and Stephen Epstein. 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. Epstein declined to name his client but responded to questions from the Times with an affidavit declaring it was not the Church of Scientology. A deserted coin laundry. GARCIA-NAVARRO: What is the view of the local community? 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. Companies controlled by Hayes have bought about half the property on Rices block and nearly the entire block directly south. There's parishioners that come here from all over the world to take courses in high level auditing that's not offered anywhere else. When the council voted to buy the property, the chamber erupted in applause. The project broke ground in August and is aimed at helping bring businesses and foot traffic to the empty storefronts in the surrounding blocks. MCMANUS: Right - because the city officials have said that there's only so many factors they control. After the Times reported the purchases, Miscavige acknowledged the properties were bought for a second revitalization strategy one devised by the church. City leaders spent tens of millions improving streets, subsidizing residential projects and hiring consultants. Then in 2017, companies controlled by parishioners began buying retail property at an unprecedented rate. 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. 20, 2019. Seven businesses have left following recent purchases, and at least three more are leaving this year, including Clearwater Plumbing and Gulf Coast Marine. Instead, Epstein took the formal step of using an affidavit to deny that the Church of Scientology is not the client. Local TV station WTSP reports. Among them was to make Clearwater known as the first Scientology city in the world.. 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. I would ask that you clarify the reference to CBRE. Scientologists deal with useful non-Scientologists quite often. Over the past two years, the properties surrounding the shop have been sold to Scientologist-controlled companies. This is a story for another time. Its designed not for recruiting new members but for hosting established followers. And inside those findings was a plan that Scientology operatives had created and written to establish area control. Im concerned, Mayor Frank Hibbard said. 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. 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. Real estate agent Daphna Fischler, a Scientologist, called and showed up to the shop a handful of times in mid-2018. Both the Church of Scientology and GPB Capital denied it. Rodney Riley is an interesting character in this whole thing. We interpret it as the Tampa Bay Times getting too close for Mr. Epsteins comfort. All five City Council members said they doubted the rash of purchases were unrelated. In both communities [comparing Mesa to Clearwater], there is a major presence of a church. They have completed courses and spiritual counseling that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. EMPIRICAL PROSPECTING COMPANY LIMITED. DEUTERIUM ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED They paid $26 million. Subscribe to our free Stephinitely newsletter. Andrus did not respond to an email, phone message, a note left at his office or a certified letter. Hes starting to assemble properties, Allbritton said. In January and February 2017, as the council was preparing to approve the consultants concept, a handful of companies bought six commercial properties downtown. This one is owned by a parishioner who had been featured on the churchs Meet a Scientologist video series. Asked directly whether Scientology orchestrated or paid for any of the sales, the church did not answer. Miscavige cut off communication with the city. A few months after Yarbrough relocated, a new electrical company moved into his old building. They now own most commercial property on every block within walking distance of the waterfront. Nicole Lyn Pesce is News Editor, Trending at MarketWatch and is based in New York. A for-lease sign sits in long-vacant retail space at The SkyView condo tower, owned by Scientologist and developer Moises Agami. The new owners also are sitting on about 30 undeveloped lots. The Church takes seriously its responsibility and interest in the future of the area. Welcome. Recommend. She said, Well, well have to invite you down for dinner, he recalled. Visit a quote page and your recently viewed tickers will be displayed here. However, this tactic can backfire when it comes across as answering a question no one has asked. Leading up to the waterfront, 22 of the first 33 buildings now have ties to Scientology. He owns Stonebridge Real Estate and served as president of the Florida Gulfcoast Commercial Association of Realtors in 2017. I think it's comparable to say it's kind of, like, if there were to be a Vatican reporter in Vatican City. (CBRE) in April 2016. The memos were later seized by the FBI. 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. Fifty-eight are in the city of Clearwater and 49 are downtown. High-ranking defectors provide an unprecedented inside look at Scientology, its leader and the Lisa McPherson case. In response to detailed memos summarizing the reporting, the church criticized the Times for portraying its members as mindless robots and for having a preconceived agenda to present every Scientology story in a false and unfavorable light.. They haven't started construction - or are they going to redevelop them and bring businesses in and contribute to a vibrant downtown? Real estate offices, vitamin shops and vacant storefronts fill prime locations that in a more vibrant downtown might hold breweries, restaurants and boutiques. The land grab started as tensions grew between the church and the Clearwater City Council. Originally founded in 1955, we are the oldest Scientology Church in Australia. Nearly two years after the properties were sold to a company run by two Scientologists, no redevelopment plans have been submitted. 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. Hayes, the attorney and parishioner involved in the rest of the North Marina purchases, was added as manager on the companies filings. Hes encouraged by city investments in the boat ramp and North Ward Elementary, and holds out hope that the undeveloped lots and dilapidated homes will be replaced with something vibrant. 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. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. It would be the same if I was a (proud) Christian, Jew, or Muslim. Rod Riley has no background in Scientology. 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. They posted guards wielding billy clubs and mace. 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. Seventy-three percent of the property is tax-exempt for religious purposes. If the council in 2020 isnt on board with doing something his way, hes going to do it himself.. The Times also contacted representatives of all 32 companies it identified that bought downtown real estate over the past three years. Thats not happening with almost any of these properties., But Tal Ezra, a Scientologist who recently bought four parcels of land in downtown Clearwater, told the Times that he has plans for an office space and a retail shop. She reported full-time for six months, interviewing more than 90 people and reviewing more than 1,000 documents, to bring you this story. 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 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. Fifty-three of those are for properties owned by companies run by himself with fellow Scientologist Emrani, a candidate in this election. But in the 70s, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in Scientologys government espionage scheme, which sent 11 Scientologists to federal prison. 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. 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. Indeed, Scientology used the name The United Churches of Florida to purchase the Fort Harrison in 1975 for $3 million in cash. It was owned by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. He shows up in Clearwater from Arizona a few months ago. In late 2020, Terri Novitsky also was elected to the Downtown Development Board, an advisory group tasked with promoting downtown. Norm Novitsky hung up when asked by a reporter about the companies plans. They now own most commercial property. Click here to read the story. Visitors are expected to stay in Scientologys hotels and eat at private church restaurants. By then, he had found an auto garage he could buy in Dunedin. In Mesa, its the Mormon Church that dominates the area and I was able to work in that environment. 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. Why does this matter? If Epsteins client was not the Church of Scientology then who is his client? I saw a business opportunity, he said. Story by TRACEY McMANUS They have control over what businesses, if any, come in. It was a very turbulent time. Thats not happening with almost any of these properties., [ More reaction: What Clearwaters City Council thinks about Scientologys downtown takeover ]. The Scientology leader had offered the Clearwater Marine Aquarium $15 million for that 1.4-acre grass lot on Pierce Street. 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. GARCIA-NAVARRO: What do you mean billion year contracts? Scientologists annually contribute $87,867,000 to charitable endeavors, money that uplifts the quality of life in Clearwater. He told Fischler that before Scientology bought the Fort Harrison Hotel in 1975 he worked there as a busboy. 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. Over the next four decades, the church gradually amassed 58 properties in Clearwater under its name, 49 of them downtown. GPB Capital Holdings: Court-Appointed Monitors Report on Q4 2022 Activities. 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? Brokers who are Scientologists approached at least 15 downtown owners about unlisted properties. Gentile also purchased several Clearwater companies owned by Scientologists who may have invested the proceeds into land deals. About $15.9 million was paid in cash. Delk described the projects which require voter approval as key to the plans success. . In a letter to the Times, the church denied it ever tried to take control of the city. Most did not respond or declined to comment. City officials are trying to make the area a regional destination for food, drink and entertainment. Ever since Ive been here, and ever since Ive dealt with Scientology officials, I have heard the leaders articulate that they want to see a vibrant downtown, Horne said. (Everything owned by parishioner-run companies is still on the tax rolls. Moreover, tens of thousands of Scientologists travel to the city each year from around the world to participate in religious services at the Church's spiritual home. 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 spa's website makes it clear that, "In fact, we are, by definition, a Christian based business.". Dozens of residents showed up to speak. Scientologys international spiritual headquarters is anchored by the Flag Building, on left. He publicly asked why there were security cards with billy clubs and mace on the roof. But they werent ready to sell the building, which they had owned for 27 years. Terri Novitsky and Hayes did not return calls and emails requesting comment. The campus collects millions each week through fundraising and payments for expensive courses and high-level religious counseling not offered anywhere else. Since arriving in Clearwater in 1975, the Church of Scientology has bought 60 . I believe its irrational to buy property and not fully utilize it.. In a letter, the church said the Times is misinterpreting Scientology policy and that other religions also practice shunning. The Times report describes spaces such as a former jewelry store, an empty Walgreens and a deserted laundromat sitting empty and unused. In January and February 2017, a handful of limited liability companies bought six prime downtown parcels. Half the properties were bought since January 2017. Real estate agent Daphna Fischler brokered at least 10 downtown sales on behalf of seven buyers. ), 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. Can you give me a sense of the scale and how they have made this happen with the relatively little fanfare over the years? [ The full history: Scientologys 40 years of conflict with the City of Clearwater, recapped ]. 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 2017-2019 Downtown Clearwater land purchases made by Scientologists totaled $103 million. A few weeks later, John Yarbrough sold the building where he had run his electrical services business for 22 years. While theres no law against hanging onto property, developers typically buy land, build on it and sell it for profit. Thank you for having us. Gulf Coast Marine and ClearwaterPlumbing. Rileys Clearwater Marina District development has a $350 million price tag on it. Right now, at least 30 businesses owned by non-parishioners are renting from Scientologists. Scientology spokesman Ben Shaw said in a statement that the church is not involved with the acquisitions. By then, the churchs intelligence unit was already deploying an elaborate scheme to establish area control in the city. And he was going to build an entertainment complex with Tom Cruise. businesses owned by scientologistsdoes keegan allen have a child 26th February 2023 / in west warwick viewpoint / by / in west warwick viewpoint / by Then he would try again, with new council members. Visitors walk through downtown on a Friday. ), [ Slideshow: See every building owned by the church ], In the 90s, a Scientology magazine listed the churchs goals for 2000. ARKWRIGHT ROAD LIMITED This gallery shows all 60 properties Scientology owns under its name in Pinellas county and the six retail properties the church acquired through limited liability companies in 2017. The main reason why developers didnt want it was they didnt want to be near the Church of Scientology, Searcy said. Scientology leader David Miscavige had his own redevelopment plan. 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. For the first time, a majority of the boards members will be Scientologists. You are a fundamentalist Scientologist, or youre not one at all.. 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. 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. GARCIA-NAVARRO: Explain to me why the paper has a Scientology reporter. I saw a business opportunity, Ezra said. Letsgetstarted. David Gentile is creative with money and had hundreds of bank accounts and sub-funds when he ran GPB Capital. But the promised downtown revival never came. And $99 million of the $103 million in real-estate deals over the past three years were in cash. All together, 32 companies bought 92 downtown properties since 2017. Clarification made on CBRE and thank you for pointing that out. She estimated that around a quarter of the . Flag is what they call it, and it's the international spiritual headquarters of the church. Former parishioners say the church has a history of interfering in Scientologists downtown business. 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. 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. The church has shed no light on its plans. Investigative journalism like this is the most expensive work that we do. Scientology came to downtown Clearwater in 1975. After his stint at CBRE, Riley worked for Caliber Wells in Scottsdale, Arizona and then left the firm. He is not listed on the corporate filings for any of the eight limited liability companies that recently bought the North Marina properties. 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. Xenu Who? He took over Bob Lees Auto to continue the business legacy and served on the Downtown Development Board for a decade. 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. 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. 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. The origin story for the CB in CBRE does come from Coldwell Banker, that! 87,867,000 to charitable endeavors, money that uplifts the quality of life in Clearwater in he. 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