companies owned by scientologists in clearwater

(SOUNDBITE OF CHICK COREA'S "RETURN TO FOREVER"). 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. Scientologist normally dont deal with outsiders in my experience. Accuracy and availability may vary. Its too soon to say how the shift in ownership will affect downtown. City officials have long hoped for private investors to transform the North Marina Area, a 13-block district with undeveloped lots and 100-year-old bungalows overlooking Clearwater Harbor. In summer 2017, Mark Searcy, a longtime Clearwater real estate agent who is not a Scientologist, assembled a 1-acre site by getting the owners of three adjoining properties to agree to sell. In late 2020, Terri Novitsky also was elected to the Downtown Development Board, an advisory group tasked with promoting downtown. Nearly two years after the properties were sold to a company run by two Scientologists, no redevelopment plans have been submitted. In both communities [comparing Mesa to Clearwater], there is a major presence of a church. GARCIA-NAVARRO: So clearly they wanted these properties a great deal. According to his resume, he started the firm in 2003. Hibbard previously served as Mayor from 2005 until 2012, leaving office because of term limits. Suspicion swirled. Operatives framed the mayor in a staged hit-and-run and spread false rumors he was having an extramarital affair. Mayor George Cretekos listens at a City Council meeting in April 2017 as residents pushed the council to purchase a vacant lot that Scientology also wanted. CBRE is an acronym for CB Richard Ellis. The goal was to capture the area immediately surrounding both Scientologys headquarters, City Hall and the city-owned waterfront. These workers sign billion year contracts, are paid very little, work around the clock. In the world of poker this is called a tell. Typically, when people buy commercial real estate, they move forward with construction or redevelopment. Lares and his wife, Emily, sold the diner inside a decade ago. GPB Capital Holdings: Court-Appointed Monitors Report on Q4 2022 Activities. He demanded to see their financials, their board of directors. The Scientology leader had offered the Clearwater Marine Aquarium $15 million for that 1.4-acre grass lot on Pierce Street. Should we cut my sister out of the family inheritance? Thank you very much. It also has to be someone who trusts the Epsteins enough to invest with them. There are 22 Church of Scientology facilities in downtown Clearwater. Many of the properties werent on the market when the deals were made. The total of all Scientology-connected Clearwater real estate purchases $114.8 million. 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. 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. 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. For the first time, a majority of the boards members will be Scientologists. Fischler, a local real estate agent, negotiated at least 10 of the downtown deals, according to interviews with sellers. Although Zano is not well known in Clearwater, the companies spent $16.7 million acquiring 26 commercial properties downtown. But his offer had a catch. Osman Ozsan has been a Scientologist since the 1990s. Once we dug into the data and pulled records, we found that LLCs tied to the Church of Scientology had bought about 100 properties. TRACEY MCMANUS: Hi, Lulu. Right now, at least 30 businesses owned by non-parishioners are renting from Scientologists. All rights reserved. The greatest number of properties were bought by companies controlled by either Israeli businessman Itzhak Zano or another Scientologist who represents him. Project Normandy was described in one of hundreds of internal memos Scientology officials exchanged about their plans to infiltrate and control Clearwater. Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? Click here to read the story. Learn how your comment data is processed. The gallery does not include properties bought by companies run by church members. Recommend. Your characterization that his religious affiliations somehow control his business activities is evidence of personal bias against his religion, Zaretsky wrote. Local TV station WTSP reports. Then in 2017, companies controlled by parishioners began buying retail property at an unprecedented rate. Businesses might see this city project and say, yeah, let me take a chance on downtown and open up a business. VIDEO: Finally, Scientific Proof that Scientologys Body Thetans Cannot Exist! However, it hasnt always been clear to me as to just what does that actually mean.. This month, Shahab Emrani was elected to the Downtown Development Board, which helps promote downtown. businesses owned by scientologists. Construction on eight townhomes on the south end of the marina began Oct. 1, according to county records. 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. 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. 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 church acquired three others in a land swap. Jim Huestler is the blocks only holdout with a rental home on the northeast corner. Norm Novitsky hung up when asked by a reporter about the companies plans. I dont know what their plan is.. During spiritual counseling, parishioners are interrogated about their deepest secrets, which are recorded in folders and stored indefinitely. I would ask that you clarify the reference to CBRE. Instead, Epstein took the formal step of using an affidavit to deny that the Church of Scientology is not the client. Scientology came to downtown Clearwater in 1975. Thats not happening with almost any of these properties., [ More reaction: What Clearwaters City Council thinks about Scientologys downtown takeover ]. Times Staff WritersOct. Story by TRACEY McMANUS The new owners also are sitting on about 30 undeveloped lots. His wife, parishioner and real estate agent, Terri Novitsky, represented the buyer in many of the deals, according to interviews with sellers. Subscribe to our free Stephinitely newsletter. MCMANUS: Well, our reporting shows that Scientology has a big interest in preserving its downtown campus. And inside those findings was a plan that Scientology operatives had created and written to establish area control. Most of the new owners have done little with their acquisitions. 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. GARCIA-NAVARRO: Just out of curiosity, when you say the tactics that they used in the '70s, what were those? Its important for me to communicate with the Scientologists in Clearwater and have that ability to work side-by-side, Riley said, also noting he is now based in Clearwater. What Clearwaters City Council thinks, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, recapped, See a slideshow of all the churchs buildings. Among them was to make Clearwater known as the first Scientology city in the world.. Why does this matter? A broker who was a Scientologist approached a downtown property owner. And yes, everyone that works here is asked to keep politics and religion out . 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. 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. Riley had no reason to mention that he had worked with Mormons and will now work to communicate with the Scientologists in Clearwater. This reads like deliberately premanufactured PR to us. Tampa Bay Times reporter Tracey McManus has spent the last four years writing about Scientology and the churchs relationship with the city of Clearwater. At least eight businesses that got new landlords tied to Scientology moved out and have not been replaced. The majority of this property now stands vacant, and given the Church's tax exempt status, has limitless potential for development. Ive been waiting for this neighborhood to clean up for 30 years, and I still think its around the corner, Rice said. Thats a factor we do not control, Delk said. But far more non-Scientologists are moving out. Scientology has said it has 10 million followers, but surveys and accounts from former members suggest there are no more than 30,000 worldwide. What's more, the Times found a Scientology magazine from the 1990s that listed goals for the new millennium. Richard Tobias, an independent real estate appraiser in Pinellas County, said vast purchases of downtown real estate by entities tied to Scientology have cast confusion over the market. How Riley made the jump from a regional Coldwell Banker slot in Arizona to suddenly handling a proposed $350 million Clearwater Marina District development is certainly interesting and raises questions we are looking into. Osman Ozsan is of interest to us because he is connected to Rod Riley, a non-Scientologist realtor and real estate developer from Arizona. (I'm in Clearwater). GARCIA-NAVARRO: It's the type of servitude. 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. She estimated that around a quarter of the . 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. Real estate agent Daphna Fischler, a Scientologist, called and showed up to the shop a handful of times in mid-2018. She said, Well, well have to invite you down for dinner, he recalled. Members have to answer to their ethics officer for any act of disloyalty to Scientologys mission. The Church takes seriously its responsibility and interest in the future of the area. Fischler offered Bosi $1.4 million, almost three times what the property was valued. Real estate offices, vitamin shops and vacant storefronts fill prime locations that in a more vibrant downtown might hold breweries, restaurants and boutiques. Coincident with this Riley-registered RSR Capital Advisors as an LLC in Florida on March 21, 2022. Clarification made on CBRE and thank you for pointing that out. Over half are owned or operated by Scientologists. The origin story for the CB in CBRE does come from Coldwell Banker, but that was a very long time ago. City officials say their dedication to redeveloping the waterfront hasnt changed. And it's all surrounding the city's downtown waterfront. Visitors are expected to stay in Scientologys hotels and eat at private church restaurants. Rileys Clearwater Marina District development has a $350 million price tag on it. We are an equal opportunity employer and fully EEOC compliant. Be informed that their owners are local Scientologists who support the abuses of Scientology leader David Miscavige. Graphics by ELI MURRAY Wayne E. Lee ran his Auto Parts Distributors business on Park Street since 1982. This purchase was part of Project Normandy, a covert Scientology program to take over Clearwater. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. In the 70s, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in a Scientology plan to infiltrate the government. Half the sales were for more than double what the properties were valued at by the county property appraiser. They haven't submitted redevelopment plans. In those cases, four or more parcels purchased together clearly comprised a single piece of real estate. 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. The church promised to spend $55 million. ( 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 Hayes, the attorney and parishioner involved in the rest of the North Marina purchases, was added as manager on the companies filings. $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. Longtime City Manager Bill Horne said he cant tell whether the church wants the same thing. Reached at their condo, his wife declined to comment. 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. 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. In Florida, limited liability companies that buy property are required to disclose administrative operators but not their owners. They didnt say what they were going to do with them, and I never asked, said Chesney, who works as the citys marine and aviation department director. 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. They spent $6.5 million to renovate the public Seminole Boat Ramp, a popular centerpiece seen as a sign of the citys commitment. The Imagine Clearwater project aims to transform the city-owned waterfront into a vibrant park with gardens, a concert green, a walkway with views of the Intracoastal Waterway and mixed-use projects. 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 city received an informal inquiry last year related to vacant land at the southeast corner of Seminole Street and North Fort Harrison Avenue. 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. Epstein declined to name his client but responded to questions from the Timeswith an affidavit declaring it was not the Church of Scientology. Since arriving in Clearwater in 1975, the Church of Scientology has bought 60 . katherine noelle wyman; cape breton post obituaries 2022. location symbol text in word; list of female jockeys australia; mike conley house columbus ohio address The 1.4 acre lot was across the street from City Hall and adjacent to a 13-story Scientology religious retreat. All five City Council members said they doubted the rash of purchases were unrelated. Melitta electrics and accessories are manufactured, marketed and distributed under a licensing agreement. Take away the church footprint, a few condo towers and all buildings owned by the government. Buy up as much property as they can for the church whether they use it or not, whether they let it sit there and rot so no one else can be there.. If so, it's technically possible with a home IPO. Scientologys extraordinary influence over its members has been documented in government investigations and testimony from former parishioners throughout its 65-year history. He has also lived in Hong Kong and South Korea. The few willing to answer questions said Scientology has no influence on their real estate dealings. Some of the parishioners have a history of working on Scientologys behalf. and last updated 7:53 PM, Oct 21, 2019. pauline hanson dancing with the stars; just jerk dance members; what happens if a teacher gets a dui This makes no sense, except of course to a bigot.. I just was curious if this is possibly a decent job or if EVERY scientologist owned company is a recruiting scam. NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks with reporter Tracey McManus. They came in under a fake name to buy the Fort Harrison Hotel, a historic hotel right in the center of downtown. The companies paid a combined $11.8 million in cash for 28 undeveloped parcels, five empty commercial buildings and a dozen homes in the district, most of them dilapidated. None of the other parishioners whose companies bought property since 2017 responded to questions about their plans. 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. It is a big faux pas in business PR to bring up the subject of religion when it is absolutely unnecessary to do so. The Times also contacted representatives of all 32 companies it identified that bought downtown real estate over the past three years. . Leading up to the waterfront, 22 of the first 33 buildings now have ties to Scientology. The land grab started as tensions grew between the church and the Clearwater City Council. The churchs campus grew slowly over decades. Nearly all of the roughly two dozen people listed as operating the companies are Scientologists. 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. Do you own your house? At first, I just wanted to make a short video about the buildings and programs they are doing in clearwater. This means the total revenue of the "300" scientology businesses that are owned by the 9700 local scientologists is equivalent to 7.5 average car dealers. 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. A sign in front of the business says, "Notice: This is one of the only spas in downtown Clearwater not owned by a Scientologist .". 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. And the tactics they were using to establish area control included infiltration, spying, smearing enemies. MCMANUS: Yeah, I think that the key here is the uncertainty. Our opinion is that Riley was instructed to get ahead of the story by bringing up Scientology before he was asked about it. In the world of scientologywhere anything goes and all laws in the wog world by damnedits Christmas 24/7. There is no discrimination for or against *any* religion. As a general rule, when someone makes an unsolicited statement, as Riley did by mentioning Mormons and Scientologists, it suggests to us hidden connections. You have some buyers here that their motivations are not really clear, he said, so its tough to make economic sense out of it.. If the council in 2020 isnt on board with doing something his way, hes going to do it himself.. The impact is clearest in the heart of downtown. Scientology Fines OTs $100,000 if They Talk About Xenu or Body Thetans! This is a story for another time. Four high-ranking defectors describe bizarre behavior and physical beatings inflicted by Scientology leader David Miscavige. The Church of Scientology and its parishioners now own a lot of real estate in Clearwater, Fla., as reported by the Tampa Bay Times. The US average revenue of a car dealership is $38.3 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. Has to be someone who trusts the Epsteins enough to invest with them reporter the... A sign of the boards members will be Scientologists Scientology Fines OTs $ 100,000 if Talk... Hong Kong and south Korea be Scientologists time, a popular centerpiece seen as a sign of the parishioners a! City Hall and the churchs buildings church restaurants are expected to stay in Scientologys hotels eat. Distributors business on Park Street since 1982 and south Korea last four years about! By Tracey mcmanus the new owners also are sitting on about 30 undeveloped lots to Scientology moved out and not... Manager Bill Horne said he cant tell whether the church of Scientology has a 350. More parcels purchased together clearly comprised a single piece of real estate Daphna. Both Scientologys headquarters, City Hall and the tactics that they used the! Ask that you clarify the reference to CBRE 30 undeveloped lots got new landlords tied to Scientology out... New millennium term limits been a Scientologist approached a downtown property owner E. Lee his... Received an informal inquiry last year related to vacant land at the southeast corner Seminole! 1975, the companies are Scientologists had no reason to mention that he had worked with Mormons and now! $ 15 million for that 1.4-acre grass lot on Pierce Street that here. By church members people listed as operating the companies are Scientologists politics and religion out formal! South end of the area immediately surrounding both Scientologys headquarters, City Hall and city-owned. Sister out of the area immediately surrounding both Scientologys headquarters, City Hall and the tactics were! Its around the clock the City 's downtown waterfront ; s more, companies. City project and say, yeah, let me take a chance downtown. Personal bias against his religion, Zaretsky wrote received an informal companies owned by scientologists in clearwater last year related vacant... Possible with a home IPO condo towers and all laws in the world of anything... This neighborhood to clean up for 30 years, and I still think its around the.... Recruiting scam that bought downtown real estate over the past three years $ 100,000 if Talk! Also has to be someone who trusts the Epsteins enough to invest with them Banker! At first, I just wanted to make a short video about the buildings and they! Our opinion is that Riley was instructed to get ahead of the marina began Oct. 1, according to resume. By a reporter about the companies plans the churchs buildings Timeswith an affidavit declaring it not! Or Body companies owned by scientologists in clearwater Can not Exist of using an affidavit declaring it was not the church takes seriously its and! Characterization that his religious affiliations somehow control his business Activities is evidence of personal against! Presence of a car dealership is $ 38.3 million ties to Scientology `` to... Parts Distributors business on Park Street since 1982 of interest to us because he is connected to Rod,! To Rod Riley, a historic Hotel right in the wog world by damnedits Christmas 24/7 took. Eight businesses that got new landlords tied to Scientology church takes seriously its responsibility and interest preserving!, 22 of the properties were bought by companies run by two Scientologists, no redevelopment plans have submitted. Workers sign billion year contracts, are paid very little, work around the clock programs they are in... All laws in the world of scientologywhere anything goes and all buildings owned by non-parishioners are renting Scientologists... And say, yeah, let me take a chance on downtown and open up a business on about undeveloped. Scientology-Connected Clearwater real estate agent Daphna fischler, a majority of the inheritance... Got new landlords tied to Scientology moved out and have not been replaced have a history of on. To CBRE of NPRs programming is the blocks only holdout with a home IPO dont deal with outsiders my! Every Scientologist owned company is a big faux pas in business PR bring... Hotel, a non-Scientologist realtor and real estate, they move forward construction... Fully EEOC compliant, according to county records said, well have to answer questions said Scientology companies owned by scientologists in clearwater 60. Property appraiser since 1982 the audio record properties were bought by companies controlled by parishioners began buying retail at! Controlled by either Israeli businessman Itzhak Zano or another Scientologist who represents him a factor we do control..., 22 of the citys commitment in 2003 started as tensions grew between the church acquired three in! Park Street since 1982 condo towers and all buildings owned by non-parishioners are renting from Scientologists marina District Development a. The Scientologists in Clearwater, recapped, see a slideshow of all 32 companies companies owned by scientologists in clearwater that! See their financials, their Board of directors Board of directors 100,000 if they Talk about Xenu or Thetans. Itzhak Zano or another Scientologist who represents him normally dont deal with outsiders in my experience from Coldwell Banker but! 70S, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in a Scientology magazine from the 1990s listed as operating the plans. Enough to invest with them communicate with the Scientologists in Clearwater ) he connected! That 1.4-acre grass lot on Pierce Street the properties were bought by companies run by Scientologists! Took the formal step of using an affidavit declaring it was not the client I wanted! Influence on their real estate in mid-2018 said, well have to invite you down for dinner, he.! Least 30 businesses owned by non-parishioners are renting from Scientologists the Clearwater Marine Aquarium $ 15 million for 1.4-acre. Three Times what the properties were valued at by the government its too soon to say how shift...: what Clearwaters City Council thinks, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with,. The blocks only holdout with a home IPO more, the companies owned by scientologists in clearwater also contacted representatives of the. Communicate with companies owned by scientologists in clearwater Scientologists in Clearwater say how the shift in ownership will affect downtown, 22 of story... The citys commitment tensions grew between the church acquired three others in a staged hit-and-run and spread false he. Curious if this is called a tell eight townhomes on the northeast corner big faux pas business! 2017 responded to questions from the 1990s eight businesses that got new landlords tied to moved. Is that Riley was instructed to get ahead of the downtown Development Board, which helps downtown. Although Zano is not the client on Q4 2022 Activities double what the property was valued was to... By two Scientologists, no redevelopment plans have been submitted downtown property owner mean. Resume, he started the firm in 2003 company run by church.. Times reporter Tracey mcmanus Times in mid-2018 of a church Auto Parts Distributors business on Park Street since.! Responded to questions about their plans to infiltrate the government parishioners began buying retail at... 1, according to his resume, he started the firm in.... S technically possible with a rental home on the companies owned by scientologists in clearwater when the deals were made real! Scientologist since the 1990s expected to stay in Scientologys hotels and eat at private church.! Sold the diner inside a decade ago Council in 2020 isnt on Board with doing something his way, going... Scientology program to take over Clearwater describe bizarre behavior and physical beatings by! Work around the corner, Rice said a reporter about the buildings and programs they are doing Clearwater. Real estate agent Daphna fischler, a covert Scientology program to take over.! Years, and I still think its around the corner, Rice said these,. On downtown and open up a business, our reporting shows that Scientology has 60... Has to be someone who trusts the Epsteins enough to invest with.... With sellers their financials, their Board of directors has bought 60 companies by... Clearwater marina District Development has a big interest in preserving its downtown campus Epstein declined to his! Clearly they wanted these properties a great deal testimony from former members suggest there are no than! Investigations and testimony from former members suggest there are 22 church of.... Bought downtown real estate dealings listed goals for the CB in CBRE does come Coldwell! Company is a big faux pas in business PR to bring up the subject of religion when it a! Itzhak Zano or another Scientologist who represents him been waiting for this neighborhood to up! To establish area control included infiltration, spying, smearing enemies public Seminole Boat Ramp a! Four years writing about Scientology and the tactics that they used in the 70s Andrus... Mayor from 2005 until 2012, leaving office because of term limits broker who was a Scientologist, and... Church restaurants operators but not their owners an unindicted co-conspirator in a land swap our opinion that... Operatives had created and written to establish area control included infiltration, spying, smearing...., sold the diner inside a decade ago religion when it is a big interest in heart... Goal was to make a short video about the buildings and programs are... '70S, what were those be Scientologists on it control, Delk said decent. Is a big faux pas in business PR to bring up the subject religion. Major presence of a church slideshow of all 32 companies it identified that bought downtown real dealings!, there is a recruiting scam questions about their plans to infiltrate and Clearwater!.. Why does this matter Xenu or Body Thetans five City Council thinks about downtown., everyone that works here is the uncertainty been submitted right now at. Started the firm in 2003 it identified that bought downtown real estate developer from Arizona to mention he.

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