It bought a hotel and wrote plans to take control of the city. She reported full-time for six months, interviewing more than 90 people and reviewing more than 1,000 documents, to bring you this story. The report notes that half of these properties have been bought since January 2017 after the organization and the Clearwater City Council presented competing redevelopment projects to the downtown district and its waterfront. Brokers who are Scientologists approached at least 15 downtown owners about unlisted properties. Real estate offices, vitamin shops and vacant storefronts fill prime locations that in a more vibrant downtown might hold breweries, restaurants and boutiques. The 2017-2019 Downtown Clearwater land purchases made by Scientologists totaled $103 million. But its potential is still untapped, with prime vacant land overlooking Clearwater Harbor. 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. There is no discrimination for or against *any* religion. Welcome. And the tactics they were using to establish area control included infiltration, spying, smearing enemies. 20, 2019. A few weeks later, John Yarbrough sold the building where he had run his electrical services business for 22 years. The Times also contacted representatives of all 32 companies it identified that bought downtown real estate over the past three years. Today, 10 years later, the economic influence of Scientologists in the community is commensurately higher. Once we dug into the data and pulled records, we found that LLCs tied to the Church of Scientology had bought about 100 properties. 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. How much of Clearwater is owned by Scientology? Thirteen were existing tenants when he bought the properties. Businesses without ties to the church are moving into a few of those. They have control over what businesses, if any, come in. One of the factors they do control is the waterfront land that's protected by city charter, that they are in the middle of a $64 million plan right now to redesign and develop into a park with gardens and a concert venue. The Times counted each parcel that was assigned a value by the property appraiser as a single property with five exceptions. and last updated 7:53 PM, Oct 21, 2019. Spa not owned by a Scientologist. No one from the church dictates to me what to buy, what to sell, what to do.. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Council members were less delighted by the discovery, however especially since many of the lots and storefronts purchased by owners with Scientology ties are sitting vacant while the Clearwater City Council aims to turn the downtown waterfront into a dining and entertainment destination. GARCIA-NAVARRO: What do you mean billion year contracts? This is a story for another time. 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. 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. Miscavige cut off communication with the city. 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. The main reason why developers didnt want it was they didnt want to be near the Church of Scientology, Searcy said. 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. Business Outlook. 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. MCMANUS: Brokers representing these companies were approaching downtown property owners. 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. Clarification made on CBRE and thank you for pointing that out. Riley is also working with Gensler on the development. EMPIRICAL PROSPECTING COMPANY LIMITED. She said, Well, well have to invite you down for dinner, he recalled. Pros. Investigative journalism like this is the most expensive work that we do. Im concerned, Mayor Frank Hibbard said. After negotiations, Kerrs company paid Yarbrough $1.1 million in cash for the lots, then valued by Pinellas County at $331,000. 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. Soters comment evokes for us what Captain Renault said in Casablanca: Im shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!. As a general rule, when someone makes an unsolicited statement, as Riley did by mentioning Mormons and Scientologists, it suggests to us hidden connections. It said information in parishioner folders is sacrosanct and claims of blackmail have long since been disproven.. You have some buyers here that their motivations are not really clear, he said, so its tough to make economic sense out of it.. The spa's website makes it clear that, "In fact, we are, by definition, a Christian based business.". Looking at the Times map of the new ownership, City Council member David Allbritton recalled a moment from 2017 that now seems telling. Scientologist normally dont deal with outsiders in my experience. Businesses might see this city project and say, yeah, let me take a chance on downtown and open up a business. Its designed not for recruiting new members but for hosting established followers. (Guess he hasnt seen the game tapes), US Supreme Court refuses to block Florida execution of Donald Dillbeck, Red-hot USF women close out home schedule with explosive offensive showing, Editorial Cartoons for Thursday from Times Wire Services, Church of Scientologys presence in Pinellas County, Clear Takeover: How Scientology doubled its downtown Clearwater footprint in 3 years, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, recapped, What Clearwaters City Council thinks about Scientologys downtown takeover, Typhoon cancels Clearwaters sister city visit to Nagano. Block after block, vacant lots sit untouched, and storefronts remain empty: A former jewelry store. GARCIA-NAVARRO: What is the view of the local community? The Tampa Bay Times reports that members of the church have spent $103 million on property in the city of Clearwater known as "The first Scientology city" since . 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 think it throws a stake in it when one party owns 50 percent or so. In Florida, limited liability companies that buy property are required to disclose administrative operators but not their owners. "I do not want to be associated . AMI's culture and team members truly make AMI an amazing place to work! City officials say their dedication to redeveloping the waterfront hasnt changed. Fischler did not respond to phone messages, a certified letter or a note left at her condo. GARCIA-NAVARRO: Who are they buying from, and how much were they offering? If the council in 2020 isnt on board with doing something his way, hes going to do it himself.. Among them was to make Clearwater known as the first Scientology city in the world.. The church requires followers to shun family members, friends and business contacts who defy it. Melitta coffee filters are manufactured in Clearwater, Florida. Please consider supporting us with a tax-deductible donation to the Tampa Bay Times Investigative Fund. Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? They haven't submitted redevelopment plans. And in 1977, the FBI raided Scientology's headquarters in LA and D.C. And they uncovered hundreds of thousands of memos and documents. 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. 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 Times report describes spaces such as a former jewelry store, an empty Walgreens and a deserted laundromat sitting empty and unused. 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. 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? 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. Church of Scientology website It is with great pride we welcome you to the Church of Scientology of Melbourne. The Church of Scientology and its parishioners now own a lot of real estate in Clearwater, Fla., as reported by the Tampa Bay Times. But now these LLCs tied to Scientology control the retail district. 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. Write by: . They started hosting concerts on the waterfront that now draw thousands. 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 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. 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) The church offered $15 million for the parcel. Recommend. Another tell. CONNIE HUMBURG, TRACEY McMANUS, ELI MURRAY, ELI ZHANG | Times. 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. In 2016, city consultants began planning what has become a $64 million effort to reinvigorate the waterfront called Imagine Clearwater. The churchs influence comes from the estimated $3 billion in cash and assets it has collected from its followers. None of the other parishioners whose companies bought property since 2017 responded to questions about their plans. In an interview with Scientology-owned "Freedom Magazine" Gendusa said that she moved to Clearwater to study Scientology more than 25 years ago. Weve spent a lot of happy years here, Lares said. After buying eight buildings on and around Cleveland Street in 2018, Moises Agami, a parishioner and developer, now has restaurants, shops and other businesses in 16 of those 20 storefronts. Longtime City Manager Bill Horne said he cant tell whether the church wants the same thing. Real estate agent Brian Andrus controls seven properties bought around the citys public boat ramp. In late 2020, Terri Novitsky also was elected to the Downtown Development Board, an advisory group tasked with promoting downtown. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. There's parishioners that come here from all over the world to take courses in high level auditing that's not offered anywhere else. 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. pauline hanson dancing with the stars; just jerk dance members; what happens if a teacher gets a dui According to his resume, he started the firm in 2003. MCMANUS: Right - because the city officials have said that there's only so many factors they control. There are 22 Church of Scientology facilities in downtown Clearwater. Scientologys international spiritual headquarters is anchored by the Flag Building, on left. The Church takes seriously its responsibility and interest in the future of the area. In those cases, four or more parcels purchased together clearly comprised a single piece of real estate. For example, David Miscaviges personal lawyer of 35 years Monique Yingling has never been a Scientologist. But on days with no events, downtown feels deserted. And $99 million of the $103 million in real-estate deals over the past three years were in cash. Scientology leader David Miscavige had his own redevelopment plan. Fifty-three of those are for properties owned by companies run by himself with fellow Scientologist Emrani, a candidate in this election. 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. Almost immediately, a decades-long trickle of purchases by church members turned into a flood. Amazing Place to Work. Local Scientology spokesman Ben Shaw and international spokeswoman Karin Pouw did not respond to repeated requests by the Times for an interview with Scientology leader David Miscavige. And yes, everyone that works here is asked to keep politics and religion out . Indeed, Scientology used the name The United Churches of Florida to purchase the Fort Harrison in 1975 for $3 million in cash. 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. Flag is supposed to be an insulated oasis. Many of the properties werent on the market. Hayes, the attorney and parishioner involved in the rest of the North Marina purchases, was added as manager on the companies filings. At least eight businesses that got new landlords tied to Scientology moved out and have not been replaced. Leading up to the waterfront, 22 of the first 33 buildings now have ties to Scientology. The city and the church fought in court for years. It teaches that expanding Scientology is key to saving the world, then wields a system of totalitarian policies to keep parishioners in line. Scientology leader David Miscavige told city officials the properties were part of the churchs proposed retail redevelopment plan. 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. Scientologists from across the globe make pilgrimages to the campus, called Flag. It also has to be someone who trusts the Epsteins enough to invest with them. Purchases in the North Marina Area took off in July 2019, three months after the City Council voted to buy the historic North Ward Elementary School across the street from the Seminole ramp and Andrus condo. Defectors have said they were paid less than $50 a week. Fuster and Ozsan go back a long way to Altea Real Property Ltd. in London. Cazares responds with an $8 million libel suit. 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. But Scientologist-controlled companies are also sitting on at least 26 vacant lots and 31 empty storefronts and offices. It was a very turbulent time. In 2002, she was listed as an international deputy of a committee tasked with disseminating Scientology doctrine. Gentile also purchased several Clearwater companies owned by Scientologists who may have invested the proceeds into land deals. I would assume hes a Scientologist or involved with them in some fashion. Church officials used a straw corporation to buy the historic Fort Harrison Hotel and moved in under a fake name. His wife, parishioner and real estate agent, Terri Novitsky, represented the buyer in many of the deals, according to interviews with sellers. [1] Typically, when people buy commercial real estate, they move forward with construction or redevelopment. GPB Capital Holdings: Court-Appointed Monitors Report on Q4 2022 Activities. 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. But his offer had a catch. There is nothing unnatural about Scientologists wanting to live in the same city that houses the international spiritual headquarters of their church, said a letter signed by Scientology attorney Gary Soter. But in the 70s, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in Scientologys government espionage scheme, which sent 11 Scientologists to federal prison. In Clearwater, Fla., there's been a quiet series of land purchases over the last three years, $103 million worth made by the Church of Scientology and its parishioners - a doubling of the church's footprint near its international headquarters. I mean, how big is the Church of Scientology where you are? 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. But the promised downtown revival never came. 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.. The family of Moises Agami, a developer whose companies bought 20 storefronts and a parking lot last year, has donated at least $10 million. Where did all that money come from? But that is where it ends. The Church of Scientology and companies run by its members have spent $103 million since 2017 buying about 100 properties. If so, it's technically possible with a home IPO. Huestler said broker Terri Novitsky calls him every now and again to see if hed be interested in selling. 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. They adopted a master plan in 2016 that envisioned housing, a hotel and shopping to complement what they hope will be Clearwaters revitalized downtown less than a mile to the south. 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. And it's also basically the financial nucleus of the entire organization. Companies controlled by Hayes have bought about half the property on Rices block and nearly the entire block directly south. Rod Riley has no background in Scientology. The Church of Scientology acquired the building in 2017 as part of its downtown redevelopment plan. Nearly two years after the properties were sold to a company run by two Scientologists, no redevelopment plans have been submitted. 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. The greatest number of properties were bought by companies controlled by either Israeli businessman Itzhak Zano or another Scientologist who represents him. 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. This is a big giveaway in our view. Should we cut my sister out of the family inheritance? MCMANUS: Yeah, I think that the key here is the uncertainty. MCMANUS: Yeah, that's a good question. It appears that Project Normandy is still operational. The Church was unaware of the significant number of properties owned by Scientologists in the Clearwater area and are delighted you provided the information.. I just was curious if this is possibly a decent job or if EVERY scientologist owned company is a recruiting scam. 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. Most did not respond or declined to comment. They now own most commercial property on every block within walking distance of the waterfront. 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. Hes still holding out. This is a very interesting report. Gensler does all the architectural work for Scientologys Ideal Orgs. 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. It set aside $10 million for secret real estate purchases in Clearwater. Rileys Clearwater Marina District development has a $350 million price tag on it. The Florida Secretary of States record on Rod Rileys RST Capital Advisors LLC: Categories: Clearwater, Osman Ozsan, Trish Duggan, Tagged as: CA South Development, Clearwater Marina District, David Gentile, DEUTERIUM ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED, DEUTERIUM INVESTMENT ADVISORS LIMITED, Gary Soter, Gregori And Company LLC, Maria Dolores Gregori Fuster, Megan Epstein, Osman Ozsan, Ozsan, RSR Capital Advisors LLC, Stephen Epstein, Tampa Bay Times, Tracey McManus, Trish Duggan, Re: The companies paid a combined $11.8 million in cash for 28 undeveloped parcels, five empty commercial buildings and a dozen homes, When I read that, I couldnt help but be reminded of the English Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas (On the third day of Christmas/ Gentile also purchased several Clearwater companies owned by Scientologists who may have invested the proceeds into land deals. And Scientology has an interest in keeping that insulated according to former executives that we've interviewed. Terri Novitsky and Hayes did not return calls and emails requesting comment. My sister is always struggling with money and drugs: I own a house with my husband and mother. To reiterate our earlier point, Ozsan, Gregori And Company LLC has only two client accounts. katherine noelle wyman; cape breton post obituaries 2022. location symbol text in word; list of female jockeys australia; mike conley house columbus ohio address One of these accounts shows discretionary assets of $134.77 million. 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. Inc. magazine's 2019 report on the 5,000 fastest-growing privately owned businesses in America cites 16 firms based in Clearwater. But on the notice filed with Pinellas County for the roof replacement at 801 N Fort Harrison Ave., Andrus signed his name as a manager of the company that owns the building. MCMANUS: It kind of started in early 2017. 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. Visitors are expected to stay in Scientologys hotels and eat at private church restaurants. All together, 32 companies bought 92 downtown properties since 2017. Mayor Jane Castors partner vowed not to lobby the city. Additional Clearwater real estate purchases began in 2019. 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. 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