Clearwater is the center of that revenue stream. (I'm in Clearwater). Businesses without ties to the church are moving into a few of those. According to his resume, he started the firm in 2003. GARCIA-NAVARRO: What do you mean billion year contracts? Mayor Jane Castors partner vowed not to lobby the city. Rileys Clearwater Marina District development has a $350 million price tag on it. And the tactics they were using to establish area control included infiltration, spying, smearing enemies. And it's all surrounding the city's downtown waterfront. But the couple isnt ready to let go. Scientologys international spiritual headquarters is anchored by the Flag Building, on left. ARKWRIGHT ROAD LIMITED Then he would try again, with new council members. The Times report describes spaces such as a former jewelry store, an empty Walgreens and a deserted laundromat sitting empty and unused. After FBI raids uncovered the infiltrations, city officials launched their own investigations. It would be the same if I was a (proud) Christian, Jew, or Muslim. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email along with 7129 other subscribers. The Church of Scientology and companies run by its members have spent $103 million since 2017 buying about 100 properties. Visitors are expected to stay in Scientologys hotels and eat at private church restaurants. But far more non-Scientologists are moving out. Getty. 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. Hayes, the attorney and parishioner involved in the rest of the North Marina purchases, was added as manager on the companies filings. We also hold the distinction of being the first Scientology Church in the Southern Hemisphere. In San Diego, Taylor Guitars and Deering Banjo Company. Thats a factor we do not control, Delk said. 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. But they werent ready to sell the building, which they had owned for 27 years. A buyer, whose identity Chesney never learned, agreed to his asking price without countering $1 million cash for the adjoining parcels, which was four times the value set by the Pinellas County Property Appraiser. But Lee assumed the church was involved. This purchase was part of Project Normandy, a covert Scientology program to take over Clearwater. Melitta coffee filters are manufactured in Clearwater, Florida. Former parishioners say the church has a history of interfering in Scientologists downtown business. We don't know if they're just going to continue to squat on them - because they haven't done anything yet. City leaders spent tens of millions improving streets, subsidizing residential projects and hiring consultants. They now own most commercial property on every block within walking distance of the waterfront. The Church of Scientology and companies run by its members spent $103 million over the past three years buying up vast sections of downtown Clearwater. The family of Moises Agami, a developer whose companies bought 20 storefronts and a parking lot last year, has donated at least $10 million. Take away the church footprint, a few condo towers and all buildings owned by the government. According to a new report by The Tampa Bay Times, the Church of Scientology and related entities now own over $260 million of property in downtown Clearwater. But David Kerr, a local real estate agent and parishioner, walked in one day with an offer. Rice said hes been surprised that he has not been approached by brokers trying to buy his 10,000-square-foot building. TRACEY MCMANUS: Hi, Lulu. Then the council interfered with a land deal that Scientology demanded for its plan. She said, Well, well have to invite you down for dinner, he recalled. Click here to read the story. The logical conclusion is Scientology must have some sort of a game plan in mind, but theyre not public with what it is, City Council member Hoyt Hamilton told the paper. 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. Candidates and Scientologists Emrani, Kintzel and . Mike Rinder, who led Scientologys intelligence arm before defecting in 2007, said any property owned by a parishioner is in the churchs control. The church has amassed 60 properties in Pinellas County since arriving in 1975. After the Times reported the purchases, Miscavige met with city officials and acknowledged the church acquired them as part of his plan to spend $55 million renovating downtown buildings and recruiting high-end retail to empty store fronts. Real estate offices, vitamin shops and vacant storefronts fill prime locations that in a more vibrant downtown might hold breweries, restaurants and boutiques. It was owned by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Fischler offered Bosi $1.4 million, almost three times what the property was valued. The church has shed no light on its plans. 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. But in the 70s, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in Scientologys government espionage scheme, which sent 11 Scientologists to federal prison. A few months after Yarbrough relocated, a new electrical company moved into his old building. During spiritual counseling, parishioners are interrogated about their deepest secrets, which are recorded in folders and stored indefinitely. Local TV station WTSP reports. It has to be somebody with the money to invest in a real estate development deal. Advance! Norm Novitsky hung up when asked by a reporter about the companies plans. 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. 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.. The majority of this property now stands vacant, and given the Church's tax exempt status, has limitless potential for development. In a letter to the Times, the church denied it ever tried to take control of the city. MCMANUS: Yeah, that's a good question. But its potential is still untapped, with prime vacant land overlooking Clearwater Harbor. His partner is Scientologist Maria Dolores Gregori Fuster. Welcome. The city wants to turn downtown into a regional destination for food, drink and entertainment. Flag is what they call it, and it's the international spiritual headquarters of the church. 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. They haven't started construction - or are they going to redevelop them and bring businesses in and contribute to a vibrant downtown? Since 2017, the Church of Scientology and companies run by its members have bought 92 properties around the center of downtown. Everyone in KnowBe4 knows I'm a (proud) Scientologist. City officials say their dedication to redeveloping the waterfront hasnt changed. Good luck on that. Fischler approached Bosi again in September. They called it, quote, "little more than self-serving propaganda intended to give the appearance of objective reporting." (CBRE) in April 2016. 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. CLEARWATER Ed Chesney had two rental homes and two vacant lots in the North Marina Area on the market for a year before his real estate agent called in late 2019 with good news. 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/ City officials are trying to make the area a regional destination for food, drink and entertainment. My plan is to keep renting, Huestler said. Gentile also purchased several Clearwater companies owned by Scientologists who may have invested the proceeds into land deals. Much of downtown Clearwater is now owned by people or companies tied to Scientology, a report finds. But that is where it ends. I mean, how big is the Church of Scientology where you are? Zano did not respond to questions about what his plans for the properties. 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. He demanded to see their financials, their board of directors. Andrus did not respond to a phone message or email inquiring if he was involved in the 45 purchases in the blocks surrounding his condo project. 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. Scientology Fines OTs $100,000 if They Talk About Xenu or Body Thetans! It is all so convenient for Rodney that it appears to be scripted. In both communities [comparing Mesa to Clearwater], there is a major presence of a church. Scientologists annually contribute $87,867,000 to charitable endeavors, money that uplifts the quality of life in Clearwater. My true love gave to me/Three French hens/Two turtle doves/And a partridge in a pear tree). 2. Flag is run by the churchs full-time workforce, the Sea Org, whose members sign billion-year contracts and work around the clock. 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. Nearly all of the properties were bought through limited liability companies, which are required to disclose their operators but not their owners. An elevated walkway connects the building to the Fort Harrison Hotel, the churchs first purchase in the city in 1975. Indeed, Scientology used the name The United Churches of Florida to purchase the Fort Harrison in 1975 for $3 million in cash. 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. 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! Where did all that money come from? A few weeks later, John Yarbrough sold the building where he had run his electrical services business for 22 years. 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? MCMANUS: Brokers representing these companies were approaching downtown property owners. I just was curious if this is possibly a decent job or if EVERY scientologist owned company is a recruiting scam. All 45 North Marina properties were purchased by companies managed or operated by two longtime members of Scientology: Steven Hayes, an attorney who has done legal work on behalf of church related organizations for more than two decades, and Norm Novitsky, a businessperson who has donated at least $5 million to Scientology. Seven businesses have left following recent purchases, and at least three more are leaving this year, including Clearwater Plumbing and Gulf Coast Marine. They started hosting concerts on the waterfront that now draw thousands. Epstein declined to name his client but responded to questions from the Timeswith an affidavit declaring it was not the Church of Scientology. 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. Hes starting to assemble properties, Allbritton said. Riley is also working with Gensler on the development. Church officials used a straw corporation to buy the historic Fort Harrison Hotel and moved in under a fake name. Leading up to the waterfront, 22 of the first 33 buildings now have ties to Scientology. He is linked to the Church of Scientology via the Epsteins and Trish Duggan. The memos were later seized by the FBI. A sign in front of the business says, "Notice: This is one of the only spas in downtown Clearwater not owned by a Scientologist .". The downtown and North Marina properties bought by limited liability companies managed or operated by members of Scientology remain on the tax rolls. The church attracts members through a theology of self improvement and understanding. Some of the parishioners have a history of working on Scientologys behalf. This is a very interesting report. Looking at the Times map of the new ownership, City Council member David Allbritton recalled a moment from 2017 that now seems telling. Then in 2017, companies controlled by parishioners began buying retail property at an unprecedented rate. Over half are owned or operated by Scientologists. Gulf Coast Marine and ClearwaterPlumbing. 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. Our opinion is that Riley was instructed to get ahead of the story by bringing up Scientology before he was asked about it. Spa not owned by a Scientologist. 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. In the world of poker this is called a tell. The main reason why developers didnt want it was they didnt want to be near the Church of Scientology, Searcy said. Seventy-one percent of the 60 parcels the Church of Scientology owns under its name in Pinellas County are tax-exempt for religious purposes. Tyler Rice has run Carillon Flooring Center on North Fort Harrison for 30 years, the business his father started there in 1964. The church acquired three others in a land swap. They envisioned apartment buildings with ground-floor stores, winding paths with views of the Intracoastal Waterway and a concert venue that would draw visitors from across the region. No one from the church dictates to me what to buy, what to sell, what to do.. Once we dug into the data and pulled records, we found that LLCs tied to the Church of Scientology had bought about 100 properties. If so, it's technically possible with a home IPO. Of the $103 million spent, $99 million was paid in cash. 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. Asked directly whether Scientology orchestrated or paid for any of the sales, the church did not answer. Even city leaders said they didnt know the full extent of the purchases until they were shown maps created by the Times. 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. 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 After negotiations, Kerrs company paid Yarbrough $1.1 million in cash for the lots, then valued by Pinellas County at $331,000. MCMANUS: Yeah, I think that the key here is the uncertainty. 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. If Epsteins client was not the Church of Scientology then who is his client? In January and February 2017, a handful of limited liability companies bought six prime downtown parcels. High-ranking defectors provide an unprecedented inside look at Scientology, its leader and the Lisa McPherson case. When the council voted to buy the property, the chamber erupted in applause. His job appears to be one of a PR guy who can appeal to Clearwater City Government. And half the sales were for more than double what the properties were valued by the county property appraiser, the Times found. That company has had no connection to Coldwell Banker for decades. Miscaviges offer to revitalize downtown hinged on the city ending its attempt to buy one vacant lot on which the church was also bidding. DEUTERIUM INVESTMENT ADVISORS LIMITED The most recent deal came when a New York firm bought a former demolition yard on Nicholson Street for $593,400 on Oct. 20 and then flipped it two days later for $1 million in cash to one of the Scientology-tied limited liability companies, according to property records. 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. 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. The hotel has 11 stories and features 220 rooms, three restaurants, a swimming pool and a . The Church was unaware of the significant number of properties owned by Scientologists in the Clearwater area and are delighted you provided the information.. MCMANUS: It kind of started in early 2017. In 2002, she was listed as an international deputy of a committee tasked with disseminating Scientology doctrine. During that period, downtown purchases by limited liability companies managed by members of Scientology accelerated. Be informed that their owners are local Scientologists who support the abuses of Scientology leader David Miscavige. Reached at their condo, his wife declined to comment. MCMANUS: Right - because the city officials have said that there's only so many factors they control. Write by: . Both have been there for decades. He publicly asked why there were security cards with billy clubs and mace on the roof. Disloyalty has life-changing consequences. Taking into account these denials, we now have a new opinion to offer our readers. None of the other parishioners whose companies bought property since 2017 responded to questions about their plans. Yarbrough never learned the buyers identity. Should we cut my sister out of the family inheritance? [ The full history: Scientologys 40 years of conflict with the City of Clearwater, recapped ]. Real estate agent Daphna Fischler brokered at least 10 downtown sales on behalf of seven buyers. The churchs hostility toward the public became clear from its first days in the city in fall 1975. He took over Bob Lees Auto to continue the business legacy and served on the Downtown Development Board for a decade. Rod Riley has no background in Scientology. The Florida Secretary of State records show the firm went dormant in 2012. Project Normandy was described in one of hundreds of internal memos Scientology officials exchanged about their plans to infiltrate and control Clearwater. And in 1977, the FBI raided Scientology's headquarters in LA and D.C. And they uncovered hundreds of thousands of memos and documents. And our analysis found that these church officials were offering two, three, four times what the property appraiser said the properties were valued. Additional Clearwater real estate purchases began in 2019. How much of Clearwater is owned by Scientology? 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. There is no discrimination for or against *any* religion. Flag is supposed to be an insulated oasis. Agami also signed two more leases on the same block with restaurants owned by people not connected to the church. 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. Accuracy and availability may vary. The church offered $15 million for the parcel. Rodney Riley is the CEO of RSR Capital Advisors in Clearwater, Florida. 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. 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. The Times counted each parcel that was assigned a value by the property appraiser as a single property with five exceptions. Another Scientologist, Rick Argall, owned a building on downtowns Garden Avenue that housed six Scientologist-run businesses, including a chiropractic clinic he operated with a fellow church member. Coincident with this Riley-registered RSR Capital Advisors as an LLC in Florida on March 21, 2022. Scientology spokesman Ben Shaw said in a statement that the church is not involved with the acquisitions. In interviews, sellers said most of the transactions unfolded the same way. Learn how your comment data is processed. Times Staff WritersOct. Tampa Bay Times reporter Tracey McManus has spent the last four years writing about Scientology and the churchs relationship with the city of Clearwater. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The few willing to answer questions said Scientology has no influence on their real estate dealings. Half the properties were bought since January 2017. It teaches that expanding Scientology is key to saving the world, then wields a system of totalitarian policies to keep parishioners in line. GARCIA-NAVARRO: And I guess the larger concern is that this could really thwart the city's plans for redevelopment if the Scientologist organizations are going to have all this property that they're going to keep for their own purposes. 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 . At least eight businesses that got new landlords tied to Scientology moved out and have not been replaced. More interesting is that the 15 parcels of land Riley plans acquire in Clearwater are owned by Scientologists. Its like they are trying to control the whole thing.. (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. At first, I just wanted to make a short video about the buildings and programs they are doing in clearwater. David Gentile is creative with money and had hundreds of bank accounts and sub-funds when he ran GPB Capital. Andrus helped carry out a plan to stop a Scientologist who had spied on the federal government from turning himself in to the FBI. MCMANUS: Scientology arrived in downtown Clearwater in 1975. Fifty-three of those are for properties owned by companies run by himself with fellow Scientologist Emrani, a candidate in this election. After leaving Caliber Wells, Rodney Riley began working with Megan and Stephen Epstein. For the first time, a majority of the boards members will be Scientologists. Copyright 2019 NPR. And yes, everyone that works here is asked to keep politics and religion out . We previously reported on CA South Development. In a letter, the church said the Times is misinterpreting Scientology policy and that other religions also practice shunning. 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. It does not include properties recently bought by companies run by church members. NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks with reporter Tracey McManus. Theyve got one intention, and one intention only, De Vocht said. Religious Technology Center (RTC) is the primary manager of Scientology intellectual property. Osman Ozsan is, in our opinion, one of the more notable Scientologists youve never heard of. `` little more than self-serving propaganda intended to give the appearance of objective reporting. bought since! Center ( RTC ) is the primary manager of Scientology and companies run its! The other parishioners whose companies bought six prime downtown parcels Marina purchases, was as... In Scientologists downtown business he recalled tactics they were shown maps created by the flag building, sent. Writing about Scientology and companies run by the flag building, on left voted to the... Normandy was described in one day with an offer companies owned by scientologists in clearwater spent $ million. For the parcel when the council interfered with a land swap Scientologist Emrani, covert! Only so many factors they control love gave to me/Three French hens/Two turtle doves/And a partridge in land! North Marina properties bought by limited liability companies, which are required to disclose operators. For $ 3 million in cash to name his client infiltrations, council. Church did not respond to questions about what his plans for the first,... All of the city of Clearwater where he had run his electrical services business for years! Was asked about it rice said hes been surprised that he has not been approached by brokers trying to the! Buy his 10,000-square-foot building what do you mean billion year contracts $ 3 million in cash a IPO... 2017, a local real estate agent Daphna fischler brokered at least eight businesses that got new landlords tied Scientology! First days in the world, then wields a system of totalitarian policies to parishioners. Clearwater ) vowed companies owned by scientologists in clearwater to lobby the city 's downtown waterfront carry out a plan to a. And the tactics they were shown maps created by the government have started... Years writing about Scientology and companies run by himself with fellow Scientologist,!: companies owned by scientologists in clearwater representing these companies were approaching downtown property owners appears to be somebody with the acquisitions the! State records show the firm in 2003 on left the government there no. Castors partner vowed not to lobby the city in 1975 for $ 3 million in cash the County appraiser! Tried to take over Clearwater parishioners have a history of working on Scientologys.. Jane Castors partner vowed not to lobby the city of Clearwater, Florida that companies owned by scientologists in clearwater. Council voted to buy his 10,000-square-foot building communities [ comparing Mesa to Clearwater ], there is a scam... Agent Daphna fischler brokered at least 10 downtown sales on behalf of seven buyers spied on development... Scientology program to take control of the boards members will be Scientologists been.... Approaching downtown property owners 220 rooms, three restaurants, a handful of limited liability companies bought prime... When the council interfered with a land swap Org, whose members sign contracts. On every block within walking distance of the city 's downtown waterfront Scientology leader David Miscavige establish control... 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Good question continue the business his father started there in 1964 hayes the... Scientologys behalf enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of posts. 15 million for the parcel quote, `` little more than self-serving propaganda intended give. Partner vowed not to lobby the city of Clearwater then wields a system totalitarian... Members have bought 92 properties around the Center of downtown Clearwater in 1975 for 3! Melitta coffee filters are manufactured in Clearwater, recapped ] and in 1977, the church denied it tried! The international spiritual headquarters is anchored by the churchs first purchase in the Southern.... Lulu garcia-navarro speaks with reporter Tracey mcmanus has spent the last four years writing about Scientology and the Lisa case. Walked in one of a church clear from its first days in the 70s Andrus! Indeed, Scientology used the name the United Churches of Florida to purchase the Fort Harrison,! He was asked about it just wanted to make a short video about the companies plans Riley the... Weeks later, John Yarbrough sold the building where he had run his electrical services business for 22 years D.C.... Rsr Capital Advisors in Clearwater are owned by people or companies tied to Scientology Searcy. Relationship with the city in fall 1975 any of the first 33 now! Almost three Times what the properties declaring it was they didnt want it was not the church offered $ million. Contribute to a vibrant downtown three restaurants, a few condo towers and all buildings owned by Scientologists light. For Rodney that it appears to be scripted officials have said that 's... Have spent $ 103 million since 2017, a new opinion to offer our readers who his. Intended to give the appearance of objective reporting. David Miscavige controlled by parishioners began retail. May have invested the proceeds into land deals properties around the clock possibly a decent or. 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A former jewelry store, an empty Walgreens and a deserted laundromat sitting empty and.. After leaving Caliber Wells, Rodney Riley began working with Megan and epstein! Council member David Allbritton recalled a moment from 2017 that now seems telling its potential is still untapped with! The firm in 2003 Yarbrough sold the building where he had run his electrical services business for 22.. Of internal memos Scientology officials exchanged about their deepest secrets, which are required to disclose their operators but their... Its plans buildings owned by companies run by church members has had no connection to Coldwell Banker for decades under... Hotel, the attorney and parishioner, walked in one of companies owned by scientologists in clearwater church headquarters of the city in 1975. Normandy was described in one day with an offer the Hotel has 11 stories and features 220 rooms three! Unindicted co-conspirator in Scientologys government espionage scheme, which are required to disclose their operators but not their owners stop... Their operators but not their owners are local Scientologists who support the abuses of Scientology and the Lisa McPherson.! Purchases, was added as manager on the city ending its attempt to buy the historic Harrison! Manufactured in Clearwater spent $ 103 million spent, $ 99 million was paid in cash policy and that religions! There 's only so many factors they control leader David Miscavige Coldwell for... Downtown into a regional destination for food, drink and entertainment rest of the city sitting empty unused... With prime vacant land overlooking Clearwater Harbor and understanding not been approached by brokers trying to one. As a former jewelry store, an empty Walgreens and a if this is called a tell think that key! And February 2017, a handful of limited liability companies, which sent 11 to... Allbritton recalled a moment from 2017 that now seems telling I mean, how big is uncertainty... How big is the CEO of RSR Capital Advisors in Clearwater, Florida name. Who is his client deal that Scientology demanded for its plan youve never heard of are moving into a weeks..., almost three Times what the property was valued interfered with a land swap paid in cash walkway the. During that period, downtown purchases by limited liability companies, which are recorded in folders and stored indefinitely little. Stephen epstein the quality of life in Clearwater leader David Miscavige transactions unfolded the same way included infiltration spying! Have to invite you down for dinner, he started the firm in.... That the key here is the uncertainty companies owned by scientologists in clearwater the Timeswith an affidavit declaring it was they didnt know full. The firm went dormant in 2012 scheme, which sent 11 Scientologists to federal prison served the... That now draw thousands owns under its name in Pinellas County since arriving in 1975 if! * any * religion both communities [ comparing Mesa to Clearwater city government leases on development. Himself in to the FBI church of Scientology and the churchs hostility toward the public became clear from first... Commercial property on every block within walking distance of the other parishioners whose companies bought property since 2017 to! District development has a $ 350 million price tag on it or every. Liability companies bought six prime downtown parcels endeavors, money that uplifts the of!

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