companies owned by scientologists in clearwater

"You have some buyers here that their motivations are not really clear," he said, "so it's tough to make economic sense out . 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. 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. During that period, downtown purchases by limited liability companies managed by members of Scientology accelerated. Holding and president of Graymoss, Inc. [27] The architectural firm HOK was hired to deliver the project. The Church of Scientology acquired the building in 2017 as part of its downtown redevelopment plan. MCMANUS: It kind of started in early 2017. And the properties cover about 100 acres. Nearly all of the properties were bought through limited liability companies, which are required to disclose their operators but not their owners. But Lee assumed the church was involved. (On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Times reported that since 2017, companies run by members of Scientology bought another 86 downtown commercial properties. The Church of Scientology has done many things at a remove or by a ruse, feint, or stratagem. And it's all surrounding the city's downtown waterfront. The spa's website makes it clear that, "In fact, we are, by definition, a Christian based business.". Cons. 1. 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. The impact is clearest in the heart of downtown. Today, 10 years later, the economic influence of Scientologists in the community is commensurately higher. Construction on eight townhomes on the south end of the marina began Oct. 1, according to county records. 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 . All rights reserved. Tom De Vocht, a former Scientology executive who oversaw the churchs property in Clearwater from 1996 to 2001, said he believes Scientology is responding to the citys efforts by creating a buffer to keep the public away. The churchs hostility toward the public became clear from its first days in the city in fall 1975. Since arriving in Clearwater in 1975, the Church of Scientology has purchased 60 properties in Pinellas County under its name. DEUTERIUM ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Whats more, the Times found a Scientology magazine from the 1990s that listed goals for the new millennium. 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. Almost immediately, a decades-long trickle of purchases by church members turned into a flood. Its members bought property on surrounding blocks. 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.. Typically, when people buy commercial real estate, they move forward with construction or redevelopment. 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. Longtime City Manager Bill Horne said he cant tell whether the church wants the same thing. (CBRE) in April 2016. Scientologys survival depends on the preservation of its headquarters in Clearwater. The main reason why developers didnt want it was they didnt want to be near the Church of Scientology, Searcy said. Tracey McManus is a Scientology reporter for the paper, and she joins us now. Our opinion is that Riley was instructed to get ahead of the story by bringing up Scientology before he was asked about it. The 2017-2019 Downtown Clearwater land purchases made by Scientologists totaled $103 million. ), 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. 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. When the council voted to buy the property, the chamber erupted in applause. Thank you very much. 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. Mayor Jane Castors partner vowed not to lobby the city. Agami also signed two more leases on the same block with restaurants owned by people not connected to the church. 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. In interviews, sellers said most of the transactions unfolded the same way. Since arriving in Clearwater in 1975, the Church of Scientology has bought 60 . Even city leaders said they didnt know the full extent of the purchases until they were shown maps created by the Times. Some of the parishioners have a history of working on Scientologys behalf. The other side of that is flag is run by the Sea Org, the Scientology's full-time workforce. 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. And yes, everyone that works here is asked to keep politics and religion out . It met his criteria: It was located in a warm climate near an international airport and had a hotel the Sea Org could turn into a base. It is headed by David Miscavige [1] . He saw the area improve when police cracked down on drugs and prostitution decades ago. Norm Novitsky hung up when asked by a reporter about the companies plans. Jim Huestler is the blocks only holdout with a rental home on the northeast corner. Real estate agent Daphna Fischler, a Scientologist, called and showed up to the shop a handful of times in mid-2018. The church has shed no light on its plans. Many of the properties werent on the market when the deals were made. In the 70s, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in a Scientology plan to infiltrate the government. By then, the churchs intelligence unit was already deploying an elaborate scheme to establish area control in the city. Most of the new owners have done little with their acquisitions. But David Kerr, a local real estate agent and parishioner, walked in one day with an offer. Four high-ranking defectors describe bizarre behavior and physical beatings inflicted by Scientology leader David Miscavige. 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. She estimated that around a quarter of the . Your characterization that his religious affiliations somehow control his business activities is evidence of personal bias against his religion, Zaretsky wrote. Its too soon to say how the shift in ownership will affect downtown. No one from the church dictates to me what to buy, what to sell, what to do., From the archives (May 2019):A supposed Scientology cruise ship is quarantined in St. Lucia over measles. Businesses without ties to the church are moving into a few of those. He was overseeing the religion from aboard a ship to avoid investigations into tax evasion and fraud when he selected Clearwater as a spiritual headquarters. Flag is supposed to be an insulated oasis. ( 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 For example, David Miscaviges personal lawyer of 35 years Monique Yingling has never been a Scientologist. GARCIA-NAVARRO: So clearly they wanted these properties a great deal. Wayne E. Lee ran his Auto Parts Distributors business on Park Street since 1982. Rod Riley has no background in Scientology. Another tell. It teaches that expanding Scientology is key to saving the world, then wields a system of totalitarian policies to keep parishioners in line. Both the Church of Scientology and GPB Capital denied it. 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. This one is owned by a parishioner who had been featured on the churchs Meet a Scientologist video series. If the council in 2020 isnt on board with doing something his way, hes going to do it himself.. Most of the sales have not previously been reported. I would assume hes a Scientologist or involved with them in some fashion. Sponsored by HomeIPO.org Is it possible to get money (maybe $50k) without a loan? High-ranking defectors provide an unprecedented inside look at Scientology, its leader and the Lisa McPherson case. 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. Tyler Rice has run Carillon Flooring Center on North Fort Harrison for 30 years, the business his father started there in 1964. Seven businesses have left following recent purchases, and at least three more are leaving this year, including Clearwater Plumbing and Gulf Coast Marine. Although Zano is not well known in Clearwater, the companies spent $16.7 million acquiring 26 commercial properties downtown. The new owners also are sitting on about 30 undeveloped lots. Rodney Riley is the CEO of RSR Capital Advisors in Clearwater, Florida. The city wants to turn downtown into a regional destination for food, drink and entertainment. Agami, the developer whose family gave $10 million, leased a storefront to a non-Scientologist that has become a successful restaurant since opening in 2017. All together, 32 companies bought 92 downtown properties since 2017. Companies controlled by Hayes have bought about half the property on Rices block and nearly the entire block directly south. Half the sales were for more than double what the properties were valued at by the county property appraiser. Zano did not respond to questions about what his plans for the properties. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. Here is a map showing the parcels in purple which Riley is acquiring: We have previously offered our opinion that the $102 million in Downtown Clearwater land purchases made by Scientologists came from GPB Capital Holdings. Ever since Ive been here, and ever since Ive dealt with Scientology officials, I have heard the leaders articulate that they want to see a vibrant downtown, Horne said. . Suspicion swirled. No one from the church dictates to me what to buy, what to sell, what to do.. How much of Clearwater is owned by Scientology? A newspaper report says the Church of Scientology and companies run by its members spent more than $100 million over the past three years buying up huge sections of downtown Clearwater. Half the properties were bought since January 2017. A broker is trying to buy the building Peter and Emily Lares have owned for decades. Although that arrangement is standard in real estate, it makes it impossible to know whether the properties are owned by the Scientologists who manage the companies, the wealthy church or another hidden party. Graphics by ELI MURRAY Over the past two years, the properties surrounding the shop have been sold to Scientologist-controlled companies. During spiritual counseling, parishioners are interrogated about their deepest secrets, which are recorded in folders and stored indefinitely. Coincident with this Riley-registered RSR Capital Advisors as an LLC in Florida on March 21, 2022. Can you give me a sense of the scale and how they have made this happen with the relatively little fanfare over the years? Everyone in KnowBe4 knows I'm a (proud) Scientologist. 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. His wife, parishioner and real estate agent, Terri Novitsky, represented the buyer in many of the deals, according to interviews with sellers. In January and February 2017, a handful of limited liability companies bought six prime downtown parcels. 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. . City leaders spent tens of millions improving streets, subsidizing residential projects and hiring consultants. Pros. I saw a business opportunity, he said. None of the other parishioners whose companies bought property since 2017 responded to questions about their plans. But now these LLCs tied to Scientology control the retail district. I dont know what their plan is.. The Times described sales as cash transactions when they were paid without a mortgage filed in public records. $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. Scientology leader David Miscavige told city officials the properties were part of the churchs proposed retail redevelopment plan. The church stopped communicating with the city. I believe its irrational to buy property and not fully utilize it.. Since 2017, the Church of Scientology and companies run by its members have bought 92 properties around the center of downtown. This purchase was part of Project Normandy, a covert Scientology program to take over Clearwater. The total of all Scientology-connected Clearwater real estate purchases $114.8 million. That's the findings of a story in the Tampa Bay Times that's headlined clear takeover. GARCIA-NAVARRO: It's the type of servitude. The church promised to spend $55 million. But companies controlled by different parishioners bought neighboring properties that create clear assemblages of land. 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. GARCIA-NAVARRO: Just out of curiosity, when you say the tactics that they used in the '70s, what were those? 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. Fischler offered Bosi $1.4 million, almost three times what the property was valued. Internal church documents detailed missions that planted spies in the state attorneys office, the Chamber of Commerce and the Clearwater Sun newspaper. She reported full-time for six months, interviewing more than 90 people and reviewing more than 1,000 documents, to bring you this story. He called the Tampa Bay Times questions about parishioners activity not just stupid, false and offensive, but un-American., You talk out of both sides of your mouth: If redevelopment is being done by the city or a member of another religion, not Scientology, it is good; if redevelopment is being done by a Scientologist, it is bad, Shaw said. 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 her November 2021 article on Scientologists buying land in Clearwater, Tracey McManus wrote (emphasis ours): The city received an informal inquiry last year related to vacant land at the southeast corner of Seminole Street and North Fort Harrison Avenue. katherine noelle wyman; cape breton post obituaries 2022. location symbol text in word; list of female jockeys australia; mike conley house columbus ohio address Nearly two years after the properties were sold to a company run by two Scientologists, no redevelopment plans have been submitted. #4 Best Company In Clearwater Company Description: Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Clearwater, Fla., Senior Home Care is a privately held company operating nearly 50 branch locations with 1,800 employees through its Senior Home Care offices in Florida and Synergy Home Care offices in Louisiana. And the mayor at the time, Gabe Cazares, really raised the alarm. And half the sales were for more than double what the properties were valued by the county property appraiser, the Times found. Fuster and Ozsan go back a long way to Altea Real Property Ltd. in London. 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. Riley is also working with Gensler on the development. In 2002, she was listed as an international deputy of a committee tasked with disseminating Scientology doctrine. The Florida Secretary of State records show the firm went dormant in 2012. I would ask that you clarify the reference to CBRE. 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. Terri Novitsky and Hayes did not return calls and emails requesting comment. The Tampa Bay Times discovered them by reviewing more than 1,000 deeds and business records, then interviewed more than 90 people to reconstruct the circumstances surrounding the transactions. In a letter, the church said the Times is misinterpreting Scientology policy and that other religions also practice shunning. This makes no sense, except of course to a bigot.. Paid in cash. Fifty-three of those are for properties owned by companies run by himself with fellow Scientologist Emrani, a candidate in this election. My true love gave to me/Three French hens/Two turtle doves/And a partridge in a pear tree). Reached at their condo, his wife declined to comment. Xenu Who? In January and February 2017, as the council was preparing to approve the consultants concept, a handful of companies bought six commercial properties downtown. The greatest number of properties were bought by companies controlled by either Israeli businessman Itzhak Zano or another Scientologist who represents him. There are 22 Church of Scientology facilities in downtown Clearwater. Church of Scientology website It is with great pride we welcome you to the Church of Scientology of Melbourne. I think it's comparable to say it's kind of, like, if there were to be a Vatican reporter in Vatican City. Visitors are expected to stay in Scientologys hotels and eat at private church restaurants. CLEARWATER An old jewelry store on the corner of Cleveland Street that welcomes visitors to the core of downtown sits empty, unchanged since a company managed by a Church of Scientology. Soters comment evokes for us what Captain Renault said in Casablanca: Im shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!. The Church takes seriously its responsibility and interest in the future of the area. This is a story for another time. GPB Capital Holdings: Court-Appointed Monitors Report on Q4 2022 Activities. 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. David Gentile is creative with money and had hundreds of bank accounts and sub-funds when he ran GPB Capital. Hibbard previously served as Mayor from 2005 until 2012, leaving office because of term limits. Epstein declined to name his client but responded to questions from the Times with an affidavit declaring it was not the Church of Scientology. If you are looking for a career where your coworkers and leadership care about you and your success, AMI is the right place! Then in 2017, companies controlled by parishioners began buying retail property at an unprecedented rate. 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/ The city received an informal inquiry last year related to vacant land at the southeast corner of Seminole Street and North Fort Harrison Avenue. But far more non-Scientologists are moving out. However, it hasnt always been clear to me as to just what does that actually mean.. The acquisitions mirror the pattern that unfolded downtown between 2017 and 2019, when companies tied to Scientology bought 100 properties within walking distance of the waterfront and the churchs international spiritual headquarters, then left many of those buildings vacant and lots undeveloped. The Church was unaware of the land purchases? They came in under a fake name to buy the Fort Harrison Hotel, a historic hotel right in the center of downtown.

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