Steven Epstein took the unusual step of preparing an affidavit to tell the Tampa Bay Times that his client was not the Church of Scientology. 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. 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. In interviews, sellers said most of the transactions unfolded the same way. The property wasnt on the market. MCMANUS: Scientology arrived in downtown Clearwater in 1975. The Church was unaware of the significant number of properties owned by Scientologists in the Clearwater area and are delighted you provided the information.. 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. Today, 10 years later, the economic influence of Scientologists in the community is commensurately higher. The only record of redevelopment that has occurred among the 45 properties is a roof replacement on a vacant building on North Fort Harrison Avenue and internal demolition in a former flooring center two blocks north, according to notices in Pinellas County records. Jim Huestler is the blocks only holdout with a rental home on the northeast corner. They now own most commercial property on every block within walking distance of the waterfront. Construction on eight townhomes on the south end of the marina began Oct. 1, according to county records. Since arriving in Clearwater in 1975, the Church of Scientology has bought 60 . They came in under a fake name to buy the Fort Harrison Hotel, a historic hotel right in the center of downtown. Huestler said broker Terri Novitsky calls him every now and again to see if hed be interested in selling. 2. 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. Norm Novitsky hung up when asked by a reporter about the companies plans. 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. We are an equal opportunity employer and fully EEOC compliant. No one from the church dictates to me what to buy, what to sell, what to do.. They haven't started construction - or are they going to redevelop them and bring businesses in and contribute to a vibrant downtown? Of the 100 properties bought by parishioner-managed companies near the downtown waterfront from 2017 to 2019, 24 storefronts and buildings remain empty, including a former Walgreens, an old jewelry store and prominent buildings along the North Fort Harrison corridor. They posted guards wielding billy clubs and mace. 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. Ive been waiting for this neighborhood to clean up for 30 years, and I still think its around the corner, Rice said. The owner of a nationwide company that makes and markets aloe vera skin cream. They doubled the churchs footprint in less than three years. Thats not happening with almost any of these properties., [ More reaction: What Clearwaters City Council thinks about Scientologys downtown takeover ]. While theres no law against hanging onto property, developers typically buy land, build on it and sell it for profit. Church officials used a straw corporation to buy the historic Fort Harrison Hotel and moved in under a fake name. Ozsan has had a residence in London since 2001. Epstein could have simply told the reporter his client was not the Church of Scientology and left it at that. In a letter, the church said the Times is misinterpreting Scientology policy and that other religions also practice shunning. Scientology has said it has 10 million followers, but surveys and accounts from former members suggest there are no more than 30,000 worldwide. After his stint at CBRE, Riley worked for Caliber Wells in Scottsdale, Arizona and then left the firm. $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. Then he would try again, with new council members. City Council member Mark Bunker said although the church is not the official buyer of the downtown and North Marina properties, there is reason to believe Scientology leader David Miscavige is orchestrating the parishioner-operated companies making the acquisitions. EMPIRICAL PROSPECTING COMPANY LIMITED. The Times also contacted representatives of all 32 companies it identified that bought downtown real estate over the past three years. A few months later, the newcomers admitted they were actually Scientology. In January and February 2017, as the council was preparing to approve the consultants concept, a handful of companies bought six commercial properties downtown. "You have some buyers here that their motivations are not really clear," he said, "so it's tough to make economic sense out . Candidates and Scientologists Emrani, Kintzel and . Hayes, the attorney and parishioner involved in the rest of the North Marina purchases, was added as manager on the companies filings. Fuster and Ozsan go back a long way to Altea Real Property Ltd. in London. 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. Based upon on our new hypothesis that Trish Duggan may be the financier of the land purchases, the logic of bringing in non-Scientologist Rod Riley to act as the frontman makes sense as it can serve to counter any accusation that Scientology is taking over Clearwater. In San Diego, Taylor Guitars and Deering Banjo Company. Nearly two years after the properties were sold to a company run by two Scientologists, no redevelopment plans have been submitted. And our analysis found that these church officials were offering two, three, four times what the property appraiser said the properties were valued. Riley thereafter became a Regional Manager forCB Richard Ellis. Fischler, a local real estate agent, negotiated at least 10 of the downtown deals, according to interviews with sellers. 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. Investigative journalism like this is the most expensive work that we do. Good luck on that. Visit a quote page and your recently viewed tickers will be displayed here. Both are supposed to open soon. Mike Rinder, who led the churchs intelligence arm before defecting in 2007, said that when it comes to property around Flag, theres no real distinction between whether its owned by the church or a parishioner. 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. 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 church has amassed 60 properties in Pinellas County since arriving in 1975. But the promised downtown revival never came. That's the findings of a story in the Tampa Bay Times that's headlined clear takeover. GARCIA-NAVARRO: Explain to me why the paper has a Scientology reporter. An empty Walgreens. 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. This month, Shahab Emrani was elected to the Downtown Development Board, which helps promote downtown. After FBI raids uncovered the infiltrations, city officials launched their own investigations. Among other things, Ozsan is, according to our source, Trish Duggans money manager. Help us keep bringing stories like this to you. CBRE is an acronym for CB Richard Ellis. Operatives framed the mayor in a staged hit-and-run and spread false rumors he was having an extramarital affair. (I'm in Clearwater). His partner is Scientologist Maria Dolores Gregori Fuster. 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. We don't know if they're just going to continue to squat on them - because they haven't done anything yet. 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. The more its isolated and doesnt have people who are non-Scientologists around the area, the better.. Dozens of residents showed up to speak. Can you give me a sense of the scale and how they have made this happen with the relatively little fanfare over the years? CONNIE HUMBURG, TRACEY McMANUS, ELI MURRAY, ELI ZHANG | Times. 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. This makes no sense, except of course to a bigot.. He demanded to see their financials, their board of directors. Real estate agent Daphna Fischler brokered at least 10 downtown sales on behalf of seven buyers. VIDEO: Finally, Scientific Proof that Scientologys Body Thetans Cannot Exist! It said information in parishioner folders is sacrosanct and claims of blackmail have long since been disproven.. Taking into account these denials, we now have a new opinion to offer our readers. In Florida, limited liability companies that buy property are required to disclose administrative operators but not their owners. If our work stats did not improve day to day . Hes starting to assemble properties, Allbritton said. I saw a business opportunity, he said. 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. synergy rv transport pay rate; stephen randolph todd. Should we cut my sister out of the family inheritance? All they did was act like children and make crude sex/homophobic/racial jokes about being raped, gangbanged, etc. CEO Approval. 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. 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. Do I spend another 10 years and see what happens in downtown Clearwater?, Scientology, Pinellas County and Clearwater Reporter. The 2017-2019 Downtown Clearwater land purchases made by Scientologists totaled $103 million. pauline hanson dancing with the stars; just jerk dance members; what happens if a teacher gets a dui This one is owned by a parishioner who had been featured on the churchs Meet a Scientologist video series. Paid in cash. This is the Church of Hyper-Surveillance that knows everything about the private and business lives of its members; their social media activities; and even what they did in their past lives. Real estate agent David Kerr represented a buyer that paid more than three times what a property was valued by the county property appraiser. A lot of them are vacant lots, vacant buildings, empty storefronts. City leaders spent tens of millions improving streets, subsidizing residential projects and hiring consultants. Scientology Fines OTs $100,000 if They Talk About Xenu or Body Thetans! He wanted the council to stop trying to buy a vacant lot on which the church was also bidding. Some landlords tied to Scientology have helped bring life to portions of downtown. 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. 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. The Church of Scientology and companies run by its members have spent $103 million since 2017 buying about 100 properties. (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. 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. I would ask that you clarify the reference to CBRE. The Times used the date that transactions were recorded in Clerk of Courts official record as the date of sale. Asked directly whether Scientology orchestrated or paid for any of the sales, the church did not answer. This is a story for another time. 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. Epstein declined to name his client but responded to questions from the Timeswith an affidavit declaring it was not the Church of Scientology. Among them: make Clearwater known as the first Scientology city in the world.. The church acquired three others in a land swap. February 27, 2023 endeavor air pilot contract No Comments . 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. Sponsored by HomeIPO.org Is it possible to get money (maybe $50k) without a loan? The campus collects millions each week through fundraising and payments for expensive courses and high-level religious counseling not offered anywhere else. It is all so convenient for Rodney that it appears to be scripted. Im concerned, Mayor Frank Hibbard said. Its designed not for recruiting new members but for hosting established followers. The memos were later seized by the FBI. Another tell. Miscaviges offer to revitalize downtown hinged on the city ending its attempt to buy one vacant lot on which the church was also bidding. It was owned by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. By then, he had found an auto garage he could buy in Dunedin. Scientologys survival depends on the preservation of its headquarters in Clearwater. DEUTERIUM INVESTMENT ADVISORS LIMITED In the 70s, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in a Scientology plan to infiltrate the government. Getty. But now these LLCs tied to Scientology control the retail district. Many of the properties werent on the market when the deals were made. Block after block, vacant lots sit untouched, and storefronts remain empty: A former jewelry store. But after he forwarded an email critical of the organization in 2012 to another parishioner, the church began an excommunication process that would have forced his partner of 24 years to stop working with him and his tenants to move out. Agami also signed two more leases on the same block with restaurants owned by people not connected to the church. The spa's website makes it clear that, "In fact, we are, by definition, a Christian based business.". He took over Bob Lees Auto to continue the business legacy and served on the Downtown Development Board for a decade. Indeed, Scientology used the name The United Churches of Florida to purchase the Fort Harrison in 1975 for $3 million in cash. Its too soon to say how the shift in ownership will affect downtown. Typically, when people buy commercial real estate, they move forward with construction or redevelopment. 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. He had committed to downtown in 1997. The Fort Harrison Hotel serves as the flagship building of the Flag Land Base, the Church of Scientology's spiritual headquarters in Clearwater, Florida, US.It is owned and operated by the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization, Inc., a subsidiary of the Church of Scientology International.. The city wants to turn downtown into a regional destination for food, drink and entertainment. katherine noelle wyman; cape breton post obituaries 2022. location symbol text in word; list of female jockeys australia; mike conley house columbus ohio address . Times investigative reporters pored over 1,000 deeds and business records, and interviewed more than 90 people, to connect the dots from the church buying its first hotel in the area in 1975, to Scientologists and their businesses now owning 185 properties covering 101 acres in the heart of downtown Clearwater which is also Scientologys headquarters, and home to its flag campus, to which Scientologists across the globe make pilgrimages. In those cases, four or more parcels purchased together clearly comprised a single piece of real estate. In six cases, buyers paid quadruple the propertys value. Longtime City Manager Bill Horne said he cant tell whether the church wants the same thing. I mean, how big is the Church of Scientology where you are? This is a very interesting report. 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