Audited NOTs (NOT stands for NED [New Era Dianetics] Operating Thetan) Philip Kirkpatrick, Clearwaters senior economic development coordinator, said Stephen Epstein spoke with city officials in December about a potential commercial and multifamily project on the site. She reported full-time for six months, interviewing more than 90 people and reviewing more than 1,000 documents, to bring you this story. Weve spent a lot of happy years here, Lares said. TRACEY MCMANUS: Hi, Lulu. Nearly two years after the properties were sold to a company run by two Scientologists, no redevelopment plans have been submitted. Scientology boasts 10million followers, but surveys and accounts from former members suggest there are no more than 30,000 worldwide. Miscaviges offer to revitalize downtown hinged on the city ending its attempt to buy one vacant lot on which the church was also bidding. Dalai Lama. They haven't submitted redevelopment plans. CLEARWATER, Fla. In this small beachside community sits a 1.4-acre patch of dirt that has become a flash point in a fight between church and state. Almost immediately, a decades-long trickle of purchases by church members turned into a flood. Did you check your W-2? What a difference in Mike from then and now., The Q&A session began at 2PM. In those cases, four or more parcels purchased together clearly comprised a single piece of real estate. Former parishioners say the church has a history of interfering in Scientologists downtown business. GARCIA-NAVARRO: It's the type of servitude. Seventy-three percent of the property is tax-exempt for religious purposes. Hayes, the attorney and parishioner involved in the rest of the North Marina purchases, was added as manager on the companies filings. The church acquired three others in a land swap. Anonymous "members" have stated it was a great success with at least 3 Scientology members being arrested for assault, when the scientologists grabbed and attempted to remove protesters' masks. So we kept our eye on the downtown purchases. Did you do your taxes? He saw the area improve when police cracked down on drugs and prostitution decades ago. MCMANUS: Brokers representing these companies were approaching downtown property owners. It's GRAYGATE! I think it's comparable to say it's kind of, like, if there were to be a Vatican reporter in Vatican City. I saw a business opportunity, Ezra said. Since 2017, limited liability companies tied to the Church of Scientology have scooped up at least 100 properties on or near the downtown waterfront and approximately 60 others in residential. Now, 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. ! 0. 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. They posted guards wielding billy clubs and mace. Tom Cruise is moving to Clearwater, Florida to live just blocks away from the Church of Scientology headquarters. Over the next four decades, the church gradually amassed 58 properties in Clearwater under its name, 49 of them downtown. The most widely publicized death of one of the organization's members was that of 36-year-old Lisa McPherson while in the care of Scientologists at the Scientology-owned Fort Harrison Hotel, in Clearwater, Florida, in 1995.. What religion is Scientology similar to? 'However, it hasnt always been clear to me as to just what does that actually mean.'. When I have to go to that area, and see them in crowds moving from building to building doing their work ( whatever that is) I think of cockroaches, like whatever you do . Run away!!! 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. Inc. magazine's 2019 report on the 5,000 fastest-growing privately owned businesses in America cites 16 firms based in Clearwater. DeSantis vetoed a $1M Day of Service program that was worth so much more | Column, DeSantis calls for open market to compete with Advanced Placement, Supreme Court weighs Biden student loan plan worth billions, Maple Leafs: Lightning, other division rivals did not spur deal, The youngest Grand Prix of St. Petersburg driver? 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Scientologys extraordinary influence over its members has been documented in government investigations and testimony from former parishioners throughout its 65-year history. hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater. BBC's 1million star Zoe Ball, 52, lands big new payday for Abba show on ITV. Then he would try again, with new council members. But the promised downtown revival never came. But Scientologist-controlled companies are also sitting on at least 26 vacant lots and 31 empty storefronts and offices. How Boris Johnson's Partygate tormentor Sue Gray is now enmeshed in her own row - as it is DAN HODGES: This grubby Sue Gray recruitment annihilates all pretence that Sir Keir Starmer is a man of 'He was a natural leader': Mourners gather for the funeral of Thai cave survivor who died aged 17 after 'You'll be missed forever': Elizabeth Hurley and son Damian share heartfelt tribute to her late ex Shane Mamma Mia! The Church's celebrity members Tom Cruise and John Travolta are known to have estates in Clearwater not far from the Scientology headquarters. Investigative journalism like this is the most expensive work that we do. View Hotel. The majority of this property now stands vacant, and given the Church's tax exempt status, has limitless potential for development. He walked away with nothing. 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. For the first time, a majority of the boards members will be Scientologists. Osman Ozsan is, in our opinion, one of the more notable Scientologists you've never heard of. Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? 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Ron Hubbard bought a historic hotel in downtown Clearwater. The lack of action from Scientology-tied buyers has precedent. The dowtown area of Clearwater is dominated by buildings owned by the Scientologists. My plan is to keep renting, Huestler said. They paid $26 million. (Which, actually, all Scientologists are under pressure to do. 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 . Epstein declined to name his client but responded to questions from the Times with an affidavit declaring it was not the Church of Scientology. Fischler did not respond to phone messages, a certified letter or a note left at her condo. '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 said. Terri Novitsky and Hayes did not return calls and emails requesting comment. DeSantis vetoed a $1M Day of Service program that was worth so much more | Column, DeSantis calls for open market to compete with Advanced Placement, Supreme Court weighs Biden student loan plan worth billions, Maple Leafs: Lightning, other division rivals did not spur deal, The youngest Grand Prix of St. Petersburg driver? Religious Technology Center (RTC) is the primary manager of Scientology intellectual property. They include consumer products, a lighting manufacturer, development firms, fitness, advertising and marketing, environmental services and financial advisers. hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater. L Ron Hubbard From HCOPL URGENT ORG PROGRAMMING, "We own a tremendous amount of property. The land grab started as tensions grew between the church and the Clearwater City Council. Trending; . The Times counted each parcel that was assigned a value by the property appraiser as a single property with five exceptions. ', Freedom Magazine is a Scientology produced publication. A few months after Yarbrough relocated, a new electrical company moved into his old building. 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. Scientology came to downtown Clearwater in 1975. Claimed. The church now completely controls the heart of the city, save for a few condominium tower and buildings owned by the government, the Tampa Bay Times discovered after reviewing 1,000 deeds and business records, shocking city leaders and residents at the scope of the churchs dominance. Copyright 2019 NPR. George Orwell's astonishing novel 1984 depicts a dystopian world that has many remarkable similarities to scientology. Operatives framed the mayor in a staged hit-and-run and spread false rumors he was having an extramarital affair. Didn't like the Grab N Go Idea for a continental Breakfast. And the properties cover about 100 acres. But far more non-Scientologists are moving out. About 72 percent of those properties are tax exempt for religious uses. Concerned he wouldnt be able to pay his mortgage, Argall said he deeded the building, appraised at $780,000, back to the previous owner. Can you give me a sense of the scale and how they have made this happen with the relatively little fanfare over the years? 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. The city has no record yet of redevelopment plans being submitted for any of the North Marina properties since the purchases began, according to planning and development director Gina Clayton. Has the Church of Scientology ever killed anyone? walmart stabbing victim; google financial analyst salary london. It's not clear how many followers are based in Clearwater. They come from all walks of life, professions and ethnic groups. This gallery shows all 60 properties Scientology owns under its name in Pinellas county and six additional retail properties the church acquired through limited liability companies in 2017. san jose state basketball recruiting; 5 types of imagery in the pedestrian. When the council voted to buy the property, the chamber erupted in applause. When will the Beast from the East be at YOUR door? 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. MCMANUS: You know, Lulu, from my reporting, I've learned that there's a lot of mistrust and suspicion still in the community when it comes to Scientology because a lot of the residents here were living in the city when Scientology arrived in the '70s, and they remember the tactics Scientology used. Interactive map reveals when you may see SNOW, Kate Garraway reveals Derek's heartbreaking words when they thought he had just minutes left to live. 'I dont mix my personal business with other areas in my life,'Terri Novitsky, a Scientologist who manages a company that bought two office buildings on Chestnut Street in 2017, said. Hes starting to assemble properties, Allbritton said. The Times described sales as cash transactions when they were paid without a mortgage filed in public records. Scientologists make up a diverse group in Clearwater. What you know is what you know and to have the courage to know and say what you have observed".- LRH from Personal Integrity, "It is necessary to happiness of man, that he be mentally faithful to himself. During that period, downtown purchases by limited liability companies managed by members of Scientology accelerated. Internal church documents detailed missions that planted spies in the state attorneys office, the Chamber of Commerce and the Clearwater Sun newspaper. 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. Miscavige cut off communication with the city. by . This makes no sense, except of course to a bigot.. 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. In Florida, limited liability companies that buy property are required to disclose administrative operators but not their owners. Flag is what they call it, and it's the international spiritual headquarters of the church. You will discover the facts for yourself when you read that article; it provides the real answer as to what has happened with downtown revitalizationand how that revitalization was torpedoed by the Times. The Church has not revealed any motive behind their domination of downtown Clearwater. She said, Well, well have to invite you down for dinner, he recalled. All rights reserved. See listing details for 880 Mandalay Avenue S604, CLEARWATER, FL 33767 | REGATTA BEACH CLUB CONDO: 0 - 1.00 - 500 - Condo - Hotel listed at 2995 | MLS #O6093827 Most did not respond or declined to comment. Scientology leader David Miscavige told city officials the properties were part of the churchs proposed retail redevelopment plan. Leading up to the waterfront, 22 of the first 33 buildings now have ties to Scientology. Tom De Vocht, a former Scientology executive who oversaw the church's property in Clearwater from 1996 to 2001, said he believes Scientology is responding to the city's efforts by creating a. Seventy-one percent of the 60 parcels the Church of Scientology owns under its name in Pinellas County are tax-exempt for religious purposes. 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. The few that chose to speak on selling their property said they were approached by a Scientologist who made offers and paid in cash. Reached at their condo, his wife declined to comment. Hubbard had a vision of making Clearwater a spiritual home for his Church of Scientology. Visitors are expected to stay in Scientologys hotels and eat at private church restaurants. But Lee assumed the church was involved. 3,594 Reviews . People arrive for the celebration of the opening of the new Scientology Flag Building on November 16, 2013 in Clearwater, Scientology boasts 10million followers, but surveys and accounts from former members suggest there are no more than 30,000 worldwide. 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. [ The full history: Scientologys 40 years of conflict with the City of Clearwater, recapped ]. Once we dug into the data and pulled records, we found that LLCs tied to the Church of Scientology had bought about 100 properties. Some of the parishioners have a history of working on Scientologys behalf. Among other things, Ozsan is, according to our source, Trish Duggan's money manager. hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater. The Tampa Bay Times reported that the church, including members and employees, now own 185 properties that encompass more than 101 acres in downtown Clearwater, located west of Tampa and sitting. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. That's the findings of a story in the Tampa Bay Times that's headlined clear takeover. Shephard's Beach Resort. Do I spend another 10 years and see what happens in downtown Clearwater?, Scientology, Pinellas County and Clearwater Reporter. Scientologists in Clearwater. He has not been arrested by the FBI; fined $10 million by the FTC for running a roach motel; is not facing criminal rape charges; is not dealing with class action lawsuits; and is not awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to felony insurance fraud. Theyve got one intention, and one intention only, De Vocht said. In interviews, sellers said most of the transactions unfolded the same way. MCMANUS: Right - because the city officials have said that there's only so many factors they control. And he was going to recruit high-end retail to some of the empty storefronts because downtown Clearwater's pretty depressed. But even when the church isnt in control, its presence can deter development. Four high-ranking defectors describe bizarre behavior and physical beatings inflicted by Scientology leader David Miscavige. He took over Bob Lees Auto to continue the business legacy and served on the Downtown Development Board for a decade. But its potential is still untapped, with prime vacant land overlooking Clearwater Harbor. But just how has the church expanded at such an alarming rate? Its members bought property on surrounding blocks. 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. The downtown and North Marina properties bought by limited liability companies managed or operated by members of Scientology remain on the tax rolls. About $15.9 million was paid in cash. But after a dispute with the city, Miscavige cut communication. 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 of Scientology provided the following statement to DailyMail.com: 'The Times article is simply the latest in its continuing and unending obsession with Scientology and is little more than self-serving propaganda intended to give the appearance of objective reporting without reporting the actual facts to the reader. 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) According to court records, Andrus accompanied two guards as they handcuffed and gagged the man, dragged him into a car and drove him to a hideout, where he was held for a month before escaping. Save. AND it is NOT in a Flood Zone! He promoted the site to about 75 hoteliers and developers across the country. The family of Moises Agami, a developer whose companies bought 20 storefronts and a parking lot last year, has donated at least $10 million. The church promised to spend $55 million. I, Scientology cant clear the planet or fix every issue. It bought a hotel and wrote plans to take control of the city. 619 S Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33767-2643. You'll find plenty of sites, activities, and attractions to explore near our pet-friendly Clearwater hotel, including downtown Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg, which is only 30 minutes away, Celebration Station, Honeymoon Island State Park, Clearwater Beach, Caladesi Island State Park, and Busch Gardens. The impact is clearest in the heart of downtown. Charles 'will NEVER build real relationship with Archie and Lili unless Harry and Meghan get new royal 'Putin has STOLEN our Ukrainian children': Distraught parents tell how THOUSANDS of youngsters never EMILY PRESCOTT: Sarah Ferguson 'confused' after seeing photos from goddaughter's wedding she thought she was Joe Biden is 'unlikely' to attend King Charles' coronation due to Ireland trip - despite promising to A 14-year-old autistic boy's naive prank. in positive and negative effects of coca cola.
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