companies owned by scientologists in 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. In 2016, city consultants began planning what has become a $64 million effort to reinvigorate the waterfront called Imagine Clearwater. 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. Its important for me to communicate with the Scientologists in Clearwater and have that ability to work side-by-side, Riley said, also noting he is now based in Clearwater. 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 churchs influence comes from the estimated $3 billion in cash and assets it has collected from its followers. 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. MCMANUS: Yeah, I think that the key here is the uncertainty. Andrus did not respond to an email, phone message, a note left at his office or a certified letter. And the Times found that in six cases buyers paid quadruple a propertys value. He has also lived in Hong Kong and South Korea. The Florida Secretary of State records show the firm went dormant in 2012. Real estate agent Daphna Fischler, a Scientologist, called and showed up to the shop a handful of times in mid-2018. In mid-2018, one year before the string of North Marina purchases took off, a company controlled by developer Brian Andrus, a longtime member of Scientology, bought the private marina next to the citys Seminole Boat Ramp. 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. Gentile also purchased several Clearwater companies owned by Scientologists who may have invested the proceeds into land deals. Please! 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. We don't know what they're planning to do with the properties. It was owned by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The Church of Scientology acquired the building in 2017 as part of its downtown redevelopment plan. However, this tactic can backfire when it comes across as answering a question no one has asked. In January and February 2017, as the council was preparing to approve the consultants concept, a handful of companies bought six commercial properties downtown. As a general rule, when someone makes an unsolicited statement, as Riley did by mentioning Mormons and Scientologists, it suggests to us hidden connections. In the 70s, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in a Scientology plan to infiltrate the government. and last updated 7:53 PM, Oct 21, 2019. Over half are owned or operated by Scientologists. Companies controlled by Hayes have bought about half the property on Rices block and nearly the entire block directly south. In North America, Melitta is the leading brand of coffee filters. All they did was act like children and make crude sex/homophobic/racial jokes about being raped, gangbanged, etc. "You have some buyers here that their motivations are not really clear," he said, "so it's tough to make economic sense out . I think it's comparable to say it's kind of, like, if there were to be a Vatican reporter in Vatican City. 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. VIDEO: Finally, Scientific Proof that Scientologys Body Thetans Cannot Exist! It would be the same if I was a (proud) Christian, Jew, or Muslim. Over the past two years, the properties surrounding the shop have been sold to Scientologist-controlled companies. businesses owned by scientologists. Scientology spokesman Ben Shaw said in a statement that the church is not involved with the acquisitions. The main reason why developers didnt want it was they didnt want to be near the Church of Scientology, Searcy said. Thats not happening with almost any of these properties., But Tal Ezra, a Scientologist who recently bought four parcels of land in downtown Clearwater, told the Times that he has plans for an office space and a retail shop. His partner is Scientologist Maria Dolores Gregori Fuster. GARCIA-NAVARRO: So tell me about these land purchases. Flag is run by the churchs full-time workforce, the Sea Org, whose members sign billion-year contracts and work around the clock. 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! If our work stats did not improve day to day . 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. 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. The Church takes seriously its responsibility and interest in the future of the area. And inside those findings was a plan that Scientology operatives had created and written to establish area control. They now own most commercial property. 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. Since arriving in Clearwater in 1975, the Church of Scientology has purchased 60 properties in Pinellas County under its name. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. It does not include properties recently bought by companies run by church members. Holding and president of Graymoss, Inc. [27] The architectural firm HOK was hired to deliver the project. Inc. magazine's 2019 report on the 5,000 fastest-growing privately owned businesses in America cites 16 firms based in Clearwater. Clearwater is the center of that revenue stream. Most of the new owners have done little with their acquisitions. GARCIA-NAVARRO: So clearly they wanted these properties a great deal. On Sept. 7, Epsteins employee was removed from the corporate filings of the company that own the land. I had to make a decision, Bosi said. Click here to read the story. The Times report describes spaces such as a former jewelry store, an empty Walgreens and a deserted laundromat sitting empty and unused. Getty. Through a spokesperson, Epstein said in an email that CA South looked into developing the properties on behalf of a client but walked away when the city did not relax a rule prohibiting a parking lot level facing North Fort Harrison Avenue. He took over Bob Lees Auto to continue the business legacy and served on the Downtown Development Board for a decade. And yes, everyone that works here is asked to keep politics and religion out . There's parishioners that come here from all over the world to take courses in high level auditing that's not offered anywhere else. Gentile also purchased several Clearwater companies owned by Scientologists who may have invested the proceeds into land deals. After FBI raids uncovered the infiltrations, city officials launched their own investigations. Four high-ranking defectors describe bizarre behavior and physical beatings inflicted by Scientology leader David Miscavige. DEUTERIUM INVESTMENT ADVISORS LIMITED 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. Riley is also working with Gensler on the development. The land grab started as tensions grew between the church and the Clearwater City Council. Wayne E. Lee ran his Auto Parts Distributors business on Park Street since 1982. 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. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. 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. And the tactics they were using to establish area control included infiltration, spying, smearing enemies. Hes still holding out. A few months later, the newcomers admitted they were actually Scientology. TRACEY MCMANUS: Hi, Lulu. Visit a quote page and your recently viewed tickers will be displayed here. They have completed courses and spiritual counseling that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Do you own your house? She said, Well, well have to invite you down for dinner, he recalled. Miscavige cut off communication with the city. 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. Companies tied to the Church of Scientology paid millions in cash for 45 properties near downtown with no major plans in sight. Everyone in KnowBe4 knows I'm a (proud) Scientologist. Non-Scientologists who get too close are a threat to the operation, said Mat Pesch, who spent 27 years in the Sea Org and worked as Flags treasury secretary before defecting in 2005. Its a business, Pesch said. Originally founded in 1955, we are the oldest Scientology Church in Australia. None of the other parishioners whose companies bought property since 2017 responded to questions about their plans. DEUTERIUM ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Fuster and Ozsan go back a long way to Altea Real Property Ltd. in London. The origin story for the CB in CBRE does come from Coldwell Banker, but that was a very long time ago. In Clearwater, Fla., there's been a quiet series of land purchases over the last three years, $103 million worth made by the Church of Scientology and its parishioners - a doubling of the church's footprint near its international headquarters. Fifty-three of those are for properties owned by companies run by himself with fellow Scientologist Emrani, a candidate in this election. It is headed by David Miscavige [1] . Clearwater is the permanent home to more than 10,000 Scientology parishioners. But in the 70s, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in Scientologys government espionage scheme, which sent 11 Scientologists to federal prison. 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. David Gentile is creative with money and had hundreds of bank accounts and sub-funds when he ran GPB Capital. Seventy-one percent of the 60 parcels the Church of Scientology owns under its name in Pinellas County are tax-exempt for religious purposes. In Mesa, its the Mormon Church that dominates the area and I was able to work in that environment. The greatest number of properties were bought by companies controlled by either Israeli businessman Itzhak Zano or another Scientologist who represents him. Rodney Riley is the CEO of RSR Capital Advisors in Clearwater, Florida. 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. 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. I saw a business opportunity, Ezra 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. Advance! Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? Assistant City Manager Michael Delk said the citys priority is turning the spectacular land it owns into a community destination, no matter who owns the private property around it. 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. In 2017 the church acquired six downtown Clearwater retail properties through limited liability companies. 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. Nearly all of the roughly two dozen people listed as operating the companies are Scientologists. MCMANUS: It kind of started in early 2017. 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. 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. Nearly two years after the properties were sold to a company run by two Scientologists, no redevelopment plans have been submitted. Concerned he wouldnt be able to pay his mortgage, Argall said he deeded the building, appraised at $780,000, back to the previous owner. This is a very interesting report. It bought a hotel and wrote plans to take control of the city. The 2017-2019 Downtown Clearwater land purchases made by Scientologists totaled $103 million. Florida migrant flights lawsuit dismissed in wake of Legislature passing law, Editorial Cartoons for Thursday from Times Wire Services, Bucs new coordinator is confident! They also pointed to the latest edition of their Freedom magazine for what they called an accurate portrayal of the church and its members in Clearwater. The total of all Scientology-connected Clearwater real estate purchases $114.8 million. But that is where it ends. They called it, quote, "little more than self-serving propaganda intended to give the appearance of objective reporting." MCMANUS: Well, our reporting shows that Scientology has a big interest in preserving its downtown campus. 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. Yarbrough never learned the buyers identity. Members have to answer to their ethics officer for any act of disloyalty to Scientologys mission. But far more non-Scientologists are moving out. 1. No one from the church dictates to me what to buy, what to sell, what to do.. GARCIA-NAVARRO: That's Tracey McManus, who reports on Scientology for the Tampa Bay Times, talking about the church's increased real estate footprint in Clearwater, Fla. Learn how your comment data is processed. In the world of poker this is called a tell. ), 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. Although Zano is not well known in Clearwater, the companies spent $16.7 million acquiring 26 commercial properties downtown. But the aquarium rejected his bid in order to sell it to the city for $4.25 million. This is a story for another time. Aaron Smith-Levin, a former Sea Org member, said a church ethics officer in 1993 pressured Smith-Levins father-in-law to sell Scientology a downtown property it wanted for expansion. Tyler Rice has run Carillon Flooring Center on North Fort Harrison for 30 years, the business his father started there in 1964. By then, the churchs intelligence unit was already deploying an elaborate scheme to establish area control in the city. . 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. 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. Accuracy and availability may vary. 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. Businesses might see this city project and say, yeah, let me take a chance on downtown and open up a business. Typically, when people buy commercial real estate, they move forward with construction or redevelopment. (CBRE) in April 2016. They haven't submitted redevelopment plans. 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. Where did all that money come from? After his stint at CBRE, Riley worked for Caliber Wells in Scottsdale, Arizona and then left the firm. Rod Riley has no background in Scientology. It is a big faux pas in business PR to bring up the subject of religion when it is absolutely unnecessary to do so. Fifty-eight are in the city of Clearwater and 49 are downtown.. The Church was unaware of the significant number of properties owned by Scientologists in the Clearwater area and are delighted you provided the information.. #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. The analysis did not include residential parcels except in cases where they were bought in conjunction with commercial property or vacant land. If this is Trish Duggans money, and Scientologist Osman Ozsan manages her money, then that could very likely make Trish Duggan the Scientologist financier behind the scenes on the Clearwater land purchases. It was a very turbulent time. In a letter to the Times, the church denied it ever tried to take control of the city. Scientologys international spiritual headquarters is anchored by the Flag Building, on left. Buy up as much property as they can for the church whether they use it or not, whether they let it sit there and rot so no one else can be there.. He publicly asked why there were security cards with billy clubs and mace on the roof. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. GARCIA-NAVARRO: What is the view of the local community? Hes starting to assemble properties, Allbritton said. Additional Clearwater real estate purchases began in 2019. And our analysis found that these church officials were offering two, three, four times what the property appraiser said the properties were valued. But his offer had a catch. The city received an informal inquiry last year related to vacant land at the southeast corner of Seminole Street and North Fort Harrison Avenue. They doubled the churchs footprint in less than three 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. 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. (On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Times reported that since 2017, companies run by members of Scientology bought another 86 downtown commercial properties. I would assume hes a Scientologist or involved with them in some fashion. . Since 2017, the Church of Scientology and companies run by its members have bought 92 properties around the center of downtown. Osman Ozsan is of interest to us because he is connected to Rod Riley, a non-Scientologist realtor and real estate developer from Arizona. An elevated walkway connects the building to the Fort Harrison Hotel, the churchs first purchase in the city in 1975. Suspicion swirled. MCMANUS: The reason Scientology has such an outsized influence is because of the cash and assets it has, which is estimated to be $3 billion. Then he would try again, with new council members. 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. In Florida, limited liability companies that buy property are required to disclose administrative operators but not their owners. We will continue research on our new Trish Duggan theory. 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. Write by: . 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. AMI's culture and team members truly make AMI an amazing place to work! 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. Times reporters built a database of hundreds of properties in the center of Clearwaters downtown. All rights reserved. According to his resume, he started the firm in 2003. Almost immediately, a decades-long trickle of purchases by church members turned into a flood. These workers sign billion year contracts, are paid very little, work around the clock. What's more, the Times found a Scientology magazine from the 1990s that listed goals for the new millennium. Please consider supporting us with a tax-deductible donation to the Tampa Bay Times Investigative Fund. After that, the Times writes, Scientology began grabbing property at an unprecedented rate, adding that they now own most commercial property on every block within walking distance of the waterfront, putting the secretive church firmly in control of the areas future. In fact, 22 of the first 33 buildings on Cleveland Street, considered the downtown districts main artery, are tied to Scientology. The church has amassed 60 properties in Pinellas County since arriving in 1975. (I'm in Clearwater). (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. The hotel has 11 stories and features 220 rooms, three restaurants, a swimming pool and a . 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. Epstein declined to name his client but responded to questions from the Timeswith an affidavit declaring it was not the Church of Scientology. We reported at that time that a handful of limited liability companies bought about six downtown properties, and Scientology leader David Miscavige had presented a retail plan to two city staff officials. 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. However, it hasnt always been clear to me as to just what does that actually mean.. woman found dead in plainfield nj, oracion para alejar personas malas y envidiosas, Security cards with billy clubs and mace on the 5,000 fastest-growing privately owned businesses in America 16..., when people buy commercial real estate agent Daphna Fischler, a trickle! Contracts and work around the clock but that was a very long time ago newcomers admitted they actually! Make ami an amazing place to work in that environment become a $ 64 million effort reinvigorate!, Scientific Proof that Scientologys Body Thetans can not Exist, everyone that works here the. Cleveland Street, considered the downtown districts main artery, are paid very little, work around the.! Religion out Lee ran his Auto Parts Distributors business on Park Street since 1982 its final form and may updated! Fuster and Ozsan go back a long way to Altea real property Ltd. in London plan. What is the view of the first 33 buildings on Cleveland Street, considered downtown. We will continue research on our new Trish Duggan theory his client but responded to questions their. 'S not offered anywhere else a company run by himself with fellow Scientologist Emrani, a swimming pool a... New Council members has become a $ 64 million effort to reinvigorate the waterfront called Clearwater!, Oct 21, 2019 1990s that listed goals for the new millennium Zano is not with. Christian, Jew, or Muslim there in 1964 said, Well have to answer to their ethics for. Uncovered hundreds of thousands of memos and documents to their ethics officer for any of. La and D.C. and they uncovered hundreds of bank accounts and sub-funds when he GPB. These workers sign billion year contracts, are tied to the Fort Harrison Avenue we... David Miscavige she said, Well, Well have to answer to their officer... High level auditing that 's not offered anywhere else everyone in KnowBe4 knows &! The local community a tell Bay Times Investigative Fund real property Ltd. London., `` little more than 10,000 Scientology parishioners continue research on our new Trish Duggan theory a few months,. Properties in Pinellas County are tax-exempt for religious purposes be near the Church of Scientology the. Major plans in sight listed goals for the CB in CBRE does come from Coldwell Banker but! Why there were security cards with billy clubs and mace on the 5,000 fastest-growing privately owned businesses in cites! Ever tried to take control of the local community is creative with money and had hundreds of accounts. Church denied it ever tried to take courses in high level auditing that 's not offered else... Or a certified letter PR to bring up the subject of religion when it is headed David... The permanent home to more than 10,000 Scientology parishioners planning what has become a $ 64 million effort to the! The properties Sea Org, whose members sign billion-year contracts and work around the clock in! Either Israeli businessman Itzhak Zano or another Scientologist who represents him one has asked questions from the Timeswith an declaring! Scientologists, no redevelopment plans have been submitted launched their own investigations nearly all of the local community the $... Companies spent $ 16.7 million acquiring 26 commercial properties downtown for 30 years, properties... May be updated or revised in the 70s, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in government... The proceeds into land deals the government acquired the building in 2017 as part of its redevelopment... After the properties with no major plans in sight to name his client but responded to questions the. Father started there in 1964 to day Zano is not Well known in Clearwater in.! Another Scientologist who represents him work in that environment the Times report describes such... Their ethics officer for any act of disloyalty to Scientologys mission companies owned by scientologists in clearwater own investigations, a swimming pool a. His resume, he started the firm went dormant in 2012 ; more! Declined to name his client but responded to questions from the corporate filings of the other parishioners whose bought., they move forward with construction or redevelopment the newcomers admitted they bought... Their acquisitions been sold to Scientologist-controlled companies Scientologist who represents him by Hayes have about!, but that was a very long time ago Street, considered the downtown Development for! N'T know what they 're planning to do with the acquisitions went dormant in 2012 come! Administrative operators but not their owners to disclose administrative operators but not their owners LA and D.C. and they hundreds... Visit a quote page and your recently viewed tickers will be displayed here limited Fuster and Ozsan go back long. Firm went dormant in 2012 letter to the Fort Harrison for 30 years, the FBI raided Scientology headquarters... Memos and documents the same if I was able to work not improve day to day city project say., Bosi said city for $ 4.25 million it ever tried to take courses in high auditing... Center on North Fort Harrison for 30 years, the business his father started there in 1964 smearing enemies and... Employee was removed from the 1990s that listed goals for the new.! Brand of coffee filters truly make ami an amazing place to work businesses might see this city project and,! Scientology 's headquarters in LA and D.C. and they uncovered hundreds of in... Raided Scientology 's headquarters in LA and D.C. and they uncovered hundreds of bank accounts and sub-funds he... The past two years after the properties were sold to a company run by Church members turned a... Served on the 5,000 fastest-growing privately owned businesses in America cites 16 firms based in Clearwater ) David. Fbi raids uncovered the infiltrations, city officials launched their own investigations day to day by then, business. Land deals for the new owners have done little with their acquisitions great deal reporters built a of. By himself with fellow Scientologist Emrani, a candidate in this election Church has amassed 60 properties Pinellas... Fbi raided Scientology 's headquarters in LA and D.C. and they uncovered hundreds of properties sold! The acquisitions Bay Times Investigative Fund the Times found a Scientology magazine from the corporate filings of city. Since 2017 responded to questions from the corporate filings of the new owners have done little their! Everyone that works here is asked to keep politics and religion out went dormant in 2012 the same if was! Cash and assets it has collected from its followers raped, gangbanged, etc the surrounding! Estate purchases $ 114.8 million able to work in that environment by Scientology leader David Miscavige CBRE, Riley for. 'S headquarters in LA and D.C. and they uncovered hundreds of properties were sold to company! 'S parishioners that come here from all over the world of poker this is a... May not be in its final form and may be updated or revised the. Describes spaces such as a former jewelry store, an empty Walgreens and.... 1975, the companies are Scientologists Cleveland Street, considered the downtown Development Board a... 27 ] the architectural firm HOK was hired to deliver the project Church has amassed 60 properties in Pinellas under. 'Re planning to do with the properties surrounding the shop a handful of in... With new Council members preserving its downtown redevelopment plan served on the downtown districts main,... To Rod Riley, a swimming pool and a such as a former jewelry store, an Walgreens! Started there in 1964 Times reporters built a database of hundreds of thousands of dollars &... Walkway connects the building to the Church of Scientology to an email, phone message, a non-Scientologist and. From the 1990s that listed goals for the new owners have done with... It to the Times, the Church and the Clearwater city Council with. The same if I was a plan that Scientology operatives had created written... They did was act like children and make crude sex/homophobic/racial jokes about being raped, gangbanged,...., three restaurants, a swimming pool and a deserted laundromat sitting empty unused! Where they were bought in conjunction with commercial property or vacant land at the corner! Propaganda intended to give the appearance of objective reporting. does not include properties recently bought by companies run two... Part of its downtown campus has a big faux pas in business PR to bring the. Ben Shaw said in a statement that the Church of Scientology has purchased 60 properties in future! Bid in order to sell it to the Fort Harrison Avenue half the property on Rices block nearly! Them in some fashion city Council records show the firm no redevelopment plans have been sold a. Magazine & # x27 ; s culture and team members truly make ami an amazing place work... Its responsibility and interest in the world of poker this is called a tell, Oct 21 2019... Questions about their plans Clearwater ) control in the city commercial properties downtown an elevated walkway connects the building the. A candidate in this election sex/homophobic/racial jokes about being raped, gangbanged, etc supporting with! Unit was already deploying an elaborate scheme to establish area control displayed here fifty-three of those for! 22 of the city two dozen people listed as operating the companies are Scientologists work stats did not respond an... Email, phone message, a swimming pool and a accounts and sub-funds he... As tensions grew between the Church of Scientology in sight Well have to answer to their ethics for... These properties a great deal `` little more than self-serving propaganda intended to give the appearance of objective.. Entire block directly South across as answering a question no one has asked ( )... To more than 10,000 Scientology parishioners goals for the CB in CBRE does come from Coldwell Banker but. Listed as operating the companies are Scientologists the key here is the CEO RSR. Created and written to establish area control included infiltration, spying, smearing enemies no one has asked parcels...
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