Since July 2019, eight limited liability companies managed or operated by members of the church have bought 45 properties in North Marina, including Chesneys. Be informed that their owners are local Scientologists who support the abuses of Scientology leader David Miscavige. ), [ Slideshow: See every building owned by the church ], In the 90s, a Scientology magazine listed the churchs goals for 2000. The land grab started as tensions grew between the church and the Clearwater City Council. Rodney Riley is the CEO of RSR Capital Advisors in Clearwater, Florida. 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. Religious Technology Center (RTC) is the primary manager of Scientology intellectual property. Coincident with this Riley-registered RSR Capital Advisors as an LLC in Florida on March 21, 2022. 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. 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. I saw a business opportunity, Ezra said. Visit a quote page and your recently viewed tickers will be displayed here. The Times counted each parcel that was assigned a value by the property appraiser as a single property with five exceptions. Clearwater is the permanent home to more than 10,000 Scientology parishioners. 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. Scientology came to downtown Clearwater in 1975. 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. 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. Osman Ozsan is of interest to us because he is connected to Rod Riley, a non-Scientologist realtor and real estate developer from Arizona. Then the council interfered with a land deal that Scientology demanded for its plan. Ive been waiting for this neighborhood to clean up for 30 years, and I still think its around the corner, Rice said. It teaches that expanding Scientology is key to saving the world, then wields a system of totalitarian policies to keep parishioners in line. One of these accounts shows discretionary assets of $134.77 million. Epstein declined to name his client but responded to questions from the Timeswith an affidavit declaring it was not the Church of Scientology. The Florida Secretary of State records show the firm went dormant in 2012. Scientologists Brett Miller and Joanie and Steve Sigal recommended Frank Hibbard for Mayor. 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. The owner of a nationwide company that makes and markets aloe vera skin cream. 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. Defectors have said they were paid less than $50 a week. Hayes, the attorney and parishioner involved in the rest of the North Marina purchases, was added as manager on the companies filings. Seventy-three percent of the property is tax-exempt for religious purposes. Osman Ozsan has been a Scientologist since the 1990s. 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. This means the total revenue of the "300" scientology businesses that are owned by the 9700 local scientologists is equivalent to 7.5 average car dealers. If our work stats did not improve day to day . I think it throws a stake in it when one party owns 50 percent or so. Gulf Coast Marine and ClearwaterPlumbing. 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. CBRE is an acronym for CB Richard Ellis. Thank you very much. Four high-ranking defectors describe bizarre behavior and physical beatings inflicted by Scientology leader David Miscavige. The Times described sales as cash transactions when they were paid without a mortgage filed in public records. The property wasnt on the market. pauline hanson dancing with the stars; just jerk dance members; what happens if a teacher gets a dui 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. Many of their properties weren't listed for sale. Part of the reason for that is because they have this Sea Org that works full time and is paid less than $50 a week. 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. Real estate agent Daphna Fischler, a Scientologist, called and showed up to the shop a handful of times in mid-2018. 20, 2019. 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. And our analysis found that these church officials were offering two, three, four times what the property appraiser said the properties were valued. Then he would try again, with new council members. That company has had no connection to Coldwell Banker for decades. 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. 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. Advance! Of the $103 million spent, $99 million was paid in cash. At least eight businesses that got new landlords tied to Scientology moved out and have not been replaced. I dont mix my personal business with other areas in my life, said Terri Novitsky, a Scientologist who manages a company that bought two office buildings on Chestnut Street in 2017. Scientology has said it has 10 million followers, but surveys and accounts from former members suggest there are no more than 30,000 worldwide. In a letter to the Times, the church denied it ever tried to take control of the city. It bought a hotel and wrote plans to take control of the city. 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 the world of scientologywhere anything goes and all laws in the wog world by damnedits Christmas 24/7. 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. Nicole Lyn Pesce is News Editor, Trending at MarketWatch and is based in New York. Since arriving in Clearwater in 1975, the Church of Scientology has purchased 60 properties in Pinellas County under its name. In January and February 2017, a handful of limited liability companies bought six prime downtown parcels. Osman Ozsan is, in our opinion, one of the more notable Scientologists youve never heard of. Fifty-eight are in the city of Clearwater and 49 are downtown. We don't know if they're just going to continue to squat on them - because they haven't done anything yet. Since 2017, the Church of Scientology and companies run by its members have bought 92 properties around the center of downtown. On Sept. 7, Epsteins employee was removed from the corporate filings of the company that own the land. GARCIA-NAVARRO: Just out of curiosity, when you say the tactics that they used in the '70s, what were those? Scientology spokesman Ben Shaw said in a statement that the church is not involved with the acquisitions. Rod Riley has no background in Scientology. Rabid Cult: Scientology Bites Dog Food Company; Attacks Cream Cheese; and Screams at Rolling Stone Magazine, Podcast with Aaron Smith-Levin: Grant Cardone Lawsuit Update & David Gentile Criminal Case. Huestler said broker Terri Novitsky calls him every now and again to see if hed be interested in selling. 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. 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.. 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. There is ZERO chance of me getting sucked in. According to his resume, he started the firm in 2003. And he was going to recruit high-end retail to some of the empty storefronts because downtown Clearwater's pretty depressed. Shahab and Catherine Emrani who manage companies that purchased four commercial buildings, retail space in a condo and vacant land have given at least $1.75 million to the church. Visitors walk through downtown on a Friday. A uniformed member of Scientologys full-time work force, the Sea Org, walks along N Fort Harrison Avenue, passing a vacant restaurant. 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. Investigative journalism like this is the most expensive work that we do. Among them was to make Clearwater known as the first Scientology city in the world.. MCMANUS: Yeah, I think that the key here is the uncertainty. When the council voted to buy the property, the chamber erupted in applause. While theres no law against hanging onto property, developers typically buy land, build on it and sell it for profit. Construction on eight townhomes on the south end of the marina began Oct. 1, according to county records. Hes still holding out. (SOUNDBITE OF CHICK COREA'S "RETURN TO FOREVER"). Sep 19, 2022 - Anonymous Employee in Clearwater, FL. 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 . Epstein could have simply told the reporter his client was not the Church of Scientology and left it at that. It is headed by David Miscavige [1] . 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. They have completed courses and spiritual counseling that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. In an interview with Scientology-owned "Freedom Magazine" Gendusa said that she moved to Clearwater to study Scientology more than 25 years ago. Norm Novitsky hung up when asked by a reporter about the companies plans. 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. Terri Novitsky and Hayes did not return calls and emails requesting comment. There's parishioners that come here from all over the world to take courses in high level auditing that's not offered anywhere else. Taking into account these denials, we now have a new opinion to offer our readers. Tracey McManus is a Scientology reporter for the paper, and she joins us now. Im concerned, Mayor Frank Hibbard said. GPB Capital Holdings: Court-Appointed Monitors Report on Q4 2022 Activities. Its name Miller and Joanie and Steve Sigal recommended Frank Hibbard for Mayor come here from all over the to! Chance of me getting sucked in RTC ) is the CEO of RSR Capital Advisors in,... Spokesman Ben Shaw said in a letter to the shop a companies owned by scientologists in clearwater of in. 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