companies owned by scientologists in clearwater

GARCIA-NAVARRO: Explain to me why the paper has a Scientology reporter. 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. Thats a factor we do not control, Delk said. Theres no such thing in Scientology. Hibbard previously served as Mayor from 2005 until 2012, leaving office because of term limits. Miscavige cut off communication with the city. 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. $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. There is no discrimination for or against *any* religion. This month, Shahab Emrani was elected to the Downtown Development Board, which helps promote downtown. And our analysis found that these church officials were offering two, three, four times what the property appraiser said the properties were valued. In the world of poker this is called a tell. 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. 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. And yes, everyone that works here is asked to keep politics and religion out . And Scientology has an interest in keeping that insulated according to former executives that we've interviewed. Hormel says inflation, supply chain issues and weak sales hit earnings, Macy's shares surge as retailer posts earnings well ahead of forecasts, A supposed Scientology cruise ship is quarantined in St. Lucia over measles, Saturday Night Live star Chloe Fineman says Lorne Michaels gave her the best financial advice, As Republicans further intensify Hunter Biden focus, Attorney General Garland insists hes remained hands-off in years-old investigation, Teslas stock falls 5% as Elon Musks Master Plan 3 is short on details about both cars and finances, What's next for bonds in 2023 after the worst year in history. 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. Osman Ozsan is of interest to us because he is connected to Rod Riley, a non-Scientologist realtor and real estate developer from Arizona. 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. Clearwater is the center of that revenue stream. But companies controlled by different parishioners bought neighboring properties that create clear assemblages of land. The property wasnt on the market. Zano did not respond to questions about what his plans for the properties. Much of downtown Clearwater is now owned by people or companies tied to Scientology, a report finds. Scientologys extraordinary influence over its members has been documented in government investigations and testimony from former parishioners throughout its 65-year history. (I'm in Clearwater). Then he would try again, with new council members. Church of Scientology website It is with great pride we welcome you to the Church of Scientology of Melbourne. The main reason why developers didnt want it was they didnt want to be near the Church of Scientology, Searcy said. They keep their operations going. 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. GARCIA-NAVARRO: And we reached out to the Church of Scientology about the Tampa Bay Times report. Each had proposed major redevelopment projects, designed to lure new business into the empty storefronts that surround the city-owned waterfront and the churchs spiritual headquarters. 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. Thank you very much. In Mesa, its the Mormon Church that dominates the area and I was able to work in that environment. 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. Then walk down Cleveland Street downtowns main artery. They started hosting concerts on the waterfront that now draw thousands. Mayor Jane Castors partner vowed not to lobby the city. The US average revenue of a car dealership is $38.3 million. Amazing Place to Work. 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. Scientologys survival depends on the preservation of its headquarters in Clearwater. Riley had no reason to mention that he had worked with Mormons and will now work to communicate with the Scientologists in Clearwater. This reads like deliberately premanufactured PR to us. NIO's stock slumped toward a 2 1/2-year low, after the China-based EV maker reported a much wider-than-expected loss and revenue that fell short of forecasts. 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. The church promised to spend $55 million. 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. 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. These workers sign billion year contracts, are paid very little, work around the clock. That has led defectors from the church and city leaders to believe there is little chance parishioners are making significant real estate deals around Scientologys mecca without the churchs involvement. How much of Clearwater is owned by Scientology? I saw a business opportunity, he said. Scientologys international spiritual headquarters is anchored by the Flag Building, on left. David Gentile is creative with money and had hundreds of bank accounts and sub-funds when he ran GPB Capital. But the aquarium rejected his bid in order to sell it to the city for $4.25 million. His wife, parishioner and real estate agent, Terri Novitsky, represented the buyer in many of the deals, according to interviews with sellers. Andrus did not respond to an email, phone message, a note left at his office or a certified letter. New details about the case of Lisa McPherson, who died in the care of Scientologists, from the executive who directed the Church of Scientologys handling of the case. Businesses without ties to the church are moving into a few of those. The Church was unaware of the significant number of properties owned by Scientologists in the Clearwater area and are delighted you provided the information.. Typically, when people buy commercial real estate, they move forward with construction or redevelopment. But far more non-Scientologists are moving out. (SOUNDBITE OF CHICK COREA'S "RETURN TO FOREVER"). MCMANUS: Brokers representing these companies were approaching downtown property owners. This is a story for another time. Everyone in KnowBe4 knows I'm a (proud) Scientologist. But in the 70s, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in Scientologys government espionage scheme, which sent 11 Scientologists to federal prison. Four high-ranking defectors describe bizarre behavior and physical beatings inflicted by Scientology leader David Miscavige. Fifty-eight are in the city of Clearwater and 49 are downtown. 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. His partner is Scientologist Maria Dolores Gregori Fuster. Even city leaders said they didnt know the full extent of the purchases until they were shown maps created by the Times. The hotel has 11 stories and features 220 rooms, three restaurants, a swimming pool and a . We built a graphic demonstrating just how little is left. Where did all that money come from? They adopted a master plan in 2016 that envisioned housing, a hotel and shopping to complement what they hope will be Clearwaters revitalized downtown less than a mile to the south. A few weeks later, John Yarbrough sold the building where he had run his electrical services business for 22 years. He has also lived in Hong Kong and South Korea. 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. Clarification made on CBRE and thank you for pointing that out. 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 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 . Rod Riley has no background in Scientology. Visitors are expected to stay in Scientologys hotels and eat at private church restaurants. And he was going to build an entertainment complex with Tom Cruise. 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. Over half are owned or operated by Scientologists. Aaron Smith-Levin, who left the world of Scientology after 29 years, is running to serve on the council in Clearwaterwhich has been home to the church's international spiritual headquarters. Scientology spokesman Ben Shaw said in a statement that the church is not involved with the acquisitions. Executives that we 've interviewed connected to Rod Riley, a report.... You provided the information, when people buy commercial real estate, they move with. We welcome you to the church is not involved with the acquisitions reason to mention that he worked! In Hong Kong and South Korea and religion out be near the is. 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