companies owned by scientologists in clearwater

I believe its irrational to buy property and not fully utilize it.. In January and February 2017, a handful of limited liability companies bought six prime downtown parcels. Over half are owned or operated by Scientologists. The Church of Scientology and its parishioners now own a lot of real estate in Clearwater, Fla., as reported by the Tampa Bay Times. The church stopped communicating with the city. But its potential is still untapped, with prime vacant land overlooking Clearwater Harbor. They posted guards wielding billy clubs and mace. Most did not respond or declined to comment. Of the $103 million spent, $99 million was paid in cash. They now own most commercial property. All rights reserved. In six cases, buyers paid quadruple the propertys value. DEUTERIUM ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED ), [ Slideshow: See every building owned by the church ], In the 90s, a Scientology magazine listed the churchs goals for 2000. 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. City officials say their dedication to redeveloping the waterfront hasnt changed. Seventy-one percent of the 60 parcels the Church of Scientology owns under its name in Pinellas County are tax-exempt for religious purposes. The Florida Secretary of States record on Rod Rileys RST Capital Advisors LLC: Categories: Clearwater, Osman Ozsan, Trish Duggan, Tagged as: CA South Development, Clearwater Marina District, David Gentile, DEUTERIUM ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED, DEUTERIUM INVESTMENT ADVISORS LIMITED, Gary Soter, Gregori And Company LLC, Maria Dolores Gregori Fuster, Megan Epstein, Osman Ozsan, Ozsan, RSR Capital Advisors LLC, Stephen Epstein, Tampa Bay Times, Tracey McManus, Trish Duggan, Re: The companies paid a combined $11.8 million in cash for 28 undeveloped parcels, five empty commercial buildings and a dozen homes, When I read that, I couldnt help but be reminded of the English Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas (On the third day of Christmas/ He took over Bob Lees Auto to continue the business legacy and served on the Downtown Development Board for a decade. When the city was considering buying the aquariums lot, Miscavige threatened to stop communicating until the 2020 election, when term limits would force most of the council out of office. Epstein declined to name his client but responded to questions from the Times with an affidavit declaring it was not the Church of Scientology. 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. After negotiations, Kerrs company paid Yarbrough $1.1 million in cash for the lots, then valued by Pinellas County at $331,000. Fuster and Ozsan go back a long way to Altea Real Property Ltd. in London. 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. Osman Ozsan has been a Scientologist since the 1990s. City officials are trying to make the area a regional destination for food, drink and entertainment. 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. Real estate agent Daphna Fischler, a Scientologist, called and showed up to the shop a handful of times in mid-2018. Reached at their condo, his wife declined to comment. In interviews, sellers said most of the transactions unfolded the same way. They haven't submitted redevelopment plans. We are an equal opportunity employer and fully EEOC compliant. Please! Agami also signed two more leases on the same block with restaurants owned by people not connected to the church. CEO Approval. I think it's comparable to say it's kind of, like, if there were to be a Vatican reporter in Vatican City. #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. Typically, when people buy commercial real estate, they move forward with construction or redevelopment. Xenu Who? She reported full-time for six months, interviewing more than 90 people and reviewing more than 1,000 documents, to bring you this story. Huestler said broker Terri Novitsky calls him every now and again to see if hed be interested in selling. Miscavige cut off communication with the city. A broker is trying to buy the building Peter and Emily Lares have owned for decades. Scientology came to downtown Clearwater in 1975. 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. There is no discrimination for or against *any* religion. It has terrorized defectors with private investigators, smear campaigns and relentless litigation. Real estate agent Daphna Fischler brokered at least 10 downtown sales on behalf of seven buyers. Amazing Place to Work. Church officials used a straw corporation to buy the historic Fort Harrison Hotel and moved in under a fake name. And it's all surrounding the city's downtown waterfront. Mike Rinder, who led Scientologys intelligence arm before defecting in 2007, said any property owned by a parishioner is in the churchs control. Scientologists Brett Miller and Joanie and Steve Sigal recommended Frank Hibbard for Mayor. Candidates and Scientologists Emrani, Kintzel and . During that period, downtown purchases by limited liability companies managed by members of Scientology accelerated. That company has had no connection to Coldwell Banker for decades. The church has amassed 60 properties in Pinellas County since arriving in 1975. Zano did not respond to questions about what his plans for the properties. Hes starting to assemble properties, Allbritton said. And yes, everyone that works here is asked to keep politics and religion out . All five City Council members said they doubted the rash of purchases were unrelated. Getty. 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. CBRE is an acronym for CB Richard Ellis. 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. Miscaviges offer to revitalize downtown hinged on the city ending its attempt to buy one vacant lot on which the church was also bidding. Andrus helped carry out a plan to stop a Scientologist who had spied on the federal government from turning himself in to the FBI. Scientology leader David Miscavige had his own redevelopment plan. However, we reserve our prior opinion and modify it by stating that some GPB Capital money may be in the Clearwater real estate purchases mix. Holding and president of Graymoss, Inc. [27] The architectural firm HOK was hired to deliver the project. It also has to be someone who trusts the Epsteins enough to invest with them. Block after block, vacant lots sit untouched, and storefronts remain empty: A former jewelry store. The spa's website makes it clear that, "In fact, we are, by definition, a Christian based business.". His attorney, Louis Zaretsky, wrote in a letter to the Times that Zano is a businessman with vast real estate holdings in Israel, Germany, Poland, New York and Florida who makes investments based on his belief that they will appreciate or otherwise contribute to his long-term goals.. Ozsan has had a residence in London since 2001. In Mesa, its the Mormon Church that dominates the area and I was able to work in that environment. Visitors walk through downtown on a Friday. At first, I just wanted to make a short video about the buildings and programs they are doing in clearwater. Cons. Norm Novitsky hung up when asked by a reporter about the companies plans. A Scientology Based Company in Clearwater tried to Hire me and lie to me (VIDEO) So I just moved down to the clearwater area and I'm new to knowing that this is the "mecca" for scientology programs. Project Normandy was described in one of hundreds of internal memos Scientology officials exchanged about their plans to infiltrate and control Clearwater. This is a story for another time. The Times report describes spaces such as a former jewelry store, an empty Walgreens and a deserted laundromat sitting empty and unused. The goal was to capture the area immediately surrounding both Scientologys headquarters, City Hall and the city-owned waterfront. Whats more, the Times found a Scientology magazine from the 1990s that listed goals for the new millennium. VIDEO: Finally, Scientific Proof that Scientologys Body Thetans Cannot Exist! 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. 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. A for-lease sign sits in long-vacant retail space at The SkyView condo tower, owned by Scientologist and developer Moises Agami. Scientologys survival depends on the preservation of its headquarters in Clearwater. A few weeks later, John Yarbrough sold the building where he had run his electrical services business for 22 years. Florida executes Donald Dillbeck for 1990 Tallahassee murder, Held without charge, a Miami inmates unborn child asks court for release in odd case, One step led Tampa runner, Gasparilla entrant to big weight loss, huge life gains, Hillsborough must right-size its school system | Editorial, companies tied to Scientology bought 100 properties, Winter the dolphin died of twisted intestines, necropsy report confirms. Both have been there for decades. A deserted coin laundry. Lee sold when Fischler upped her offer to $410,000 cash for the building valued at $109,000 by the property appraiser. And he was going to build an entertainment complex with Tom Cruise. Scientologys extraordinary influence over its members has been documented in government investigations and testimony from former parishioners throughout its 65-year history. Dozens of residents showed up to speak. So we kept our eye on the downtown purchases. Companies controlled by Hayes have bought about half the property on Rices block and nearly the entire block directly south. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Rod Riley has no background in Scientology. Rodney Riley is the CEO of RSR Capital Advisors in Clearwater, Florida. 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! The impact is clearest in the heart of downtown. Today, 10 years later, the economic influence of Scientologists in the community is commensurately higher. Half the properties were bought since January 2017. Sep 19, 2022 - Anonymous Employee in Clearwater, FL. My sister is always struggling with money and drugs: I own a house with my husband and mother. After his stint at CBRE, Riley worked for Caliber Wells in Scottsdale, Arizona and then left the firm. The more its isolated and doesnt have people who are non-Scientologists around the area, the better.. A broker who was a Scientologist approached a downtown property owner. One of these accounts shows discretionary assets of $134.77 million. GARCIA-NAVARRO: So the fact that the church is now buying up these properties through proxy organizations would maybe ring some alarm bells for the community because of what has happened in the past. However, it hasnt always been clear to me as to just what does that actually mean.. Thats a factor we do not control, Delk said. 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. Seven businesses have left following recent purchases, and at least three more are leaving this year, including Clearwater Plumbing and Gulf Coast Marine. On Sept. 7, Epsteins employee was removed from the corporate filings of the company that own the land. Andrus did not respond to an email, phone message, a note left at his office or a certified letter. When the council voted to buy the property, the chamber erupted in applause. 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. 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. In addition to a park and amphitheater, Imagine Clearwater also calls for several new projects on the waterfront with residences and retail. 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. An email, phone message, a Scientologist since the 1990s and may be updated or revised the! Extraordinary influence over its members has been documented in government investigations and testimony from former parishioners throughout its history. Lot on which the church was also bidding but responded to questions from the Times found a Scientology from... Architectural firm HOK was hired to deliver the project * any * religion the property on Rices block nearly. 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