Clearwater bar owner Clay Irwin has obtained some images from the camera he found aimed at his house recently, and they contained a surprise.
Irwin opened a bar in January, the Lucky Anchor on Cleveland Street in Clearwater, Florida. His bar was smack in the middle of the Church of Scientology’s “Flag Land Base” which takes up much of the city’s downtown.
Clay had told us he wanted to be a good neighbor to the church, but then he received an impromptu tour of the new condo penthouse being prepared for Tom Cruise, just down the street, and since then his relationship with the organization has been more contentious.
But he was stunned to find the camera, which his dog Bruno sniffed out on his neighbor’s property. It was a time-lapse Brinno camera in an all-weather case, and his Scientologist neighbor denied knowing about it.
Because of his recent run-ins with the church, and because of Scientology’s history of spying on perceived enemies, including a famous case of using a remotely controlled time-lapse camera outside the Rathbun home in Texas, it didn’t take much to convince Clay that the church has had his house under surveillance.
Our request for a statement from the church, however, has not elicited a response.
Clay has managed to extract images from the camera, and he shared them with us.
Not surprisingly, the images included shots of Clay’s house, taken during the day and at night.
Clay tells us that the camera also captured an image of the man who placed it, but it’s hard to see his face because of what appears to be the beam from a flashlight….
And what really surprised Clay, he tells us, is to find that the camera had apparently been used in another surveillance operation earlier this year. Can anyone tell us if they recognize who the target of this stalking was?
“I’m going to have the serial number of the camera traced,” Clay tells us.
“Every time I leave the house I’m looking for cameras. I’m creeped the eff out.”
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Tell us about your independence on the Fourth of July
We’re celebrating another Independence Day here in the US, and as in past July 4 observations, we’d like to hear your personal tale of dissolving the bands that held you in thrall to the Church of Scientology.
Whether it was long ago or just last year, what was it that made you question a way of thinking that requires such total dedication from its adherents?
We can never get enough of these stories, and we hope you’ll share yours in the comments section today.
And if you’re celebrating the holiday today, please enjoy yourself and stay safe!
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Bernie Headley has not seen his daughter Stephanie in 4,801 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 2,558 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 1,904 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 2,398 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 1,438 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy in 1,150 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 676 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 4,765 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 1,905 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 2,225 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 2,200 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 556 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin in 4,858 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 965 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis for 1,367 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 1,240 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 821 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike in 1,326 days.
Mary Jane Sterne has not seen her daughter Samantha in 1,570 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 12,679 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 4, 2017 at 07:00
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Our book, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information about the book, and our 2015 book tour, can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2016 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Undergound Bunker (2012-2016), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Learn about Scientology with our numerous series with experts…
BLOGGING DIANETICS: We read Scientology’s founding text cover to cover with the help of L.A. attorney and former church member Vance Woodward
UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists
GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice
SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts
Other links: Shelly Miscavige, ten years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | Scientology’s Private Dancer | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | Scientology boasts about assistance from Google | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Our Guide to Alex Gibney’s film ‘Going Clear,’ and our pages about its principal figures…
Jason Beghe | Tom DeVocht | Sara Goldberg | Paul Haggis | Mark “Marty” Rathbun | Mike Rinder | Spanky Taylor | Hana Whitfield
