It’s fun to hear from Clay Irwin again, who sent us some snapshots.
You remember Clay. He’s the Michigander who decided to open a Florida bar and somehow didn’t realize his Clearwater watering hole the Lucky Anchor was smack in the middle of Scientology’s spooky mecca of spiritual perfection, the Flag Land Base.
And not long after he opened it, he was talking to some construction workers who had come into the Anchor to slake their thirst. Turned out they were working on Tom Cruise’s new condo, the one we had first broken news about back in 2016 when we managed to get our hands on its schematics.
According to those plans, Tom had purchased the top two floors of a former bank building that was being rehabbed and turned into “The Skyview” by a wealthy Mexico City Scientologist, Moises Agami. Clay was invited by the workers to come and take a look at the place while it was still pretty stripped. It was fun to see Clay walking around Tom’s future pad with his little dog, Bruno, who promptly christened the place on camera.
Anyway, Clay later sold the bar but we love checking in with him. He has a way of running into Scientology celebrities there in its spiritual home, and he keeps us up on how Tom’s project is going.
This time, he wanted us to see that the place, which now looks finished, is crawling with cameras.
“He made it Clay proof,” Irwin joked. “The tower of Tom has 40 cameras watching everything.”
He noted that there had already been a set of cameras when a new set was added recently.
“I was watching them installing cameras next to cameras the other day. I was like, there must have been a breach.”
We pointed out to Clay that Scientology’s attorneys, in a recent court filing, admitted that David Miscavige has moved to Florida, and Scientology’s own publication showed the church leader showing up at a Flag graduation. Other social media reports put him at the Fort Harrison Hotel on New Year’s Eve.
Clay said he couldn’t help wonder, has Dave moved into the Skyview with his buddy Tom?
We’d be surprised if that was the case. While Tom’s sisters and friends have purchased other units in the building, including one bought by Tom’s favorite director buddy, Christopher McQuarrie, Miscavige doesn’t seem like the condo tower type.
John Brousseau, who was once Dave’s brother-in-law, tells us he’s pretty certain that if David Miscavige is living in Clearwater, it’s at the Flag Building, which was opened in 2013.
Brousseau says that on the seventh floor, Miscavige has a full suite where he can keep out of sight. And it’s just a walk across the air bridge over Fort Harrison Boulevard for a quick meal at the Fort Harrison Hotel.
Here are a couple of renderings of what Dave’s office and suite was supposed to look like at the Flag Building, images we first published at the Village Voice in 2012.
And the best thing for Dave is that Tom’s place is just a quick 4 minute walk, according to Google. Here, check it out:
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“Man is continually representing to you that he owns a body, and he doesn’t. He steals one. And Freud was looking for guilt. Do you want to find some guilt? Let’s look that one in the eye for a moment. The very thing he owns with he stole and he knows he stole. And somebody comes along and grabs him and throws him into the clink or something for having run off with a couple of teaspoons from the local manor or something, and he goes into a complete fit. Why does he go into a fit? He thinks he’s going to be tried for his basic crime in this life which is the theft of one Homo Sapiens, which is kidnapping.” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 23, 1953
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“JANIS GILLHAM is assigned a condition of LIABILITY for goofing up an LRH Conference recording resulting in that one side of the tape did not record. I am assigning myself a condition of NON-EXISTENCE for not testing recorder before the recording started.” — Msm Anne Tidman, January 23, 1971
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“Just started reading and looking at videos on app downloaded. I’m 64 years old — person my age, is there any help for a person in my late years to begin this journey? Many years looked and traveled seeking truth only find out wanting. My desire is not just to improve myself but humanity as a whole. All of these religions and other ideas on spirituality of searching for over 50 years still leave me as something missing. I do know God created us to be as he intended but mankind has missed the mark. My heart breaks seeing the world in shambles and lack. Not just money, but peace, love, kindness and help mankind be whom we were actually designed as we are supposed to be. This will and is my last call for help as all other systems have failed. There is truth, but truth must be allowed to be put in action. May God help us all.”
2000: The Tampa Tribune reported this week that Bob Minton will be charged with battery for an incident during a protest at the Fort Harrison Hotel in October. “An outspoken critic of the Church of Scientology was formally charged with misdemeanor battery late Friday. New Hampshire millionaire Robert S. Minton Jr. faces a maximum penalty of one year in the county jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted of striking Scientologist Richard W. Howd Jr. during a protest Oct. 31 outside the church’s spiritual headquarters in downtown Clearwater. State Attorney Bernie McCabe had the option of not prosecuting the case, and Minton had been waiting since his arrest the night of the incident for a determination. Neither could be reached for comment late Friday. In the battery incident, Minton was carrying a protest sign up and down the sidewalk outside the Fort Harrison Hotel on Halloween night while Howd filmed him at close range with a video camera. Minton testified that he struck Howd with his placard when Howd would not back away as Minton left the area.”
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“Typical Space Ozzie & Harriet ‘Remember the good ole days before all the perversion and permissiveness that lead to the downward spiral?’ reactionary bullshit. Except for the Space Opera, Scientologists have the same mindset as your average teabagger, fundie christian, conspiracy nut, gun lovin’ closet Nazi wingnut. I suggest we round them all up and send them to the FEMA camp called Branson MO.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Masterson arraigned Jan 20. Next conf to set prelim, March 24.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay’s sentencing delayed to March 2.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for May 20 in Los Angeles
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Petition for writ of mandate denied Oct 22 by Cal 2nd Appellate District. Petition for review by state supreme court denied Dec 11.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Dec 30, Judge Kleifield granted Scientology’s motions to compel arbitration. Jan 29: Status conference.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Dec 17: Feshbachs sign court judgment obliging them to pay entire $3.674 million tax debt, plus interest from Nov 19.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
Concluded litigation:
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs.
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
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SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks
The Australian Seven News network cancelled a 10-part investigation of Scientology and its history of dirty tricks. Read the transcripts of the episodes and judge for yourself why Tom Cruise and Tommy Davis might not have wanted viewers to see this hard-hitting series by journalist Bryan Seymour.
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Where in the world is Scientology leader David Miscavige?
[TWO years ago] Never forget: Scientology calls exes liars, but spells out its own abuses in documents
[THREE years ago] Scientology celeb Kerri Kasem marches for religious freedom in Hungary
[FOUR years ago] Scientology wastes no time making a move on the new president, but where does Trump stand?
[FIVE years ago] Whale watching, 2016 edition: Who’s keeping Scientology afloat?
[SIX years ago] VIDEO LEAK: Another segment from Marty Rathbun’s deposition — his ‘Liability Formula’
[SEVEN years ago] Ray Jeffrey on Scientology in the courtroom: ‘Constantly getting tripped up on the facts’
[EIGHT years ago] SCIENTOLOGY SUED FOR FRAUD OVER REFUND SCHEME, MORE PLAINTIFFS TO COME
[NINE years ago] Scientology Network TV Ads: More Precious Reactions!
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,190 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,694 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,214 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,234 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,125 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,432 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,300 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,074 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,878 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,194 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,760 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,679 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,847 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,428 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,689 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,727 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,440 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,965 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 320 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,495 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,046 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,195 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,515 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,370 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,489 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,845 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,148 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,254 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,656 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,528 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,111 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,606 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,860 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,969 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on January 23, 2021 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, 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 can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2020 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2020), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | 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 | Shelly Miscavige, 15 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 | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
