Clearwater, FL

Learn about Scientology's activities and controversies in Clearwater, FL.

Clearwater, FL in the News

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February 21, 1997 St. Petersburg Times: Scientology Had Woman in Isolation In the days leading up to her unexplained death, a 36-year-old member of the Church of Scientology was being kept in isolation at the church's Clearwater headquarters and had started banging her fists against the wall, a Scientology lawyer now says. Lisa McPherson, Press
December 15, 1996 Tampa Tribune: Mystery Surrounds Scientologist's Death After spending half her life as a member of the Church of Scientology, Lisa McPherson told friends she was ready to get out. She hoped to visit them at Thanksgiving and vowed to be home for good by last Christmas. But on Thanksgiving a couple of weeks later, McPherson was at the Fort Harrison Hotel, Scientology's world spiritual headquarters, taken there Nov. 18 by Scientologists for "rest and relaxation." Seventeen days later, she was dead. Lisa McPherson, Press
April 13, 1996 Scientology Files Stay Secret In Deal Clearwater officials have agreed to keep secret old police files on the Church of Scientology in order to settle the last remaining court battle between the city and the group. The agreement would require a judge's order to see the files, which are supposed to be open under the state Government in the Sunshine Law. The dozens of file boxes in question contain the results of numerous city police investigations dating to 1979, according to court records. crimes, lawsuits, Press, Scientology and Society
April 12, 1996 Again, Scientology's Secrecy Arouses Suspicion Two decades after Scientology secretly started buying property and establishing its considerable presence downtown, there remains an enormous amount of mistrust about its goals and motives. Unfortunately, Scientology has no one to blame but itself for much of the criticism its leaders adamantly argue is unwarranted. Scientology's recent secret purchase of three small motels north of downtown Clearwater will heighten suspicion. That secretiveness reminds Scientology critics of how the church secretly started buying land 20 years ago under the name United Churches of Florida. Press, Scientology and Society
April 1, 1994 Chief Of Police Fires Warning At Scientologist Police Chief Sid Klein is warning a prominent Church of Scientology official not to interfere in a police investigation again. Richard Haworth, Scientology's spokesman in Clearwater, could have been booked into the county jail March 24 for obstructing an investigation into an alleged battery of a Scientologist that night, Klein said Thursday in a letter. crimes, Press
January 30, 1983 Clearwater Sun: National Image of Suncoast Clouded by Sect For many in Clearwater, the Church of Scientology and 1,500 disciples of L. Ron Hubbard said to live here still inspire widespread apprehension, distrust and even fear. Press
January 18, 1983 Clearwater Sun: Scientology Faces Rival for Elks Club A private developer wants to buy the downtown Clearwater Elks Club, if the city of Clearwater will issue $600,000 in industrial revenue development bonds. The Church of Scientology offered the Elks $240,000 for the building in December. Press
May 12, 1982 Clearwater Sun: Editorial - A $1.29 Value The City Commission deserves some credit for undertaking the hearings, but was it worth $110,000? Press
May 11, 1982 Clearwater Sun: Sect Lawyer Calls Hearings 'a Roman Circus,' Walks Out Calling Clearwater's public hearings on the Church of Scientology a "Roman Circus," the sect's lawyer walked out on the proceedings. "The Church of Scientology has been embarrassed and scandalized," said Tampa attorney Paul B. Johnson before leaving. Press
May 11, 1982 Clearwater Sun: 16 Witnesses Unlock Sect's Closed Society The 16 witnesses who testified in Clearwater's public hearings on Church of Scientology activities provided the first-hand information city officials will use if they decide to design ordinances to regulate the sect. Press