The Takeover of Clearwater (PT2) (A True Crime Podcast)

Unforgettable Conversations: Sins of Scientology

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What if your peaceful hometown suddenly became the target of a covert invasion? Today, we uncover the shocking story of Clearwater, Florida, in 1975, where the Church of Scientology, led by L. Ron Hubbard, stealthily executed a takeover. We expose the shadowy tactics used to acquire key properties under the guise of the United Churches of Florida and the sinister plots against critics and opponents. Mayor Gabe Cazares’s brave resistance and the infamous FBI raids in 1977 reveal a town under siege and a community's fight for truth.
But that's just the beginning. We then delve into the meticulous planning behind Scientology's operations, spotlighting figures like Dick Weigand, Morris Moe Kahn, and Marty Rathbun. Discover the elaborate strategies of Operation Normandy and the deceptive property acquisitions that aimed to dominate Clearwater. Drawing from Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism, we unravel the relentless legal battles and the ultimate exposure of these covert activities. Join us for this intense narrative, as we bring to light how a tranquil town became the epicenter of a battle between secrecy and transparency.
https://youtube.com/@SinsofScientology?si=w_r1XkNawsDAgjPg

Chapters

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. The Takeover Continues (00:02:02)

3. St Petersburg Times (00:04:03)

4. The Key Players (00:06:47)

5. Shadowy Figure Duke Snider (00:10:22)

6. The Shadowy Henning Heldt (00:13:32)

7. Shadowy Figure Dick Weigang (00:15:44)

8. Shady Morris Moe Kahn (00:18:47)

9. Shadowy Figure Marty Rathburn (00:21:29)

10. Outro (00:24:51)