Uncovered SLO


Belsher, Petetit accused of bilking millions from investors

By KAREN VELIE Multiple investors in projects by developers John Belsher and Ryan Petetit have filed lawsuits against the pair for allegedly bilking them out of money with promises of high interest on secured investments. [Cal Coast Times] Several investors... (Continue reading)

Why were violent Paso Robles bank robbery suspects released?

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Two of the three suspects arrested for robbing Chase Bank in Paso Robles last week have been let out of jail, and San Luis Obispo County prosecutors have yet to file charges against any of the men.... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande campaign worker charged with vandalism

By KAREN VELIE A Caren Ray for mayor campaign worker with a history of vandalism and stealing campaign signs has been charged with felony vandalism for allegedly damaging more than $4,000 in city, business, campaign and personal property during the... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo psychiatrist penalized for patient suicide

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A practicing psychiatrist, who is the president and CEO of a San Luis Obispo psychiatric practice, has for the second time been placed on probation by the California Medical Board after one of his patients committed suicide.... (Continue reading)

Attorney John Belsher accused of theft of rent payments

By KAREN VELIE Attorney John Belsher and his partner in several developments, Ryan Petetit, are accused of fraudulently leasing out a building in San Luis Obispo and then collecting more than $250,000 in rent. [Cal Coast Times] The lawsuit, filed... (Continue reading)

Linda Austin accused of inciting threats and aggression

By KAREN VELIE Earlier this year, the state mounted an investigation into alleged conflicts of interest by Oceano Community Services District Director Linda Austin because of a complaint filed by activist Julie Tacker. Austin then sent information about Tacker to... (Continue reading)

Developer Ryan Petetit pleads guilty to felony assault

By KAREN VELIE Developer Ryan Petetit plead guilty Tuesday to five felony counts regarding a domestic violence incident in 2015 that sent a 23-year-old woman to the hospital. [Cal Coast Times] Petetit plead guilty to assault with great bodily injury,... (Continue reading)

More alarming SLO County IWMA credit card abuses

By KAREN VELIE Remember when Cal Coast Times’ reporters found San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority’s (IWMA) employees were using the government credit card for personal expenses like video rentals, online shopping and high-priced meals? It’s just part... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo County public defenders sued for malpractice

By KAREN VELIE The family of a mentally ill man who died in the San Luis Obispo County Jail is suing two San Luis Obispo County public defenders and a law firm under contract with the county for malpractice and... (Continue reading)

Inmate abuse allegations continue to dog SLO County Jail

By KAREN VELIE More than a year after the FBI mounted a criminal investigation into alleged civil rights abuses of inmates at the San Luis Obispo County Jail, the Department of Justice opened an investigation into how the sheriff’s department... (Continue reading)