Uncovered SLO


BULLETIN: FBI, local law seeking bandit

Federal authorities and investigators from San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay police departments are seeking a man dubbed the “Sleeves Bandit” who is suspected of robbing a long list of at least 15 California banks, including several in this county. He’s... (Continue reading)

U.S. trustee objects to EFI fees

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN A federal bankruptcy judge overseeing the division of assets of failed North County hard money lender Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) balked Wednesday at professional fee requests totaling nearly $4 million and said she will examine... (Continue reading)

Unequal justice favors sheriff in domestic fight

By KAREN VELIE Laws written to protect domestic abuse victims were apparently sidestepped by officials of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department in an attempt to protect the county’s top cop, Sheriff Pat Hedges. Hedges' wife, Sandy Oneal-Hedges, called a 911... (Continue reading)

EFI financial battle hints at new suspects

By KAREN VELIE A third figure emerged as a possible suspect in fraud precipitating the collapse of hard money lender Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) during yesterday's courtroom squabble over the remains of the once rich and influential entity. San Luis Obispo County... (Continue reading)

AG asked to probe Dancing Star animal slaughter

By KAREN VELIE Systematic killing of protected animals at the Dancing Star Foundation’s Cayucos sanctuary and excessive salaries of a husband-wife team of self-proclaimed environmentalists may violate the non-profit corporation’s filings with the state of California. Lucy Sheldon, a with assistance from... (Continue reading)

Sheriff’s spokesman Bryn in Parkinson’s corner

By DANIEL BLACKBURN Sheriff Pat Hedges won’t endorse a successor just yet, but his department spokesman isn’t bashful about trumpeting his choice. Rob Bryn wrote and distributed a press release last week announcing the candidacy of Ian Parkinson, a captain in... (Continue reading)

Gold for some: EFI trustees bill estate $4.5 million

By KAREN VELIE While most people touched by the Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) debacle have been monetarily devastated, a select few are in line to do quite well. Trustees and their special attorneys have collected, or are requesting, compensation of $4.5... (Continue reading)

Picking at bones of EFI: Lawyers wrangling

By KAREN VELIE During the latest battle over assets of failed Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) , attorneys for trustees, former co-owner Charlie Applebaum, Joshua Yaguda’s wife, and Heritage Oaks bank argued their clients alleged claims at an asset hearing on Friday. San... (Continue reading)

UPDATE: Unmasking Dalido’s mysterious foe

By KAREN VELIE Centervest, the group that contracted to take the torch from Ernie Dalidio and propel his proposed development through the system, has backed out, reportedly because of the economic downswing. Meanwhile, Dalido’s team continues attempts to unmask their mysterious... (Continue reading)

Medical pot icon Charlie Lynch gets national attention

ABC’s John Stossel explores an American anomaly -- medicinal marijuana which is legal in some states, including California, but unlawful under U.S. law. Stossel’s third segment of his series “Bailouts and Bull” examines the extraordinary case of Charles Lynch of... (Continue reading)