Uncovered SLO


Ambushed by SLO law and order

By KAREN VELIE A Morro Bay man wrongly accused of two robberies now attributed to the notorious and just-captured “Sleeves Bandit” remains in county jail as San Luis Obispo police and district attorney’s officials seek a graceful exit from a potentially... (Continue reading)

Hurst’s Miller alleges Shores brothers defrauded investors

By KAREN VELIE Prominent North County developer Jimmie Shores says he doesn’t have to repay a $700,000 hard-money loan because his brother, Ronnie Shores, stole the money, while Hurst Financial President Jay Miller, maintains the Shores are trying to defraud investors. “I... (Continue reading)

Heritage Oaks Bank versus the investors

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN Heritage Oaks Bank is battling with Estate Financial Inc. and Hurst Financial investors over first place in the quest for financial compensation. Attorneys for the bank are chasing first position in the pursuit for assets of... (Continue reading)

Chancellor immobilizes Cal Poly’s proposed fee increase

By KAREN VELIE California State University Chancellor Charles B. Reed informed California Polytechnic State University President Warren Baker that he will not approve a student fee increase at this time, said Cal Poly Provost Bob Koob Tuesday. Students voted earlier this month... (Continue reading)

Atascadero’s C.R. Lara loses $750,000 judgment

By DANIEL BLACKBURN A trusted financial advisor alleged to have systematically looted a client’s account over a four-year period has been ordered to pay more than $750,000 to Liz Berman, owner of an Atascadero mobile home park. The February order against... (Continue reading)

McCarthy bagged $56 million in earmarks

Remember just last week, when Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) labeled his peers who are taking earmarks as bank robbers, and voiced his strong opposition to project funding requests? It turns out that the congressman sponsored $56 million in legislative earmarks... (Continue reading)

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)