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Uncovered SLO


Fairgoers attacked, allege official cover-up

Written on 26 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 38 comments

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN Three people were assaulted Wednesday night as they exited a shuttle bus after attending a Mid-State Fair concert. The victims contend fair and police officials are downplaying the incident to avoid negative publicity. Following the John... (Continue reading)

Coast Bank’s substantial losses expose bad loans

Written on 25 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 3 comments

By KAREN VELIE Coast National Bank is operating at a loss after projecting first-quarter profits, partly because of $9.3 million in non-performing loans. Bank officials originally reported earnings of $168,000 for the first quarter of 2008, down from $291,000 for the same... (Continue reading)

Discrimination complaint filed against county

Written on 23 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 17 comments

By KAREN VELIE Eight Probation Department employees have filed a lawsuit against the county of San Luis Obispo claiming they were harassed and discriminated against because of their race and gender. The plaintiffs, all Hispanic women, accuse the department of five causes... (Continue reading)

State agency lifts Hurst Financial’s permit

Written on 21 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 8 comments

By THE EDITORS A variety of accusations were filed today by the state Department of Corporations against Atascadero lender Hurst Financial and its owner, James Miller, and the agency has revoked Hurst’s permit to sell securities. Miller is one of several San... (Continue reading)

Law reported closing in on EFI principals

Written on 20 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 35 comments

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN Local and federal law enforcement agencies are investigating Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) and a criminal case is said to be “moving forward” even as a battalion of interested parties scrap over control of the failing... (Continue reading)

Medical pot shop owner facing 100 years

Written on 18 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 26 comments

By DANIEL BLACKBURN Charles C. Lynch sits in his South County home this weekend awaiting the start of a trial that poses for him the threat of a century in federal prison for doing what he thought was the right thing. The... (Continue reading)

Peppered, pounded, pizza shop owner seeks big SLO dough

Written on 17 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | One comment

By DANIEL BLACKBURN Posted 1/22/2008 San Luis Obispo businessman Jeff Milne, home after a long day baking and serving at his Babbo’s Pizzeria on Santa Rosa, was surprised when he looked through a window... (Continue reading)

San Luis Trust CEO says extensive exam routine.

Written on 16 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 4 comments

By DANIEL BLACKBURN and KAREN VELIE San Luis Trust Bank’s (SLTB) chief executive officer believes that an ongoing bank exam is “routine” but insiders suggest the number of examiners is extraordinary. Brad Lyon, who also serves as president of the San Luis... (Continue reading)

Covert attack mounted on trauma center plan

Written on 12 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 13 comments

Physicians and officials at French and Arroyo Grande hospitals have mounted a concerted but furtive effort to halt plans for a trauma center. ... (Continue reading)

EFI investors, creditors planning participation

Written on 9 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 38 comments

By DANIEL BLACKBURN Investors, builders, and creditors misled by Paso Robles hard money lender Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) are forming a pair of “advisory” committees to participate in an upcoming series of bankruptcy hearings and related actions promising to be both... (Continue reading)