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Uncovered SLO


News moves slowly, Nacimiento gas leak does not

Written on 18 Nov, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | One comment

By DANIEL BLACKBURN A gasoline leak in Lake Nacimiento marina supply lines spilled an undetermined amount of fuel near lake waters earlier this month before the problem was noticed by park employees. Following three days of queries by CalCoastNews reporters, Nacimiento Park... (Continue reading)

DRUNK, BROKE: DUI program preps for big growth spurt

Written on 15 Nov, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 12 comments

By DANIEL BLACKBURN PART ONE: Gold in the pockets of boozing drivers While law enforcement prepares the handcuffs, officials are predicting arrests in this county for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol will set new records this holiday season. And as... (Continue reading)

Atascadero male police officers claim discrimination

Written on 9 Nov, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 11 comments

By KAREN VELIE A contentious reverse discrimination claim that has embroiled the Atascadero Police Department in controversy heads for mediation Tuesday. Earlier this year, city officials launched an internal probe into complaints of reverse discrimination made by male officers against female officers... (Continue reading)

Former EFI employee: ’We all knew it was fraud’

Written on 7 Nov, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 4 comments

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN Three former employees of defunct Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) claim they witnessed fraudulent behavior while employed at the Paso Robles hard money lending firm. Speaking to CalCoastNews on condition of anonymity, the individuals provided new details... (Continue reading)

Bank board links Santa Margarita Ranch developer, supervisor

Written on 2 Nov, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 3 comments

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Katcho Achadjian occupies a salaried seat on a local bank’s board of directors along with a key developer in the proposed Santa Margarita Ranch project. Achadjian’s vote on plans for the Santa Margarita Ranch... (Continue reading)

Reclamator inventor sues water resources establishment

Written on 31 Oct, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 8 comments

By DANIEL BLACKBURN Tom Murphy is not a patient man, but he is immensely optimistic. Murphy scoffed brusquely at questions about whether his sewage-treatment invention, the Reclamator, really works, and suggested the machine’s capability is a foregone conclusion. And he’ll be putting... (Continue reading)

Estate Financial chiefs’ arraignments postponed

Written on 27 Oct, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 10 comments

By THE EDITORS San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Jac Crawford Monday agreed to continue the arraignment of Estate Financial Inc. principles Karen Guth and her son Joshua Yaguda on 26 felony charges to Nov. 21. Irvine-based attorney Dyke Huish requested the... (Continue reading)

Estate Financial investors have chance to claim assets

Written on 26 Oct, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | One comment

By KAREN VELIE Estate Financial Inc. investors have just 30 days to file any claim to assets belonging to EFI principals Karen Guth and her son Joshua Yaguda, according to a financial notice posted by the San Luis Obispo District Attorney’s... (Continue reading)

Is Paso’s water levy lawful?

Written on 24 Oct, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 2 comments

Howard Jarvis alliance says no, no, no By DANIEL BLACKBURN An influential statewide taxpayer group views elements of Paso Robles’ proposed water rate increase as unlawful and unconstitutional, and is “strongly” advising city officials to take a different funding path. Findings of the... (Continue reading)

Lenders accused of fraud agree to surrender licenses

Written on 21 Oct, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 3 comments

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN Hurst Financial Inc. president James Hurst Miller Jr. and his daughter Courtney Lee Brard admitted to state regulators their complicity in fraud. The pair agreed to forfeit their real estate licenses rather than dispute a large... (Continue reading)