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Uncovered SLO


Aerial photos aid county planners enforcement

Written on 2 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 8 comments

By DANIEL BLACKBURN “They” are, indeed, watching. Cameras are peeking through the clouds above San Luis Obispo County, and some residents are finding them not only invasive, but expensive.... (Continue reading)

Bank’s own appraisal questions Gearhart loan

Written on 1 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 7 comments

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN A million-dollar loan from Heritage Oaks Bank to North County developer Kelly Gearhart earlier this year was based on “erroneous” and questionable claims, according to the bank’s own appraisal. That appraisal was not received by bank... (Continue reading)

More state allegations heaped on EFI

Written on 1 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 10 comments

The State Department of Real Estate (DRE) has filed accusations against hard money lender Estate Financial (EFI) of Paso Robles for eight causes of action that include “misrepresentations and false promises made to investors and acting fraudulently and dishonestly in... (Continue reading)

Update: EFI’s bankruptcy expectations

Written on 29 Jun, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 27 comments

By KAREN VELIE Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) will remain in bankruptcy for at least the next few months and at the same time independent evaluator Hanno Powell will continue his audit, the Fresno attorney said earlier this week. A “complete evaluation” of... (Continue reading)

RIP: The Rogue Voice

Written on 25 Jun, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 5 comments

By DANIEL BLACKBURN A literary citadel in this county has tumbled. Editor Stacey Warde and Publisher Dell Franklin announced Monday that The Rogue Voice, a San Luis Obispo County journal of literature, eclectic writing, and grand intent, will publish its final issue... (Continue reading)

EFI forced into Chapter 11

Written on 25 Jun, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 19 comments

Creditors forced hard money lender Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) into Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings Wednesday in Santa Barbara’s Central District of California United States Bankruptcy Court.... (Continue reading)

EFI evaluator seeking quality investor information

Written on 24 Jun, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 6 comments

By DANIEL BLACKBURN and KAREN VELIE A Fresno attorney appointed earlier this month to widen the examination of troubled lender Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) is enlisting the help of UncoveredSLO.com’s readers. Independent evaluator Hanno Powell, an attorney with the firm of Powell... (Continue reading)

Federal attention aims at lending fraud

Written on 20 Jun, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 14 comments

A federal investigative task force looking into mortgage fraud and related offenses in a seven-county region including San Luis Obispo County will utilize at least 40 FBI agents and investigators from nine other U.S. agencies. Dubbed SCAM (for Southern California Mortgage),... (Continue reading)

Ill man tossed under wheels of county justice

Written on 19 Jun, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 9 comments

By KAREN VELIE Les Harvey’s nightmare encounter with “the system” started with a hamburger. Outside a McDonald’s in Arroyo Grande, Harvey, 64 and terminally ill, sat in his parked van and started to eat his dinner, the burger he had just purchased... (Continue reading)

COMMENTARY: Try not to irritate Lon Allan

Written on 17 Jun, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 12 comments

By DANIEL BLACKBURN I have a recurring dream in which the local media crowd works in concert to slay the dragons of government corruption and to cultivate an environment of informed citizens. And then I open my eyes, and my... (Continue reading)