Home  »  Archives

Uncovered SLO


Hurst’s lending practices under scrutiny

Written on 10 May, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 20 comments

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN Hard money lending schemes and questionable business practices have jeopardized hundreds of millions of dollars of investors’ money and placed several San Luis Obispo financial firms directly in the path of a sweeping probe by... (Continue reading)

Fraud lawsuit filed against Gearhart, Hurst

Written on 6 May, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 40 comments

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN Local investors are alleging they were bilked out of millions by Hurst Financial and developer Kelly Gearhart. David Rios and Murray Powell filed an 11-count lawsuit Tuesday in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court. Allegations include... (Continue reading)

COMMENTARY: Justice, SLO County style

Written on 6 May, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 2 comments

By KAREN VELIE You know how the SLO County criminal court system is in turmoil right now? That’s because the county Probation Department and administrative offices came up with the brilliant idea of letting everyone use the public defender’s office, with... (Continue reading)

INSIDE EFI: Under The Microscope

Written on 4 May, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 80 comments

Part 3: The good times are gone (Editors’ note: This is the third and final article in a series examining the high-rolling, multi-million-dollar Paso Robles financial lender, EFI, and its current problems.) By DANIEL BLACKBURN One of the down sides of divorce is... (Continue reading)

INSIDE EFI: The Long Fall

Written on 3 May, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 15 comments

Part 2: Maybe money does grow on trees By DANIEL BLACKBURN (Editors' note: This is the second in a series examining the high-rolling, multi-million-dollar Paso Robles financial lender, EFI, and the fascinating reasons for its current critical condition.) When Karen Guth angrily ordered... (Continue reading)

CORRECTION

Written on 1 May, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 2 comments

In an April 29 story about Paso Robles’ Vista del Hombre project, UncoveredSLO.com reported incorrectly that “Hurst has not foreclosed on Vista del Hombre, despite its contractual promise to protect investors if developers are delinquent on their agreements for at... (Continue reading)

INSIDE EFI: An Investors Nightmare

Written on 1 May, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 8 comments

Part 1: Divorce sparks nasty public war By DANIEL BLACKBURN (Editors’ note: This is the first in a series examining the high-rolling, high-interest, high-risk, hard money business, and a close-up look at the primary players in one multi-million-dollar Paso Robles firm that... (Continue reading)

Hedges backs down to court, will return pot

Written on 30 Apr, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 5 comments

By DANIEL BLACKBURN Sheriff Pat Hedges will return a small baggie of marijuana to its rightful owner today. The lawman had refused to return the medical marijuana to Arroyo Grande’s D. Craig Steffens even after an order issued by San Luis Obispo... (Continue reading)

Gearhart’s $28 million Paso project imperiled

Written on 29 Apr, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 17 comments

By DANIEL BLACKBURN and KAREN VELIE It’s only a few second’s drive time between the weathered plywood sign on Paso Robles' Jardine Road announcing the imminent approach of “Vista del Hombre,” and its equally unimpressive, unmarked entrance, but that brief moment... (Continue reading)

County rules tighten for indigent law services

Written on 28 Apr, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 4 comments

By KAREN VELIE County administrators have pulled the plug on easy, free legal counsel for the indigent. In a move resulting in considerable confusion and contention, San Luis Obispo County’s Probation Department recently began billing indigent individuals who have claimed the right... (Continue reading)