Karen Velie
Karen Velie lives in San Luis Obispo County.
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Man killed outside Paso Robles bar was suspected serial burglar
By KAREN VELIE The Paso Robles man killed Friday while trying to stop a friend from driving was arrested in September for an alleged string of residential burglaries. [Cal Coast Times] On Sept. 20, a resident returned to a home on Katherine Court, went into their bedroom and surprised a burglar. Officers reviewed surveillance footage […]... (Continue Reading)
Los Osos board members accused of misappropriation of funds
By KAREN VELIE A community with some of the highest utility rates in San Luis Obispo County is embroiled in controversy after several current and former board members appear to have over-paid themselves, alleged misappropriations that for years went uncontested. In December, the Los Osos Community Services District announced a midyear budget adjustment to account […]... (Continue Reading)
SLO County waste management agency spent thousands on luxury items
By KAREN VELIE An agency created to help San Luis Obispo County government entities with recycling reporting requirements, has diverted funds from that mission to purchase luxury items for the benefit of staff and board members. [Cal Coast Times] Over the past 20 years, the San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA) has […]... (Continue Reading)
Paavo Ogren to moonlight as advisor to Cambria
By KAREN VELIE Oceano Community Services District General Manager Paavo Ogren is slated to move to part-time at his current position and begin moonlighting as an advisor to the Cambria Community Services District, according to the districts’ websites. [Cal Coast Times] The Oceano board agreed to reduce Ogren’s hours from 40 per week to 20, […]... (Continue Reading)
Belsher, Petetit accused of bilking millions from investors
By KAREN VELIE Multiple investors in projects by developers John Belsher and Ryan Petetit have filed lawsuits against the pair for allegedly bilking them out of money with promises of high interest on secured investments. [Cal Coast Times] Several investors have accused Belsher of violating State Bar rules of professional conduct. While working as the […]... (Continue Reading)
Arroyo Grande campaign worker charged with vandalism
By KAREN VELIE A Caren Ray for mayor campaign worker with a history of vandalism and stealing campaign signs has been charged with felony vandalism for allegedly damaging more than $4,000 in city, business, campaign and personal property during the recent Arroyo Grande mayoral campaign, according to court records. [Cal Coast Times] On Nov. 14, […]... (Continue Reading)
Attorney John Belsher accused of theft of rent payments
By KAREN VELIE Attorney John Belsher and his partner in several developments, Ryan Petetit, are accused of fraudulently leasing out a building in San Luis Obispo and then collecting more than $250,000 in rent. [Cal Coast Times] The lawsuit, filed by Don Judkins on Nov. 6, accuses Belsher and Petetit of fraudulent conversion for taking […]... (Continue Reading)
Linda Austin accused of inciting threats and aggression
By KAREN VELIE Earlier this year, the state mounted an investigation into alleged conflicts of interest by Oceano Community Services District Director Linda Austin because of a complaint filed by activist Julie Tacker. Austin then sent information about Tacker to a man the district has had a restraining order against because of his threatening behavior. […]... (Continue Reading)
Developer Ryan Petetit pleads guilty to felony assault
By KAREN VELIE Developer Ryan Petetit plead guilty Tuesday to five felony counts regarding a domestic violence incident in 2015 that sent a 23-year-old woman to the hospital. [Cal Coast Times] Petetit plead guilty to assault with great bodily injury, false imprisonment with force, dissuading a witness and two charges of inflicting corporal injury on […]... (Continue Reading)
More alarming SLO County IWMA credit card abuses
By KAREN VELIE Remember when Cal Coast Times’ reporters found San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority’s (IWMA) employees were using the government credit card for personal expenses like video rentals, online shopping and high-priced meals? It’s just part of a much larger pattern of abuse. [Cal Coast Times] For more than a year, […]... (Continue Reading)
