Karen Velie
Karen Velie lives in San Luis Obispo County.
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FPPC rejects Nick Tompkins’ complaint
By KAREN VELIE After the Arroyo Grande Planning Commission voted unanimously to reject developer Nick Tompkins mixed use project proposal, Tompkins filed a compliant with the Fair Political Practices Commission against a city planning commissioner who recommended changes to the project. A complaint the FPPC quickly deemed invalid. Nevertheless, the complaint prompted several councilpersons to […]... (Continue Reading)
Former Santa Barbara man charged in 2 cold cases
By KAREN VELIE A twice convicted violent predator from Santa Barbara is facing capital murder charges in the 1981 and 1986 murders of two 6-year-old boys, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s officials announced Friday. Earlier this year, Kenneth Rasmuson, 53, was extradited from Idaho to California to face charges for the murder of 6-year-old Jeffrey […]... (Continue Reading)
Bailiff arrests state attorney in SLO courtroom
By KAREN VELIE Following a spat between two attorneys arguing a case in a San Luis Obispo courtroom, a bailiff arrested a state attorney for resisting or obstructing a peace officer, San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Executive Officer Susan Matherly confirmed. For more than a week, California Deputy Attorney General Jennie Mariah Kelly had […]... (Continue Reading)
Former Atascadero lender sentenced to 7 years
By KAREN VELIE Former Hurst Financial principal James Miller was sentenced to seven years in federal prison on Monday for misappropriating millions of dollars that victims invested in Central Coast real estate projects and for helping developer Kelly Gearhart defraud a bank. Miller, 67, pled guilty in 2011 to charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, […]... (Continue Reading)
Lobbying raises question: Who does Hill work for?
Editor’s Note: This is part two in a two-part exclusive series about San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill’s consulting work for a company tied to a prominent developer. Part one, “Supervisor Hill’s 2 jobs raise conflict of interest,” includes several public documents in which Hill describes himself as a consultant. By KAREN VELIE PB […]... (Continue Reading)
San Luis Obispo optometrist arrested for neglect
By KAREN VELIE A San Luis Obispo optometrist was arrested Thursday for allegedly neglecting her adult daughter. Family members contend the allegations are unfounded. On Sept. 23, Susanne Krout, 65, called for an ambulance to the Nipomo home of her son Thomas Anderson, 30, and her 28-year-old daughter. Emergency medical personnel arrived and transported Susanne […]... (Continue Reading)
Supervisor Hill’s 2 jobs raise conflict of interest
Editor’s Note: This is part one in a two-part series about San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill’s consulting work for a company tied to a prominent developer. Find the 2014 articles of organization for San Luis Consulting, Adam Hill’s Form 700 and a 2015 statement of information for San Luis Consulting at the end […]... (Continue Reading)
San Luis Obispo man target of federal securities investigation
By KAREN VELIE Federal authorities are investigating several companies suspected of involvement in an alleged securities and wire fraud scheme. Some of the companies are owned by a San Luis Obispo man, his wife or his girlfriend, according to public records. The Securities and Exchange Commission’s investigation focuses on Michael Forster, 50. He is suspected […]... (Continue Reading)
SLO City orders PB Companies to tear down project
By KAREN VELIE The City of San Luis Obispo has shut down a construction project by PB Companies, a finance and investment firm. On Sept. 30, San Luis Obispo Assistant City Attorney Jon Ansolabehere sent a certified letter to Belsher informing him that Petetit’s permits for a construction project on San Carlos Drive are “null […]... (Continue Reading)
Grover Beach chief’s dishonesty claims rejected again
CORRECTION: The attorney hired to assist on the case against Sonny Lopez does not work for Grover Beach City attorney Martin Koczanowicz’ personal law firm as Lopez and his had previously asserted. By KAREN VELIE For the fourth time, an outside body has looked into the termination of a police officer by Grover Beach’s current […]... (Continue Reading)
