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Articles Tagged With ‘Court’




Judge ices EFI fund property sale proceeds

Written on 6 Aug, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 22 comments

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN A federal judge presiding over Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) bankruptcy hearings declined Tuesday to authorize disbursement of funds from a pending sale of investment property from the troubled lender’s portfolio. U.S. District Court Judge Robin Riblet... (Continue reading)

Discrimination complaint filed against county

Written on 23 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 17 comments

By KAREN VELIE Eight Probation Department employees have filed a lawsuit against the county of San Luis Obispo claiming they were harassed and discriminated against because of their race and gender. The plaintiffs, all Hispanic women, accuse the department of five causes... (Continue reading)

Peppered, pounded, pizza shop owner seeks big SLO dough

Written on 17 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | One comment

By DANIEL BLACKBURN Posted 1/22/2008 San Luis Obispo businessman Jeff Milne, home after a long day baking and serving at his Babbo’s Pizzeria on Santa Rosa, was surprised when he looked through a window... (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)

Estate Financial evaluator appointed

Written on 16 Jun, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 32 comments

San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Barry T. LaBarbera Monday initiated a complete evaluation of the books of Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) mortgage fund. LaBarbera appointed Hanno Powell -- an attorney from Fresno experienced in receiverships -- to look into EFI’s... (Continue reading)

Banks on thin ice after risky loans to developer

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

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN Bank loans which appear inadequately secured made to a well known North County developer -- as well as an accompanying tangled web of loan transfers -- may have created significant problems for some San Luis... (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)