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Articles Tagged With ‘Federal Court’




Judge asks why Cuesta Title was not indicted

Written on 1 Jul, 2015 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 14 comments

By KAREN VELIE During the first day of former North County developer Kelly Gearhart’s sentencing hearing, Gearhart’s attorney attempted to paint his client as a previously honest man whose missteps were a result of the downturn in the market while... (Continue reading)

Kelly Gearhart blames lenders, claims he is a victim

Written on 28 Jun, 2015 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 15 comments

By KAREN VELIE Former North County developer Kelly Gearhart contends that employees of Heritage Oaks Bank and Hurst Financial were primarily responsible for defrauding more than 1,200 investors out of more than $100 million. The prosecution argues that Gearhart lulled... (Continue reading)

Victims chastise Kelly Gearhart at hearing

Written on 2 Jun, 2015 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 44 comments

By KAREN VELIE Former North County developer Kelly Gearhart sat stone-faced Monday as eight of his financial fraud victims told a federal judge in Los Angeles how Gearhart showed no mercy for the elderly victims he preyed upon. Each of... (Continue reading)

Investors can speak at Gearhart’s trial

Written on 29 May, 2015 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 18 comments

Victims of the financial fraud of former North County developer Kelly Gearhart will have a chance to speak at his sentencing hearing on June 1 in Los Angeles. Gearhart and James Miller, the former president of Hurst Financial, defrauded more... (Continue reading)

Probation department seeking low sentence for Gearhart

Written on 16 May, 2015 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 38 comments

By KAREN VELIE With just two weeks until Kelly Gearhart’s sentencing hearing, his probation officer and federal prosecutors are disagreeing over the number of the defendant’s victims, a fact that partially determines sentencing guidelines. While both sides agree on most... (Continue reading)

Kelly Gearhart’s sentencing hearing delayed again

Written on 23 Feb, 2015 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 13 comments

The sentencing hearing for former Atascadero developer Kelly Gearhart has been changed three times in the past month and is currently set for June 1. In May, Gearhart pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and one count of... (Continue reading)

Corrupt ex-CalPERS official commits suicide

Written on 2 Feb, 2015 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 22 comments

A former CalPERS board member facing a corruption trial in federal court committed suicide in January. [LA Times] Alfred Villalobos, 71, killed himself in Reno, his town of residence, city police confirmed. Villalobos was just weeks away from standing trial... (Continue reading)

Kelly Gearhart gets another reprieve

Written on 22 Nov, 2014 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 32 comments

By KAREN VELIE The sentencing hearing for former Atascadero developer Kelly Gearhart has been extended from Dec. 29 to Feb. 23. Gearhart faces a statutory maximum of 50 years in federal prison for defrauding investors out of more than $100... (Continue reading)

Six Los Angeles Sheriff’s deputies sentenced to federal prison

Written on 23 Sep, 2014 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 7 comments

Six sworn deputies who were working in the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department each were sentenced today to federal prison terms for interfering with a federal civil rights investigation into misconduct at the Men’s Central Jail. The six defendants received prison... (Continue reading)

Ventura man pleads guilty to $8 million fraud

Written on 6 Sep, 2014 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 3 comments

A Ventura man pleaded guilty Sept. 2 to federal fraud charges for his involvement in an $8 million investment scheme that lured investors with false promises relating to the development of an alternative energy technology, according to federal prosecutors. William... (Continue reading)