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No matter how many of these investment scams are exposed, and Don has exposed many of them, they keep coming along. So, Sterchi had already been burned, and he was looking for a legitimate investment venue. How, one might wonder, did he end up picking these grifters? Was he perhaps trying to double down and make up previous losses? It isn't all that hard to find a stock brokerage operation that is a member of all the exchanges and fully regulated. While that's no iron-clad guarantee of competence and total honesty, it goes a long way in that direction. No, the folks who fall for these deals are looking for too-good-to-be true returns immediately, something that just cannot be promised. If I felt burned by an investment advisor or other scamster, I'd take the portfolio back and handle it myself, at least for a few years. Managing your investments ain't that hard, folks.— June 4, 2017 9:24 a.m.
Zapf's husband files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy
In that the sellers were never charged with criminal fraud, but were found liable in civil court, and they were far more responsible than he was, there was no reason to go after him. His only offense seems to have been a failure to do his job to the max and spot the chicanery. And there's no reason to think he profited from the fraud, unless his commission was somehow tainted. There's no reason to assume that she knew anything of the transaction at all.— June 3, 2017 3:39 p.m.
Zapf's husband files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy
Whoa guys. Regardless of what you think of either of the Zapfs (and I don't have a very positive impression of her performance on the Council), this is a hazard that can befall almost anyone under some circumstances. The judgement against him was for negligence, not complicity in fraud. Now, as to a few points raised by Don, such as Eric's almost-non-existent income in recent years, the ancient vehicle, and lack of assets, this looks fishy. But many personal BK filings are like that. Before the filing assets somehow evaporate, and there's little or nothing to use to pay off the creditors. Those tiny incomes might indicate working under the table for unreported cash, or they might not. I'll bet she doesn't drive a 14-year-old Honda. In fact, there was a time when the council members got a fat car allowance that paid enough to lease a very expensive car and cover its operation. Will this hurt her reelection chances? Sure, but probably not enough to make her drop out. And if she stays in, the power of incumbency in the city of SD would likely result in reelection.— June 3, 2017 10:17 a.m.
School districts sue county for cash
If the lead on this came from one of the better-run school districts, I'd be less suspicious. That county office has been woefully mismanaged and operated by a board that, though elected, has no public recognition. (That board showed its true colors about two years ago when it was forced by judicial order to step in and take over the vacant seats on the Sweetwater High School district board. They did it reluctantly and acted only as caretakers rather than reformers that the operation needed.) More recently they parted company with their "supe" who left under a huge cloud. While no criminal charges have been lodged against him, the whole picture was bleak. I'd guess that the case is a good one. But why did so many districts wait for the miserable county office to start it? If this represents a unified front by the districts, that's great. On the other hand, if all those districts expect the county office of education to really push this forward aggressively, they may be very disappointed. The record of the county office is weak, weak, weak. Oh, and is the "Shineon" law firm involved? If it is, well, kiss this off as a lost cause.— June 2, 2017 7:18 p.m.
Water wars likely to add to rising customer costs
Double? I doubt that assertion. Here in Vista we pay some outrageous water rates, and we supposedly benefit from the district's ownership of the Henshaw basin. We pay 'way beyond double the rates of the average in the nation. And we ain't seen nothin' yet when the next round of increased rates hit.— June 1, 2017 8:33 p.m.
Prebys's close associates won't surrender to his furious "life partner"
As I probably posted earlier, this will generate huge fees for high-powered law firms and will likely settle little. The funding for these attorneys is not clear now, but everyone on both sides of the case will likely manage to have the Trust or foundation pay for the legal representation. And the funds he intended to grant to worthy operations or causes will end up maintaining lavish lifestyles for the partners in the law firms that are involved. Don't be misled, the lawyers always get paid, no matter what the outcome, and they stand first in line for payouts.— June 1, 2017 8:24 p.m.
Henebery brings production home
Uh, huh.— May 27, 2017 10:03 p.m.
Henebery brings production home
No, and I should not have to click a link. Why can't Reader just make the location part of a review?— May 27, 2017 7:26 p.m.
Henebery brings production home
So, where is the tasting room?— May 27, 2017 5:12 p.m.
Opponents to Jessop Property subdivision win
If the appeals are over, then that settles it. But can't she ask for a re-hearing, or go to the state supreme court, or even the federal court? If she can, this could drag on for years.— May 25, 2017 3:01 p.m.