SD Households Lose Spending Power
On average, San Diego County households lost $2,337 in purchasing power from 2010 to 2011, according to the Center on Policy Initiatives (CPI). The CPI culled the data from U.S. Census Bureau figures released today (Sept. 20). Median earnings of …
O'Rourke Sanctioned for Lying to Clients
Kevin James O'Rourke and his firm, Del Mar's Western Pacific Capital Management, were sanctioned by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday (Sept. 19). O'Rourke raised $4.8 million for a San Diego software firm, Ameranth, and took 10% in success …
SD Home Values Rise in August
San Diego metro area home values rose 0.9 in August from July, according to Zillow.com -- better than the slight decline of 0.1% of the collective 30 largest markets. San Diego's median home value is now $351,300 -- bettered only …
"Zombie Apocalypse" on Mission Bay
A thousand military personnel, law enforcement officials, medical experts and government workers are expected to attend a five-day "Zombie Apocalypse" at Paradise Point Resort & Spa Oct. 29-Nov. 2, according to Business Insider. The sponsoring company, HALO Corp., is using …
He Plunked $550,000 from Client's Account
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has barred Charles Duane Lewis from any association with FINRA members. Between 2007 and 2010, Lewis provided accounting and financial services through his Fletcher Hills Tax Service. In that period, he wrote 61 checks …
SDGE Will Pay US $6.4 Million for 2007 Fire Damages
San Diego Gas & Electric will pay $6.4 million to the federal government for damages in the 2007 Witch Creek Fire. The payment covers damage to federal land and federal firefighting costs. The company has paid huge sums for fire-related …
Lynch Says Stadium Won't Cost City a Dime
John Lynch, chief executive officer of the Union-Tribune, addressed the Harvard Business School Club of San Diego Sept. 12. Whether the speech raised eyebrows among the Harvard crowd is not known. But a very reliable ex-U-T reporter heard a recording …
Suits Pile Up Against Local Sports Financial Adviser
Sports and financial media are increasingly reporting multiple lawsuits against San Diego sports financial adviser, William C. (Billy) Crafton. The suits note that Crafton put his clients' money in Westmoore Management, which the Securities and Exchange Commission last year identified …
Former Councilwoman Pleads Guilty to Embezzling $3.5 Million
Jillian Hanson-Cox, former member of the El Cajon city council, pleaded guilty today (Sept. 14) to charges of mail fraud and filing a false income tax return from her employment at Century Design Inc. (CDI). She admitted to stealing $3.5 …
UCAN Looking for New Executive Director
Deeply troubled Utility Consumers' Action Network is looking for a new executive director, a source extremely knowledgeable about the watchdog's operations, confirmed to me today (Sept. 14). Kim Malcolm, who was brought in to replace Michael Shames as executive director, …
Coleman University to Close San Marcos Campus
Coleman University will close its San Marcos campus at 1284 San Marcos Boulevard. There has been no news release announcing the closing, but people on the inside said that the word was passed today (Sept. 12). I could not reach …
"Papa Doug" Wants Positive News, Business Cheerleading at NC Times
"Papa Doug" Manchester intends to continue his happy-talk U-T policies at the newly-purchased North County Times. Brandon Lowrey, a police and courts reporter for the Times, tweeted yesterday (Sept. 11) that U-T Chief Executive John Lynch gave instructions to NC …
Chargers Tied for First (In Price of a Beer)
The San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills charge the steepest price in pro football for a small draft beer -- a whopping $9 per beer, according to Business Insider. The cheapest beers are both in Ohio: the Cleveland Browns and …
Officially, Papa Doug DOES Buy NC Times
The North County Times announced this morning (Sept. 11) that its parent, Lee Enterprises, has sold the North County Times to U-T San Diego for $11.95 million. The San Diego Business Journal announced yesterday that the deal was a fait …
Founder Beyster Opposes Split-Up of SAIC
J. Robert Beyster, retired founder of Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC), formerly of San Diego, opposes the company's plan to split into two entities. SAIC wants to split the company into two groups: 1. Research, science, and technology for health, …
Neil Morgan: Great Writer, Shrewd Operator
Sunday's Union-Tribune had an excellent column by Logan Jenkins honoring Neil Morgan, longtime columnist, editor, book author, and oft-times gadfly who has played a major role in San Diego history. My only quibble with Jenkins's column is that he said …
Business Journal Says Manchester Has Purchased North County Times
The San Diego Business Journal is reporting on its website that "Papa Doug" Manchester and the Union-Tribune have purchased the North County Times and Daily Californian. The rumor cropped up in the U-T newsroom last week but I could not …
Politico.com Knocks U-T's Republican Helpfest
On Tuesday, the Union-Tribune will sponsor a "One-Stop Shop" for political candidates. "The Republican Party of San Diego County sent out the invite to the event," says the Los Angeles Times. The county Republican Chairman will be on hand for …
Western Financial Planning Accused of Running Real Estate Fraud
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced yesterday (Sept. 7) that a federal judge has granted its request for a restraining order and asset freeze against Louis V. Schooler and Western Financial Planning Corporation. The company raised about $50 million …
Nation Adds Only 96,000 Jobs in August
Jobs growth slowed to 96,000 in August. Economists had expected 125,000. June and July were revised lower by a total of 41,000 jobs, the government reported this morning (Sept. 7). The unemployment rate dropped to 8.1% from 8.3% in July, …