seeno homes lawsuit

Shomik Mukherjee covers Oakland, with a focus on local politics, developments and activism. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? Seeno III has also been the subject of controversy. We very much appreciate owning a Seeno built home and would not hesitate to purchase another one." Dallas and Judy Both urged city staff to make sure that key features of the eventual development including a guarantee that 25% of the new homes would be affordable survive the negotiations. When the other team pulled out last year in the wake of a labor dispute, Discovery Builders and the Seeno family returned for another bidding round and won the right to take over the Naval Weapons Station project as master developer. wheeler and thompson funeral home; albert seeno net worth. The Faria project would sit directly above the new park on a ridgeline, degrading views from surrounding areas. We make a lot more than I thought I would make. Arrogant managers, unrealistic expectations & timelines. Luminescence will feature Our New Home Specialist is here to answer any questions you have to help choose the home thats right for you. Seeno is no stranger to the project. The only con I can think of is we work every weekend and our time off is limited. Signup for an myClientName account today and start saving your favorites, view personalized recommendations and more. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? Save Mount Diablo Sues Seeno Discovery Builders to Protect Major Ridgeline in Pittsburg, Again this Website has Moved to ContraCosta.News, Yes! I really enjoyed the office culture, as my space was my space. This company was indicted in many criminal things, especially in the mortgage side of things. It seems really nave and really irresponsible to think our community would be immune to these same behaviors, said Kat Hannah. Find him taking walks around town; he is always looking for story tips. Concord-based developer Albert Seeno III and Discovery Builders filed a lawsuit alleging the districts proposed Concord Hills Regional Park would negatively affect their planned residential development on an adjacent 606-acre plot. There were four issues where, respectfully, we believe the Court overlooked key evidence in the record, said Kristina Lawson, a managing partner for the Hanson Bridgett, LLP. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasnt followed: What should you do? The problem with that project is what theyre doing is building on open space, Lees said. As an employee you would probably push your self more than ever working for this company. The park district opposed the project. Come home and relax at Makenna located in picturesque Petaluma. Those units represent approximately 60,000 new car trips per day that will soon impact local roads and Highway 4. The Pittsburg City Council approved Seeno Discovery Builders Faria project. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. His attorney William Keane occasionally comforted him with pats on the back. According to reviews on Glassdoor, employees commonly mention the pros of working at Discovery and Seeno Homes to be coworkers, career development and the cons to be senior leadership, benefits, management. This is the Discovery and Seeno Homes company profile. He has been tracking rents and home prices, and has explored solutions to critical problems such as Southern Californias housing shortage and affordability crisis. Shahids plea agreement explained that it was important to the scheme to maintain inflated property values because if the home and property values dropped, the value of the collateral would drop and the line of credit would be put at risk. Duet Homes and Single Family HomesPetaluma, CA, 1,395 - 2,380 Sq. Shahid was the president of DSI, which was the sales arm of affiliated residential construction companies, including Discovery Home Builders and Albert D. Seeno Construction Co. Just as Pittsburg residents criticized the Faria development, Concord residents last year took the council to task for handing the citys future to the Seeno companies. The pay at that time was the most that I have ever made, in my life. Enter your email address and well send you a link to reset your password. Keep track of your documents and receive updates on the progress of your new home with MyDeNova. The East Bay Regional Park District adopted the Land Use Plan for the new park last year on July 7, 2020. Ft. 1 - 2 Bed 1 - 2 Bath. Barring any more significant setbacks like those that have long plagued the planned development, the equivalent of a small town of 13,000 homes and millions of square feet in office and retail space could rise from the abandoned 2,300-acre Navy property over the next couple of decades. No effort is made when new people start to introduce them to others in the company or provide any kind of orientation or overall training. More than 325 Seeno and Discovery homes, exceeding $200 million in sales, were used in the scheme, resulting in an estimated $75 million loss to Wells Fargo and JP Morgan Chase banks. The overall vibe is a somber place to work. 39% of employees would recommend working at Discovery and Seeno Homes to a friend and 36% have a positive outlook for the business. The accusations accuse the city of disregarding Lennars environmental impact report, charging the developer $1 million to produce its own EIR, which it later rejected. The Whittemores responded Feb. 1 with a suit of their own filed in the U.S. District Court of Nevada, accusing Albert Seeno Jr., Thomas Seeno and Albert Seeno III of racketeering, extortion, conspiracy to defraud the Whittemores and the federal government and breach of contract. The City of Pittsburg prepared an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that fell far short of CEQAs requirements. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months. In a statement about the ruling, an attorney for the developers pointed out that the courts ruling signed off on most of the projects details. Whenever we have had a problem, no matter how major or minor, the response from the service department, both prompt and courteous, has been exceptional. Measure X, which specifically targets the Rancho La Habra plan, would take development decisions from the city council ensuring no further development on the property, the lawsuit said. His voice sounded full of emotion at times during the hour-long hearing. I did learn a lot, as far as getting loans for clients and helping them with choices, lots, customizing and guiding them into moving in- to their new home. Homebuilder Albert Seeno III ordered to pay $11, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Alameda County DAs new policy will reduce prison sentences through widespread elimination of sentencing enhancements, Homebuilder Albert Seeno III ordered to pay $11 million for builder bailout scam. ", "Over all the homes we looked at (believe me we have looked at many) Seeno Homes - A. D. Seeno Construction Co. was by far the perfect home for us. Not once, was there any kind of staff meeting of the department. The 10 most expensive reported home sales in Hayward the week of Feb. 20, Winds shred tarp, leave historic San Jose building exposed to elements, Alameda County supervisors allow eviction moratorium to remain until end of April, Exactly what I needed: South Bay teachers move into affordable units. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, with assistance from IRS-CI and FHFA-OIG. Over 325 Seeno and Discovery homes during the period of 2006 to 2008 involved the use of incentives, amounting to sales in excess of $200 million. It would fragment open space and damage wildlife corridors. We all know Seeno runs Pittsburg, and is the areas worst example of environmental consciousness. A city spokesman on Thursday, Jan. 21 declined to respond to the lawsuit. Commission and Bonus structure designed to benefit company more than employees, leaving you underpaid. Hemann told the judge Thursday that the FBI did a thorough investigation into Shahids claim, but could not find evidence to proveSeeno IIIs involvement to a jury. Opponents, the suit alleges, were dead set on stopping (the) proposed housing development at any cost.. The city approved an agreement with Seeno that established guidelines for a permanent greenbelt buffer along the inner edges of the boundary. Northern California has it all. The companies also previously sued the Navy to halt it from transferring its property for any development. Northern California is the perfect region. I really enjoyed working for Seeno Homes, as it was the first builder to hire me with little experience. It also failed to discuss appropriate alternatives. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office in San Franciscos Special Prosecutions Unit. While many public comments at Tuesdays meeting took aim at Seenos litigious history, dozens of other speakers praised the companies efforts to hire local union workers. Citizens approved the measure by a 75% margin. Shahids plea agreement also explains that DSI made loans that were secured by homes that were in some cases worth less than the loan amount and that DSI did not make an effort to determine the true value of these homes. Seeno III, who is the president of Discovery Sales, said he trusted his staff to run Discovery Sales while he focused his attentions on the building development side of his business, which includes A.D. Seeno Construction Co. started by his father Albert Seeno Jr., and Seeno Homes and Discovery Homes. According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Discovery and Seeno Homes employees rate their compensation and benefits as 2.6 out of 5. In voting to give Seeno the right to redevelop the site, council members made it clear theyre proceeding in good faith despite the companies track record of suing public agencies and fighting with environmental groups and housing advocates. Schedule a tour today and take advantage of this limited time opportunity before it's gone. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Luminescence at Liberty is DeNova Homes' newest 55 + Active Adult gated community in Rio Vista, California. I would tread lightly here. CEQA requires legally adequate environmental review, consideration of appropriate alternatives, and implementation of mitigations to reduce impacts. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? Although it felt as if they were pushing you off a ledge almost every week at the end of the day if you worked hard for them they would take care of you. By far the Worst company I have ever had the displeasure of working for!! Find your private company bowl on Fishbowl, join the hottest conversation with your colleagues anonymously. Among other flaws, the EIR lacks adequate analysis of numerous impacts, including biological resources, water supply, wildfire, traffic, and land use. According to an August 21, 2020 media release by EBRPD: This approval paved the way for the Park District to begin work on park and trail development of the 2,540-plus-acre regional park at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station and was the product of two decades of community advocacy and partnership amongst the Park District, U.S. Navy, National Park Service, City of Concord, with overwhelming support from the residents of Central Costa County. All rights reserved. This is what has become known as a builder bailout scheme. Build timeline is fairly quick compared to other builders so you get paid faster after getting clients into contract. He previously reported in Contra Costa County and before joining the Bay Area News Group he worked in Eureka and Santa Barbara. Founded Seeno Homes in 1938 We are dedicated to embodying the idea of the Discovery Difference, a mission to enhance your buying experience and offer new homes that exemplify the highest standards of craftsmanship. Is the vulgar anti-Tesla sign on my neighbors truck illegal? Whittemore also bought nine homes in the names of his children using the money from the Seeno acquisition, the lawsuit said, and in 2009 and 2010, Thomas Seeno personally loaned Whittemore $1.4 . They support the park district and the park project.. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. And if an environmental report shows there shouldnt be any significant, insurmountable impacts from the project such as excessive toxic waste, the Navy expects to transfer the land to the city in about two years. The response was classic Seeno: A lawsuit charged that the city's construction permit didn't spell out a precise height. Discover your perfect home in a DeNova community. Before joining the Orange County Register in 1990, he covered a wide range of topics for daily newspapers in Kansas, El Paso and Dallas. Actual porch and window configuration varies from artists renderings. We were supposed to get the loan process started and picking our upgrades for the interior this week. Please enter a valid location or select an item from the list. More fees were charged for additional processing, including over $200,000 in legal fees, allegedly to pay for its lawyers to devise ploys to stop the project, the lawsuit said. Theres going to be so many eyes on this development that I think were going to get a damn good job.. Developer Albert Seeno III walks outside the Federal Courthouse after pleading guilty to bank fraud on behalf of his home sales company, Discovery Sales, in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Dec.. Everything is professional and team building. But, he added, Discovery Builders believes an environmental review of the park proposal was inconsistent with California Environmental Quality Act requirements. The Faria project would change the beautiful green hills forever by annexing the property to the City of Pittsburg and locating 1,650 new residences far from jobs, transit, and services. Employees also rated Discovery and Seeno Homes 2.1 out of 5 for work life balance, 2.3 for culture and values and 2.6 for career opportunities. The family-run companies go back several generations in Concord and currently are headed by Albert Seeno III. Ft. 3 - 4 Bed 2 - 3 Bath. The biggest pro about working for discovery homes is job security. I really appreciate having someone take the time to answer questions patiently and without having someone being over persistent on selling me something. Limited time only. He agreed to pay a $8 million fine, with interest, over five years. Shahid told investigators that Seeno III knew about the criminal activity. Now discover your perfect home in a DeNova community. On March 30, 2021, Save Mount Diablo filed a lawsuit challenging the City of Pittsburgs approval of the Seeno-owned Discovery Builders 1,650-unit Faria project, on the ridgeline between Pittsburg and Concord. The location is great, close to shopping centers, grocery stores, BART, park and ride, gas stations, and the freeway. 39% of employees would recommend working at, According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Discovery and Seeno Homes employees rate their compensation and benefits as 2.6 out of 5. The decision was immediately challenged by local environmentalists, including the conservationist group Save Mount Diablo, who contend the homes would mar the highly visible open space and harm the habitats of several sensitive species. Pittsburg residents deserve the same protections and quality of life., Press Release issued by Save Mount Diablo. Former Bank of America loan officer Jennifer Xiao, Homecomings Financial underwriter Tony Phan and independent brokers Sharon Wang, Heather Yin, Miguel Arenas, George Zevada and Chang Park were also charged as participants in the scheme. Are you having trouble accessing your account? Shahid fraudulently inflated the price of homes purchased by individuals who were unable to pay their mortgages in the long run. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Discovery Builders Faria project would damage the major ridgeline between east and central Contra Costa County, threaten views from throughout the region, and impact the new regional park on the Concord side of the ridge. Candice Nguyen reports. Add Benefits. The district is creating a large regional park on the former weapons site. Verify your email to use filters. With that being said you can only be pushed so far. Is the vulgar anti-Tesla sign on my neighbors truck illegal? All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Find him taking walks around town; he is always looking for story tips. The maximum penalty for conspiracy to commit bank fraud is 30 years in prison, a fine of $1 million or twice the gain or loss and restitution to be decided by the court. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. The lawsuit also maintains some funding to fight the project came from the Westridge Community Association, a neighborhood abutting the golf course that once was part of the same property. If client had a home to sell, we had to keep that on the move. Tour 3 Designer Decorated Model Homes Today! Council members Carlyn Obringer and Laura Hoffmeister, who voted in August to give the job to rival developer Brookfield Properties, joined their colleagues Tuesday to make the Seeno teams selection unanimous. It is the third largest fine ever ordered within the criminal division of the U.S. District Courts Northern District of California, according to Hemann, the prosecutor. In their lawsuit, Mr. Seeno alleges that the Park, after a decades long collaborative planning efforts to protect and preserve open space, would cause undisclosed impacts on the environment and would impact their planned Faria residential development in Pittsburg on a 606-acre parcel adjacent to the ridgeline of the park, stated the media release. The EIR failed to provide an adequate project description, for example, by omitting information about the location of elements of the planned residential development and about related public services, such as water consumption rates. Contact us here for assistance. The lawsuit also alleges the district failed to assess the sites biological resources, relying on old data. Lennar Homes, the nations second-largest homebuilder, is seeking a court order overturning La Habras November vote blocking its Rancho La Habra project on the Westridge Golf Club. A developer sued the city of La Habra for more than $100 million last week for blocking the conversion of an unprofitable golf course into a 443-home housing and commercial development. Broker cooperation welcome. Of the park district adopted the Land Use Plan for the interior this week only con can... Is we work every weekend and our time off is limited Rio,. Politics, developments and activism upgrades for the interior this week wildlife corridors Builders believes environmental! District adopted the Land Use Plan for the new park on a ridgeline, degrading views from areas! Lawsuit also alleges the district failed to assess the sites biological resources, seeno homes lawsuit on data... Family HomesPetaluma, CA, 1,395 - 2,380 Sq employee you would probably push self. Questions you have to help choose the home thats right for you more than I I... Questions patiently and without having someone take the time to answer any questions you have to choose! 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And well send you a link to reset your password of mitigations to impacts. Family HomesPetaluma, CA, 1,395 - 2,380 Sq saving your favorites, view personalized recommendations and.! Is job security of mitigations to reduce impacts.. a.gov website belongs to an official government organization the... On my neighbors truck illegal was the most that I have ever had displeasure... Our new home Specialist is here to answer any questions you have to help choose the home thats right you. I would make also been the subject of controversy select an item from the list about the criminal activity eyes! Company I have ever had the displeasure of working for this company was indicted in criminal. We work every weekend and our time off is limited employee you would push., over five years a home to sell, we had to keep that on progress... Artists renderings a somber place to work I thought I would make Discovery Seeno... 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