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Thursday, July 30, 2015

Law enforcement seeks help to ID victims of taxi driver Samy Hakim accused of rape in his cab.

Posted by CotoBlogzz 

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.- The Orange County District Attorney's Office (OCDA) is seeking the public's help identifying potential additional victims of a taxi cab driver accused of raping a woman in his cab before dropping her off at her home. 

According to the OCDA's office, Samy Hakim, 54, Anaheim, is charged with two felony counts involving rape of an intoxicated person.

Hakim is out of custody on $100,000 bail and is scheduled for continued arraignment tomorrow, July 31, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.
At the time of the crime, Hakim was working as a taxi cab driver in Orange County. In the early morning hours of Nov. 18, 2014, Hakim is accused of picking up 36-year-old Jane Doe from a Huntington Beach bar to drive her home. Hakim is accused of driving to the victim's apartment complex and raping Jane Doe inside the vehicle while she was under the influence of alcohol. Hakim is then accused of dropping the victim off and driving away.

The victim reported the crime later that day to the Huntington Beach Police Department, who investigated this case, and arrested the defendant on July 9, 2015.
Anyone with additional information or who believes they have been a victim is encouraged to contact OCDA Supervising Investigator Mark Gutierrez at (714) 347-8794.
Deputy District Attorney Lexie Elliott of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Laguna Woods Village to do the unthinkable: to fire its property manager

LETTERS

Laguna Woods, California

Dear Members and Friends,

The GRF board's action on June 29, 2015 in notifying Associa of termination of GRF's management contract touches many people's wishes and hopes of eliminating the inefficient and unnecessary operations many of us experienced under PCM's management.  ACC also likes GRF's goal of eliminating PCM/Associa and moving towards self-management, but in order to reach that goal, we must design a new governance structure that is effective.  We also need to be able to hire the current PCM employees to work for us.  That is a complex decision and process requiring professional management, financial, and legal consultation.  GRF has just hired a labor attorney to find out if they can even approach the PCM employees and what's the costs of the liabilities under either the stock purchase or hiring the employees scenario. At the same time, Associa has told their employees on July 20th that they might be getting a termination notice (WARN act, worker adjustment and retraining notification ) on 10/22, 2015.  No doubt GRF has so far just ideas and concepts.  There is no detail plan to get there.

ACC also supports the 3rd Mutual's four options to be evaluated: (1) Terminate PCM as the service provider, create a new management company owned by GRF, Third Mutual, United and Mutual 50, and hire PCM’s employees; (2) Contract with a new management company that would employ and utilize the current PCM employees; (3) Hire a new management company to replace PCM; (4) Negotiate a new contract with PCM with better terms that address the concerns shared by the corporate members and residents of Laguna Woods Village.  

Going through the evaluation of various options, not only it provides us with a back up plan but also forces us to consider all risks and benefits and costs and savings.  We also recommend bench mark other Leisure World facilities.  Rossmoor Walnut Creek has a good self management model, we should first learn how they converted from professional management to self management.  Seal Beach had converted but is now back to professional management.  How do we learn from their mistakes?


On July 20, Third mutual board sent GRF a letter requesting:

1. GRF’s contract with PCM be extended until such time as all four of the Laguna Woods Village corporate entities have agreed on a uniform termination date for all of their contracts with PCM/Associa;
2. Within two weeks of the date of this letter GRF presents to the Boards of the three Mutuals a detailed implementation plan, not a conceptual plan or ideas, for the transition of services from PCM/Associa to another entity(ies);
3. GRF ceases all of its unilateral actions, regroups and works through either the existing task force or the collective Boards of all of the four entities.

The task force has reconvened and has met last Friday focusing on solving issues at hand.  GRF rejected the #1 request and requested #2 to be extended to 4 weeks when the labor attorney submits his white paper.

3rd mutual members are doing their fiduciary duties to protect their members.  GRF members are trying to improve our governance.  For now we need to stop shooting the messengers and launching political attack on board members who are volunteering their time and working hard to improve governance, management, and conditions at Laguna Woods Village.  ACC supports collaboration among all boards; ultimately, the solution we decide upon will require coordinated action by all boards.  The input of individual as well as clubs is needed.  ACC asks that we treat each other with the same respect as we wish ourselves to be treated.

Please attend the related board meetings and let them know that you care. 

Sincerely yours,


Ed Tao,
President, ACC

ACC, Association of Condos and Co-ops is a club dedicated to addressing the common concerns, issues and problems affecting us all.

Monday, July 27, 2015

Celebrating 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland featuring young kids and Mad Hatter’s Summer Madness at Saddleback College




Posted by CotoBlogzz


Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca – Saddleback College Community Education and the Division of Fine Arts & Media Technology announces their presentation of MainStage Kids, featuring young actors ages 8-16, in Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, Jr. Directed by Jamie Hadley with choreography by Natalie Baldwin, this fun production will take place on the McKinney Theatre stage on Friday, August 7that 7:30 p.m. 

 Lewis Carroll's famous inquisitive heroine comes to life in this delightful adaptation of the classic Disney film. Join Alice as she chases the White Rabbit, races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar, and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game! 

MainStage Kids is also hosting Mad Hatter’s Summer Madness, a week of activities celebrating the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland, on August 3-7. The activities are each day from 10 a.m. to 12 noon for ages 4-12 and consists of designing costumes, learning a song for a sing-along with the cast at the Friday evening tea party, participating in games played in Wonderland, making hats and decorating cookies for the tea party, and attending the tea party with the cast the night of the performance. 

The cost is $50, which includes all events and one ticket for the performance. For detailed information and registration form, log onto www.saddleback.edu/artsand click on MainStage Kids.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by calling 949-582-4656 (Tues-Frinoon to 4p.m.) or online at www.saddleback.edu/arts.

Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54thStreet, New York, NY 10019, Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684www.MTIShows.com

Saddleback College is located at 28000 Marguerite Pkwy in Mission Viejo, just east of Interstate 5 at the Avery Parkway exit.  Parking is available in Lot 12.  Take Avery Parkway to Marguerite Parkway turn left to the third traffic light, which is Saddleback’s Marguerite entrance. Turn right into the campus and take the third left to “Theatre Circle,” turning right into Lot 12.
Located in Mission Viejo, Saddleback College provides quality higher education and training to the greater south Orange County community.  Having served more than 500,000 students since 1968, Saddleback College offers more than 300 degree and certificate programs to help students reach their personal, career, and educational goals.  For more information, please visitwww.saddleback.edu.  For Fine Arts events, visit www.saddleback.edu/arts.  

Snowbird bandit identified as 70 year-old retired LAPD detective and Rancho Santa Margarita resident Randolph Adair

Snowbird bandit identified as 70 year-old retired LAPD detective and Rancho Santa Margarita resident Randolph Adair


Posted by CotoBlogzz


RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. –  On Wednesday, July 22, 2015, Orange County Bank Robbery Apprehension Team (BRAT) investigators arrested Randolph Bruce Adair, 70, Rancho Santa Margarita and retired LAPD detective,  in connection with a series of robberies over that last several months in the south Orange County area, according to Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) Lt. Jeffrey Hallock.  

Bank Robbery Apprehension Team (BRAT): is  a federal task force that collaborates with law enforcement in cities where suspects rob banks and is made up of FBI agents and investigators from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

On Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at approximately 12:30 p.m., several family members of Adair contacted Sheriff’s deputies in the city of Rancho Santa Margarita.  The family indicated they had seen recent media reports about the “Snowbird Bandit” and had information about the suspect.  BRAT investigators were contacted and with the assistance and cooperation of family members, Adair was taken into custody in a nearby Rancho Santa Margarita parking lot.

Based on the follow up investigation, evidence was collected connecting Adair to the five recent bank robberies in south Orange County:

§  7/21/15 – First Citizens Bank, Rancho Santa Margarita
§  7/06/15 – U.S. Bank, Ladera Ranch 
§  6/11/15 – Wells Fargo Bank, Mission Viejo
§  5/22/15 – First Citizens Bank, Rancho Santa Margarita
§  3/20/15 – California Bank & Trust, Dana Point

Adair was arrested for robbery and an outstanding warrant and booked into Orange County Jail.  He is being held on $205K bail; however, investigators intend on pursuing federal charges against Adair.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s at (714) 647-7000 or the BRAT investigators at (949) 939-8699.  Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.  


New lawsuit sheds light on corruption in HOA industry:

Legal counsel and property managers, the enablers of abusive HOA directors- the lawsuit every HOA homeowner should read:

posted by CotoBlogzz

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA - the CZ Master is the largest the largest homeowners association in Coto de Caza.  For more than ten years, the current board of directors, aided and abetted by legal counsel and Keystone Pacific, have practically eliminated dissent and turned it into arguably the most litigious homeowners association in Southern  California.

Now, a lawsuit ( Case No.: 30-2014-00748493-CU-CO-CJC)  filed by a Huntington Continental homeowner naming 50 defendants and selling over $100,000 per defendant suggests that the CZ Master Association board of directors thirst for litigation may be a direct result of what we have consistently argued, and now the lawsuit supports that argument:  

"Because of the seemingly unlimited and perpetual financial resources of the Association, the service providers often offer the Association self-serving advice, and make self-serving decisions which line their own pockets financially"

Some of the 50 defendants include CZ Master service providers: Keystone Pacific Property Management, Inc, Cary S. Treff it’s CEO, Erica L. Griffith a collection assistant / manager, Brittany Bennett a collection assistant, Rene M. Barger a collection assistant / manager, Cane Walker Harkins LLP a collection attorney firm, and James C. Harkins a collection attorney

The lawsuit reads like a thriller that should be required reading not only for every Coto de Caza resident, but also every homeowner in any common interest development/homeowner association, (CID/HOA) 

Some of the allegations contained in the lawsuit ( Case No.: 30-2014-00748493-CU-CO-CJC) include:

Because of the seemingly unlimited and perpetual financial resources of the Association, the service providers often offer the Association self-serving advice, and make self-serving decisions which line their own pockets financially. 

What seems to be a common thread these days in all HOAs from coast to coast is that HOA attorneys routinely suggest and initiate litigation. The reason: win, lose or draw they get paid, and they get paid very well. Stanley Feldsott on his website indicates he was paid $60,000 on a $3,000 debt collection. 

Keystone, it’s agents and it’s collectors Erica Griffith, Brittany Bennett and Rene Barger conspired with, aided and abetted attorney Harkins to harm homeowner financially by charging him and applying more than $25,000 in legal fees to his ledger generated by their own Laurel and Hardy collection efforts. Harkins’ and Keystone’s ‘racket’ creates two classes of pro se litigants in Small Claims court - plaintiff’s that can get attorney fees, and defendants that can not. 

Attorney Harkins and Keystone use the same collection ‘racket’ throughout southern California in various homeowner Associations. Homeowner  contends the scheme is illegal and financially malicious towards homeowners and he owes none of the attorney and collection fees charged to him. 

 Attorney Harkins became a billing machine collecting and or invoicing the Association more than $12,000 for dispute over less than an original $150 in interest and late fees that were NEVER the homeowner's fault 

While Association member-owners have many rights by law, the Association and it’s service providers simply ignore those rights - and the law, and then run roughshod over the defenseless homeowners. 

The lawyers use litigation privilege as a shield from lawsuits after recklessly and carelessly harming their victims. 

Homeowner is suing a number of service providers and HOA board members for damages not less than $100,000 per defendant; For  interest on the sum of damages at the legal rate;  and for costs of suit 

Defendants include: Defendant Group #3, (hereinafter “KEYSTONE DEFENDANTS”) consists of Keystone Pacific Property Management, Inc, Cary S. Treff it’s CEO, Erica L. Griffith a collection assistant / manager, Brittany Bennett a collection assistant, Rene M. Barger a collection assistant / manager, Cane Walker Harkins LLP a collection attorney firm, and James C. Harkins a collection attorney

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Friday, July 17, 2015

Welcome Raymond Scheidnes, New Public Information Officer, CHP SJC



Posted By CotoBlogzz

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA -  Officer Raymond Scheidnes has taken over the public information duties at the San Juan Capistrano office of the California Highway Patrol (CHP)  from officer Peter Kim, who is being promoted to Sergeant.

Officer Scheidnes has been an officer since 2001 and experience with road patrol duties, commercial vehicle enforcement, and was previously a media information officer in San Diego.

Officer Kim took over from Officer Aaron Rothberg, who took over from Officer David Goodwin who went over to patrol in 2013 after I being in the position for close to a decade. 

From where we seat, there seems to be a high turn over at the SJC office since Captain Fonseca took over some 18 months ago.  Officer Scheidnes assures us that there is nothing special, and that Officers Kim short term assignment was coincidental to his being considered for a promotion.

We should note that since Captain Fonseca took over, the traffic statistics are significantly different from the ones reported by the SJC office for over a decade, without a plausible explanation.

In any case, Welcome, Officer Scheidnes!

Laguna Woods ACC Monthly Meeting Announcement: Monday, 7/20, CH 3, DR2 at 4 pm

LETTERS




In this meeting, we will continue to examine matters presented at recent ACC meetings that are fundamental to the happiness of all of us at LWV. These matters are essential to achieving immediate and long-term stability and prosperity for our community. 
The past six months have been very eventful in our community, and actions being taken by our Boards over the next six months may be the most significant since the founding of our community 50 years ago. All of our Boards are working very hard to improve performance in their respective areas of responsibility. Topping the list of issues that both ACC and the Boards are focusing on these days is the question of the best overall governance structure and management arrangement for our future. A consulting firm, FutureSense, Inc., of Mission Viejo, was hired by GRF to analyze this issue. Phase One of FutureSense's undertaking has been completed, culminating in a report issued on April 3, 2015 entitled, "Governance Review - Phase One Discovery Report". At our July 20 meeting, we will discuss questions such as, 

What are our governance options and the benefits/pitfalls of those options?  What is the key things that need to be in place to ensure that we do not repeat the same mistakes? - Is there an optimum solution whereby we can continue to live with affordable monthly fees and still maintain our manors, infrastructures, facilities and amenities at the level of quality we expect?

We will focus on the pros and cons of potential options from a variety of subject experts. The objective is to explore ways that we can improve the effectiveness of our governance systems for the mutual benefit of all stake-holders, including owners, residents, Board members, PCM employees and PCM itself, our management agent.


If you have any suggestions regarding the above agenda that you would like to share in advance of the meeting, such as additional focus questions, or any questions at all, please do not hesitate to call Ed Tao, President, ACC, at 714-316-8548, or our Membership Chair, Darlene Bacus, at 949-583-9759, or reply to this email.

Thank you,

Ed Tao, President, ACC

CALIF AG Kamala D. Harris not one to waste a crisis, Issues Consumer Alert in Response to UCLA Health Data Breach



Posted by CotoBlogzz

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA - as reported by various news outlets, including the Los Angeles Times, the UCLA Health System said Friday that it has been the victim of a criminal cyberattack affecting as many as 4.5 million patients.

Not one to waste a crisis, Harris immediately issued a consumer alert stating that "Individuals who believe they may have been impacted can contact UCLA Health at 877-534-5972 or visit http://www.myidcare.com/uclaprotection for more information and options to sign up for free services offered by UCLA." So, if UCLA is being proactive, why is the AG involved?  Should she instead not be involved investigating abusive HOAs as we have requested many times?

But not to despair, the Attorney General’s Breach Help: Tips for Consumers has simple instructions for consumers who have been affected by a breach and includes what to do in response to a Social Security number breach, and wait, for it...! Breach Help is also available in Spanish.


And even more helpful tips paid for by your taxpayer dollars:


First Aid for Medical Identity Theft: Tips for Consumers
https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/privacy/cis_16_med_id_theft.pdf

En Español: Primeros auxilios para el robo de identidad médica: Consejos para los consumidores
http://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/privacy/cis_16_med_id_theft_sp.pdf

Breach Help: Tips for Consumers
www.oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/privacy/cis-17-breach-help.pdf?

En Español:  Ayuda en caso de robo de datos confidenciales
www.oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/privacy/sp-cis-17-breach-help.pdf?

How to Order Your Free Credit Reports
www.oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/idtheft/cis_11_free_annual_doj...

En Español:  Cómo encargar sus informes de crédito gratuitos
www.oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/idtheft/cis11spanish.pdf?

How to "Freeze" Your Credit Files
www.oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/idtheft/cis_10_credit_freeze_d...

Identity Theft Victim Checklist
http://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/privacy/CIS_3_victim_checkl...?

En Español: Lo que deben hacer las víctimas de robo de identidad
www.oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/idtheft/sp_cis_3_vtm_checklist...?

Top 10 Tips for Identity Theft Protection
www.oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/idtheft/cis_1_top_10tips_doj.pdf?

En Español:  Los 10 consejos para protegerse contra el robo de identidad
www.oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/idtheft/cis_1_top_10tips_doj_s...?


Ravi Ghataode is nailed again by the OCDA with unlawful business practices and false advertising



Ravi Ghataode is nailed again by the OCDA with unlawful business practices and false advertising 

Posted by CotoBlogzz

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA - AGREES TO SHUT DOWN BUSINESS AND PAY $400,000 SETTLEMENT
SANTA ANA, Calif. - Ravi Ghataode is nailed again by the Orange County District Attorney's (OCDA) with unlawful business practices and false advertising.  ) Ghataode was ordered in 2011 (Case #00471262) to not to engage in such acts and practices, after settling a prior consumer fraud lawsuit.
Now, according to the OCDA, Ghataode's  Irvine-based Internet sales company, accused of selling a bogus car performance chip nationwide agreed yesterday, July 16, 2015, to shut down his business, pay $400,000 in civil penalties, and restitution to any complaining customers. 
In a civil consumer prosecution lawsuit filed by the Orange County District Attorney's Office (OCDA) on Oct. 28, 2014, GFORCE CHIPS (GFORCE) was accused of committing unlawful business practices and engaging in false advertising by marketing its product as a car-performance chip to increase fuel efficiency among other claims.
In the settlement, GFORCE and its owner, 32-year-old Ravi Ghataode, agreed to shut down the business and be permanently enjoined from ever operating a business that sells any device that claims to affect gas mileage, horsepower, or emissions. Ghataode admitted no wrongdoing in the settlement agreement.
The settlement now awaits approval by Orange County Superior Court Judge James J. Di Cesare. If entered by the court, the settlement mandates Ghataode reimburse all customers that have complained about the chip in the last four years. The settlement also provides for reimbursement to anyone who complains to the OCDA or GFORCE within 90 days after entry of the settlement by the court. 
The OCDA advices that If you are a consumer who purchased a GFORCE chip and either never received your merchandise or your requested refund, or you would like to lodge a complaint and get your money back, contact the OCDA Consumer Fraud Hotline at (714) 834-6553.
In the lawsuit filed by the OCDA, GFORCE was accused of the following:
They falsely advertised on the business website that their product was a performance chip and fraudulently sold an elaborately packaged circuit board that contained no software. They made false claims and fabrications about the company on their website, including who founded the company, when it was founded, its location, and who made or engineered the product. They sold chips to hundreds of thousands of consumers nationwide at $69 each, earning millions of dollars by falsely advertising that the chip had software on it specifically programmed for the purchasers' car, down to the make, model and year, and that once the product was installed in the car's engine, it would substantially increase gas mileage by four to seven miles per gallon, reduce emissions by 25 to 40 percent, and increase the horsepower of the car by 30 to 60 horsepower.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has put out consumer warnings regarding such devices that claim to save fuel and increase vehicle performance. According to the FTC warning, despite evaluating and /or testing more than 100 alleged gas-saving devices, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not found any product that significantly improves gas mileage, and may even damage a car's engine or substantially increase exhaust emissions. The EPA has tested hundreds of these types of devices and has not found any that support the claims GFORCE was making.

Deputy District Attorney Michelle Cipolletti from the Consumer Fraud Unit is prosecuting this case.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Homeowner sues Coto de Caza’s Keystone Pacific & James Harkins – Legal eagles come home to roost?



Stanley Feldsott on his website indicates he was paid $60,000 on a $3,000 debt collection

Posted by CotoBlogzz

Coto de Caza, CA – After a decade of working as a most toxic triad, Keystone Pacific, James Harkins and Coto de Caza’s CZ Master Association board of directors,  turned the association into arguably the most litigious homeowners association in Southern California.  Now however, the tables seemed to have been turned around:

Attorney Joseph C. Rosenblit has filed a lawsuit on behalf of  Joseph A. Miner against HUNTINGTON CONTINENTAL TOWN HOUSE ASSOCIATION, INC.  homeowner against, RUSTAN LAINE, in his capacity as President of Huntington Continental, MYRA KUCK, in her capacity as Treasurer of Huntington Continental, KEYSTONE PACIFIC PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, INC., a California corporation.; CAREY TREFF, in his capacity as President and CEO of Keystone, ARTURO CRAYRA, an individual; DIANN ROBERTSON, an individual; RICHARD BARR, an individual; and DOES 10 to 50, Inclusive in Case No.: 30-2014-00748493-CU-CO-CJC

A portion of the complaint challenges what it characterizes as “multiple violations of law and abusive debt collection practices by Defendants.”

A portion of the complaint challenges what it characterizes as  “unjust enrichment of the Association’s service providers: Feldsott-Lee, Cane-Walker and Keystone - two debt collection law firms and a debt collection / management company.”

The complaint alleges illegal acts include violations of the State and Federal debt collection acts, and violations of the Davis Stirling Act.

The complaint contends there are three significant separate but related issues addressed in the action:

1) the failed and illegal collection and attempted foreclosure scheme implemented by Feldsott-Lee,

2) the pre-foreclosure and collection scheme carried out by Keystone and Cane-Walker, and

3) the unjust enrichment of these service providers and associates during these extortion-like illegal debt collection endeavors.

The complaint argues what we have been saying for decades: “because of the seemingly unlimited and perpetual financial resources of the Association, the service providers often offer the Association self-serving advice, and make self-serving decisions which line their own pockets financially. They initiate fruitless, often illegal, collection and enforcement pursuits such as the relentless collection attacks” on homeowners

Further, the complaint supports another argument we continue to make:  “What seems to be a common thread these days in all HOAs from coast to coast is that HOA attorneys routinely suggest and initiate litigation. The reason: win, lose or draw they get paid, and they get paid very well. Stanley Feldsott on his website indicates he was paid $60,000 on a $3,000 debt collection. [exhibit #4] 9. In the illegal collection case against Miner, with the Association losing the appeals, and eventually the entire lawsuit, Miner believes the Association has lost about $250,000 between payments to the service providers, and payment for Miner’s attorney fees and costs

Have the legal eagles come home to roost?

If you are a homeowner who is being wronged by your HOA board of directors, you may want to contact Joseph C. Rosenblit, one of the few attorneys we have found, faithfully represent homeowners.


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