Carey Hendrickson and Jason Sterlino, sales managers for Seeno properties, were previously charged. Three Bay Area men, including justice reform activist, plead guilty in Norteo RICO murder case, Californias hardest to book campground isnt in a famous park. From 2006 to 2008, when Shahid was DSIs vice president, buyers with little or no money of their own were induced to purchase homes at prices that were inflated through the use of financial incentives. Any future disagreements would need to involve the projects details and not Seenos track record. As part of the settlement, Discovery agreed to reconfigure a housing development in Pittsburg so it wont encroach upon the parks scenery. Copyright 2023 DeNova Homes. Please click "I Accept" to acknowledge our policy and the use of this information to help operate our site and for analytics, personalization and advertising purposes. The ruling also determined that the city failed to account for the possible environmental impacts of 150 accessory dwelling units, which were added to the development just before the council approved it, according to Save Mount Diablo. We have limited open space in La Habra.. Argentina. The treat the employees as if they were worthless. Allowing Seeno to break the city's own application process opens the city of Concord to a potential lawsuit. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasnt followed: What should you do? We are very happy with the courts decision.. The public overwhelmingly supports the creation of this regional park, district general manager Robert Doyle said. I take responsibility. 20% of Complaints are filed by Homeowners and/or Borrowers; 20% of Complaints are filed by Appraisers; 15% of Complaints are filed by "Others" (Realtors, Lawyers, Law Enforcement . Hours are very strict - either 7am to 4pm or 8am to 5pm. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? The city and Seeno companies now must try to nail down financial details and create a vision for the project over the next six months. I really appreciate having someone take the time to answer questions patiently and without having someone being over persistent on selling me something. Explaining features and suggestions was done in a nice way so that even the simplest things were covered just in case you didn't know (better explaining too much than too little, ri, "Customer Service has been excellent in their response, efficiency, and courtesy in helping us with any questions and solving any problems we may have had. Luminescence will feature Our New Home Specialist is here to answer any questions you have to help choose the home thats right for you. This Website Has Moved to ContraCosta.news, East Bay Regional Park District Celebrates Green Friday. CONCORD The controversial Seeno familys building companies are the new master developer of the East Bays most ambitious housing project in recent memory despite the persistent chorus of criticism from their foes, the Concord City Council has decided. If you are interested in a career with DeNova Homes, please send us an email hr@denovahomes.com with a copy of your resume to inquire about open positions and opportunities. Since it is a family owned company if you were accepted by management they definitely treated you like a dysfunctional member. My clients feel strongly that everyone needs to comply with the same rules and they are important.. We all know Seeno runs Pittsburg, and is the areas worst example of environmental consciousness. Bjerke further warned that if the city were to revert to square one, the Navy could grow impatient and decide to auction off its former weapons site land instead of transferring it to Concord. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? The districts board of directors approved the parks land-use plan and associated environmental impact report on July 7, paving the way for development of the more than 2,540-acre regional park. 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. Save thousands on your dream home during DeNova Homes' Red Tag Sales Event! Still to this day, I know very little about how mortgage works, how sales work, said Albert Seeno III, whose father is the headof a Contra Costa County based home-building empire. 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. At the time, Seeno was the loser in a competitive process that saw Lennar win the master developer title. If client had a home to sell, we had to keep that on the move. They are also in other counties ruining them step by step. Ask Our Sales Reps How You Can Customize Your Own Incentive! Pursuant to the plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to the lead conspiracy count, which encompassed the conduct alleged in the remaining counts. New ideas or processes for efficiency, thoroghness or future retention were discouraged and bluntly rejected without any thought or discussion. The lawsuit also alleges the district failed to assess the sites biological resources, relying on old data. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. In 3 years I only took 5 days off. Inspiring cities. The Rancho La Habra project first was proposed by Standard Pacific Homes, which later was acquired by Lennar, a Miami-based developer with its West Coast headquarters in Irvine. We were supposed to get the loan process started and picking our upgrades for the interior this week. Last year, the city reached a dead end with former master developer Lennar Corp., which walked away after refusing to hire local labor for construction work. Discovery Builders recently settled a lawsuit it had filed last year against the East Bay Regional Park District to stop the Navys transfer of nearby land for the creation of a new park. Discovery was founded by a member of the Seeno family, which has built and managed properties in Contra Costa County for several generations. His attorney William Keane occasionally comforted him with pats on the back. Sales & marketing by DeNova Homes Sales, DRE #01247582 Equal Housing Opportunity. OAKLAND A major Northern California home developeron Thursday pleaded guilty to bank fraud on behalf of his home sales company and was ordered to pay $11 millionfor a builder bailout scam that he contends he knew nothing about. Sales managers can make or break your salary potential as they will move agents around to different communities when they feel like it. Judith Prieve is a reporter and editor for the Bay Area News Group who covers eastern Contra Costa County for the East Bay Times and The Mercury News. 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. The Seeno family of development companies wants to build 1,650 homes in the hills that overlook the Concord Naval Weapons Station. Save Mount Diablo is not opposed to all growth. Keep track of your documents and receive updates on the progress of your new home with MyDeNova. From the time we initially purchased our home and worked with the sales representative, Seeno has provided exceptional service and has been responsive to our needs. While this case was extremely complex, the FBI and Department of Justice built this case, brick by brick, from low-level employees all the way up to the president of the company. Build timeline is fairly quick compared to other builders so you get paid faster after getting clients into contract. Building the homes would require extensive grading of the site, which Save Mount Diablo claimed could result in landslides and the destruction of creeks and streams. But, he added, Discovery Builders believes an environmental review of the park proposal was inconsistent with California Environmental Quality Act requirements. 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. 2012 - February 11 Dennis Lund: George Zimmermans Oxbow Incident. She graduated fromthe University of Wisconsin -- Madison with a BA degree in English, and also studied abroad focusing on theater, arts and history through UWSP in London, England. According to Clement, Throughout the East Bay, residents have worked hard to protect our ridges and views, and to defend our parks. Concord council doubles down on Seeno companies, 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), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Alameda County DAs new policy will reduce prison sentences through widespread elimination of sentencing enhancements, Concord council doubles down on Seeno companies for Naval Weapons Station redevelopment. Selling their homes is like having an over-priced listing. 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. If we do nothing, massive grading will take place; the project will be built; the ridge damaged; other natural resources, including scenic vistas, will be harmed; and the new regional park, which we advocated for over many years, will be negatively impacted, said Ted Clement, Executive Director, Save Mount Diablo. ", "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. It always felt like your last day wishing that they would end this horrible cycle and you would have a life on the other side. Seenos Discovery Builders and Faria Land Investors filed suit to stop the new regional park. Last, and certainly not least, is the service. 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. 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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, https://www.ebparks.org/parks/concord_hills/default.htm. Everything is professional and team building. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. 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. The city council ignored hundreds of letters and public comments that opposed the project. If we were to reverse course today, Im not sure how many people, given what happened to Lennar would be willing to come in and participate in a process with Concord, Guy Bjerke, the citys economic development director, said about the prospect of rejecting Seeno and rebooting the search for a master developer. Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life, Harriette Cole: I don't want the neighbor's kids at my house, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, Ask Amy: I'm your cabin housekeeper, and you apparently have no idea what I do. James Colopy of Farella Braun + Martel, the legal firm representing Discovery Builders, said his client years earlier had expressed concerns about converting the former weapons station to a large public park. Before joining the Orange County Register in 1990, he covered a wide range of topics for daily newspapers in Kansas, El Paso and Dallas. To the dismay of Seenos critics, the exclusive negotiating agreement also effectively prevents the council from arbitrarily changing its mind, Bjerke said. In its lawsuit, Lennar accused the city of systematically hindering and delaying the project to give time for the anti-development initiative to get passed and to bleed the project dry. Management was untrained and one ruler ( Ayman) CEO was the last word although this was a love hate relationship. Concord-based Seeno Construction Co., which has plans to build 152 homes on the site, received about $300 in fines from county code enforcement for illegally bulldozing the trees. They also successfully pressed for a development agreement that precludes the companies from suing the city at some future point. Broker cooperation welcome. Scott Adams faces 'consequence culture' as U.S. newspapers drop Dilbert, Tom Cruise's 'ditching' of Suri showcased by Judd Apatow's 'co-parenting' joke, ex-Scientology exec says. 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. "Save Mount Diablo is simply trying to protect one of the East Bay's most prominent and well-known ridgelines. 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. We make a lot more than I thought I would make. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. The City of Pittsburg prepared an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that fell far short of CEQAs requirements. Log in. The Faria project would also impact the new Concord Hills Regional Park, which the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) has long planned at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station at the Faria sites southwestern edge. 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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. The company was also placed on probation for five years, which gives the federal government another way to ensure payments are made, Hemann said. It would be nice to have a weekend off once in a while. Thank you Seeno for building these homes.". Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? 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. 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. We checked out the new Seeno homes on Cunningham Dr in Fairfield and signed on one late Friday 12/23/16 and gave them a $7500 deposit check. The Sales Management is sexist and entitled. How exciting to be able to build your dream home from the ground up, or so we thought. 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. Part of the councils decision stemmed from a desire to proceed with the project after a long dormancy. It seems really nave and really irresponsible to think our community would be immune to these same behaviors, said Kat Hannah. 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 . This is our third home, however, our first home purchased from Seeno. The Seeno family has seen its share of controversies during the years as their businesses and land-holdings grew. NOW SELLING! By comparison, next door and above the new park, Faria would include hundreds of acres of impacts. One of the many residents who called into Tuesdays meeting complained that regardless of what the agreement says, Seeno might use litigation as a weapon in negotiations. I have a great deal of experience and have been recognized for my sales achievements and clearly know what I'm doing so therefore I would NOT stand for it so I left! Lennar wants just compensation for business losses caused by La Habras alleged delay tactics, fees for studies and for an illegal taking, or the virtual appropriation of private property. With that being said you can only be pushed so far. We, "Having three children played a large part in our decision on where to buy. An investigation by this newspaper showed that during a 16-month period from 2006 to 2008, Seeno companies opened at least $1.24 billion in construction lines of credit. About 55% of the land would be preserved as open space, and the golf courses clubhouse would be converted into a community center. No regard/plan for customer service. Jason Sterlino was sentenced in February to six months in prison for what Assistant U.S. Attorney John Hemann called minor fraud conducted to further the scheme. Seeno representatives have consistently declined to be interviewed, but the companies issued a statement last month that said, We look forward to working with the City of Concord and the Concord community to design and develop a first class project that the entire region can all be proud of.. Shahid is the most recent and highest placed individual charged by the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Northern District of California as a result of a wide-ranging investigation by the FBI into mortgage fraud in connection with the sale of homes by DSI and its affiliates. Because Shahid is cooperating with the ongoing FBI investigation, a sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. Plans call for 277 houses and 166 townhomes in four gated neighborhoods, 40 acres of parks with pools and trails, as well as more retail development. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Find a Great First Job to Jumpstart Your Career, Getting a Job Is Tough; This Guide Makes it Easier, Climb the Ladder With These Proven Promotion Tips, A Guide to Negotiating the Salary You Deserve. The project, known as Faria/Southwest Hills, was approved by the Pittsburg City Council last year despite opposition from hundreds of residents. Neither of these have started yet. The Faria site is rugged, landslide prone, and badly suited for development, which will only be possible with massive grading. Delightful climate. Open space, habitat for wildlife, and the communitys scenic views have won the day, and poorly planned development will not go forward, for now. Northern California is the perfect region. 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. 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