If client had a home to sell, we had to keep that on the move. But opponents of Seeno have won the latest skirmish, at least for now. Copyright 2023 DeNova Homes. 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. 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. Find him taking walks around town; he is always looking for story tips. The pitch was ambitious enough to secure the councils unanimous approval last year. Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? His voice sounded full of emotion at times during the hour-long hearing. However, any sentence would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Add Benefits. The best aspects about working for Seeno was the income that you could achieve. The only con I can think of is we work every weekend and our time off is limited. We are proud to support our law enforcement partners in investigating and prosecuting this case.. Really? 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. Overall, my peers in the department were hardworking and dedicated. 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.. Not once, was there any kind of staff meeting of the department. We are very happy with the courts decision.. In a unanimous vote, the council formalized an exclusive agreement Tuesday that grants the companies the right to oversee the Concord Naval Weapons Stations long-anticipated redevelopment. The treat the employees as if they were worthless. On March 30, 2021, Save Mount Diablo filed a lawsuit challenging the City of Pittsburg's approval of the Seeno-owned Discovery Builders' 1,650-unit Faria project, on the ridgeline between Pittsburg and Concord. 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. Whom are they paying off? 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. 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. 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. Argentina. Your email address will not be published. It wont, Seeno III said during an apology to the judge. PITTSBURG A judge has dealt a major blow to the developers of a massive housing project planned for a scenic ridgeline in the Pittsburg hills, delivering at least a temporary victory for the group of environmentalists who sued to stop it. Answer: Complaints filed against Appraisers: 45% of Complaints are filed by Lenders, AMCs, and Government Agencies (FHA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FDIC, OCC, etc.) Faria Land Investors, a Seeno/Discovery Builders associate, wants to build some 1,500 homes clustered in the valleys in the southwest Pittsburg hills, which overlook the former Concord Naval . As a result, rare habitat for special status species would be lost. Save Mount Diablos lawsuit challenges the February 22, 2021 approval of the Faria project by the Pittsburg City Council. An official website of the United States government. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, with assistance from IRS-CI and FHFA-OIG. This is a major victory for Pittsburgs hills, Save Mount Diablo Land Conservation Director Seth Adams said in a statement. 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, Single family residence sells in Fremont for $2.5 million, Single family residence sells for $1.7 million in Oakland, Concord Naval Weapons Stations long-anticipated redevelopment, refusing to hire local labor for construction work, filed last year against the East Bay Regional Park District, halt it from transferring its property for any development, scrambled in recent weeks to change council members minds. Delightful climate. The family of builders has earned a reputation for engaging in drawn-out legal battles against public agencies and environmental groups, though the companies have also fostered a strong relationship with local labor unions. The long-running case began in the early 1980s when homeowners at a Seeno development in Pittsburg sued the construction company for about $30 million in damage to their homes caused by. The buyers were not required to possess or post any of their own money when buying a home; DSI, the builders and their affiliates provided money to buyers to make down payments. According to Shahids plea agreement that was unsealed today, DSI was created to sell new homes built by Discovery Builders Inc. (DBI), Albert D. Seeno Construction Co. Inc. (AD Seeno) and other entities affiliated with Albert Seeno III and the Seeno family. 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. Surrounded by residential neighborhoods and the Westridge Plaza shopping center, its the last piece of developable private property in the area, the lawsuit said. Lees said he favors new construction and believes La Habra will approve enough housing to meet state goals. Open space, even privately owned open space is just too precious and too scarce to turn over part of it to development, former Mayor Tom Beamish said during an October city council meeting that set the stage for a 3-0 vote on Nov. 2 to kill the project. Discover your perfect home in a DeNova community. It was very hard to have a life outside of Seeno. The overall vibe is a somber place to work. Single Family Homes and DuetsRio Vista, CA, 1,090 - 1,569 Sq. The company was also placed on probation for five years, which gives the federal government another way to ensure payments are made, Hemann said. ", "This is to convey our thanks and appreciation for the outstanding services my husband and I have received from Seeno. Oh and can you say MICRO-MANAGE?! One hears horror stories when buying a home where workmanship is poor and the builder does not stand behind their mission statement. 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. 39% of Discovery and Seeno Homes employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews. Breathtaking nature. Pittsburg residents deserve the same protections and quality of life., Press Release issued by Save Mount Diablo. 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. Inspiring cities. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? We have been building quality homes since the formation of Seeno Homes by Albert D. Seeno, Sr in 1938. NewHomeSource.com is a trademark of Builders Digital Experience, LLC and all other marks are either trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. 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. We, "Having three children played a large part in our decision on where to buy. Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? Please enter a valid location or select an item from the list. 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. It is my expectation that the development group is going to operate in a good-faith manner with the community, with the City Council, with city staff and key stakeholders, Obringer said. The family-run companies go back several generations in Concord and currently are headed by Albert Seeno III. 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. 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. Hours are very strict - either 7am to 4pm or 8am to 5pm. The company is constantly opening new communities and we are never expected to travel far to our communities. The park district opposed the project. According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Discovery and Seeno Homes employees rate their compensation and benefits as 2.6 out of 5. Benicia Herald Candidate Questionnaire responses, Auction of Jerrold Turner paintings to benefit Arts Benicia, Benicia City Council appoints Interim City Manager, Benicia Firefighter tests positive for COVID-19, Benicias Troop 7007 adds two new Eagle Scouts to its ranks, Candidate Spotlight: EDB Chair Lionel Largaespada taking another shot at council seat, San Francisco Bay dredging proposal a handout to oil industry, After 22 years in business, Lindsay Art Glass is closing this fall. This is the true culmination of a decades-long community effort, Beverly Lane, who has represented Concord on the East Bay Regional Park District board since 1994, said in a written statement. The project as approved by the city authorizes the development of a major, new residential subdivision on 606 acres of ridgeline and hillside grazing land in what is currently unincorporated Contra Costa County, immediately south of the City of Pittsburg. The fraud happened during the housing downturn so the Seenos could maintain large lines of credit. She has worked as a reporter, features editor and assistant metro editor at newspapers in Wisconsin and Northern California and has been at what is now the Bay Area News Group since 1990. Management is not open to suggestions or innovation. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasnt followed: What should you do? The city of La Habra and its city council have willfully disregarded the law and were unduly influenced and coerced through a series of back-door threats and false information propagated by an angry group of fanatics, the lawsuit states. On March 30, 2021, Save Mount Diablo filed a lawsuit challenging the City of Pittsburg's approval of the Seeno-owned Discovery Builders' 1,650-unit Faria project, on the ridgeline between . 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. According to Clement, Throughout the East Bay, residents have worked hard to protect our ridges and views, and to defend our parks. How exciting to be able to build your dream home from the ground up, or so we thought. Contact Information Customer Contact Ms. Nancy McMillin, Executive Assistant Additional Contact Information Phone Numbers (888) 414-6637. Very demeaning and overall vile! This is our third home, however, our first home purchased from Seeno. Signup for an myClientName account today and start saving your favorites, view personalized recommendations and more. They support the park district and the park project.. Judge halts high housing development in East, 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, Judge halts high housing development in East Bay hills. Pittsburg has thousands of housing units already approved but not yet built, including units at Seenos San Marco, Sky Ranch II, Montreux, and Tuscany Meadows projects and now including Faria. Love the environment, we are all treated like a big family. Shahid was charged in April 2014 with one count of bank fraud conspiracy and 17 individual counts of bank fraud. In a plea deal accepted by the judge on Thursday, Seeno III agreed to pay $3 million in restitution toFannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two taxpayer-sponsored financial services companies, within 120 days. The East Bay Regional Park District adopted the Land Use Plan for the new park last year on July 7, 2020. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? Their suit said they are owed about $30 million by the Wingfield . I really enjoyed the office culture, as my space was my space. He agreed to pay a $8 million fine, with interest, over five years. If the incentives appeared in the bank loan files, Shahid explained, the loan underwriters would likely reject the loans. 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. Contra Costa County Superior Judge Edward G. Well ruled last week that the citys environmental review of the project was inadequate because it failed to assess how so many houses would impact water supply, air quality and nearby plant life, according to a statement from Save Mount Diablo. 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