Showing posts with label rent escrow account program (REAP). Show all posts
Showing posts with label rent escrow account program (REAP). Show all posts

Friday, August 26, 2011

L.A. City News "Weekend Edition": FBI INVESTIGATING L.A. HOUSING DEPARTMENT (Exclusive Details), Analyst Disputes AEG's "Economic Boost" Claims & More

[PICTURED: Kinda like that guy in "Willy Wonka" that zapped himself into the TV set. New techo-era=stuck online, inside a blog, y'all...just the way you like it.]

FIRST OF ALL, I'm glad my time wasn't spent, in vein. Cause whether you feel ZD had, something to do with it, or not...all I know, is after first BLOGGING about it...then BLASTING the details during the L.A. City Council meetings -- TELEVISED FOUR TIMES, EACH MEETING, on L.A. TV 35...and again...MORE public comments, screamin' about the issue of L.A. Housing Department Rent Escrow Account Program (REAP) and their "Systematic Code Enforcement" (ZD dubbed, "SCAM")...over and over and over on TV 35...PLUS, a call to the FBI, and some visits, by ZD related constituents, to HAND DELIVER, THIS ZD BLOG POST;

KEVIN JAMES, confirmed this week on the air, according to his sources (separate from Zuma Dogg saying it)...THE FBI's (ever widening) investigation of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's City Hall...NOW INCLUDES, "RENT ESCROW - SYSTEMATIC CODE ENFORCEMENT."

Here is Kevin James, on the air (8/26/11), "giving credit where credit is due.":



AUDIO: "I've gotta tell you, cause I'm gonna give credit where credit is due, Zuma Dogg, caller to this show, and known in City circles around city hall...someone who regularly calls out corruption on his blog, sent me old blog posts he had written about on (Systematic Code Enforcement/LA Housing Dept.) One of them in 2010 and another one in 2007. And he was asking some interesting questions. And from what I heard, "Systematic Code Enforcement" (part of LADH/Rent Escrow (REAP), IS part of the FBI investigation. Now, when Zuma Dogg was yelling about it, it WAS NOT part of the FBI investigation. But he was asking questions." - Kevin James (870-KRLA/Los Angeles, 8/26/11)


GARCETTI: DAMN, did it cost you a lot...not only for keepin' ZD around as a gadfly to keep trippin' over corruption...but for the day you cut me off, for what I thought was an unjust reason...and you made me EXPLODE FOR A MONTH on this Roberto Aldape/Haka Mortezai/RENT ESCROW CRAP! (How's it all workin' out for you? Wonder what's NEXT? I didn't expect to stumble upon Pension Fraud, or L.A. Housing Department Fraud. But people LOVE jammin' me with this stuff.)

LATimes.com (8/26/11 - 8PM) Analyst casts doubt on economic benefit of downtown L.A. stadium [REALLY? That's IMPOSSIBLE? AEG/Liewikie wouldn't pad/inflate/bamboozle the numbers, would he?]

EXCERPT: The office that advises the California Legislature voiced doubts Friday about the level of economic benefit that would come from an NFL stadium in downtown Los Angeles, saying studies commissioned by the project's developer "likely overstated" the financial boost it would deliver.

Speaking to a state Senate panel reviewing the plan by developer Anschutz Entertainment Group, policy analyst Mark Whitaker warned that football stadiums typically have a minimal effect on a region's economic growth, largely because they become a magnet for household entertainment dollars that were already being spent elsewhere in the area.

In many cases, families that have bought tickets to events at the Home Depot Center in Carson, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and other local venues would probably shift those same dollars to the proposed Farmers Field in downtown Los Angeles, said Whitaker, who works in the Legislative Analyst's Office.

READ MORE...

HERE'S THE POST THAT RE-CAPS the L.A. Housing Department - Rent Escrow (REAP), Systematic Code Enforcement, that Kevin James said the FBI is now investigating, according to his sources. (ZD already heard this, from his separate sources. So looks like you can take it to the bank...I mean, judge.) KRLA 870 Kevin James, Confirmed Zuma Dogg's Claim...FBI=INVESTIGATING L.A. Housing Department on ZD's "RENT ESCROW" PET PEEVE ISSUE! (Now FBI's "Peeve," Too, Garcetti! Good Luck!)

AND HERE IS THE ZUMA DOGG, 2 Minute "Public Comment" on TV 35, that explains it, too. GIVE A LISTEN. ALL U NEED TO KNOW!:




MOST RECENT POSTS:
AND, AS ALWAYS...the latest breaking thoughts from the mind of Zuma Dogg, in the Twitter column, in the left hand side of this blog. (Plus, ANY breaking news...like the LA Times article on AEG economic analysis, that I could within 15 minutes of it being posted on LATimes.com, then triggered the rest of this post. Check http://LACityNews.com, all weekend...for continuous updates...while the rest of the media world takes the weekend off, and offers re-runs, and slow news days. (IT'S NEVER A SLOW NEWS DAY! IF IT IS...I'LL GO OUTSIDE, AND MAKE SOME FRICKIN' NEWS! Like, THIS, from today: I had to get involved , again, and tell LAPD what to do. They took the 7X warned fool's sign. http://t.co/HZ2ksZS: )

Check out "A Decade of Zuma Dogg,' on YouTube: http://ZumaDogg.com. (The history of Zuma Dogg. Audio, Video, Press, Links.) TRIUMPHANTNESS!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

More Info on LA Housing Department Corruption Allegations (FBI...PLEASE READ THIS!)

Zuma Dogg,

Here is some information that you may be interested in hearing.

The Los Angeles Housing Department, at some point, made loans to a private individual of almost $600,000. It has all been written off.

LAHD should account as to why such a large amount was given to a specific individual -- and why such a large amount was simply written off and never sent out for collection through any number of collection agency.

Something smells fishy, here?

[ZUMA DOGG: This is something I heard about, from day one, as I began to blog about LAHD corruption allegations. Remember, SEVERAL MILLION UNACCOUNTED FOR ON THE BALANCE SHEETS OF LAHD. Remember, "It appears LAHD is allowing millions to go uncollected. Remember, Wendy...we need an audit? FBI IS LISTENING TO PEOPLE ON WEDNESDAY ON THIS MATTER! DOH!]

LA TIMES - BREAKING: California controller seeks more power, staff to examine city finances

The controller's office has received more than 50 tips about potential financial irregularities and other alleged misconduct in municipal agencies, suggesting that scandal-plagued Bell is not unique. [YOU MEAN, LIKE IN LOS ANGELES, MAYBE?]

State auditors say they have received dozens of reports suggesting that the kind of mismanagement and fraud found in Bell may be occurring elsewhere in the state and that they want new authority to launch investigations into possible wrongdoing.

State Controller John Chiang is in discussions with Gov. Jerry Brown to give Chiang's office added legal tools and more staff to dig into the finances of cities and other municipal agencies, officials said at a legislative hearing Tuesday.

FULL ARTICLE


Refresh LA City News page by clicking this link to go to top of blog to read related stories and other new LA City News posts for today.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Why Did Budget & Finance Committee Approve $416,000 for ADDITIONAL LAHD "OUTSIDE COUNSEL" Over Systematic Code Enforcement Program?

WAY TO GO: As if you don't have enough of a financial mess on your hands Villaraigosa & City Council...you now have Robert Kitson (Tennie Peirce "Dog Food" & McArthur Park "May Day") handling Dowd/Dogg's damages claim for massive civil rights violations.

And, now it appears as though (AN ADDITIONAL!?!) $416,000 will have to be used to for OUTSIDE COUNSEL to defend Los Angeles Housing Department's (LAHD) Systematic Code Enforcement Program (SCEP).

Hakha Mortezie is in charge of Code Enforcement under Roberto Aldape of the LAHD. Do these names sound familiar to readers of this blog? So I wonder what the $416,000 for ADDITIONAL OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL is for? (To see if they are allowed to accept a humanitarian award, maybe?)

PLEASE STOP DOING THINGS THAT END YOU UP ON THE LOSING END OF CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS. There isn't going to be enough money for libraries, police, fire and trash removal, you DUMMIES!


File No. 10-1666
TO THE COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LOS ANGELES

Your BUDGET AND FINANCE Committee

reports as follows:

BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT relative to appropriations for outside counsel for the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD).

Recommendation for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE DOUCHEBAG DUMMY MAYOR:

TRANSFER $416,000 from the LAHD Rent/SCEP account to the LAHD Outside Legal Counsel Account.

Fiscal Impact Statement: None submitted by the City Attorney. Neither the City Administrative Officer nor the Chief Legislative Analyst has completed a financial analysis of this report.

[Zuma Dogg will give you the financial analysis...the $416,000 is only PART of the TOTAL amount for outside counsel to defend this shady LAHD Code Enforcement bullsh*t that I have been warning of, on-the-record, for over three years. Mayoral hopeful Eric Garcetti PERSONALLY told me LAHD's Rent Escrow program was not shady and that it was good. AND the fiscal impact BEYOND the amount to DEFEND this LOSER lawsuit will be the mulit-million dollar amount the city will be paying on this matter, in the end. YES, I am REALLY PISSED...because I woke up every day and warned you HUNDREDS OF TIMES, on-the-record, FOR YEARS!!! Way to go, DUMMIES!]

Community Impact Statement: None submitted.

(The City Council may recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section
54956.9(a) and/or (b) to confer with its legal counsel relative to the above matter.)

SUMMARY

At its meeting of November 8, 2010, the Budget and Finance Committee considered the City Attorney’s report relative to a request for additional funding for outside counsel contracts
servicing the LAHD. During Committee consideration, a representative of the City Attorney
requested approval of a transfer of $416,000 from the LAHD Rent/SCEP account to the LAHD
Outside Legal Counsel Account.

After consideration and an opportunity for public comment, the Budget and Finance Committee recommended to approve the City Attorney’s request for a transfer of funds in the amount of $416,000. This matter is now forwarded to the Council for its consideration.

Respectfully submitted,

BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

UN-Respectfully accepted by Zuma Dogg

Also see: http:/fairhousingcoalition.com/ for more on this LAHD issue.

Friday, October 29, 2010

BREAKING NEWS: Los Angeles Housing Department "Director of Compliance & Code Enforcement" (OVER REAP) -- LEAVING THE DEPARTMENT AND LEAVING THE CITY!

LA CITY NEWS EXCLUSIVE - BREAKING NEWS (Not yet released to the public.)

For the past month, you have been reading on this blog about the conflict of interest and corruption allegation within the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD). Of specific interest was the RENT ESCROW ACCOUNT PROGRAM (REAP). AND, what SEEMS to be the FACT, that once you are placed on REAP rent reduction program, you allegedly do not get your money back from the city and are not removed from the rent reduction program.

The conflict of interest allegations were discussed at a July 21, 2010 Los Angeles City Council meeting and the allegations were followed up over the past month by Zuma Dogg; after being sent a detailed memo from within the LAHD by workers who were scared to speak out about the corruption because upper management at LAHD is "vicious" as it was stated to ZD.

So between hardcore corruption allegations at LAHD, as described in the memo as being at the hands of Roberto Aldape which is hurting BOTH property owners AND tenants -- ALONG with the turmoil that has all but shut down the department in a hostile and "vicious" environment -- 

ZUMA DOGG felt moved to come off a long hiatus to NIP this activity (though no longer just a bud) -- and waves WERE felt within the department.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

NEW VIDEO POST: Los Angeles City Council Discusses CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS @ L.A. Housing Department's Rent Escrow Account Program (REAP) AND, Is $2 Million Missing From The Account? (Insiders say, "YES!")

NEW POST - Sunday, October 10, 2010 @ http://LACityNews.com.

FULL POST HERE - City Council Discusses Los Angeles Housing Department CORRUPTION Allegation, called, "Fairly Serious As Relating To The Conflict," by Councilman Parks

By now, hopefully, you have seen the video of Zuma Dogg delivering public comment on Friday (10/8/10) regarding "Conflict of Interest" allegations relating to the L.A. Housing Department's REAP (Rent Escrow Account Program).

The comment was based on a memo sent to Zuma Dogg by L.A. Housing Dept employees who are frustrated by what is going on in the department. HERE IS THE LINK to the memo detailing L.A. Housing Dept CORRUPTION allegations as "put on the public record" by ZD before Council on Friday

SUMMARY: Allegedly, the Asst GM of L.A. Housing Department is also one of the outreach contractors awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars and is also a private attorney using info gathered as outreach contractor to sue property owners. (One person...three roles and a massive scam, as alleged.)

READ MORE/FULL POST @ http://LACityNews.com (Including embedded video of L.A. City Council discussion of this matter on LIVE TV.)

Thursday, July 29, 2010

LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL Addresses Allegations of Conflict Regarding Rent Escrow (REAP) Contractors (Zuma Dogg's #1 Most Talked About Issue on TV 35)

[Pictured: Only person covering this issue in the media. AND YOUR LAZY SILENCE MADE HIM HAVE TO POST THIS, EVEN THOUGH HE'S RETIRED!!! Kevin James...SILENT! David Zanhiser/LA TIMES...SILENT! All other blogs...SILENT! (Must not be a big deal, right? photo credit: Dave Elliott/July 2010]

Councilmember Bernard Parks said on July 21st during Item 37 of the Los Angeles City Council meeting that, "the allegations are fairly serious as they relate to the conflict."

The issue: The City of Los Angeles' Rent Escrow Program (REAP) and allegations that "outreach" contractors hired by the city to inspect properties are then taking the information gathered while on the job and going back to tenants to set up lawsuits against the building/property owners.

[THE REST OF THIS STORY WAS TRUNCATED TO SAVE BLOG SPACE DUE TO LACK OF RESPONSE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL SYSTEM AND THE MEDIA.]

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

MASSIVE Zuma Dogg TWITTER Update: Had to Drag Bill Clinton, Ron Burkle, Antonio Villaraiogsa, Jan Perry & CarmenTrutanich Into It: NEW & EXCLUSIVE

  • KCET & KCRW have pledge drives. PayPal @ZumaDogg $5 bucks, right now, to keep the video-tweeting-blogging machine ON! http://LADailyBlog.com Will pop in with another new LIVE show update (for Thursday, hopefully) when I hit $20 mark for next 24 hours. (Hope to see you sooner than never.)
  1. COUNCIL: Did you ENJOY filming your segments for KNBC4 News INVESTIGATION on yours and Villar's shady, luxury trips? ZD enjoyed filming his!
  2. I'M GETTING SO TIRED OF HEARING AND READING LAST YEAR & SIX MONTH AGO WAKE OF ZD'S PREVIOUS COMMENTS, I HAVE TO CRANK OUT SOME NEW STUFF.
  3. L.A. DEPT OF JUSTICE INVESTIGATION INTO PUBLIC PENSION FUNDS: Burkle gave Wetherly's Weinstein seed money. Wetherly gave Burkle $100+ million in pension money. Villar appoints Wetherly's long-time attorney W. Jackson to HEAD of CRA. BILLIONS LOST IN SHADY, OVERLY-RISKY LLC's. Burkle/Clintons/Villaraigosa/Pension Funds/CRA.
  4. WHEN RON BURKLE got SUCKERED by a 21 yr old con-man for $100 million, the REAL crime was Ron let it happen right under his coke nose. LOL!
  5. RON BURKLE'S partner promised to donate $50 MILLION to Bill Clinton's non-profit. Turns out partner was con-man who sucker Ron for $100 mil.
  6. ZUMA DOGG sides w BILL CLINTON in CLINTON vs BURKLE beef. Burkle=out of control jerk who would spend a $1 mil from pension fund to get laid.
  7. Hey BILL CLINTON: You should call @ZumaDogg and I can tell you some of the ways that A-HOLE Ron Burkle squandered money like a meth-head.
  8. @ZumaDogg happens to have some personal inside MALIBU knowledge as to what a crazy, jet-set spender RON BURKLE is. TOTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE!
  9. @ZumaDogg sides w BILL CLINTON in CLINTON vs RON BURKLE beef. Both say they stiffed each other, but ZD says Burkle is irresponsible child.
  10. YOU'VE HEARD OF L.A.'s PENSION-BUSTERS, WETHERLY CAPTIAL. Did you know RON BURKLE gave Dan Weinstein the seed money. It starts there...
  11. CAN'T WAIT FOR RADIO HOSTS TO READ THE L.A. TIMES ARTICLE SOMEDAY: Residents got burnt by subprime. Guess who will be burnt by credit swaps?
  12. @EricGarcetti looks like a sad and devastated child who just found out Santa Claus isn't real, now that his L.A. dream is O-V-E-R! MED TIME?
  13. MEGA-KUDOS to ZD PAL, DANIEL GUSS on today's Daily News article!!!: Didn't the Ed Boks fiasco teach the mayor anything? http://ow.ly/1tmoX
  14. WENDY: Do you think YOUR district would've allowed all those luxury condos to go BANKRUPT w/out a peep the way Jan Perry is getting a pass?
  15. A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY & SHENANIGANS went into those Downtown LUXURY CONDOS like 9th&Flower/Union Lofts. NOW BANKRUPT in FEDERAL RECEIVERSHIP?
  16. PEOPLE DON'T CARE ABOUT DOWNTOWN CORRUPTION: How could ALL THOSE Jan Perry LUXURY CONDOS be in FEDERAL receivership & ZERO news coverage?
  17. SO SCREWED: After 4 years of ZD BLASTING shady REAP inspection program, ZD's fly-on-wall tells me City Hall about to be CRUSHED by lawsuit.
  18. Hey Herb Wesson, Eric Garcetti & News Media: If you'd like to know WHY H-U-G-E lawsuit will be filed MONDAY about REAP, call ZD for info.
  19. Ha Ha HERB WESSON, ERIC GARCETTI & L.A. Shitty Clowncil: @ZumaDogg WARNED you ON-RECORD about shady REAP inspections. Deal w/lawsuit Monday!
  20. ZD WARNED YOU City Clowncil about REAP racketeering. NOW, you can deal with HUGE LAWSUIT to be filed on MONDAY! Details someday in LA Times.
  21. The reason Villar took "vacation" to Iceland is interesting $ story. But if I tell U, U won't care til Kevin James reads it out of LA Times.
  22. The day may come when LA Times reports on why Villaraigosa took "vacation" to Iceland. THEN, other blogs & radio hosts can talk about it.
  23. Why doesn't L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraiogsa come clean and tell us the REAL reason he went to Iceland. VACATION??? ICELAND??? Yeah, right!
  24. Although illegal 30 meeting ZD ban allows for more of an active "rec & park" lifestyle, NO, I DID NOT sign up at Gold's Gym. Z-30 is better!
  25. I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING...Janice Hahn is there and she REFUSES to shut the fuck up. She and her voice is INSUFFERABLE!
  26. You can just SEE that Eric Garpussy is just DEVASTATED by this municipal budget mess that he is largely responsible for. Is he on MEDS, now?
  27. JANICE HAHN is too dumb and nutty for the good of public safety. NO WONDER CALIFORNIA TEACHERS now endorsing GAVIN NEWSOM for LT GOV.
  28. Just heard Rec & Parks guy say he feels economy & revenues will be picking up over next 2-3 yrs. NOT interested in parks guy BUDGET opinion.
  29. RT @trinaunz: @zumadogg thanks for the shoutout for (cao) ray - as someone who works for him, i can attest to what you said - he *is* great.
  30. NUCH: I'm so miffed that dysfunctional office can't return ONE PHONE CALL about ILLEGAL ZD ban, I registered http://RecallTrutanich.com. ;-)
  31. SORRY CITY ATTORNEY: I know your dysfunctional office is barely operable, but you didn't return my call, so now you can deal with paperwork!
  32. TIMES UP CITY ATTORNEY: Since Nuch's office couldn't reply to my phone call about illegal ZD ban, outside firm now handling Pub Rec Request.
  33. When I told the public records request specialist that I was banned from council meeting, he now feels like making PRR on banning speakers.
  34. Bad news for city council: That public records request specialist who you love so much just called ZD to see why he hasn't been at meetings.
  35. When L.A. Dept of Justice says probing public pension funds "such as" CALpers, "such as" could also mean LACERS, y'all! Hello, City Hall!
  36. I could easily tweet today what BIG budget issue will pop up that will be FINAL BLOW to city, but you wanna wait till newspaper says it 1st.
  37. Can't wait for other bloggers, news & radio to start talking about the NEXT BUDGET CRISIS that woke ZD up at 4a. ZD will link to it, then.
  38. Can't handle frustration of blogging NEXT HUGE CITY CRISIS, only to have to wait 6 months to hear others discuss it, so I'm not going to.
  39. I could EASILY blog next HUGE budget crisis (beyond pensions) that will END it for city, but u like to wait until newspaper says it, first.
  40. If you want to know the DEVASTATING, MUNICIPAL-CRUSHING budget shoe yet to drop (not pension), news & radio will cover it after-the-fact.
  41. JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT it couldn't get ANY WORSE, a big dangling budget shoe is still un-discussed. Once LA Times reports it, you'll know.
  42. QUALITY & PRODUCTIVITY NOT EXACTLY HIS BAG: Trutanich's City Attorney's Office not able to accomplish much these days. Kinda chaotic mess.
  43. CITY ATTORNEY NUCH may be a BIG TALKER when it comes to improving city attorney's office, but not much he can do. Office falling apart!
  44. MONDAY MARCH 30, 2010: Today's LA City News UPDATE now posted at http://LACityNews.com.
  45. People keep complaining DWP rate increase will go to GENERAL FUND, not for green stuff. I'D PREFER IT GOES TO GEN FUND than DWP nuttiness!
  46. DO NOT BE BAMBOOZLED by FAKE "LA DAILY" BLOG: There is only one LA DAILY BLOG - LADailyBlog.com. LA Weekly now uses "LA DAILY," too. LOL!
  47. "Charter Mandated Function": City needs new Charter Amendment saying Council can cut some "Charter Mandates" city can no longer afford.
  48. FRICKIN' GREAT: New CAO Miguel Santana finally up to speed & working with Council, is now on leave going to rehab. Luckily, Ray is great.
  49. Zuma Dogg Evening Update for 3/30/10 - TWITTER UPDATE Lends Glimpse Into Mind of ZD (Read At Own Risk!) http://ow.ly/16WawA

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

City of Los Angeles Rent Escrow Program May Be Hundreds of Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuits Waiting To Happen (A Federal Racketeering Case?)

Zuma Dogg has been contacted over the way the City of Los Angeles under Mayor Antonio Villaraiogsa is treating landlords under REAP (Rent Escrow Account Program).

The mayor tries to portray an image of trying to help the low-income people living in rent control until; while trying to appear "business friendly" and appeasing to landlords who are housing these low-income people. But it appears as though the mayor is putting pressure on the landlords, who in turn, have to put pressure on the renters. And it ends up the landlords are being forced to sell the properties to developers who kick out the renters and convert them to luxury condo housing.

Here's what is happening:

The city will notify a landlord, who is housing low-income people in rent control units (some only paying $400 a month) that the building needs "astetic" improvements. The bank says, "Well gee, we won't loan you the money for that unless you pass the cost on to renters to make back the money." The City says, "Oh no, you can't pass along the increase to the poor low-income renters. (Even though they are only paying $400 a month, and usually have several people living in the unit.)

THEN, since the landlord can't keep up with the city's treadmill of compliances to compy with...they are deemed a "bad landlord," placed into the REAP program, and the city collects the rent from the tenants via REAP.

SO, instead of allowing the landlord to raise the rent to $600 a month (still the most amazing deal in town) which would allow the tenants to remain, the landlord is forced to sell the building to a developer (connected to the right city official) and they kick out the renters and convert the building to an expensive condo.

The mayor may SAY he cares about these people, but once they are evicted from their building, do you think they can find anywhere else in the city to live at a price anywhere close to what they were paying? OF COURSE NOT! So they are being pushed to the outskirts, to places like Palmdale.

It seem kinda like racketeering the way the city is operating the rent escrow program. There is a Federal lawsuit being filed against the city.