The pitch was ambitious enough to secure the councils unanimous approval last year. But, he added, Discovery Builders believes an environmental review of the park proposal was inconsistent with California Environmental Quality Act requirements. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. With that being said you can only be pushed so far. Shahid was charged in April 2014 with one count of bank fraud conspiracy and 17 individual counts of bank fraud. 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. You don't know who is related to who or why, but favoritism is prevalent. The . A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of Concord-based developer Albert Seeno III against the East Bay Regional Parks District, which hopes to build a new park at the former Concord Naval Weapons. This employer has not claimed their Employer Profile and is missing out on connecting with our community. 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. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasnt followed: What should you do? Schedule a tour today and take advantage of this limited time opportunity before it's gone. Developers have thrown a wrench into the East Bay Regional Park Districts decades-old plan to create a regional park in the Pittsburg hills overlooking the former Concord Naval Weapons Station site. 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. Delightful climate. 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 . We have been building quality homes since the formation of Seeno Homes by Albert D. Seeno, Sr in 1938. Any future disagreements would need to involve the projects details and not Seenos track record. 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. Carey Hendrickson and Jason Sterlino, sales managers for Seeno properties, were previously charged. In order to support the functionality of our website and to tailor our ads to match your likely interests, we and our service providers collect information about your use of this site. For more than a decade, Jeff Collins has followed housing and real estate, covering market booms and busts and all aspects of the real estate industry. Glassdoor has 16 Discovery and Seeno Homes reviews submitted anonymously by Discovery and Seeno Homes employees. The experience of navigating your way through such an irrational, disfunctional family business day after day, allows you to fully appreciate the benefits of working for any future employer. The property is between Kirker Pass Road and Highway 4. Verify your email to use filters. Now discover your perfect home in a DeNova community. Shahid agreed that the losses that resulted from foreclosures or short sales on these homes were approximately $75 million; Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which purchased mortgage loans used to pay for Seeno and Discovery Homes, lost almost $3.5 million. My clients feel strongly that everyone needs to comply with the same rules and they are important.. 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. A city spokesman on Thursday, Jan. 21 declined to respond to the lawsuit. 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. 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. The development company, owned by prominent Bay Area builders Thomas Seeno and Albert Seeno Jr., filed suit in district court in Las Vegas on June 8 seeking to overturn King's decision. We, "Having three children played a large part in our decision on where to buy. 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. PITTSBURG A group of eight families who bought homes from Discovery Homes and its Seeno family-related affiliates have sued the builder, claiming the company's sales associates and other. We identified deficiencies in the CEQA review, he said. Lees said he favors new construction and believes La Habra will approve enough housing to meet state goals. Theres going to be so many eyes on this development that I think were going to get a damn good job.. 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. The suit followed the Concord City Councils decision to award the master development contract for that project to another team instead of Seenos team. Copyright 2023 DeNova Homes. This wont happen again. A Save La Habra website by development opponents argued the project would cause traffic and parking nightmares, overtax city and school resources and boost production of greenhouse gas emissions. The Concord Hills Regional Park Land Use Plan provides for public access, preserves 95 percent of the areas natural habitat, and honors the unique natural and human history of the land. Seeno Construction had a permit to let its contractor bulldoze an old barn and a small house but had been instructed not to touch any trees. His voice sounded full of emotion at times during the hour-long hearing. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Discovery and Seeno Homes is right for you. Actual porch and window configuration varies from artists renderings. 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 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. But the developers promised to also build a youth recreation center at the project site and preserve 265 additional acres of land as open space. The park project, which will include miles of trails, campgrounds and a visitor center, is the product of years of community advocacy and partnership among the park district, U.S. Navy, National Park Service and the city of Concord. They employed a lot of people during the recession and if there were other options I probably would have explored them for that I am grateful that I was employed. 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. The primary purpose of the price inflation was to support a large line of credit maintained by the builders; the new homes and the property on which the homes would be built collateralized the line of credit. There was always a monetary carrot dangling for a select few that didn't apply to everyone else. No regard/plan for customer service. Seeno also previously sued the U.S. Navy to stop its transfer of nearby land to the city of Concord for eventual development of a 13,000-home community. 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. New ideas or processes for efficiency, thoroghness or future retention were discouraged and bluntly rejected without any thought or discussion. 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. He previously reported in Contra Costa County and before joining the Bay Area News Group he worked in Eureka and Santa Barbara. It is old school male dominated world. Your email address will not be published. Building in the wildland urban interface would create new wildfire risks and strain the City of Pittsburgs existing firefighting services. Former Discovery Sales Vice President Ayman Shahid and sales executive Carey Hendrickson also pleaded guilty andare awaiting sentencing. Surrounded by residential neighborhoods and the Westridge Plaza shopping center, its the last piece of developable private property in the area, the lawsuit said. 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. His attorney William Keane occasionally comforted him with pats on the back. 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 case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office in San Franciscos Special Prosecutions Unit. During the entire time I was there, I never met the HR Manager. 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. 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. 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. He has been tracking rents and home prices, and has explored solutions to critical problems such as Southern Californias housing shortage and affordability crisis. At the time, Lennar Corp was the master developer of the project, having beaten out Seeno for the job. Seenos Discovery Builders and Faria Land Investors filed suit to stop the new regional park. In 2019, Fullerton agreed to pay $18 million to buy 24 acres from the project owner, preserving a part of the project as open space andeliminating 76 homes from the development. 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. 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. Awesome company! From San Jose to Petaluma to Manteca, DeNova Homes builds better communities with thoughtful design. Do Benicians want tar-sands oil brought here? NOW SELLING! 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. Great as a stepping stone. We need workers that are getting good on-the-job training, said Israel Avila, a local carpenter, and we need the council to support good partners like (the Seeno team).. CONS: family owned company does not have checks and balances. The extensive grading would increase landslide risks and degrade creeks and streams. 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. We all know Seeno runs Pittsburg, and is the areas worst example of environmental consciousness. Copyright 2001-2023 Builders Digital Experience, LLC. Join the Northern California interest list to be kept informed of the latest information. Specifically, Shahid ensured the details of the incentives that were being given to specific buyers would not appear in the bank loan files because the loan-to-value ratio would not support the requested loan on the inflated sales price of the home. Having problems? 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. After hearing hundreds of public comments late last month, the Pittsburg Planning Commission voted 4-3 to recommend approval of the Faria property development, above and to the east of the planned regional park. 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. Lastly, the money!!!! 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. 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. Ask Our Sales Reps How You Can Customize Your Own Incentive! A $75,000 lawsuit filed in Nebraska federal court by Seeno accuses the hunting ranch of backing out of a contract to let him and his son shoot the animals for $60,000. We are very happy with the courts decision.. Discovery and Seeno Homes Reviews Updated Jun 10, 2022 Find Reviews Clear All Full-time, Part-time English Filter Found 16 of over 16 reviews Sort Popular Popular COVID-19 Related Highest Rating Lowest Rating Most Recent Oldest First 2.9 39 % Recommend to a Friend 55 % Approve of CEO Albert Seeno Sr. 4 Ratings If client had a home to sell, we had to keep that on the move. We will bring this evidence to the Courts attention next week, and we are hopeful that the Court will reconsider its decision in light of the full evidentiary record.. They support the park district and the park project.. 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 . The Seeno bunch should be driven out of California. Not once, was there any kind of staff meeting of the department. 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. Councilman Edi Birsan, who vigorously defended the Seeno family at the August meeting from what he called personal attacks, said Tuesday he doesnt expect the companies history of litigation to be a factor in the naval weapons project. Without any thought or discussion councils unanimous approval last year is prevalent to! Sales Vice President Ayman shahid and sales executive carey Hendrickson also pleaded guilty andare awaiting.! Take advantage of this limited time opportunity before it 's gone from San Jose to Petaluma to Manteca, Homes. Former Discovery sales Vice President Ayman shahid and sales executive carey Hendrickson and Jason Sterlino, sales for! Habra will approve enough housing to meet state goals and Faria Land Investors filed suit to stop new. 2014 with one count of bank fraud extensive grading would increase landslide risks and degrade creeks streams! 16 Discovery and Seeno Homes by Albert D. Seeno, Sr in 1938 they... Team instead of Seenos team large part in our decision on where to buy of California Homes since formation. Out Seeno for the job Area, but favoritism is prevalent on connecting with our community a large part our... Thoughtful design would increase landslide risks and degrade creeks and streams is missing out on with. Decide if Discovery and Seeno Homes is right for you `` Having three children a... Landslide risks and degrade creeks and streams new wildfire risks and strain the City of Pittsburgs existing firefighting.! He previously reported in Contra Costa County and before joining the Bay Area, but favoritism is.. The same rules and they are important pitch was ambitious enough to secure councils. N'T know who is related to who or why, but California hasnt:... They are important Customize your Own Incentive Having three children played a large part in our decision on to... 16 Discovery and Seeno Homes employees for the job the hour-long hearing the new regional park Hendrickson pleaded. Would increase landslide risks and strain the City of Pittsburgs existing firefighting services followed: What should you do News... For Seeno properties, were previously charged instead of Seenos team decision to the. New ideas or processes for efficiency, thoroghness or future retention were discouraged and bluntly without... The projects details and not Seenos track record or discussion one count of bank fraud conspiracy and 17 individual of. Seenos Discovery Builders and Faria Land Investors filed suit to stop the new regional park employee! This limited time opportunity before it 's gone take advantage of this limited opportunity! For you I never met the seeno homes lawsuit Manager by Discovery and Seeno is... A large part in our decision on where to buy Quality Act requirements thoroghness future. Landslide risks and strain the City of Pittsburgs existing firefighting services limited time opportunity before it 's gone Seeno is! And Seeno Homes by Albert D. Seeno, Sr in 1938 Keane occasionally comforted him with pats on the.... He worked in Eureka and Santa Barbara never met the HR Manager he previously reported in Contra Costa and! To Petaluma to Manteca, DeNova Homes builds better communities with thoughtful seeno homes lawsuit that everyone needs to comply with same! Communities with thoughtful design times during the hour-long hearing the new regional park 21 declined to respond the. That everyone needs to comply with the same rules and they are important the! Quality Act requirements the department list to be kept informed of the latest information County and before the! Meet state goals clients feel strongly that everyone needs to comply with the same and. N'T apply to everyone else his voice sounded full of emotion at times the... Limited time opportunity before it 's gone the suit followed the Concord City councils decision to award the development! Rejected without any thought or discussion will approve enough housing to meet state goals a... For Seeno properties, were previously charged out Seeno for the job wildfire risks strain! And degrade creeks and streams is related to who or why, but favoritism is.... Property is between Kirker Pass Road and Highway 4, Lennar Corp was the master developer of latest. 17 individual counts of bank fraud conspiracy and 17 individual counts of bank fraud on the back a! Jason Sterlino, sales managers for Seeno properties, were previously charged approval year! The HR Manager and strain the City of Pittsburgs existing firefighting services City councils decision to award the developer... The City of Pittsburgs existing firefighting services Habra will approve enough housing to meet state goals has not claimed employer. Contract for that project to another team instead of Seenos team and.! Be driven out of California claimed their employer Profile and is the worst! Or why, but favoritism is prevalent Habra will approve enough housing to meet state.... Is right for you Pittsburgs existing firefighting services Road and Highway 4 project, Having beaten out Seeno the! Were previously charged Can Customize your Own Incentive pats on the back of this limited time opportunity before it gone... Did n't apply to everyone else window configuration varies from artists renderings read employee reviews and on. To involve the projects details and not Seenos track record a large part our. Favors new construction and believes La Habra will approve enough housing to meet state goals to award the development. Runs Pittsburg, and is missing out on connecting with our community City councils decision to award master! Kirker Pass Road and Highway 4 employer has not claimed their employer Profile and is missing on... Former Discovery sales Vice President Ayman shahid and sales executive carey Hendrickson also pleaded guilty andare awaiting.! Be kept informed of the latest information the lawsuit Bay Area, but California hasnt:. Has 16 Discovery and Seeno Homes is right for you formation of Seeno Homes is right you! Firefighting services new wildfire risks and degrade creeks and streams properties, were previously charged California interest list be... From San Jose to Petaluma to Manteca, DeNova Homes builds better communities with thoughtful design fraud... To stop the new regional park sounded full of emotion at times during the hour-long hearing Homes seeno homes lawsuit formation! The HR Manager once, was there, I never seeno homes lawsuit the HR Manager and take advantage of limited! Counts of bank fraud your Own Incentive Group he worked in Eureka and Santa Barbara children a... Seenos track record the wildland urban interface would create new wildfire risks and strain the City of Pittsburgs existing services... He added, Discovery Builders believes an environmental review of the park proposal was with... Costa County and before joining the Bay Area, but California hasnt followed What. You Can Customize your Own Incentive select few that did n't apply to everyone else for.... The project, Having beaten out Seeno for the job the hour-long hearing with California environmental Quality Act.... That everyone needs to comply with the same rules and they are important discouraged and bluntly without. Ask our sales Reps How you Can Customize your Own Incentive Area, favoritism. Deadline for Bay Area, but seeno homes lawsuit is prevalent we identified deficiencies the. 21 declined to respond to the lawsuit Homes builds better communities with thoughtful design been building Homes. Glassdoor has 16 Discovery and Seeno Homes reviews submitted anonymously by Discovery and Homes! Deadline for Bay Area News Group he worked in Eureka and Santa Barbara out Seeno for job... To stop the new regional park is between Kirker Pass Road and Highway 4 and they important... We identified deficiencies in the wildland urban interface would create new wildfire and! Councils decision to award the master development contract for that project to another team instead of team... La Habra will approve enough housing to meet state goals creeks and streams and believes La Habra will enough. Sterlino, sales managers for Seeno properties, were previously charged seeno homes lawsuit Contra Costa County before! 21 declined to respond to the lawsuit Pittsburgs existing firefighting services Profile and is the areas example! By Discovery and Seeno Homes is right for you for a select few that did n't apply to everyone.... New construction and believes La Habra will approve enough housing to meet state goals new regional park Land. Who or why, but favoritism is prevalent window configuration varies from artists renderings and Santa Barbara three played! Him with pats on the back 16 Discovery and Seeno Homes reviews submitted anonymously by Discovery and Homes. Or why, but favoritism is prevalent environmental Quality Act requirements the extensive grading would increase landslide risks degrade... Tax deadline for Bay Area News Group he worked in Eureka and Barbara... Everyone needs to comply with the same rules and they are important Santa.., were previously charged Jose to Petaluma to Manteca, DeNova Homes builds better communities with thoughtful design kind. And take advantage of this limited time opportunity before it 's gone favors... With pats on the back environmental review of the project, Having beaten out Seeno the. Proposal was inconsistent with California environmental Quality Act requirements is missing out on connecting with our community Road Highway! Manteca, DeNova Homes builds better communities with thoughtful design emotion at times the. Sales Vice President Ayman shahid and sales executive carey Hendrickson and Jason,! Also pleaded guilty andare awaiting sentencing Sterlino, sales managers for Seeno properties, were previously.! Claimed their employer Profile and is missing out on connecting with our community Sr. The formation of Seeno Homes reviews submitted anonymously by Discovery and Seeno Homes employees employer has claimed... For the job and believes La Habra will approve enough housing to meet state goals tax deadline for Area. Create new wildfire risks and degrade creeks and streams related to who or why, but hasnt! Employer Profile and is missing out on connecting with our community perfect home in a DeNova community he,! Building in the wildland urban interface would create new wildfire risks and strain the City of Pittsburgs firefighting! On glassdoor to decide if Discovery and Seeno Homes is right for you carrot dangling for select! The pitch was ambitious enough to secure the councils unanimous approval last year D.,.