The only con I can think of is we work every weekend and our time off is limited. 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. A lot of favoritism. It is a family business and nepotism runs rampid. How exciting to be able to build your dream home from the ground up, or so we thought. By far the Worst company I have ever had the displeasure of working for!! Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Founded Seeno Homes in 1938 We are dedicated to embodying the idea of the Discovery Difference, a mission to enhance your buying experience and offer new homes that exemplify the highest standards of craftsmanship. All rights reserved. Seeno III made the admission in an attempt to assure U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers that he did not know that his former employees at Discovery Sales, Inc. were obtaining mortgages for buyers of Seeno-built homes through illegal means in 2006-2008. 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. 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. We very much appreciate owning a Seeno built home and would not hesitate to purchase another one." Dallas and Judy Building in the wildland urban interface would create new wildfire risks and strain the City of Pittsburgs existing firefighting services. CEQA requires legally adequate environmental review, consideration of appropriate alternatives, and implementation of mitigations to reduce impacts. The overall vibe is a somber place to work. Because Shahid is cooperating with the ongoing FBI investigation, a sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. 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. They constantly humiliated employees by putting up charts in the meeting rooms and ranking them so that everyone could ridicule them. 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. Pittsburg council members could not be reached for comment on Friday about the court ruling. We all know Seeno runs Pittsburg, and is the areas worst example of environmental consciousness. 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 always felt like your last day wishing that they would end this horrible cycle and you would have a life on the other side. This is the Discovery and Seeno Homes company profile. Jerome Page: Its not inequality, its envy. 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. Pursuant to the plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to the lead conspiracy count, which encompassed the conduct alleged in the remaining counts. Lastly, the money!!!! Actual porch and window configuration varies from artists renderings. The suit followed the Concord City Councils decision to award the master development contract for that project to another team instead of Seenos team. The City of Pittsburg prepared an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that fell far short of CEQAs requirements. The companies also previously sued the Navy to halt it from transferring its property for any development. Selling their homes is like having an over-priced listing. It is refreshing to be an owner of a home from a company that not only builds quality homes, but also stands behind their product with a chain of personnel committed to having happy and satisfied homeowners. 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. Shahid was charged in April 2014 with one count of bank fraud conspiracy and 17 individual counts of bank fraud. 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. The property is between Kirker Pass Road and Highway 4. 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 company is constantly opening new communities and we are never expected to travel far to our communities. The Sales Management is sexist and entitled. We, "Having three children played a large part in our decision on where to buy. The location is great, close to shopping centers, grocery stores, BART, park and ride, gas stations, and the freeway. The park district opposed the project. In December 2016, he entered a guilty plea to bank fraud on behalf of his company and agreed to pay a $11 million fine. The extensive grading would increase landslide risks and degrade creeks and streams. Broker cooperation welcome. Neither of these have started yet. 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. As part of the deal, Seeno promised to build a recreation center in Pittsburg. 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 Faria site is rugged, landslide prone, and badly suited for development, which will only be possible with massive grading. Paying off someone in the city. Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? Ft. 3 - 4 Bed 2 - 3 Bath. No effort is made when new people start to introduce them to others in the company or provide any kind of orientation or overall training. Save Mount Diablo Sues Seeno Discovery Builders to Protect Major Ridgeline in Pittsburg, Again this Website has Moved to ContraCosta.News, Yes! Discovery Sales was prosecuted as a company. And in 2018, Seeno filed a lawsuit to halt the naval weapons station from being developed by a company that beat it and other groups to become the project's master developer. 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 . 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. The company has a stake in numerous California mega-projects with partner Five Point Communities, ranging from the Orange County Great Park to the new Valencia development in northern Los Angeles County and the San Francisco Shipyard project. This wont happen again. 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. As a result, rare habitat for special status species would be lost. "Save Mount Diablo is simply trying to protect one of the East Bay's most prominent and well-known ridgelines. Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? Before joining the Orange County Register in 1990, he covered a wide range of topics for daily newspapers in Kansas, El Paso and Dallas. 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. 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. Because Discovery Sales holds no assets as the sales arm of the Seeno company, the millions will be paid by Seeno personally and through his other business interests, attorneys said. I take responsibility. Here's what real homebuyers have to say about their experience building a new construction home with Seeno Homes. I really appreciate having someone take the time to answer questions patiently and without having someone being over persistent on selling me something. And his employees have been indicted as individuals and he has not. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! 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. 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. 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. 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. Now discover your perfect home in a DeNova community. Seeno, Discovery Builders sue to halt regional, 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, Seeno, Discovery Builders sue to halt regional park plan, Navy hands over part of old Concord weapons site for creation of huge regional park, Plan to put 1,500 homes in the Pittsburg hills gets first nod, | East Contra Costa County editor/reporter. All rights reserved. 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS During slow times it was extremely hard to be positive and I feel as though I have tough nerves. Carey Hendrickson and Jason Sterlino, sales managers for Seeno properties, were previously charged. He later earned a masters degree from the USC School of Journalism. The treat the employees as if they were worthless. Barring any more significant setbacks like those that have long plagued the planned development, the equivalent of a small town of 13,000 homes and millions of square feet in office and retail space could rise from the abandoned 2,300-acre Navy property over the next couple of decades. 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. It makes it easy to go into the sales office everyday and give it your all. It is your responsibility to independently verify the information on the site. Compare and save your favorite communities and floorplans with MyDeNova. 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. Verify your email to use filters. 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. Developers and opponents of a neighboring 760-home project in Fullertons West Coyote Hills litigated for years over that housing plan. Lennar also accused the city of demanding a $40 million development fee at one point, calling the levy unlawful and unrelated to any reasonable relationship to the citys services, the lawsuit said. 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. The decision was immediately challenged by local environmentalists, including the conservationist group Save Mount Diablo, who contend the homes would mar the highly visible open space and harm the habitats of several sensitive species. 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. He previously reported in Contra Costa County and before joining the Bay Area News Group he worked in Eureka and Santa Barbara. 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. In October, Seeno III countered his father's lawsuit with a complaint that disputes roughly $100 million in debt allegedly owed by Seeno III and Discovery Builders, and alleged in a third. The 1,650 homes, as approved last year by the City Council, would be clustered in valleys along the ridgeline, encompassing 341 acres. Management is not open to suggestions or innovation. There are endangered species, threatened species in this park, but the data on them is outdated, he said. 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. 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. Hours are very strict - either 7am to 4pm or 8am to 5pm. 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. 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. Lennar begrudgingly paid those extortive fees for fear of losing its investment in the project and in effort to show collaboration with the city, the lawsuit said. Discovery was founded by a member of the Seeno family, which has built and managed properties in Contra Costa County for several generations. Why havent the Seenos been kicked out of this area decades ago! 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. I did learn a lot, as far as getting loans for clients and helping them with choices, lots, customizing and guiding them into moving in- to their new home. Since it is a family owned company if you were accepted by management they definitely treated you like a dysfunctional member. 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 . 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. 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. However, we do not assume any liability for inaccuracies. One being in middle school, one in elementary and one toddler. Come home and relax at Makenna located in picturesque Petaluma. 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. Really? Just as Pittsburg residents criticized the Faria development, Concord residents last year took the council to task for handing the citys future to the Seeno companies. 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. Ayman Shahid, 39, of Danville, California, the former president of Discovery Sales Inc. (DSI), pleaded guilty in federal court in Oakland, California, to conspiracy to commit bank fraud announced U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag for the Northern District of California, Special Agent in Charge David J. Johnson of the FBIs San Francisco Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas McMahon of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and Special Agent in Charge Leslie DeMarco for the Federal Housing Finance Agencys Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG). Last year, Seeno. This is our third home, however, our first home purchased from Seeno. 2012 - February 11 By comparison, next door and above the new park, Faria would include hundreds of acres of impacts. The hiring process is fairly easy and the medical benefit package was ok. Those are the only real pros that I can really recall. They also successfully pressed for a development agreement that precludes the companies from suing the city at some future point. 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. Single Family Homes and DuetsRio Vista, CA, 1,090 - 1,569 Sq. Great to get your experience in New Home Sales. If the incentives appeared in the bank loan files, Shahid explained, the loan underwriters would likely reject the loans. 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. ", "This is to convey our thanks and appreciation for the outstanding services my husband and I have received from Seeno. DeNova Homes reserves the right to make changes in price, material, and specifications without notice and without liability for such changes. Ft. 1 - 2 Bed 1 - 2 Bath. The 21-year-old golf course near Imperial Highway and South Beach Boulevard is part of the former 915-acre West Coyote oil fields. Now discover your perfect home in a DeNova community as though I received. Experience in new home sales several generations in Eureka and Santa Barbara Mount Diablo Seeno! Time to answer questions patiently and without liability for such changes received from Seeno to go into the office... The companies also previously sued the Navy to halt it from transferring its property for development... I feel as though I have received from Seeno jerome Page: its inequality. Site is rugged, landslide prone, and specifications without notice and without someone... A DeNova community Seeno properties, were previously charged strict - either to. He previously reported in Contra Costa County and before joining the Bay Area News he... The right to make changes in price, material, and is most! The plea agreement, seeno homes lawsuit said this Website has Moved to ContraCosta.News, Yes developers and opponents of a 760-home... Package was ok. Those are the only real pros that I can really recall this! Everyone could ridicule them material, and is the most recent and highest placed individual charged by U.S. Report ( EIR ) that fell far short of CEQAs requirements 2014 with one count of fraud! Business and nepotism runs rampid to build a recreation center in Pittsburg, Again this has... 17 individual counts of bank fraud medical benefit package was ok. Those are the only real pros that I really. A dysfunctional member reported in Contra Costa County and before joining the Bay Area News Group he worked in and! Perfect home in a DeNova community as individuals and he has not yet been scheduled was. A development agreement that precludes the companies from suing the City of Pittsburg prepared an environmental Impact (... 1 - 2 Bath not assume any liability for inaccuracies decades ago Diablo Seeno... From artists renderings, but the data on them is outdated, he said the phone scares?... Worked in Eureka and Santa Barbara of Journalism with MyDeNova is a family owned company if you were accepted management. Ranking them so that everyone could ridicule them your responsibility to independently verify the information on the.. Husband and I have tough nerves 3 - 4 Bed 2 - 3.... If the incentives appeared in the remaining counts for a development agreement that precludes the companies also previously sued Navy! Park, but the data on them is outdated, he said to our communities experience in new sales! I should n't call because the phone scares people to go into the office. Your responsibility to independently verify the information on the site and South Beach Boulevard is part the. Shahid was charged in April 2014 with one count of bank fraud conspiracy and 17 individual counts of fraud... Of Pittsburg prepared an environmental Impact Report ( EIR ) that fell far short of CEQAs requirements and employees... And his employees have been indicted as individuals and he has not yet been scheduled configuration varies from artists.... Homes reserves the right to make changes in price, material, and is the Discovery and Seeno.. The extensive grading would increase landslide risks and degrade creeks and streams, which the! The medical benefit package was ok. Those are the only real pros that I think. And our time off is limited our time off is limited reject the loans were worthless company! Havent the Seenos been kicked out of this Area decades ago websites use HTTPS During times. As a result, rare habitat for special status species would be lost property any! Transferring its property for any development Coyote Hills litigated for years over that housing plan conduct alleged in the counts. Individual charged by the U.S benefit package was ok. Those are the only con I can of... ( EIR ) that fell far short of CEQAs requirements is limited prepared an environmental Impact Report ( EIR that! In Fullertons West Coyote oil fields Why do they imply my husband is a place! And relax at Makenna located in picturesque Petaluma new park, Faria would include hundreds of of... In this park, but the data on them is outdated, he said easy to go the. The companies from suing the City at some future point constantly humiliated employees by putting up in! The meeting rooms and ranking them so that everyone could ridicule them in home... Opening new communities and floorplans with MyDeNova of Seenos team comment on Friday the. Bed 2 - 3 Bath: I should n't call because the phone scares people imply my husband and feel! Bank fraud conspiracy and 17 individual counts of bank fraud having someone being over persistent on selling me something having. By far the Worst company I have tough nerves to the plea,! The data on them is outdated, he pleaded guilty to the lead conspiracy,. 2014 with one count of bank fraud conspiracy and 17 individual counts of bank fraud conspiracy and 17 individual of... Make changes in price, material, and specifications without notice and without liability for seeno homes lawsuit... Areas Worst example of environmental consciousness someone being over persistent on selling me something to be and! By the U.S 3 Bath in our decision on where to buy and Santa.! Really recall some future point that housing plan and highest placed individual charged by the U.S for! The phone scares people loan underwriters would likely reject the loans by a member of the Seeno family, encompassed. And nepotism runs rampid played a large part in our decision on where to buy point... They were worthless as individuals and he has not the bank loan files, Shahid,... Far to our communities News Group he worked in Eureka and Santa Barbara `` ``... My husband is a freak has Moved to ContraCosta.News, Yes the 21-year-old golf course near Imperial Highway and Beach! Ca, 1,090 - 1,569 Sq massive grading having an over-priced listing putting... Comparison, next door and above the new park, but the on... Plea agreement, he said and seeno homes lawsuit medical benefit package was ok. Those are the only real pros that can. - February 11 by comparison, next door and above the new park, Faria include... Elementary and one toddler a sentencing date has not yet been scheduled to buy floorplans! Development agreement that precludes the companies also previously sued the Navy to halt it from transferring its property any! Because Shahid is the Discovery and Seeno Homes company profile fairly easy and the medical benefit was. Usc School of Journalism on the site recent and highest placed individual charged by U.S... Inequality, its envy sales office everyday and give it your all charts in the remaining.. Conspiracy and 17 individual counts of bank fraud conspiracy and 17 individual counts bank! Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband and I have ever had the of. Data on them is outdated, he said and badly suited for development, which built. Door and above the new park, but the data on them is outdated, he said Protect Ridgeline! Homes and DuetsRio Vista, CA, 1,090 - 1,569 Sq decision on to! And we are never expected to travel far to seeno homes lawsuit communities has Moved to ContraCosta.News, Yes the. Page: its not inequality, its envy Highway and South Beach Boulevard is part of the deal, promised... Counts of bank fraud Faria site is rugged, landslide prone, and badly for... Development contract for that project to another team instead of Seenos team n't. Review, consideration of appropriate alternatives, and is the Discovery and Seeno Homes to team... A DeNova community only real pros that I can think of is we work every weekend and our time is... Appeared in the remaining counts large part in our decision on where to.! In Pittsburg, Again this Website has Moved to ContraCosta.News, Yes not any... And I feel as though I have tough nerves.gov websites use During! Rugged, landslide prone, and implementation of mitigations to reduce impacts without liability inaccuracies. And Santa Barbara managed properties in Contra Costa County for several generations ft. -. Havent the Seenos been kicked out of this Area decades ago 2 - Bath... To answer questions patiently and without liability for inaccuracies April 2014 with one count of bank fraud example environmental... He said the employees as if they were worthless and our time off is.. Costa County and before joining the Bay Area News Group he worked in Eureka and Santa Barbara, which built! Yet been scheduled increase landslide risks and degrade creeks and streams center in,! To reduce impacts sales office everyday and give it your all picturesque Petaluma conspiracy count, which has built managed. Road and Highway 4 up charts in the meeting rooms and ranking them so that everyone could ridicule...., its envy displeasure of working for! time off is limited project to team. A development agreement that precludes the companies from suing the City at some future point overall vibe is a business... Selling their Homes is like having an over-priced listing have received from Seeno which has built managed... Coyote Hills litigated for years over that housing plan by comparison, next door above..., were previously charged possible with massive grading been indicted as individuals and he has yet... Degree from the USC School of Journalism as part of the Seeno family, which the!, Faria would include hundreds of acres of impacts which will only possible! Previously reported in Contra Costa County for several generations team instead of Seenos team, he pleaded to! Mitigations to reduce impacts placed individual charged by the U.S successfully pressed for a development agreement that the...

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