Despite broad support from local construction unions, Concord Council members Laura Nakamura and Carlyn Obringer joined Mayor Laura Hoffmeister in saying they didnt trust Seeno to develop the sprawling expansion of Concord. Note regarding the Seenos and their development companies such as Discovery Builders: well remind you about a variety of the Seenos previous controversies. A Bay Area native, he loves his Warriors, Giants and 49ers. A look inside the $1.8 billion lawsuit But if so, the error goes against a proud company history of barreling ahead regardless. Mr. Seeno's father, Gaetano, was an immigrant from Italy who worked, along with thousands of other Italians, as a fisherman in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and Suisun Bay. In the lawsuits, Albert Seeno Jr., 78, accused his son, Seeno III, of erratic behavior, improper spending, and trying to shut his father and uncle out of their own companies, among other allegations. Seeno had pleaded guilty in 2002 to violating the Endangered Species Act at a project in California where he drained ponds for a development and killed red-legged frogs. (Screenshot) All three development teams competing for exclusive negotiating rights had signed such agreements, but the unions clearly supported the Discovery/Seeno team, which has worked closely with local labor for decades. As a Nevada gaming licensee, Albert Seeno said he is continually under the scrutiny of regulators who are charged with ensuring all license holders comply with Nevada gaming law by avoiding all activities that discredit the state. The only thing missing is a glossy black hat. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to read or post comments. But their most recent Nevada partnership has exploded into a high-profile, high-stakes legal battle with Harvey Whittemore one of Nevada's most powerful and well-known lobbyists, lawyers and political players after they claimed in a lawsuit that Whittemore embezzled and misappropriated funds from their partnership company, Wingfield Nevada Group, which owns the Red Hawk Resort in Sparks, the Coyote Springs development near Las Vegas and other businesses. We appreciate your support. The three Seenos faced a Gaming Control Board allegation that they associated with unsavory characters including members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. This case was filed in Contra Costa County Superior Courts, Wakefield Taylor Courthouse located in Contra Costa, California. Find more info on AllPeople about Albert D. Seeno Iii and Jacksnipe Duck Club, LLC, as well as people who work for similar businesses nearby, colleagues for other branches, and more people with a similar name. 25% of the housing units will be affordable. Seeno Homes expanded into Northern Nevada in the early 1980s, Albert Seeno said, when they acquired hundreds of acres near McCarran Boulevard and Mae Anne Avenue from a man who claimed he won. . "They're unique," Pleasant Hill Planning Director Rich Bottarini says of the Seeno crew. Without their lights on. Follow him at Twitter.com/mgafni. According to Schreck, the felon in question was Victor Bustos, a longtime friend of the family who took care of Albert Sr. when he was dying, and later the Albert Seeno Sr.'s wife. Can I still get Beyonc tickets? Experts encourage those in the market for a new home to do five things when choosing a builder: Read the J.D. Be Proactive. In 2018, a Seeno family subcontractor bulldozing land for new housing development on a Patwin tribe burial ground uncovered human remains. Albert and Tom Seeno worked under their father for decades until taking over the California homebuilding empire when Albert Sr. retired in the 1970s. Born and raised in Pittsburg, California, Jackie grew up watching her grandfather, father and brother's passion for land development and homebuilding. Total expenses. 2000-01-24 04:00:00 PDT PITTSBURG -- Services will be held tomorrow for Albert Seeno Sr., the son of an immigrant fisherman who became one of the East Bay's most prominent real estate developers. Whittemore said that more than five times between September 2010 and January 2011 the Seenos directed employees to go to his homes to intimidate him and his family into giving them assets including jewelry, art, furs, wine and cars in lieu of debt payments. Robison said Mamer was a disgruntled former employee and that assets were transferred to the Seenos from Whittemore voluntarily, to pay back the debt. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. person will not be tolerated. We have a wonderful term sheet here. These people are good businessmen. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. They later noticed the habitat was gone. "We had to overcome Reno's reputation as second-tier," he said. They wouldnt tell us what was being sprayed.. Thomas Seeno asked Whittemore whether his brother, Albert Seeno Jr., a Clayton resident, could buy an interest, the suit alleges, saying Albert Jr. would bring tremendous resources to the deal. Powerful East Bay family sued, accused in, 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), Chart: Bay Area rainfall totals for this week, Powerful East Bay family sued, accused in killing plot. In addition to his sons Tom and Albert, Mr. Seeno is survived by his wife of 61 years, Rose Ann; another son, Richard; daughters Patricia Brookshire and Karen Kafetas; 12 grandchildren; and several great- grandchildren. One catch: He'd get to keep the hill, and he'd get to build a house smack on top of it. Many articles were updated several years after the original publication. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters, Albert Seeno Jr., developer, Monday September 30,2002. Checking back? Rose Ann Seeno, passed away peacefully at home, at the age of 95. Also according to the Contra Costa Times: "Seeno Jr. and his family are seen in online photos and videos posing with animals they've shot and killed. In August 2010, with the development market crumbling, Albert Jr. became disgruntled and accused Whittemore of embezzlement, fraud and other criminal activity. Save Mount Diablo, All Rights Reserved. "Let's just say that the trade-off allowed us to get the project we wanted," Julie Pierce, a Clayton City Council member, recalls delicately. The issues were resolved and Seeno agreed to pay a $775,000 fine. Two weeks ago, the state of Nebraska did an audit of my books because of an anonymous (complaint) I wasnt collecting tax on our hunts., He showed up in his expensive jet plane with an entourage of thugs, Puckett said. I wasn't a BeyHive member. There are 40 other people named Albert D. Seeno Iii on AllPeople. Seeno ultimately paid $1million in damages, and had to set aside over 100 acres of land for frogs habitiat. Total assets. Youll receive news and email updates from Save Mount Diablo. Not good, at least not for the top-floor tenants. At a closed-door meeting in October 2010, Seeno III threatened Mamer by saying, Brad, the Seeno Way is to bend someone over a saw horse and (expletive) them. Like other developers, hes been sued numerous times over construction defects in his homes. $1. Thank you for Reading! "In our opinion, all of these issues will be decided by the judicial system," Seeno said. 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. I dont find it particularly appropriate.. Send tips to925-952-5026ormgafni@bayareanewsgroup.com. The case status is Pending - Other Pending. The Albert D. Seeno Construction Co., which Mr. Seeno started in 1938, has built more than 30,000 homes and dozens of shopping centers, apartment buildings and offices, mostly in eastern Contra Costa County. Is the vulgar anti-Tesla sign on my neighbors truck illegal? He said he has been in business with the Seenos for 33 years and has never had an argument or cross word with either brother. Bottom line: the Seenos are involved in many lawsuits and controversies. Contact. The allegations of physical violence are brand-new nonsense, Robison said. The Seeno family collectively owns companies worth more than $4 billion, and have a net worth of up to $2 billion, according to Whittemore. Seeno III, 42, is the son of family patriarch Albert Seeno Jr. Federal Judge Donna Ryu set Seeno III's bail at $1 million, and he was released after his family posted bond. As the Seeno family and current and former associates appear in more and more litigation, sorting out whos who can be difficult. Includes trails and parks on and around Mount Diablo and Los Vaqueros watershed. "We had a hard time getting him off the backhoe.". Promotional Rates were found for your code. n/a. I have that trust in the Seenos unequivocally. The felony count. CONCORD, CALIF. Every wall, shelf and cabinet in Albert Seeno Jr.'s office holds memorabilia and photographs that tell the story of a family who arrived in the United States from Italy at the turn of the century and used muscle, smarts and tenacity to become one of the most successful real estate developers in Northern California. 40 acres dedicated towards new school facilities. 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. The results show a range of builder quality locally. Whittemore claims Albert Seeno, Jr. and his son Albert III began threatening him and his family, even sending thugs to their homes to force open a safe filled with jewelry and breaking into a house to steal computer equipment while Albert III waited in a getaway car. "He loved his tractor," said Enea. The photographs were shown to Concord Senior Planner Frank Abejo, who is now calling for a city biologist to examine the site at the Seenos expense. City officials in 1985 flipped higher than the 10-story tower when, after completion, they found that it jutted up 5 feet higher than the city had agreed uponwhich placed it in the flight path to Buchanan Field Airport. I find that a little odd. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.. 'I love a good dill pickle, and you eat the top part off, and then you put a peppermint in the middle' These stars have shared their strange eating habits! He has reported and edited for Bay Area newspapers since he graduated from UC Davis, covering courts, crime, environment, science, child abuse, education, county and city government, and corruption. Specifically, his 15,000-square-foot mansion atop a 60-acre hill in Clayton. The slopes are grazed by ostrich and llamas. Grants made by Albert D Seeno Iii Family Foundation. 2020. The Seenos history shows why they are bad community partners for Concord. The response was classic Seeno: A lawsuit charged that the city's construction permit didn't spell out a precise height. The Seeno family has seen its share of controversies during the years as their businesses and land-holdings grew. Theyre very aggressive, says Supervisor Joe Canciamilla from eastern Contra Costa County, who knows the Seenos well from a stint on the Pittsburg City Council. The areas worst-rated builder, Seeno, scored an 84. Rossi said Mr. Seeno worked alongside his construction crews whenever he could. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. They were so grateful. The amphibian was immortalized by Mark Twain in the short story The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.. He didnt tell the U.S. . Categories. The Seeno family collectively owns companies worth more than $4 billion, and have a net worth of up to $2 billion, according to Whittemore. ft. mansion on the 60-acre hill atop his land. On his next trip he connected with Albert, he said. Join us to save the remaining natural lands of Mount Diablo! We want Reno to do well as a market. A Reno police spokesman did not return a call seeking a comment. When the Coyote Springs litigation and allegations emerged in the Mamer Complaint where Brad Mamer alleged Seeno Family stole, threatened and intimidated him as a witness I personally support those allegations. Tax ID # 94-2681735, 2012 - 2023 No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism This latest lawsuit comes a week after the Seenos sued Whittemore in Las Vegas, claiming he embezzled and misappropriated tens of millions of dollars from their joint company to pay for a lavish lifestyle and curry favor in the Nevada political scene. The latest example of the Seeno style came last week, when workers bulldozed several oak trees on a hillside south of Pittsburg. . "Where you have water in the desert, you have life," he said. 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