What an amazing day....
The first of what is going to be many indictments in the criminal probe at the LA County Assessor's Office has begun today. Will be making the radio talk show circuit beginning at 3:15 p.m. on the David Cruz Show here in LA Talk Radio....
I called the Assessor's Office. Noguez is nowhere to be found... Huh. Wonder where he is hiding....
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| The Grand Opening party for the Pasadena Republican Club's 2010 Election Headquarters. It was well attended, with about 200 guests present, as well as a wide range of candidates. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
BREAKING: Scott Schenter arrested as Noguez investigation continues
By Randy Economy
An arrest has been made in the criminal probe into pay to play allegations at the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office this morning, and many more are expected....
Just got this note from LA County DA Steve Cooley...
Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley said that a former appraiser with the county Assessor’s Office was arrested today for allegedly falsifying department documents and unlawfully lowering property values by $172 million.
Scott Schenter, who worked from 1988 to early 2011 as a county appraiser, allegedly slashed values on multi-million dollar homes, condos and businesses in Beverly Hills, Brentwood and Pacific Palisades. Schenter allegedly secured campaign contributions from the owners of those homes and business for Assessor John Noguez.
Schenter, 49, was arrested this morning in Beaverton, Ore. He is being held on $1.5 million bail.
“The magnitude of Schenter’s suspected betrayal of public trust is almost inconceivable,” Cooley said in a prepared statement. “We believe his actions are not isolated.”
Schenter’s arrest is part of an investigation launched last year by the D.A.’s Public Integrity Division into allegations that Noguez and several of his staff had reduced property values for wealthy clients of Ramin Salari, a tax consultant and campaign contributor to Noguez.
“This investigation is active, ongoing and multi-faceted,” Cooley said.
Deputy District Attorney Susan Schwartz filed a felony complaint for arrest warrant Wednesday, charging Schenter with 60 felony counts, including 30 counts of falsifying accounts and 30 counts of falsifying records. Schwartz said refund checks were issued to property owners in counts 1-30. In counts 31-60, devaluations were reversed before refunds could be issued.
The unauthorized reductions were discovered by Schenter’s supervisor in January 2011.
Arraignment information for Schenter will be announced later. If convicted, he faces up to 33 years in state prison.
Los Cerritos Community Newspaper will have additional details throughout the day.
