CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Federal investigators have expanded their examination of the Contra Costa County Assessor's Office, seeking records involving a Walnut Creek apartment complex, Martinez's largest refinery, prominent homebuilders, and several county employees, according to the East Bay Times.
The newspaper reported that newly released federal grand jury subpoenas, obtained through a California Public Records Act request, show prosecutors requested documents related to property assessments, reassessments, and tax appeals involving some of Contra Costa County's largest taxpayers and highest-profile development projects.
The subpoenas surfaced about a month after FBI agents searched the homes, offices, and vehicles of outgoing Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer and Assessor-elect Vince Robb on June 8.
Investigators are pursuing a probe that references alleged wire fraud and other possible offenses, although federal authorities have not publicly explained the investigation or filed criminal charges, the newspaper reported. The subpoenas do not accuse any individual or company of wrongdoing.
Among the properties named is the Carmel Pines apartment complex at 1770 Carmel Drive in Walnut Creek. According to the East Bay Times, the property became the center of a valuation dispute that led Contra Costa County to pay former supervising appraiser Andrea Albrecht $135,000 to settle her lawsuit.
Albrecht alleged Kramer intervened in the property's valuation and sought to reduce its assessed value by at least $3 million. Kramer previously denied wrongdoing, telling the newspaper he believed the property's valuation numbers were incorrect.
Investigators also requested assessment-related records involving Martinez Refining Co., the refinery owned by PBF Energy that has faced multiple safety investigations in recent years. The East Bay Times reported that the subpoena does not suggest the refinery is accused of wrongdoing in the assessor investigation.
Federal prosecutors are also seeking records involving the Seeno family and Discovery Builders, one of Northern California's largest homebuilding companies.
According to the East Bay Times, the family has previously drawn FBI scrutiny in unrelated investigations, but the new subpoenas do not explain why the records were requested or allege misconduct.
The subpoenas further identify Concord-based DeNova Homes and founders David and Lori Sanson, along with a son, Trent Sanson, and the company's 533-home Aviano subdivision in Antioch, according to the newspaper.
David and Trent Sanson separately face federal bribery and conspiracy charges related to the Antioch development, but the East Bay Times reported the subpoenas do not indicate the subdivision's property assessment was improper.
Also named, the Times reported, are current or former assessor's office employees Denise Lucido, Peter Yu, and Parampreet Singh Bhatia. Prosecutors specifically requested assessment records involving Lucido and members of her family, according to the East Bay Times. The subpoenas do not accuse any of the employees of wrongdoing.
The East Bay Times reported that federal prosecutors have not announced charges stemming from the June searches or the newly released subpoenas, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Related: FBI Widens Contra Costa Assessor Investigation Scope: Report
FBI Raid On Embattled Contra Costa Assessor Gus Kramer's Offices, Homes: Report
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