United Farm Workers involved in shady Fresno land deal
In the second of a four-part series entitled "UFW: A Broken Contract" the Los Angeles Times looks "how leaders of the UFW and the groups they call the Farm Worker Movement have steered money to friends and relatives at the expense of the charities they serve."
One deal in question involves a Fresno land parcel earmarked for 56 affordable housing units. Near the start of construction,
Paul Chavez, president of the Service Center, decided the plot had appreciated so much it made more sense to sell. He did not have to look far for a willing buyer: Emilio Huerta, the Service Center's lawyer, worked in the office next door.In May 2004, Huerta formed a private corporation called Landmark Residential. Three months later, Landmark bought the Fresno parcel from the Service Center for $1.8 million.
The day they closed the sale, Huerta and his partners had already agreed to sell the land for $2.9 million to a local developer, according to county records : reaping a profit of $1.1 million.
The 12.5 acres in question are located at the northwest corner of Dakota Avenue and Cornelia Avenue in west- central Fresno.
Land: See grab.
Sounds like they learned the lessons the rest of their Fresno development brethren picked up while they were still in diapers. Nothing the Bonedellis and Thomases and Zinkins and Kashians don't consider a regular birthright.
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