SACRAMENTO — More than two dozen mobile home owners in California will be reimbursed for the costs of their homes thanks to a settlement reached following a joint investigation by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and Yolo County into the fraudulent practices of a former licensed mobile home dealer and salesperson in Davis, Tustin, and Covina.
As part of the settlement, Western Ventures LP, Abraham Arrigotti, and Svetlana Drita Bronkey agreed to pay $175,000 in restitution. Most of the money, $100,000, will be distributed to all affected homeowners. The remaining $75,000 will go to reimburse the costs of the investigation and legal costs incurred by HCD.
The affected homeowners were sold below-standard homes without notification about the homes’ defects, later resulting in homeowners facing fees and penalties, violation notices, and/or eviction for not repairing their homes in a timely manner. In addition, many victims never obtained title and ownership of their homes after the sale, while others fought for years before titles were transferred into their names.
“Mobile homes and manufactured homes are often the only affordable choice for many Californians,” said HCD Director Ben Metcalf. “HCD’s authority to hold licensed mobile home dealers and salespeople accountable is part of the bigger picture to ensure every Californian has access to a safe, affordable home.”
HCD’s occupational licensing investigators and legal affairs division investigated and prosecuted the case with the assistance of Yolo County governmental offices, including the District Attorney’s Office and the Office of Yolo County Supervisor Jim Provenza, who helped set up a task force with the County Sheriff and provided translators for affected homeowners who filed claims.
“HCD Investigators and inspectors worked with local law enforcement officials over many years to uncover the financial frauds,” said Association of Deputy Commissioners (ADC) President Marcus Nenn. “We are proud of the tenacity demonstrated by our members in pursuit of justice for these vulnerable residents.”
HCD announced the settlement on April 26, 2019.
