LA Times: Bustamante Write-Offs on Rental Raise Questions (Bustamante is a Slum Lord)

LA Times ^ | 9-28-03 | LA Times

[ambrose]

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-me-cruzhouse28sep28,1,1839833.story

Bustamante Write-Offs on Rental Raise Questions

His accountant concedes a likely error on one deduction.

The house failed inspections, but repairs were made and his tenant supports him.

By Robert J. Lopez and Rich Connell Times Staff Writers

September 28, 2003

FRESNO - Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante has cut his state and federal tax bills in recent years by claiming thousands of dollars in losses on a government-subsidized rental he owns, including at least one deduction that his accountant acknowledges may have been handled improperly.

[snip]

The three-bedroom home in one of Fresno's poorest areas is required to undergo inspections annually and upon change of tenants because Bustamante receives a majority of his $720 in monthly rental income from a federally funded program to aid low-income families.

Among the deficiencies cited by inspectors have been broken window panes and missing window locks, exposed wiring, electrical plugs near sinks and not grounded, broken stove burners, large holes in the backyard and a toilet that didn't flush properly, according to Fresno County Housing Authority records.

[snip]

[ambrose]

Ummm... this story is really much ado about nothing. Why would the LA Times publish it? So they can claim to be "fair and balanced" when the much awaited Schwarzenegger hit piece comes out later this week. Mickey has mentioned in his blog that it has been written and waiting to go. The Times wants to time the release just right...

[ambrose]

Mickey being Mickey Kaus at kausfiles.com

[ambrose]

ping

[Admin Moderator]

Original article titles only, please.

[ambrose]

forgive me!

[Timeout]

Among the deficiencies cited by inspectors...large holes in the backyard and a toilet that didn't flush properly

Algore taught him everything he knows while he was out there: how to boogey, talk like a 3-yr-old and be a slum lord.

Sheesh, was it really only 3 years ago we were laughing our a** off over Al's Tennesee tenant?!

[lainde]

Ambrose...Has anyone posted the entire Kaus blog? The fact that a "hit piece" is waiting in the wings seems to have a fair amount of credibility.

[AmericaUnited]

Kaus does not know for sure whether it is a hit piece. Read the link.

[ambrose]

what he said

[DoughtyOne]

Three Southern California Indian tribes plan to spend nearly $3 million on television ads in the recall campaign to support Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante and Republican state Sen. Tom McClintock -- a huge boost to two candidates who are struggling to match Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger in television advertising.

LINK

Saturday, Bustamante made the unusual move of praising one of the Republican contenders. Bustamante talked up McClintock, who has been taking votes from
Schwarzenegger and could spoil the actor's chances if Davis were recalled -- thus allowing Bustamante a chance to win.

"The one who's really been moving in this race has been Tom McClintock," Bustamante said at a campaign stop in Los Angeles. "Tom has done a good job to get
up there. ... Tom has a really strong message, and there's a group of people out there who strongly believe in his values."

LINK

Atta boy Tom, that stand on principle resonates more clearly with each passing day.

[CurlyDave]

This is all pretty minor stuff, and mostly bogus.

As a previous owner of low income rental property I am amazed at how newspapers treat the "rich" landlords.

The "holes in the back yard" did not did themselves, the tenants or their dog did it. But as soon as they exist, the become the landlord's fault.

Same with the windows. They did not break themselves, the tenant or their kids did that.

The wiring was not exposed when the house was built, or most likely when it was rented. You would be amazed at what tenants can do. Electrical outlets near the sinks not being grounded might be a legitimate beef, but I bet the house was up to code when it was built.

[John Jorsett]

I used to rent out property under this program. If one of my units had the problems cited here, they'd never have sent me a tenant until all the problems were fixed.

[DoctorZIn]

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