Couple lose home to RICO laws over foreclosure
Al and Rosalie Fornaro, both on disability, lost their Higley home to a RICO forfeiture action after Diaz’s drug charges led to state seizure. They had moved in 1989 with a $20,000 down payment and a balloon due in 1990, fighting through medical bills and a protracted malpractice suit before foreclosure in March 1992.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
al Fornaro
Rosalie
Eir
State Attorney General
New York City
Arizona Attorney General’s
Fornaro
Higley House
Attorney General's
Fornaros
Enrique Diaz
New York
Diaz
Attorney General’s Office
Rico
Rosalie Fornaro
Attorney General’s
John McDonald
Woods
McDonald
East Mesa
Higley
Disabled workers harmed in mail order light bulbs scheme
In 1990 1991 Gaustad formed Handicapped Distributors Inc to sell light bulbs via auto dialed on approval pitches using disabled workers. Customers were told they could return at their own expense and that gifting cards would be free. Investigations found misleading scripts and return postage issues. After a May 1991 raid the companies shut down and 39 disabled workers were laid off.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gaustad
Handicapped Distributors Inc
HDI
Attorney General’s
Better Business Bureaus
James Puls
Phoenix
Puls
Arizona Attorney General
Better Business Bureau
Phase III
East Valley
Janet Napolitano
U.S
RICO reform battle pits lawmakers against prosecutors
As committee chairman Baird holds a bill from hearings and warns of inaction until next year critics led by Rep. Phil Hubbard push reform to curb asset forfeiture under RICO. The Tribune probe of 4,000 Arizona cases found police often seized assets with few charges filed and sometimes harmed uninvolved third parties. Hubbard promotes drug amount thresholds and a study panel, while others seek tighter limits and transparent accounting. The bill's sponsor is Speaker Mark Killian, with hearings set to weigh city and police testimony.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Baird
Phil Hubbard
Tucson
The
Tribune
Arizona
State Auditor General
House Judiciary Committee
Attorney General’s Office
Cameron Holmes
Hubbard
Marty Lieberman
Phoenix
Arizona Attorneys For Criminal Justice
Lieberman
Debbie McCune-Davis
Mark Killian
Mesa
Auditor General
Also Mentioned on This Page
Pairsay
Grant Woods
Melanie Book
ANNA/Tribune
Napolitano
Christine Macho
Phoenix Division
Macho
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