An attorney for Third Avenue property and business owner Alan Cassell appeared in a Nevada federal court Tuesday in connection to a conspiracy and bribery case involving the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Appearing on behalf of Cassell at a status conference this week was Las Vegas attorney David T. Brown.
Cassell pleaded not guilty in October.
On Sept. 26 the Department of Justice unsealed a 14-count indictment accusing Cassell, 47, and six other individuals of conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds and bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds for bribing Sergio Barajas.
Barajas is a former director of community development for the National Community Stabilization Trust.
The indictment alleges that Cassell and codefendants Elena Millner,40, of Bourne, Texas; Benjamin Stuelke, 35, of Anaheim, Calif; Michelle Acosta a.k.a Michelle Mullens, 33, of Anaheim Hills, Calif.; Ernesto Garcia, 45, of Upland, Calif.; and Art Acosta, 55, of Anaheim Hills bribed Barajas with monetary payment in exchange for his influence at the NCST in the First Look approval program, access to NCST homes, and oversight over the resale of NCST homes.
NCST is a nonprofit Nevada corporation created in 2008 in response to the national mortgage-housing foreclosure crisis.
As alleged in the indictment Cassell, doing business as Heartland Coalition and Ignition Ventures, paid Barajas about $185,025 in exchange for receiving about 626 NCST foreclosures and made about $2.8 million from resale of those homes.
A spokesperson for the Nevada Department of Justice said Cassell is charged with a total of two counts: Conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds; and bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds.
The maximum penalty is 10-years in prison and a $250,000 fine for conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, and 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for bribery and bank fraud.
In addition, each defendant faces a criminal forfeiture money judgment, Cassell’s in the amount of $1.2 million.
Cassell’s attorney did not return emails and phone messages seeking comment.
Cassell resigned as a board member at Third Avenue Village Association in October citing personal reasons.
The Chula Vista resident has stated he is part owner of several Third Avenue properties, including 260 1/2 Third Ave. and TEMP by Cosecha at 277 Third Ave.
A December trial date is scheduled, though a defense motion to continue has bee filed.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the address of TEMP by Cosecha. The restaurant is at 277 Third Ave. in Chula Vista.
