A prominent downtown Chula Vista property and business owner will face a Nevada jury in December for his alleged role in a conspiracy and bribery scheme involving the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Cassell, 47, and six other defendants initially had a June 11 trial date, but that was postponed to Dec. 18 because defense attorneys needed more time to prepare for the case.
On Oct. 4, 2017, the Department of Justice unsealed a 14-count indictment accusing Cassell, and six others of conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds and for bribing Sergio Barajas, a former director of community development for the National Community Stabilization Trust.
The indictment alleges that Cassell and co-defendants Elena Milner, 40, of Bourne, Texas; Benjamin Stuelke, 35, of Anaheim; Michelle Acosta a.k.a. Michelle Mullens, 33, of Anaheim Hills; Art Acosta, 55, of Anaheim; and Ernesto Garcia, 45, of Upland; 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 626 NCST foreclosures and made about $2.8 million from resale of those homes.
According to the indictment, Barajas’ role with NCST from October 2010 to September 2015 entailed the approval of the organization to participate in organizational programs, and deciding which nonprofits were given foreclosed homes and making sure that resale of those foreclosed homes complied within certain rules and guidelines.
A spokesperson for the Nevada Department of Justice said Cassell is charged with two counts: conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds; and bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. Each charge carries a maximum of 10-years in prison and a $250,000 fine for conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds.
Cassell in October pleaded not guilty to both charges. He and his attorney David T. Brown would not comment on the matter.
Cassell resigned from the Third Avenue Village Association board last October, citing personal reasons.
The Chula Vista resident has stated he is part owner of several Third Avenue properties including the Grindhouse, formerly The Nest on Third, at 260 ½ Third Ave.
According to records, Cassell in January listed the building for the Grind House at 256 ½ – 260 ½ Third Avenue on the market for $1.2 million.
