Oakland (Special to ZennieReport.com) – The Oakland community group Coalition for Community Engagement today said that it is more important than ever that retired judge Brenda Habrin-Forte be elected Oakland City Attorney after the discovering her opponent Ryan Richardson failed to make mortgage payments on his home and had federal tax liens filed against him.
“Oakland is facing a deficit in the hundreds of millions of dollars because of the failed leadership of Mayor Sheng Thao, the council majority, and deputy city attorney Ryan Richardson,” said Edward Escobar of Coalition for Community Engagement. “None of the city’s leadership knows how to turn the city’s finances around, especially Richardson, who can’t even make his own home payments on time and has faced personal federal tax liens.”
The group pointed to these facts about Richardson’s failed finances that make him ineligible to run the city attorney’s office:
Ryan Richardson Defaulted on Mortgage Loan, Behind $17,444.95: In June 2006, Richardson received a notice of default, notifying him that he was behind $17,444.95 on his mortgage loan. In August 2006, Richardson was notified that his notice of default had been rescinded. (Los Angeles County Recorder’s Office, “Notice of Default, Document No: 061360248” Recorded June 21, 2006; Los Angeles County Recorder’s Office, “Notice of Rescission, Document No: 061738298” Recorded August 7, 2006)
A federal tax lien of $20,104 was filed against Ryan Richardson: On Oct. 8, 2008, a $20,104.28 federal tax lien was filed against Richardson for the tax period ending on December 31, 2006. The lien was released on December 30, 2010. (Los Angeles County Recorder’s Office, “Notice of Federal Tax Lien, Document No: 20081804490,” Filed October 8, 2008; Los Angeles County Recorder’s Office, “Certificate of Release of Federal Tax Lien,” Filed December 30, 2010)
“We need new leadership in city hall,” Escobar said. “Richardson is endorsed by disgraced Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. It turns out neither knows how to manage their own money or the taxpayers’ money.”
Mayor Thao’s home was raided by the FBI along with her supporters the Duong family, owners of California Waste Solutions, headquartered in Oakland, earlier this year. Richardson and the city attorney’s office have taken no action to investigate the mayor, the Duongs, or possible illegal activities associated with the group.
“Brenda Harbin-Forte will bring new leadership, knowledge and experience to the city attorney’s office,” Escobar added. “Oakland needs leaders who know how to lead, who have guts, and who can make tough decisions. There is only one person running for City Attorney who meets these requirements and that is Harbin-Forte.”