Ex-Business Partner Sues Robbins Over Waterfront Property

A former business partner filed suit Thursday against state Sen. Alan Robbins, charging that Robbins fraudulently used his name and credit to acquire millions of dollars worth of property in Marina del Rey.

Jeremy Simms charged in his suit that Robbins (D-Tarzana) and others falsely told banks and landowners that Simms was financially allied with them in order to put together the capital to acquire waterfront property worth $45 million.

The action, filed in Santa Monica Superior Court, said Simms was unaware that Robbins was using his credit and asked the court to force Robbins to give Simms his “rightful share” of profits from the Marina property, which was later sold, plus punitive damages.

Robbins denied Simms’ allegations. He suggested that Simms was trying to “pressure me” in connection with a lawsuit Robbins filed against him recently over the sale of 3,800 acres of land in Moorpark.

Longtime Friend

Simms, who described himself as a longtime friend and confidante of Robbins, said in the suit that the lawmaker exploited that relationship to borrow large amounts of money in 1987, at a time when Robbins was “facing many financial obligations he could not meet through his normal financing channels.”

Simms said the two went into business together in 1984, buying an office building in the San Fernando Valley and the land in Moorpark.

Beginning in 1985, Robbins falsely told lenders and property owners that Simms was a general partner in a Robbins firm that was trying to acquire the Marina land, the suit charged. The suit, which also named several lawyers, charges that Robbins and his attorneys fraudulently used Simms’ personal financial statements to persuade lenders that they had sufficient financial strength to carry out the deals.

In 1987, the lawmaker borrowed a total of $950,000 from Simms, all of which he repaid, the suit said.

Waterfront Purchases

Robbins borrowed from Simms at the time he was making the waterfront purchases, without telling Simms he was using the loans for that purpose, in violation of their business relationship, the suit said.

Robbins and attorneys working for him “actively concealed” from Simms that they were using his name and credit during the Marina purchases, the suit said.

Simms said in his suit that when a lawyer for the sellers of the Marina land suggested that Simms be listed as one of the purchasers, Robbins told them that Simms was “a very busy man” and his signature was unnecessary.

Robbins and his company, Marina East Holding Properties, bought the waterfront land for $12.2 million, with the legislator--a licensed real estate broker--pocketing a $150,000 commission, the suit said. The Marina property was later sold for $45 million.