Lawmaker Backs Plan for Redman Land Victims

U.S. Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon Wednesday called for swift action by the federal government to help dozens of families victimized by the alleged Marshall Redman land swindle in his High Desert district.

McKeon said he supported an ambitious rescue plan now being prepared by Los Angeles County that would help working-class Latino victims buy foreclosed Antelope Valley housing at discounts of up to 30%.

“We will certainly look into this plan to see what we can do to help,” said McKeon, a Santa Clarita Republican, in an interview with The Times. “Maybe there should be a crusade started here to reach out to help these people. I am going to be right on this.”

Carlos Jackson, executive director of the county’s Community Development Agency, said he is scheduled to meet with federal officials Dec. 10 to discuss the county’s proposal to buy the foreclosures.

In a letter to federal Housing and Urban Development Chief Henry Cisneros, county officials confirmed they are exploring the purchase of some of the “100 HUD-repossessed properties in the Antelope Valley.

“I am interested in discussing options and opportunities to assist the fraud victims to purchase these properties at a discounted rate,” Jackson wrote.

The federal government commonly sells foreclosed homes at discounted rates to local government and nonprofit groups.

Jacquelyn Slayton, Los Angeles area coordinator for HUD, said she heard from McKeon’s office on Wednesday about the congressman’s interest in the deal.

She said she promised to keep McKeon abreast of developments between federal officials and Los Angeles County following the December meeting.

“We do have a number of properties available for such a program and we plan to keep in touch with Mr. McKeon on any plan that develops,” Slayton said.

Bob Cochran, McKeon’s chief of staff in Washington, said there were numerous options accessible to help victims purchase the houses, including special grants for low-income buyers.

“We have to work within existing government structures, but we’re pretty sure we can do that and still be of help,” he said.

McKeon said he would monitor developments and do whatever he could to make the plan a reality.

“It’s the Thanksgiving season and these people need our help more than anything,” he said. “When we have natural disasters, FEMA steps in. My philosophy is that government should do for people what they can’t do for themselves.

“I don’t imagine these people are even asking for our help. But it sounds like they’ve been dealing in good faith. So I think we should help them build a bridge by getting into these homes and getting them into society.”

Redman, 68, was charged in May with a High Desert land fraud scheme that involved hundreds of parcels of far-flung land and often left buyers with properties they could not legally build upon.

For years, dozens of Redman customers have stuck it out on those sun-bleached properties, existing in substandard housing such as tiny trailers and wooden shanties without heat or electricity.

Following disclosures of the Redman sales in The Times, Los Angeles County formed two task forces to assist Redman’s alleged victims and to devise laws and procedures to stop such a fraud from reoccurring. The latter is due to report Dec. 10.

Hundreds of Redman customers are waiting for a court-appointed receiver to provide them with clear title to land they purchased. Those living on land with legal entanglements will be relocated, county officials say, making them prime candidates for the home ownership program.

Between 1978 and 1994, Redman advertised in the Spanish-language media affordable homes away from the hassles of the big city. Buyers were driven to the Antelope Valley by bus and often sold a different parcel than the one they were shown.

“The fact that a businessman could take advantage of people like this is just reprehensible,” McKeon said. “I tell you, it gets my dander up.

“It gives the real estate business a bad name and is one of the lowest things you can do. But now it’s our turn to act.”