Some Dispute Community Development Bank Claims

* The people of Los Angeles and their responsible leaders deserve a dose of truth regarding their Los Angeles Community Development Bank and its board of directors.

The published statements of William Chu [“L.A. Community Development Bank Halves Staff,” July 12] to the effect that the bank is “working every day with Mr. Lewin” and suggesting that the bank is negotiating in “good faith” are not only blatantly false, but also appear to be designed to focus responsibility away from the board of directors and onto other persons. The bank has never, repeat never, negotiated in good faith to resolve the issues involved in the litigation. Some history is relevant.

Refusal to act in an honorable fashion and to negotiate in good faith has been a problem with this bank from its very beginning and is one of the core reasons for the current lawsuits, one of which has successfully proceeded to judgment. I represent three clients in litigation that is a matter of public record, namely Summit Industries, Trinity Knitworks and Optiplast. These clients, whose collective business experience approaches a century, all tell remarkably similar stories about bad faith negotiations, broken promises and refusals to act in an honorable and rational fashion.

ROBERT S. LEWIN, Esq.

Laguna Beach