Before the end of the month, the Flea Market laid off Jeff's daughters Anne and Rebecca. Now that their gaming license had been denied, a decision needed to be made--quickly. Initially, police filed felony charges against Matthew Bumb for having oral sex with a minor and penetrating her with his fingers. When Werner broke the news that Jeff's brothers wouldn't write a letter on his behalf, he says Jeff became furious. One of George Bumb Sr.'s granddaughters explained to police that her family was very old-fashioned: "The woman gets the short end of the deal; she is a whore. Well, guess what? Jeff's daughter interrupted Matthew and said, "And I didn't know better. After learning of the incident, Jeff and wife Elizabeth did not report the matter to police immediately. "My issue with [George Bumb Sr.]," Jeff Bumb complains about his father, "was his control of where you lived, what kind of house you bought, where your children went to school, who your friends are, whether your children went to college, who they would marry, what kind of wedding they would have." Jeff Bumb later explained to the press that they didn't know partnerships were required to file such reports, and they paid the state a $1,250 fine. At the time, Jeff was in the midst of negotiating an arrangement to be bought out of the family businesses. He demanded $10 million from his brothers to compensate him for violating the purported secret Bay 101 deal. He followed that with suits alleging breach of contract, wrongful termination and misrepresentation. Of the four brothers, Tim and George had faced the least resistance from state gaming officials. Toward the end of the call, things got heated. A nurse was present to monitor his condition. Still Standing: Jeff Bumb, Bay 101's ostracized founder, boasts that despite various local, state and federal investigations over the years he has emerged squeaky clean. Jeff tells the story differently: "Matthew was my godson. Of the four brothers, Tim and George had faced the least resistance from state gaming officials. She told police about at least seven other sexual encounters she had with her cousin after that. Near the end Venzon writes, "They want to bring up the 'murder-for-hire' investigation again. "I'm a big boy." He and his brothers had a plan, he says. "I liked my name," he maintains. Matthew is the kind of guy a relative described to police as "polite," the guy parents wanted their daughters to date. But Jeff and his family started hearing that instead of showing concern and support for his daughter, George Bumb Sr. and others in the family were blaming his freshman daughter for the incident and not her adult-age cousin. According to Jeff, there was tremendous pressure from his father and others in the family to keep the incest a secret. He also pulled off an armed robbery of the Aloha Roller Palace. Meanwhile, Jeff and his lawyers spent 15 months trying get his father to appear at a deposition. "And I told you that I loved you and you are like a father to me. Soon after his confession, the word started spreading in the family about what happened. Today, Bumb family enterprises include the local Premium Pet Stores chain, Air One Helicopters and, of course, Bay 101. You think this didn't break my heart?" It did the unthinkable: The couple even had a purchase contract for a $850,000 house on Golf Links Road. attorney Frank Ubhaus asked the Bumb patriarch. Finally, in July 1994, the state cleared Tim and George and gave them a conditional OK to let the games begin. (That thing that involved Jeff when Bay 101 was scheduled to open but didn't.)" When Werner broke the news that Jeff's brothers wouldn't write a letter on his behalf, he says Jeff became furious. "And I told you that I loved you and you are like a father to me. Tim and George Jr. would appeal and reapply, the hope being that the club would open as soon as possible. "My wife broke the code," he says, "and I supported her." The couple even had a purchase contract for a $850,000 house on Golf Links Road. Life of Brian: Initially denied a gaming license by the state, Brian Bumb has since received a provisional license and become a partner in Bay 101 with his brothers, Tim and George. And for nearly a month, they did. You know the school we went to?" And then police remembered the old rumors about a murder plot at the Flea Market, where Venzon had worked as a security guard for more than 15 years. The gambling palace Jeff Bumb--the oldest son who is often described as the most entrepreneurial of the four brothers--had in mind was going to take a lot of effort and political skill. Werner said no. FROM THE START, Jeff's three brothers and father didn't share his enthusiasm for opening a lavish gaming house. Before the end of the month, the Flea Market laid off Jeff's daughters Anne and Rebecca. After learning of the incident, Jeff and wife Elizabeth did not report the matter to police immediately. And for nearly a month, they did. "I'm a big boy." Matthew Bumb's attorney argued that the relationship was consensual. Don't Shoot: George Bumb Sr., the publicity-shy patriarch of the Bumb family and creator of the Flea Market, in a rare photo which appeared in California Today magazine in 1980. The dolphin fountain at the front entrance is there because he wanted it there--water and fish are good luck. Don't Shoot: George Bumb Sr., the publicity-shy patriarch of the Bumb family and creator of the Flea Market, in a rare photo which appeared in California Today magazine in 1980. ALL TOGETHER, the intrafamily litigation has spanned nearly three years. "He worked for me." she said, referring to the family-run Catholic school at the Flea Market. During the Venzon investigation, San Jose police dug up an old file from November 1990 in which Venzon, a sheriff's deputy, had reported his department-issued Smith & Wesson 9 mm automatic stolen. AN ATTORNEY involved likened the whole contentious affair to a divorce. On Nov. 8, 1995, attorney Albin Danell, Elizabeth's brother-in-law, contacted the police, apparently after consulting with Elizabeth. Before the end of the month, the Flea Market laid off Jeff's daughters Anne and Rebecca. In response to Jeff's legal attacks, George Bumb Sr. and Bumb & Associates filed two separate suits of their own to collect nearly $1 million in loans and interest they claimed Jeff never paid. The gambling palace Jeff Bumb--the oldest son who is often described as the most entrepreneurial of the four brothers--had in mind was going to take a lot of effort and political skill. "What am I going to say to the vice president?" Soon after his confession, the word started spreading in the family about what happened. You know the school we went to?" But Jeff says the loan dispute screwed up their moving plans. Tim and George Jr. worried that pressuring state and city officials to deal Jeff back in at Bay 101 would backfire and authorities would close down the card room. Jeff was also getting word from his nieces and nephews that his father said at a family poker game: "If it was up to him, all the grandchildren would marry each other." Jeff tells the story differently: "Matthew was my godson. "They didn't teach anything about this. to use this representational knowledge to guide current and future action. Preventive Medicine: George Bumb Jr. is a co-owner of Bay 101, where a snakebite kit is kept on-hand as a family joke. In February 1994, nearly one year after the San Jose City Council gave Bay 101 its blessing, the state denied the Bumbs and their partners' gaming license application. Jeff's daughter interrupted Matthew and said, "And I didn't know better. But he didn't cash out. attorney Frank Ubhaus asked the Bumb patriarch. Before the end of the month, the Flea Market laid off Jeff's daughters Anne and Rebecca. The state, still busy conducting background checks, still hadn't approved the Bumbs and their partners' gaming licenses. Initially, police filed felony charges against Matthew Bumb for having oral sex with a minor and penetrating her with his fingers. Or at least he thought he didn't. The district attorney's office says that Bumb attorney Ron Werner turned the letter over to authorities immediately after it came in the mail. Tim now runs Bay 101, which he says is no easy task. "I don't need their help," he barked at Werner. Werner said no. Unlike other partners, neither Jeff nor Brian had buyback provisions in their written agreements, an intentional omission meant to appease state gaming officials who wanted them out of the picture. The guy doesn't get a slap on the hand." One month later, the state attorney general's office made a devastating announcement: Authorities had come across issues of "such magnitude" and "concern" that they would need at least another month to decide if gambling should be allowed at Bay 101. She told police about at least seven other sexual encounters she had with her cousin after that. Earlier this year, a month before Venzon was sentenced to 14 years in prison, district attorney investigator Michael Schembri closed out the Venzon case, noting in a court filing, "No new information has been uncovered relating to the murder for hire case [at the Flea Market] which our department investigated several years ago." He was also the kind of guy, police records reveal, who told his mother about the incidents "because he felt guilty." He started telling people around the office that he wanted out of the family business. attorney Frank Ubhaus asked the Bumb patriarch. Ultimately, the charges against the older Bumb were reduced to a misdemeanor. Even though all the lights were out, she told police that she knew it was Matthew "because the moonlight shined into the room through the large windows that faced the ocean." Even though all the lights were out, she told police that she knew it was Matthew "because the moonlight shined into the room through the large windows that faced the ocean." He was also the kind of guy, police records reveal, who told his mother about the incidents "because he felt guilty." Dealers stood at the tables, ready to deal the cards. And it was very explicit in there that no Bumbs could have anything to do with the club. You think this didn't break my heart?" Initially, police filed felony charges against Matthew Bumb for having oral sex with a minor and penetrating her with his fingers. But Jeff and his family started hearing that instead of showing concern and support for his daughter, George Bumb Sr. and others in the family were blaming his freshman daughter for the incident and not her adult-age cousin. He also runs day-to-day operations at the family-owned Flea Market. Toward the end of the call, things got heated. "They had to find Snow White and Cinderella," Tim Bumb says, "and that was George and I." Other allegations were more dubious: Investigators chased after a tip that the Bumbs were skimming cash from the Flea Market parking lot, an accusation that was never proven. `He drives by every day on his way to his Maverick Consulting development business in Mountain View, but he never gets off the Brokaw/First Street exit to pay a visit. FROM THE START, Jeff's three brothers and father didn't share his enthusiasm for opening a lavish gaming house. You know the school we went to?" A nurse was present to monitor his condition. "I don't need their help," he barked at Werner. Bryant, who acts as emissary for the family and its patriarch, thinks the Bumbs are a misunderstood bunch. (That thing that involved Jeff when Bay 101 was scheduled to open but didn't.)" He followed that with suits alleging breach of contract, wrongful termination and misrepresentation. Originally he was scheduled for questioning on March 10, 1997, but the old man's lawyers explained that their client was extremely ill, suffering from "severe life-threatening conditions," practically on his death bed. attorney Frank Ubhaus asked the Bumb patriarch. And then police remembered the old rumors about a murder plot at the Flea Market, where Venzon had worked as a security guard for more than 15 years. But he didn't cash out. "He worked for me." And as with any divorce, embarrassing private details about the family and its businesses made their way into the public record. But the Bumbs are hardly traditional political players. Jeff signed a deal with his brothers that prohibited him from owning Bay 101 stock until he got all the necessary licenses. (In one case, George Bumb Sr. loaned Jeff $31,250 in 1992 for his son to invest in Bay 101.) Police reports would suggest she had, "for about a year," been giving "blow jobs" to 19-year-old Matthew Bumb, son of George Bumb Jr. Snow White or Cinderella? Tim now runs Bay 101, which he says is no easy task. But he didn't cash out. He demanded $10 million from his brothers to compensate him for violating the purported secret Bay 101 deal. "He worked for me." He followed that with suits alleging breach of contract, wrongful termination and misrepresentation. "They didn't teach anything about this. "Hell, no," George Bumb replied. But Jeff says the loan dispute screwed up their moving plans. "He worked for me." He followed that with suits alleging breach of contract, wrongful termination and misrepresentation. Christopher Gardner In a fit, he took the paper he was writing on, crumpled it up and threw it out the office door. Matthew Bumb's attorney argued that the relationship was consensual. Tim and George Jr. would appeal and reapply, the hope being that the club would open as soon as possible. You think this didn't break my heart?" Eight days after the molestation incident was reported to police--and one day after Jeff Bumb formally refused his father's $6.9 million buyout offer--George Bumb Sr. sent Jeff a curt typewritten memo informing Jeff that he was terminated effective immediately and had to clean out his desk before 5pm. Three years ago, the Mercury News listed the Bumb family in the Top 10 of the valley's most generous political contributors. ON AUG. 11, 1995, Jeff sat in his Flea Market office scribbling on a piece of paper, plotting his grand return to his peach palace. Christopher Gardner Even though all the lights were out, she told police that she knew it was Matthew "because the moonlight shined into the room through the large windows that faced the ocean." And for nearly a month, they did. Other allegations were more dubious: Investigators chased after a tip that the Bumbs were skimming cash from the Flea Market parking lot, an accusation that was never proven. On March 17, 1993, the City Council gave Bumb and his partners the green light to open a 40-table card room on a 10-acre plot of land off U.S 101. Behind the scenes, the Bumbs suspected their potential gambling competitors and a disgruntled former Flea Market employee of giving investigators unsubstantiated material to use against them. According to Jeff, there was tremendous pressure from his father and others in the family to keep the incest a secret. According to Jeff, there was tremendous pressure from his father and others in the family to keep the incest a secret. Well, George, whether you want to believe it or not I do love you and you are like a father to me." He demanded $10 million from his brothers to compensate him for violating the purported secret Bay 101 deal. The Bumbs had a plenty of experience with a cash business through the Flea Market, which they've run for almost 40 years. Jeff signed a deal with his brothers that prohibited him from owning Bay 101 stock until he got all the necessary licenses. He also runs day-to-day operations at the family-owned Flea Market. George Bumb Jr., the quiet one with a flair for things mechanical, was already at the controls of Air One Helicopter. When Werner broke the news that Jeff's brothers wouldn't write a letter on his behalf, he says Jeff became furious. "We made it very clear to Jeff and everybody else concerned," Tim says, "that I'm not going to stick my neck on the line here. Soon after his confession, the word started spreading in the family about what happened. George Bumb Sr.'s loan-repayment demands came in July 1996, just as his oldest son and his wife were about to move to Los Gatos and break away from the family and its eastside enclave. "Could he [Jeff] do any other work on his own behalf?" Christopher Gardner That promised to be a hard sell to the San Jose City Council, which would have to authorize both the new site and the expansion. But Jeff was confident. You know the school we went to?" But Jeff says that privately he and his brothers had an oral agreement--which Tim Bumb now corroborates--that would one day let him repurchase his shares and become a partner in Bay 101 again. She recalled that she was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt covered by a blanket. And then police remembered the old rumors about a murder plot at the Flea Market, where Venzon had worked as a security guard for more than 15 years. Jeff tells the story differently: "Matthew was my godson. You know the school we went to?" You think this didn't break my heart?" Tim and George Jr. worried that pressuring state and city officials to deal Jeff back in at Bay 101 would backfire and authorities would close down the card room. "We made it very clear to Jeff and everybody else concerned," Tim says, "that I'm not going to stick my neck on the line here. A nurse was present to monitor his condition. And that ain't happening because I can't afford it." Jeff entertained offers to buy the club, the highest bid, he recalls, coming in at $40 million. Bumb family attorney Ron Werner suggested that Jeff and his family had a hidden motive for waiting nearly a month to report the incident to police. In February 1994, nearly one year after the San Jose City Council gave Bay 101 its blessing, the state denied the Bumbs and their partners' gaming license application. George Bumb Sr.'s loan-repayment demands came in July 1996, just as his oldest son and his wife were about to move to Los Gatos and break away from the family and its eastside enclave. Before the end of the month, the Flea Market laid off Jeff's daughters Anne and Rebecca. Though authorities were never able to prove a paid snuff plot, Jeff Bumb believes the allegations were a factor contributing to authorities' mistrust of him. Eight months later, the frame of the weapon was found in a Salinas pond near Venzon's home with the barrel and slide missing. Almost four months later, on July 21, 1998, George Bumb Sr. appeared in the downtown offices of Berliner Cohen to have his deposition taken. And then police remembered the old rumors about a murder plot at the Flea Market, where Venzon had worked as a security guard for more than 15 years. Christopher Gardner But Jeff says that privately he and his brothers had an oral agreement--which Tim Bumb now corroborates--that would one day let him repurchase his shares and become a partner in Bay 101 again. Within weeks, Jeff says, his six-month-old dog was dead, his cat was dead and the tires of a family car were slashed. VENZON WAS well known to the Bumbs. Originally he was scheduled for questioning on March 10, 1997, but the old man's lawyers explained that their client was extremely ill, suffering from "severe life-threatening conditions," practically on his death bed. Hamilton, where Latin mass is conducted on a regular basis. Or at least he thought he didn't. (In one case, George Bumb Sr. loaned Jeff $31,250 in 1992 for his son to invest in Bay 101.) Jeff Bumb says he believes that state and local investigators at the time of Bay 101's limbo were investigating a rumor that Jeff had tried to get someone killed, a charge Jeff denies. And then police remembered the old rumors about a murder plot at the Flea Market, where Venzon had worked as a security guard for more than 15 years. They recorded the conversation. But Jeff says the loan dispute screwed up their moving plans. "He worked for me." And for nearly a month, they did. Unlike other partners, neither Jeff nor Brian had buyback provisions in their written agreements, an intentional omission meant to appease state gaming officials who wanted them out of the picture. Preventive Medicine: George Bumb Jr. is a co-owner of Bay 101, where a snakebite kit is kept on-hand as a family joke. Soon after his confession, the word started spreading in the family about what happened. Earlier this year, a month before Venzon was sentenced to 14 years in prison, district attorney investigator Michael Schembri closed out the Venzon case, noting in a court filing, "No new information has been uncovered relating to the murder for hire case [at the Flea Market] which our department investigated several years ago." After learning of the incident, Jeff and wife Elizabeth did not report the matter to police immediately. He also disputes that such a letter was even necessary for Jeff to get licensed. And Jeff himself had been playing poker since he was 12. Along the way, Jeff raised the ante, hiring Frank Ubhaus, a lawyer who represented Garden City card club, Bay 101's crosstown rival. On Nov. 8, 1995, attorney Albin Danell, Elizabeth's brother-in-law, contacted the police, apparently after consulting with Elizabeth.
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