attorney Frank Ubhaus asked the Bumb patriarch. Jeff entertained offers to buy the club, the highest bid, he recalls, coming in at $40 million. And Brian, the handsome and gregarious youngest brother, was in charge of day-to-day operations at the Flea Market. She is seen as one of the most successful Lawyer of all times. Ultimately, the charges against the older Bumb were reduced to a misdemeanor. You think this didn't break my heart?" Jeff entertained offers to buy the club, the highest bid, he recalls, coming in at $40 million. A FEW DAYS AFTER returning from his son's Oct. 13, 1995, military graduation in San Diego, Jeff and his wife, Elizabeth, got some appalling news: Their 14-year-old daughter had been involved in a sexual relationship with an older male cousin. 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. A nurse was present to monitor his condition. The state, still busy conducting background checks, still hadn't approved the Bumbs and their partners' gaming licenses. Soon after his confession, the word started spreading in the family about what happened. A nurse was present to monitor his condition. 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. Almost four months later, on July 21, 1998, George Bumb Sr. appeared in the downtown offices of Berliner Cohen to have his deposition taken. "I mean," Jeff later said at a deposition, "it was a time of hurt and heartache for us--and not my father, not my mother, not my brother George, not my brother Tim, not Brian could care less." (That thing that involved Jeff when Bay 101 was scheduled to open but didn't.)" And there were gamblers everywhere who had come looking for some action. A FEW DAYS AFTER returning from his son's Oct. 13, 1995, military graduation in San Diego, Jeff and his wife, Elizabeth, got some appalling news: Their 14-year-old daughter had been involved in a sexual relationship with an older male cousin. 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. EVERY DAY THE CLUB stayed closed, the Bumbs lost more money. And Jeff himself had been playing poker since he was 12. Meanwhile, Jeff and his lawyers spent 15 months trying get his father to appear at a deposition. After learning of the incident, Jeff and wife Elizabeth did not report the matter to police immediately. The ensuing delay forced Jeff Bumb to lay off 600 workers he had hired. The teenagers had been drinking booze earlier in the night. According to Werner, molestation of his daughter became part of a laundry list of damning things Jeff threatened to disclose if his buy-out demands weren't met. ALL TOGETHER, the intrafamily litigation has spanned nearly three years. Finally, in July 1994, the state cleared Tim and George and gave them a conditional OK to let the games begin. Privacy hasn't been so easy to come by for the Bumbs in the '90s, since they got involved in Bay 101. A blue knit polo shirt covers his stocky 52-year-old frame. 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. "It's a very strong family. "I don't need their help," he barked at Werner. Matthew is the kind of guy a relative described to police as "polite," the guy parents wanted their daughters to date. He was also the kind of guy, police records reveal, who told his mother about the incidents "because he felt guilty." 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 was also the kind of guy, police records reveal, who told his mother about the incidents "because he felt guilty." 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. Initially, police filed felony charges against Matthew Bumb for having oral sex with a minor and penetrating her with his fingers. He was also the kind of guy, police records reveal, who told his mother about the incidents "because he felt guilty." In 1970, Patrick teamed up with several musicians from around San Jose who had a band . When Werner broke the news that Jeff's brothers wouldn't write a letter on his behalf, he says Jeff became furious. 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. "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." When family patriarch and Flea Market mastermind George Bumb Sr. was invited to attend a party with President Clinton in San Francisco a couple of years ago, he refused to go and sent his community relations specialist, Betsy Bryant, instead. Or at least he thought he didn't. "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." "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. Or at least he thought he didn't. "They had to find Snow White and Cinderella," Tim Bumb says, "and that was George and I." In the last five years, the Bumb family and its enterprises have been investigated for illegal political campaign contributions, an alleged profit-skimming racket out at the Berryessa Flea Market and even a murder-for-hire scheme involving Johnny Venzon, a former cop, convicted thief and gambling addict. Of the four brothers, Tim and George had faced the least resistance from state gaming officials. He also disputes that such a letter was even necessary for Jeff to get licensed. And Brian, the handsome and gregarious youngest brother, was in charge of day-to-day operations at the Flea Market. In fact, on the day he was arrested, records show that Venzon pawned a 14-karat-gold diamond cluster ring and a ladies' gold tennis bracelet for a total of $298 at American Precious Metals, a jewelry store at the Flea Market run by Joseph Bumb. "My wife broke the code," he says, "and I supported her." Soon after his confession, the word started spreading in the family about what happened. Nadia Turner Money, Net Worth. But Jeff was confident. she said, referring to the family-run Catholic school at the Flea Market. And he [Jeff] wants me to violate the condition which says in it that I sign away my rights and they close us down. A nurse was present to monitor his condition. 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. 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." Over the years, he had developed working relationships with the city's politicians and bureaucrats. 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. They recorded the conversation. "They had to find Snow White and Cinderella," Tim Bumb says, "and that was George and I." But Jeff says the loan dispute screwed up their moving plans. Jeff entertained offers to buy the club, the highest bid, he recalls, coming in at $40 million. OK--we didn't get out--OK? "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. Tim now runs Bay 101, which he says is no easy task. And for nearly a month, they did. 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. For all his quirks and controlling behavior, the old man is regarded as a benefactor by most family members and some Flea Market employees who know their boss to be capable of great generosity. There were flowers everywhere. Snow White or Cinderella? But the Bumbs are hardly traditional political players. The elder Bumb may not have been feeling well, but he wasn't too sick to remember who was boss in this family. Matthew Bumb's attorney argued that the relationship was consensual. Well, guess what? Christopher Gardner Along the way, Jeff raised the ante, hiring Frank Ubhaus, a lawyer who represented Garden City card club, Bay 101's crosstown rival. Christopher Gardner 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. Well, George, whether you want to believe it or not I do love you and you are like a father to me." "Could he [Jeff] do any other work on his own behalf?" 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. "He took care of it." I'm on the hook for $15 million. Tim and George Jr. would appeal and reapply, the hope being that the club would open as soon as possible. (In one case, George Bumb Sr. loaned Jeff $31,250 in 1992 for his son to invest in Bay 101.) Along the way, Jeff raised the ante, hiring Frank Ubhaus, a lawyer who represented Garden City card club, Bay 101's crosstown rival. Matthew is the kind of guy a relative described to police as "polite," the guy parents wanted their daughters to date. 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. Now that their gaming license had been denied, a decision needed to be made--quickly. And he [Jeff] wants me to violate the condition which says in it that I sign away my rights and they close us down. Dealers stood at the tables, ready to deal the cards. "He worked for me." And it was very explicit in there that no Bumbs could have anything to do with the club. The guy doesn't get a slap on the hand." Meanwhile, Jeff and his lawyers spent 15 months trying get his father to appear at a deposition. "It's a very strong family. Before the end of the month, the Flea Market laid off Jeff's daughters Anne and Rebecca. 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. 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. And then, just when it seemed as though family relations couldn't get any worse, they did. There were flowers everywhere. "And I told you that I loved you and you are like a father to me. Christopher Gardner "He took care of it." The two, she said, never talked about what was going on while it was happening. Before the end of the month, the Flea Market laid off Jeff's daughters Anne and Rebecca. A FEW DAYS AFTER returning from his son's Oct. 13, 1995, military graduation in San Diego, Jeff and his wife, Elizabeth, got some appalling news: Their 14-year-old daughter had been involved in a sexual relationship with an older male cousin. And that ain't happening because I can't afford it." attorney Frank Ubhaus asked the Bumb patriarch. Or at least he thought he didn't. Ultimately, the charges against the older Bumb were reduced to a misdemeanor. Now that their gaming license had been denied, a decision needed to be made--quickly. 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. Toward the end of the call, things got heated. According to Werner, molestation of his daughter became part of a laundry list of damning things Jeff threatened to disclose if his buy-out demands weren't met. Eight months later, the frame of the weapon was found in a Salinas pond near Venzon's home with the barrel and slide missing. "Hell, no," George Bumb replied. And Brian, the handsome and gregarious youngest brother, was in charge of day-to-day operations at the Flea Market. Preventive Medicine: George Bumb Jr. is a co-owner of Bay 101, where a snakebite kit is kept on-hand as a family joke. "I don't need their help," he barked at Werner. 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. And for nearly a month, they did. And then there's the stuff that never made it into headlines, like the alleged murder-for-hire plot out at the Flea Market. 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. At one point in the investigation, sheriff's detectives had Jeff's daughter call Matthew while he was working at the Flea Market to confirm the sexual activities. First, Jeff tried to have the Bumb & Associates partnership dissolved after accusing his family of trying to force him out without paying him a fair price. The teenagers had been drinking booze earlier in the night. "They had to find Snow White and Cinderella," Tim Bumb says, "and that was George and I." The district attorney's office says that Bumb attorney Ron Werner turned the letter over to authorities immediately after it came in the mail. But Jeff says the loan dispute screwed up their moving plans. Along the way, Jeff raised the ante, hiring Frank Ubhaus, a lawyer who represented Garden City card club, Bay 101's crosstown rival. Near the end Venzon writes, "They want to bring up the 'murder-for-hire' investigation again. 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. Now that their gaming license had been denied, a decision needed to be made--quickly. "Hell, no," George Bumb replied. His crimes included taking valuables from the bereaved family members of dead crime victims while pretending to console them. She told police about at least seven other sexual encounters she had with her cousin after that. Christopher Gardner And for nearly a month, they did. She recalled that she was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt covered by a blanket. When he was jailed, the desperate cop wrote a 15-page handwritten letter in pencil to George Bumb in May 1997 asking the Flea Market owner to bail him out. Along the way, Jeff raised the ante, hiring Frank Ubhaus, a lawyer who represented Garden City card club, Bay 101's crosstown rival. Whenever trouble arose at the Flea Market with city code or building inspectors, the Bumbs sent Jeff to settle things. You know the school we went to?" They recorded the conversation. EIGHT MONTHS AFTER its approval by the City Council, the peach-colored Bay 101 held its "grand opening." EVERY DAY THE CLUB stayed closed, the Bumbs lost more money. 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. attorney Frank Ubhaus asked the Bumb patriarch. Werner said no. But Jeff says the loan dispute screwed up their moving plans. They recorded the conversation. Christopher Gardner He started telling people around the office that he wanted out of the family business. The investigation was given a shot in the arm after the arrest of Johnny Venzon in 1997, a cop who made headlines for burglarizing homes while on duty to pay for his mounting gambling debts. "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. The couple even had a purchase contract for a $850,000 house on Golf Links Road. Jeff tells the story differently: "Matthew was my godson. He asked longtime family attorney Ron Werner if his brothers could write a recommendation letter for him, something state officials had told him he would need to be considered eligible for a gaming license. And for nearly a month, they did. Matthew is the kind of guy a relative described to police as "polite," the guy parents wanted their daughters to date. Well, guess what? According to Werner, molestation of his daughter became part of a laundry list of damning things Jeff threatened to disclose if his buy-out demands weren't met. Initially, police filed felony charges against Matthew Bumb for having oral sex with a minor and penetrating her with his fingers. "They had to find Snow White and Cinderella," Tim Bumb says, "and that was George and I." There were flowers everywhere. "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." to use this representational knowledge to guide current and future action. I'm on the hook for $15 million. In fact, Tim and George had to agree not to collaborate with other Bumbs on any new business venture. Initially, police filed felony charges against Matthew Bumb for having oral sex with a minor and penetrating her with his fingers. It wasn't the money, either. He followed that with suits alleging breach of contract, wrongful termination and misrepresentation. 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. 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. Tim Bumb says writing a letter on Jeff's behalf would have violated the agreement with the police chief and put the club in jeopardy. 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." FROM THE START, Jeff's three brothers and father didn't share his enthusiasm for opening a lavish gaming house. "Hell, no," George Bumb replied. 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. Tim, the second youngest of George Bumb's four boys, was already running the family toy business, Fact Games, and Premium Pet Stores. Christopher Gardner He wanted to relocate and expand Sutter's Place in Alviso from a five-table card room to a 40-table one, matching the size of Northern California's largest card room, Garden City in San Jose. And for nearly a month, they did. (Tim Bumb, the school's director, says it was put there to save on rent. In fact, Tim and George had to agree not to collaborate with other Bumbs on any new business venture. The couple even had a purchase contract for a $850,000 house on Golf Links Road. 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. He followed that with suits alleging breach of contract, wrongful termination and misrepresentation. "He worked for me." The guy doesn't get a slap on the hand." In fact, Tim and George had to agree not to collaborate with other Bumbs on any new business venture. 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. Preventive Medicine: George Bumb Jr. is a co-owner of Bay 101, where a snakebite kit is kept on-hand as a family joke. When Jeff and Brian were denied licenses for Bay 101, Tim (above) and brother George Jr. jumped in. Just so everyone got the point, Jeff Bumb announced to the press that he and Brian were divesting from Bay 101, and records show he eventually sold his shares for $1.4 million. George Bumb Jr., the quiet one with a flair for things mechanical, was already at the controls of Air One Helicopter. Jeff didn't mind, though. 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." At one point in the investigation, sheriff's detectives had Jeff's daughter call Matthew while he was working at the Flea Market to confirm the sexual activities. The elder Bumb may not have been feeling well, but he wasn't too sick to remember who was boss in this family. 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. VENZON WAS well known to the Bumbs. Jeff entertained offers to buy the club, the highest bid, he recalls, coming in at $40 million. Their pun-afflicted surname adds to the hillbilly mystique. 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. ALL TOGETHER, the intrafamily litigation has spanned nearly three years. Christopher Gardner In her 10 years as the Flea Market's community relations specialist, Bryant has come to adore the lack of pretension among this clan of millionaires who have their offices in a mobile home where none of the furniture seems to match. The court saga evolved into a battle of wills between a father--a man who wouldn't even let the Vatican tell him what to do--and his oldest son, determined to break free from the old man's grasp. 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. It's like we had no life except for the family." [ San Jose | Metroactive Central | Archives ] The court saga evolved into a battle of wills between a father--a man who wouldn't even let the Vatican tell him what to do--and his oldest son, determined to break free from the old man's grasp. Tim Bumb says writing a letter on Jeff's behalf would have violated the agreement with the police chief and put the club in jeopardy. She recalled that she was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt covered by a blanket.
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