In 2003 Terrell Dotson owed CA $546 in taxes and lost his house

[Coexist]

That was four tax years ago. They auctioned it off without notifying him.

John and Cindy McCain didn't pay their taxes in California about that same time.
... and again the following year.
... and again the following year.
... and again the following year.

Then they get to send a check and be done with it? I think we need to contact Terrell and have him tell his story, don't you?

http://www.usndemvet.com/blog/archives/000309.html

For $546 dollars, LA gets some satisfaction, and another Vet gets the shaft

From the LA Times (login gorevidal/gorevidal). It seems that Terrell Dotson a WWII vet who was a proud homeowner somehow managed to not pay LA a tax bill of $546 dollars and had his house sold out from underneath him at a tax auction without even knowing that it had happened. Now he lives like a homeless person, and although everyone seems to admit he got screwed by the City/County/whatever of Los Angeles, he ends up with the short end of the stick.

The minimum bid for the one-bedroom, one-bathroom Inglewood condominium was just $4,287 -- enough to pay back taxes, interest, penalties and the costs of selling the property. The county was selling the condo because, seven years ago, Dotson failed to pay one $546.81 tax bill.
When the bidding hit $81,000, the auctioneer bellowed, "Sold!"
With that, Terrell Dotson, an Army veteran of World War II, lost the home he had paid for in full -- and all that came with it. "I bought this thinking I'd have lifetime security," said Dotson, a diabetic who also has cancer. "I got a big surprise." ... In an odd twist, the county now owes Dotson money -- the tax payments he made after the condo was sold, as well as the difference between the delinquent bill and the sale price. He stands to get at least $55,000, which in Los Angeles won't buy much.
Thomas and Taylor continue pushing, hoping for the return of his property, for compensation or at the least for an attorney who can assist them. They believe the sale should be revoked because of diminished capacity.

The proud veteran is not ready to surrender to age, to be defeated by need. He rejects suggestions that would place him in the care of others. There is much he can still do: He drives to doctor's appointments, gives himself daily injections of insulin, visits the senior center.
...
For Dotson, time is running out. Under state law, former property owners have a year to contest a tax sale in court. Dotson's year ends in March.

"I want my property back," he said. "Then, when I get it back, let me think about what I'm supposed to do."

A retired, hardworking WWII veteran misses out on the complexities of the property tax rules. Darn pesky cash-paying homeowners, if he'd just had a mortgage the bank would have been getting their fees to take care of those pesky payments. It's nice to see a government with a heart.

Any attorneys out in LA who can help this guy out, he did his part, can you do yours? It's not like there's a shortage of lawyers in this country and Mr. Dotson stepped up when he was needed, can someone do the same for him?

Mr. Dotson got his home back

The Inglewood condominium that Dotson had owned free and clear was sold at a tax auction after the World War II veteran failed to pay a $546 tax bill that he
and his supporters say he did not know he owed.

His supporters argued that Dotson's record of paying his bills in person, and the fact that he owned his house, should have indicated that he was not a scofflaw, but was someone who might need assistance.

After reading of his situation, people donated thousands of dollars and the office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke helped negotiate a deal that allowed Dotson, who had been left homeless, to buy back his condo.

Dotson's story prompted the Los Angeles County treasurer and tax collector to implement several changes to help keep other homes off the auction block.

The office redesigned property tax bills, making it easier for a property owner to know when a bill is delinquent. It also said that, in some cases, county staff members should have face-to-face interviews with homeowners to resolve possible problems.

So - did the McCain's get their 'face to face' to resolve their issues?

[FrenchieCat]

1. Sounds like an excellent idea!

[Dammit Ann]

2. This needs to be sent to KO.

rec.

[nc4bo]

7. Yes it does! n/t

[ulysses]

3. this needs to get out there in a big way.

[EFerrari]

4. How can it be legal for his home to be auctioned without notification?

There's something wrong with this story.

Every day there's a new one about how well we treat our veterans. :grr:

edit: house->home

[Coexist]

8. there is a fee for the story, but you can purchase the entire thing

at the LA Times.

He paid his taxes in person was the main problem somehow. They never mailed him a bill, he just went to the tax office around the same time each year.

That, and the fact that he owned his condo in full, so no escrow, somehow made him seem like a risk. It makes no sense. Luckily, he got lots of press and some rules changed.

[dems_rightnow]

5. Mr. Dotson got his home back..

.... in 2003. Thanks to a generous public and the Inglewood Police Department.

[Coexist]

6. awesome! Why didn't they take John McCain's?