In addition to being lawless, destructive, violent and mean, it looks like some members of the Bundy Gang have difficulty managing their finances, and the properties they've been entrusted with.
The Idaho Statesman reports that Brandon Curtiss, Malheur malcontent and founder of the III Percenters militia group, is declaring bankruptcy just after doing so in 2009.
The bulk of Curtiss’ $186,286 in credit card debt, collection agency charges and bank loans were incurred between 2013 and 2015, according to bankruptcy court documents. Of that, $84,458 was for vehicle leases taken out in 2014 and 2015: a 2015 Dodge Ram pickup, a 2012 Chrysler car and a 2014 Open Range travel trailer. The pickup and the trailer were leased by the property management company, which is not involved in the bankruptcy.
There was also $31,377 in medical charges. The largest bill, $24,011 from St. Luke’s, was incurred in November.
Curtiss also owes $1,800 in child support payments dating back to 1992, according to the petition.
He listed $2,300 in monthly income from his business. His wife listed $3,700 in monthly income from her work as a hair stylist.
Those new vehicles are a real kicker, aren't they? Must be nice to declare bankruptcy and somehow score a couple of new vehicles not too long after.
But here's the thing. Curtiss billed himself as a Big Property Manager, and now he's being sued for allegedly keeping some of the rents he was supposed to have only collected.
A Portland-area couple, Aaron and Leslie Boyce, hired Curtiss in March 2013 to manage two four-plex apartment buildings they bought near West Fairview Avenue and North Cloverdale Road. Curtiss found tenants for the newly built units and collected security deposits and $6,670 in monthly rent. He was paid 5 percent as his monthly fee.
Curtiss made accounting mistakes that led to shortages in the amount of money he turned over to the Boyces, they said. For instance, they said, one tenant was charged pro-rated rent rather than the full amount. The owners also claimed they were charged for utility costs that should have been billed to the tenants and that he improperly retained late fees.
By September 2013, Curtiss failed to remit any rent money, although he claimed to have twice mailed checks to the Boyces. He said he used an overnight delivery service but had no receipts. He later made a partial payment but continued to collect rents after the Boyces canceled their contract and had another management company take over, according to court records.
In a civil case decided late last year, Ada County District Judge Patrick Owen awarded the Boyces $19,726, plus $48,823 in attorney fees and costs. The judgment was against the property management company, so it is not part of the bankruptcy.
I'm sure Curtiss will find his way out of this one, leaving more people screwed in his wake. The whole "sovereign citizen" militia movement is nothing more than a bunch of bullies with guns and no sense of decency or responsibility.
At least I'll take solace knowing he won't be leasing any new trucks anytime soon.
Oh, one other thing. He probably could have avoided racking up that medical debt if he'd bothered to sign up for health insurance under the ACA.
(h/t Raw Story)
