Appraiser connected to Crisp & Cole to contest allegations
| Thursday, Nov 20 2008 05:41 PM
Last Updated Friday, Mar 27 2009 01:39 PM
Bakersfield real estate appraiser Kirksey J. “Mark” Newton Jr. has hired an attorney and plans to defend himself against accusations filed against him earlier this month by state regulators.
“We disagree with the allegations,” said Sacramento lawyer Mark A. Wasser.
Papers requesting a hearing have been filed, Wasser said, but no date has been set yet.
The state’s complaint alleges Newton, owner of San Joaquin Appraisals Inc., created “misleading or fraudulent” reports for eight properties between 2005 and 2007.
Five of the sites were connected to the former Crisp & Cole Real Estate operation, for which Newton has previously said he appraised more than 200 properties.
Last fall, Newton’s offices were among 13 local sites related to Crisp and Cole that were raided by FBI and IRS agents. No charges have been filed in the ongoing federal investigation.
