Any Pelican attorneys in the Socal area that can give me some advice to steer me in the right direction?
I just need some brief telephone/email advice. I can trade my Porsche mechanical and sheet metal repair skills.
Brief synopsis:
1. Landlord will not respond to demand for payment; return of security deposit.
2. Small claims filed; trial tomorrow. (6 months after the deposit return was due)
3. Landlord filed Notice of Stay last Friday. reason: Bankruptcy Chapter 7 (petition filed last November)
4. Found my name on list of creditors yesterday with a bogus address. (saw other names of tenants with bogus addresses)
5. Trustee says there is no money or says he can't find it.
So here's the thing. I want to proceed and get a judgement against this joker.
The landlord has at least 4 properties I know of that she bought in the boom and is not paying for. She's still collecting rent on the properties and the banks are trying to get motions of relief from the stays so they can foreclose and move on.
It's doubtful I'll ever see my $5300 but I still want a judgement against her.
Can I file fraud or theft charges with USBC to remove the stay so I can proceed with my small claims? I believe she knowingly deceived the court process with bogus addresses for creditors. I paid rent at the same address for 3 years other tenants even longer. She amazingly somehow got my address correct for filing a Stay but couldn't get mine or other previous tenants (creditors) addresses correct so they could be notified of the Bankruptcy.
Small Claims trial is tomorrow. Should I try to get another reset?
This lady has probably stolen $50k in security deposits. Should I contact the DA? She must be hiding money somewhere. She's collecting rent on properties that she's not paying for.
I'm broke as can be right now but I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.
TIA Bobby