NLV criticizes real estate firm’s letter to residents

Tuesday, March 8, 2005 | 8:48 a.m.

North Las Vegas has accused an investment company of misleading residents about the safety of a neighborhood and of falsely saying the city plans to use its power to seize homes.

The city announced it will send out 1,000 letters today to residents in response to a Feb. 24 letter mailed out by North Las Vegas-based Westside Reinvestment Co. In its letter, the city told residents it is considering legal action against the company, which it accused of spreading "false and misleading" information. The company doesn't even have a license to do business in North Las Vegas and faces misdemeanor charges, officials said.

"We are trying to set the record straight," said North Las Vegas spokeswoman Brenda Johnson. "We don't want people getting false information about their most important possession -- their home."

Curtis Briley, the manager of the investment consulting company, said he's shocked by the city's response to his letter and maintains he's done nothing improper. He said he learned of the city's accusations after he was notified by the Las Vegas Sun. He said he has a license to operate in North Las Vegas.

"I am not concerned because I haven't done anything wrong," said Briley, chairman of the Nevada chapter of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers. "Somebody with the city put this out of context. They can make whatever they want. They will have to correct it."

Westside's Feb. 24 letter obtained from the city tells residents of the company's interest in acquiring their property. The company said it obtained information that the city demanded the homes in the neighborhood be improved to comply with city codes, otherwise North Las Vegas will use its power of eminent domain to seize the property in court.

"Their report is that there are too many boarded up homes, and homes in run-down conditions," the Westside letter said. "The community is being declared unsafe for a healthy living environment."

The city mailed a letter to residents in an area bounded by Carey Avenue, Comstock Drive, Lake Mead Boulevard and and Simmons Street. In it, city officials took issue with Westside calling the community unsafe and also said the allegation that the city plans to use its power of eminent domain in the neighborhood is false.

Johnson said city officials don't know the motivation behind the letter but are concerned residents may try to sell their homes based on the information from Westside.

"We are worried people will make financial decisions on inaccurate information," Johnson said.

Briley said the letter was sent to about 25 owners of homes that were boarded up and had code violations, not to hundreds of property owners.

Briley said he obtained the information about code violations from the city and sent out the letters as a public service to help clean up blighted areas in a community where he resides. He said that is part of the mission of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers.

"I am trying to help, and now I am being vilified," Briley said.

North Las Vegas City Manager Gregory Rose said he doesn't know how many residents received Westside's letter. He said the city learned about it Thursday when a concerned resident gave one to a city employee. Rose said he doesn't know how many properties in the neighborhood are boarded up and have code violations, but he said it is wrong to call the area unsafe or unhealthy.

The city doesn't use its power of eminent domain to seize properties that have code violations, Rose said, but goes to court to get the owner to comply. It will place liens on the property if the city corrects violations, he said.