Deputy chief Tom Wheatley says that police wondered if Venzon, or someone, destroyed the barrel to prevent a ballistics test from tracing a fired bullet to the gun. Metroactive News & Issues | The Bumb Family And Jeff himself had been playing poker since he was 12. "I don't need their help," he barked at Werner. VENZON WAS well known to the Bumbs. I'm on the hook for $15 million. Initially, police filed felony charges against Matthew Bumb for having oral sex with a minor and penetrating her with his fingers. The two, she said, never talked about what was going on while it was happening. And then there's the stuff that never made it into headlines, like the alleged murder-for-hire plot out at the Flea Market. It wasn't the money, either. Earlier this year, a month before Venzon was sentenced to 14 years in prison, district attorney investigator Michael Schembri closed out the Venzon case, noting in a court filing, "No new information has been uncovered relating to the murder for hire case [at the Flea Market] which our department investigated several years ago." EIGHT MONTHS AFTER its approval by the City Council, the peach-colored Bay 101 held its "grand opening." But there was no gambling done that night. The guy doesn't get a slap on the hand." Well, guess what? Or at least he thought he didn't. At one point in the investigation, sheriff's detectives had Jeff's daughter call Matthew while he was working at the Flea Market to confirm the sexual activities. Meanwhile, Jeff and his lawyers spent 15 months trying get his father to appear at a deposition. Jeff tells the story differently: "Matthew was my godson. He followed that with suits alleging breach of contract, wrongful termination and misrepresentation. Whenever trouble arose at the Flea Market with city code or building inspectors, the Bumbs sent Jeff to settle things. ON AUG. 11, 1995, Jeff sat in his Flea Market office scribbling on a piece of paper, plotting his grand return to his peach palace. she said, referring to the family-run Catholic school at the Flea Market. (In one case, George Bumb Sr. loaned Jeff $31,250 in 1992 for his son to invest in Bay 101.) It's like we had no life except for the family." EVERY DAY THE CLUB stayed closed, the Bumbs lost more money. Before the end of the month, the Flea Market laid off Jeff's daughters Anne and Rebecca. Before the end of the month, the Flea Market laid off Jeff's daughters Anne and Rebecca. If all this weren't enough, a sexual relationship between his 14-year-old daughter and a 19-year-old Bumb cousin was reported to police, slicing the family's cherished privacy wide open for the world to see. It wasn't the money, either. ALL TOGETHER, the intrafamily litigation has spanned nearly three years. About 20 percent of the 130 students there are Bumb relatives.) Almost four months later, on July 21, 1998, George Bumb Sr. appeared in the downtown offices of Berliner Cohen to have his deposition taken. AN ATTORNEY involved likened the whole contentious affair to a divorce. Finally, in July 1994, the state cleared Tim and George and gave them a conditional OK to let the games begin. The state, still busy conducting background checks, still hadn't approved the Bumbs and their partners' gaming licenses. They recorded the conversation. According to Werner, molestation of his daughter became part of a laundry list of damning things Jeff threatened to disclose if his buy-out demands weren't met. On Nov. 8, 1995, attorney Albin Danell, Elizabeth's brother-in-law, contacted the police, apparently after consulting with Elizabeth. As a compromise of sorts, he was debating whether he should apply for a license as a gaming-club manager instead of as an owner. During the Venzon investigation, San Jose police dug up an old file from November 1990 in which Venzon, a sheriff's deputy, had reported his department-issued Smith & Wesson 9 mm automatic stolen. Seven of George Bumb Sr.'s eight grown children reside in the eastside foothills within a mile or two of their father, often on the same block. In fact, on the day he was arrested, records show that Venzon pawned a 14-karat-gold diamond cluster ring and a ladies' gold tennis bracelet for a total of $298 at American Precious Metals, a jewelry store at the Flea Market run by Joseph Bumb. Now that their gaming license had been denied, a decision needed to be made--quickly. Well, George, whether you want to believe it or not I do love you and you are like a father to me." The card club has done more than bring unwanted public scrutiny to this insular group. His crimes included taking valuables from the bereaved family members of dead crime victims while pretending to console them. 1590 Berryessa Rd San Jose, CA 95133 1390 Berryessa Rd San Jose, CA 95133. You think this didn't break my heart?" "And I told you that I loved you and you are like a father to me. And as with any divorce, embarrassing private details about the family and its businesses made their way into the public record. Christopher Gardner George Bumb Jr., the quiet one with a flair for things mechanical, was already at the controls of Air One Helicopter. "It's a very strong family. "He took care of it." Though authorities were never able to prove a paid snuff plot, Jeff Bumb believes the allegations were a factor contributing to authorities' mistrust of him. It's like we had no life except for the family." "They didn't teach anything about this. Over the past year alone, Bumb & Associates and Bay 101 have given $56,000 to now-Attorney General Bill Lockyer, the man in charge of card-room regulation. Christopher Gardner In fact, on the day he was arrested, records show that Venzon pawned a 14-karat-gold diamond cluster ring and a ladies' gold tennis bracelet for a total of $298 at American Precious Metals, a jewelry store at the Flea Market run by Joseph Bumb. She recalled that she was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt covered by a blanket. Well, guess what? (That thing that involved Jeff when Bay 101 was scheduled to open but didn't.)" If all this weren't enough, a sexual relationship between his 14-year-old daughter and a 19-year-old Bumb cousin was reported to police, slicing the family's cherished privacy wide open for the world to see. The guy doesn't get a slap on the hand." "He worked for me." Within weeks, Jeff says, his six-month-old dog was dead, his cat was dead and the tires of a family car were slashed. Jeff signed a deal with his brothers that prohibited him from owning Bay 101 stock until he got all the necessary licenses. But Jeff says the loan dispute screwed up their moving plans. The Bumbs had a plenty of experience with a cash business through the Flea Market, which they've run for almost 40 years. He also pulled off an armed robbery of the Aloha Roller Palace. In a statement to police, Jeff's daughter recounted how the first incident had happened the year before on the Fourth of July at a family beach house near Santa Cruz when the older boy allegedly started fondling her while she was asleep on the living room couch. The teenagers had been drinking booze earlier in the night. He witnessed abundant items thrown away every day and realized he could make a profit from these discarded items. "My wife broke the code," he says, "and I supported her." The elder Bumb may not have been feeling well, but he wasn't too sick to remember who was boss in this family. "They had to find Snow White and Cinderella," Tim Bumb says, "and that was George and I." Still Standing: Jeff Bumb, Bay 101's ostracized founder, boasts that despite various local, state and federal investigations over the years he has emerged squeaky clean. One wag refers to them as "the Beverly Hillbillies of San Jose." He asked longtime family attorney Ron Werner if his brothers could write a recommendation letter for him, something state officials had told him he would need to be considered eligible for a gaming license. First, Jeff tried to have the Bumb & Associates partnership dissolved after accusing his family of trying to force him out without paying him a fair price. AN ATTORNEY involved likened the whole contentious affair to a divorce. A nurse was present to monitor his condition. Tim and George Jr. would appeal and reapply, the hope being that the club would open as soon as possible. But Jeff and his family started hearing that instead of showing concern and support for his daughter, George Bumb Sr. and others in the family were blaming his freshman daughter for the incident and not her adult-age cousin. And as with any divorce, embarrassing private details about the family and its businesses made their way into the public record. "And I told you that I loved you and you are like a father to me. She recalled that she was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt covered by a blanket. (That thing that involved Jeff when Bay 101 was scheduled to open but didn't.)" (That thing that involved Jeff when Bay 101 was scheduled to open but didn't.)" But he didn't cash out. ON AUG. 11, 1995, Jeff sat in his Flea Market office scribbling on a piece of paper, plotting his grand return to his peach palace. A FEW DAYS AFTER returning from his son's Oct. 13, 1995, military graduation in San Diego, Jeff and his wife, Elizabeth, got some appalling news: Their 14-year-old daughter had been involved in a sexual relationship with an older male cousin. During his long tenure at the Flea Market, Venzon apparently developed a close relationship with George Bumb Sr. EVERY DAY THE CLUB stayed closed, the Bumbs lost more money. And for nearly a month, they did. It's like we had no life except for the family." Werner said no. Or at least he thought he didn't. Jeff was also getting word from his nieces and nephews that his father said at a family poker game: "If it was up to him, all the grandchildren would marry each other." The gambling palace Jeff Bumb--the oldest son who is often described as the most entrepreneurial of the four brothers--had in mind was going to take a lot of effort and political skill. Police reports would suggest she had, "for about a year," been giving "blow jobs" to 19-year-old Matthew Bumb, son of George Bumb Jr. After learning of the incident, Jeff and wife Elizabeth did not report the matter to police immediately. Matthew Bumb's attorney argued that the relationship was consensual. "Hell, no," George Bumb replied. But he didn't cash out. Jeff was also getting word from his nieces and nephews that his father said at a family poker game: "If it was up to him, all the grandchildren would marry each other." The Bumbs' reputation as an unconventional, insular, wealthy, large brood keeps tongues in political circles flapping. It's like we had no life except for the family." He started telling people around the office that he wanted out of the family business. EVERY DAY THE CLUB stayed closed, the Bumbs lost more money. He chose the building's peachy-pink paint job, he says, because he wanted "a pleasant, welcoming earth tone." She told police about at least seven other sexual encounters she had with her cousin after that. AN ATTORNEY involved likened the whole contentious affair to a divorce. Eight days after the molestation incident was reported to police--and one day after Jeff Bumb formally refused his father's $6.9 million buyout offer--George Bumb Sr. sent Jeff a curt typewritten memo informing Jeff that he was terminated effective immediately and had to clean out his desk before 5pm. Tim Bumb says writing a letter on Jeff's behalf would have violated the agreement with the police chief and put the club in jeopardy. Jeff tells the story differently: "Matthew was my godson. EVERY DAY THE CLUB stayed closed, the Bumbs lost more money. But Jeff says the loan dispute screwed up their moving plans. The gambling palace Jeff Bumb--the oldest son who is often described as the most entrepreneurial of the four brothers--had in mind was going to take a lot of effort and political skill. Werner said no. She recalled that she was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt covered by a blanket. When Jeff and Brian were denied licenses for Bay 101, Tim (above) and brother George Jr. jumped in. First, Jeff tried to have the Bumb & Associates partnership dissolved after accusing his family of trying to force him out without paying him a fair price. Within weeks, Jeff says, his six-month-old dog was dead, his cat was dead and the tires of a family car were slashed. According to Werner, molestation of his daughter became part of a laundry list of damning things Jeff threatened to disclose if his buy-out demands weren't met. Initially, police filed felony charges against Matthew Bumb for having oral sex with a minor and penetrating her with his fingers. He followed that with suits alleging breach of contract, wrongful termination and misrepresentation. Bumb family attorney Ron Werner suggested that Jeff and his family had a hidden motive for waiting nearly a month to report the incident to police. ALL TOGETHER, the intrafamily litigation has spanned nearly three years. But there was no gambling done that night. And then, just when it seemed as though family relations couldn't get any worse, they did. "Hell, no," George Bumb replied. Jeff didn't mind, though. "They didn't teach anything about this. "It's making a whole lot of money," Bumb says of the club which city financial forecasters have predicted will gross $34.6 million this year, $11.5 million more than its cross-town rival, Garden City. In a statement to police, Jeff's daughter recounted how the first incident had happened the year before on the Fourth of July at a family beach house near Santa Cruz when the older boy allegedly started fondling her while she was asleep on the living room couch. Tim Bumb says writing a letter on Jeff's behalf would have violated the agreement with the police chief and put the club in jeopardy. Initially, police filed felony charges against Matthew Bumb for having oral sex with a minor and penetrating her with his fingers. The guy doesn't get a slap on the hand." But Jeff and his family started hearing that instead of showing concern and support for his daughter, George Bumb Sr. and others in the family were blaming his freshman daughter for the incident and not her adult-age cousin. But Jeff says the loan dispute screwed up their moving plans. Christopher Gardner Even though all the lights were out, she told police that she knew it was Matthew "because the moonlight shined into the room through the large windows that faced the ocean." I'm on the hook for $15 million. And then, just when it seemed as though family relations couldn't get any worse, they did. "Hell, no," George Bumb replied. But Jeff says that privately he and his brothers had an oral agreement--which Tim Bumb now corroborates--that would one day let him repurchase his shares and become a partner in Bay 101 again. One of George Bumb Sr.'s granddaughters explained to police that her family was very old-fashioned: "The woman gets the short end of the deal; she is a whore. And he [Jeff] wants me to violate the condition which says in it that I sign away my rights and they close us down. Or at least he thought he didn't. Tim and George, under pressure from then Police Chief Lou Cobarruviaz, had already signed an agreement a year earlier that prohibited Brian, Jeff and their father from having anything to do with the card room. It wasn't the idea of gambling. "Could he [Jeff] do any other work on his own behalf?" attorney Frank Ubhaus asked the Bumb patriarch. In February 1994, nearly one year after the San Jose City Council gave Bay 101 its blessing, the state denied the Bumbs and their partners' gaming license application. "They had to find Snow White and Cinderella," Tim Bumb says, "and that was George and I." During his long tenure at the Flea Market, Venzon apparently developed a close relationship with George Bumb Sr. And then, just when it seemed as though family relations couldn't get any worse, they did. She told police about at least seven other sexual encounters she had with her cousin after that. According to Werner, molestation of his daughter became part of a laundry list of damning things Jeff threatened to disclose if his buy-out demands weren't met. "It's making a whole lot of money," Bumb says of the club which city financial forecasters have predicted will gross $34.6 million this year, $11.5 million more than its cross-town rival, Garden City. Matthew is the kind of guy a relative described to police as "polite," the guy parents wanted their daughters to date. And then, just when it seemed as though family relations couldn't get any worse, they did. As a compromise of sorts, he was debating whether he should apply for a license as a gaming-club manager instead of as an owner. In February 1994, nearly one year after the San Jose City Council gave Bay 101 its blessing, the state denied the Bumbs and their partners' gaming license application. VENZON WAS well known to the Bumbs. According to Werner, molestation of his daughter became part of a laundry list of damning things Jeff threatened to disclose if his buy-out demands weren't met. Almost four months later, on July 21, 1998, George Bumb Sr. appeared in the downtown offices of Berliner Cohen to have his deposition taken. [ San Jose | Metroactive Central | Archives ] Privacy hasn't been so easy to come by for the Bumbs in the '90s, since they got involved in Bay 101. And as with any divorce, embarrassing private details about the family and its businesses made their way into the public record. Over the past year alone, Bumb & Associates and Bay 101 have given $56,000 to now-Attorney General Bill Lockyer, the man in charge of card-room regulation. She recalled that she was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt covered by a blanket. She recalled that she was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt covered by a blanket. It's like we had no life except for the family." Almost four months later, on July 21, 1998, George Bumb Sr. appeared in the downtown offices of Berliner Cohen to have his deposition taken. And it was very explicit in there that no Bumbs could have anything to do with the club. Some improprieties did turn up: Bumb & Associates, a partnership including the four brothers and their father, had failed to file required reports disclosing more than $100,000 in political contributions made between 1989 and 1992. One of George Bumb Sr.'s granddaughters explained to police that her family was very old-fashioned: "The woman gets the short end of the deal; she is a whore. He started telling people around the office that he wanted out of the family business. And Jeff himself had been playing poker since he was 12. But Jeff was confident. Ultimately, the charges against the older Bumb were reduced to a misdemeanor. A nurse was present to monitor his condition. "I don't need their help," he barked at Werner. It pitted Bumb against Bumb. Jeff signed a deal with his brothers that prohibited him from owning Bay 101 stock until he got all the necessary licenses. She told police about at least seven other sexual encounters she had with her cousin after that. Before the end of the month, the Flea Market laid off Jeff's daughters Anne and Rebecca. When Werner broke the news that Jeff's brothers wouldn't write a letter on his behalf, he says Jeff became furious. His crimes included taking valuables from the bereaved family members of dead crime victims while pretending to console them. Meanwhile, Jeff and his lawyers spent 15 months trying get his father to appear at a deposition. When Jeff and Brian were denied licenses for Bay 101, Tim (above) and brother George Jr. jumped in. It did the unthinkable: "Could he [Jeff] do any other work on his own behalf?" But Jeff says the loan dispute screwed up their moving plans. Jeff Bumb says he believes that state and local investigators at the time of Bay 101's limbo were investigating a rumor that Jeff had tried to get someone killed, a charge Jeff denies. "I don't need their help," he barked at Werner. Bumb family attorney Ron Werner suggested that Jeff and his family had a hidden motive for waiting nearly a month to report the incident to police. It's like we had no life except for the family." She recalled that she was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt covered by a blanket. But Jeff was confident. Ultimately, the charges against the older Bumb were reduced to a misdemeanor. Christopher Gardner Matthew Bumb's attorney argued that the relationship was consensual. "We made it very clear to Jeff and everybody else concerned," Tim says, "that I'm not going to stick my neck on the line here. The elder Bumb may not have been feeling well, but he wasn't too sick to remember who was boss in this family. Jos Jos Net Worth | Celebrity Net Worth At one point in the investigation, sheriff's detectives had Jeff's daughter call Matthew while he was working at the Flea Market to confirm the sexual activities. (In one case, George Bumb Sr. loaned Jeff $31,250 in 1992 for his son to invest in Bay 101.) But Jeff and his family started hearing that instead of showing concern and support for his daughter, George Bumb Sr. and others in the family were blaming his freshman daughter for the incident and not her adult-age cousin. FROM THE START, Jeff's three brothers and father didn't share his enthusiasm for opening a lavish gaming house. And as with any divorce, embarrassing private details about the family and its businesses made their way into the public record. Bumb family attorney Ron Werner suggested that Jeff and his family had a hidden motive for waiting nearly a month to report the incident to police. He started telling people around the office that he wanted out of the family business. "I liked my name," he maintains. During the Venzon investigation, San Jose police dug up an old file from November 1990 in which Venzon, a sheriff's deputy, had reported his department-issued Smith & Wesson 9 mm automatic stolen. The guy doesn't get a slap on the hand." (In one case, George Bumb Sr. loaned Jeff $31,250 in 1992 for his son to invest in Bay 101.) Originally he was scheduled for questioning on March 10, 1997, but the old man's lawyers explained that their client was extremely ill, suffering from "severe life-threatening conditions," practically on his death bed. One of George Bumb Sr.'s granddaughters explained to police that her family was very old-fashioned: "The woman gets the short end of the deal; she is a whore. Earlier this year, a month before Venzon was sentenced to 14 years in prison, district attorney investigator Michael Schembri closed out the Venzon case, noting in a court filing, "No new information has been uncovered relating to the murder for hire case [at the Flea Market] which our department investigated several years ago." ALL TOGETHER, the intrafamily litigation has spanned nearly three years. Realizing that, Jeff offered to pay higher card-room taxes (next year the city expects to collect $4.5 million from Bay 101) and pick up the tab for security. EIGHT MONTHS AFTER its approval by the City Council, the peach-colored Bay 101 held its "grand opening." "They had to find Snow White and Cinderella," Tim Bumb says, "and that was George and I." Initially, police filed felony charges against Matthew Bumb for having oral sex with a minor and penetrating her with his fingers. The court saga evolved into a battle of wills between a father--a man who wouldn't even let the Vatican tell him what to do--and his oldest son, determined to break free from the old man's grasp. Of the four brothers, Tim and George had faced the least resistance from state gaming officials. It pitted Bumb against Bumb. VENZON WAS well known to the Bumbs. Tim and George Jr. worried that pressuring state and city officials to deal Jeff back in at Bay 101 would backfire and authorities would close down the card room. Werner said no. Matthew Bumb's attorney argued that the relationship was consensual. They recorded the conversation. The elder Bumb may not have been feeling well, but he wasn't too sick to remember who was boss in this family. Jeff signed a deal with his brothers that prohibited him from owning Bay 101 stock until he got all the necessary licenses. Matthew Bumb's attorney argued that the relationship was consensual. (In one case, George Bumb Sr. loaned Jeff $31,250 in 1992 for his son to invest in Bay 101.) And for nearly a month, they did. At one point in the investigation, sheriff's detectives had Jeff's daughter call Matthew while he was working at the Flea Market to confirm the sexual activities. Of the four brothers, Tim and George had faced the least resistance from state gaming officials. Near the end Venzon writes, "They want to bring up the 'murder-for-hire' investigation again. They recorded the conversation. Initially, police filed felony charges against Matthew Bumb for having oral sex with a minor and penetrating her with his fingers. Jeff's daughter interrupted Matthew and said, "And I didn't know better. "And I told you that I loved you and you are like a father to me. "They didn't teach anything about this. It's very tightknit," says Bryant, adding that the senior Bumb doesn't give interviews--ever. She told police about at least seven other sexual encounters she had with her cousin after that. Tim Bumb says writing a letter on Jeff's behalf would have violated the agreement with the police chief and put the club in jeopardy. "We made it very clear to Jeff and everybody else concerned," Tim says, "that I'm not going to stick my neck on the line here. ON AUG. 11, 1995, Jeff sat in his Flea Market office scribbling on a piece of paper, plotting his grand return to his peach palace. she said, referring to the family-run Catholic school at the Flea Market. Privacy hasn't been so easy to come by for the Bumbs in the '90s, since they got involved in Bay 101. When Jeff and Brian were denied licenses for Bay 101, Tim (above) and brother George Jr. jumped in. Well, guess what? Life of Brian: Initially denied a gaming license by the state, Brian Bumb has since received a provisional license and become a partner in Bay 101 with his brothers, Tim and George. And as with any divorce, embarrassing private details about the family and its businesses made their way into the public record. The card club has done more than bring unwanted public scrutiny to this insular group. In fact, Tim and George had to agree not to collaborate with other Bumbs on any new business venture. Just so everyone got the point, Jeff Bumb announced to the press that he and Brian were divesting from Bay 101, and records show he eventually sold his shares for $1.4 million.

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