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Michael J. Schaefer, or J. Michael Schaefer, or Mike Schaefer or John M. Schaefer or whoever he is today has many articles that can be found online.
From 2022 to 1970
A partial timeline. Yes there's more!
2022
HOW DOES A CANDIDATE WITH A LONG HISTORY OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR RECEIVE THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC PARTY? Mike Schaefer, 84, an incumbent member of the California Board of Equalization, won the Democratic party’s endorsement despite a past criminal conviction for spousal abuse, disbarment in two states, and past accusations that he was a “slumlord.” The San Francisco Chronicle reported: An attorney by training, Schaefer has also run afoul of the law multiple times, and has been disbarred in California and Nevada. He was accused — and eventually acquitted — in a 1970 Yellow Cab bribery scandal in San Diego, when he served on the City Council. He was convicted of misdemeanor spousal abuse and jailed in 1993, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune, and was ordered by a jury in 1986 to pay $1.83 million to former tenants in Los Angeles who sued because they said their apartments, rented from Schaefer, were overrun with rats, cockroaches, sewage and street gangs, according to the Los Angeles Times. And in 2013, a Nevada court ordered him to stay at least 100 feet away from actor and comedian Brad Garrett, who played a cop and brother in “Everybody Loves Raymond,” after he allegedly stalked the actor following a dispute over a complimentary ticket to a Las Vegas show. Schaefer won in 2018 without the party’s endorsement, and currently sits on the statewide board, which handles the administration of property taxes and other levies. The California Democratic Party has declared that “freedom and protection from violence or abuse, domestic and otherwise, is a fundamental human right.” However, it voted to endorse Schaefer despite his past conviction for spousal abuse. https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/He-s-been-convicted-disbarred-and-called-a-16984783.php
Mike Schaefer in 2014
In 2022, the California Democrat Party (CADEM) is now straddling its own hazy line in the case of scandal-plagued California Board of Equalization incumbent Mike Schaefer (D-District 4). Four years ago, the party did not endorse him amid a checkered history featuring a domestic abuse conviction, being a heavily fined “slumlord,” and disbarment in two states. Yet this past March, he shocked many by winning the state party endorsement.
San Diego Democrats for Equality and San Diego County Young Democrats endorse David Dodson; Rate Incumbent Mike Schaefer Unacceptable SAN DIEGO, CA — Leaders of the San Diego County Young Democrats and the San Diego Democrats for Equality announced that their clubs’ membership voted overwhelmingly to endorse David Dodson for California State Board of Equalization District 4. The Young Democrats voted unanimously to rate ignominious incumbent Mike Schaefer as unacceptable while the Democrats for Equality voted with a 90% majority to rate him as unacceptable.
One of the saddest things I’ve seen in California Democratic politics — and as long-time readers know, I’ve seen a whole lot of them — is the California Democratic Party’s bug-eyed and iron-fisted endorsement of nominally Democratic incumbent Mike Schaefer in the Board of Equalization District 4 race. He is facing David Dodson — who is not only a better Democrat, but also is frankly a better representative of the better traditional Republican values such as fighting government waste and self-serving corruption.
Schaefer has been railing against translation of minutes from Board of Equalization meetings, and other official official documents and publications — into common California languages including Spanish and Vietnamese — claiming it is unnecessary. (It is actually required by law.) He also publicly resented having to print large font versions of such documents and records. (Actually, that too is required by law, in that case it’s the Public Disabilities Act.) He is also documented as repeatedly referring to Black Americans as “Afros”! Maybe time for some leniency for those who are disgusted by this?
Democratic California Board of Equalization member Mike Schaefer (District 4) has been found to have lied in a key campaign filing about being endorsed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. On Monday, he also plans to petition a writ of mandate in Sacramento Circuit Court requesting removal of this and two other listed endorsements from his candidate statement filed last month with the California Secretary of State.
10/21 Editor's Note: Charges of unethical activity follow Mike Schaefer into the general election. This includes credible allegations of money laundering. See article.
He was elected to the San Diego City Council in the 1960s and his political career derailed when he was indicted — later acquitted — as part of a Yellow Cab bribery scandal. He would go on to become, in the words of the Los Angeles Times, “one of California’s most notorious slumlords.” In 1993, he was convicted of misdemeanor spousal abuse for allegedly beating his wife in their Point Loma home, according to the Reader. He was later disbarred in Nevada and hit with a restraining order by the man who played Raymond’s brother on “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
Ordered by a jury in 1986 to pay $1.83 million to former tenants in Los Angeles who said their Schaefer-owned apartments were overrun with rats, cockroaches, sewage and street gangs, according to the Los Angeles Times. Schaefer said gangs prevented him from making planned improvements. Disbarred by the Nevada Supreme Court in 2001. Arrested in the 1970 Yellow Cab bribery scandal along with other San Diego officials. He was acquitted. Convicted of misdemeanor spousal abuse in 1993.
Schaefer rented a trailer for one night on St. Estaban St. in Tujunga. He then installed one Kyle Miller (a person he found on Craigslist) in the trailer, and apprently left town afterward. In documents filed by the court, (16VESCO5219) it was determined by L.A. County Superior Court Judge Lawrence P. Riff that “[t]he bottom line is that Schaefer never had a right to be present on ***’s property for more than one night: the night of October 7-8, 2016.”
2015
A Los Angeles Times article chronicling his 1986 senatorial campaign described Schaefer as “one of California’s most notorious slumlords.” One year earlier, a jury had awarded former tenants of an apartment building he owned $1.83 million in damages, which at the time was believed to be the largest award ever in a landlord-tenant dispute. His creditor’s claim was the first to be filed against the governor’s estate, which was estimated at $2.4 million when probate was opened May 17.
It doesn't matter that Schaefer once was prosecuted as a slumlord in Los Angeles and for spousal abuse in San Diego and had legal disputes with his neighbors in Nevada, where he was disbarred in 2001. In an interview by "Desert Sun" reporter Jesse Marx, Schaefer recounted that he has been asked several times what he would do if he actually won? "Well, I look 'em in the eye and I say, 'Gee, I'd demand a recount,'" Schaefer joked.
When the court disbarred Schaefer, it said he violated six Nevada Supreme Court rules regarding conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, conduct involving dishonesty, deceit, fraud or misrepresentation, meritorious claims, candor toward tribunal, fairness to opposing party and counsel and communication with represented party.
2014
Six justices unanimously agreed with a lower court ruling that Democratic candidate John Michael Schaefer is not qualified to seek the office.
Mike Schaefer, as he is known locally, served as a San Diego City Councilman from 1965-'71. He since has had his share of legal hassles, including brushes with the law for operating substandard rental units and for spousal abuse. In 2005 he was disbarred from practicing law in California.
John Michael Schaefer, a candidate for Nevada state controller, testifies on his own behalf during a hearing at the Regional Justice Center Thursday, April 3, 2014. Election officials want the court to remove Schaefer from the Democratic primary ballot because they contend he doesn't meet residency requirements.
The justice of the peace had a bailiff confiscate and destroy Schaefer’s Nevada license. Schaefer said Thursday that didn’t matter because he had another Nevada license.
2013
Millionaire slumlord, perennial political candidate and disbarred attorney Michael Schaefer now has another descriptive phrase to front his name — celebrity stalker. No, he is not suspected of stalking some sexy starlet. He has been stalking and harassing stand-up comic and actor Brad Garrett, one of the stars of the popular “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
For the reasons stated above, Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss will be granted. Plaintiff’s (Mike Schaefer) claims for tortious interference with an economic relationship and breach of the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing will be dismissed. A separate order will issue. _
Michael Schaefer claimed that he was owed $28,000 from the estate of the late William Donald Schaefer. Schaefer, who now lives in Las Vegas, said he spent at least that amount for meals and visits to the former governor, mayor, and controller.
Unhappy former tenant September 22, 2012 at 6:31 am This so called landlord gets under my skin so bad. Makes me afraid to ever trust people. I tried suing him for my deposit. He states that he isn’t the landlord nor does he own the property. So my case was cancelled because it went unserved. He had the nerve to tell me good luck trying to recover the money. So I don’t know what to do. And I’m a college student I can’t begin I even try to get a lawyer. He owes me well over 2k. He tried also settle with me offering me 100 I can’t believe him. Then he tells me the current tenant in my house is a fellow Afro like that’s supposed to make me feel better. I don’t know. I am just so drained from everything he putting me though 🙁 all I can do is cry n call all that money a lost. Just Beware. I wouldn’t want anyone to go through what I am it’s depressing. 🙁
2011
Baltimore County Orphans' Court Judge Colleen Cavanaugh dismissed Michael Schaefer's claim Tuesday. Michael Schaefer is not related to the late governor.
2010
As if it wasn’t bad enough that the guy is a slumlord, he also has quite the interesting criminal record in Baltimore. Here are 2010’s highlights: Failure to Comply with a Peace Order (January 2010) 2nd Degree Assault (March 2010) 2nd Degree Assault and False Imprisonment (August 2010)
After the close of the evidence in a jury trial, the Schaefers moved for a directed verdict, claiming for the first time that California law governs. Bellfort Chateau objected, but the trial court proceeded to hear the Schaefers= argument. The Schaefers handed copies of two California Codes and a few California cases to the trial court during their argument. Thereafter, the trial court denied the motion for a directed verdict. The jury found that the transfers were fraudulent. The trial court rendered a judgment and turnover order in favor of Bellfort Chateau.
2001
In April 1997, Schaefer filed an action against the Association and its board members, alleging that they conspired to have another resident assault him. Two weeks later, Schaefer was charged with five counts of misdemeanor battery. One of the complaining witnesses was a Mrs. Fox, the spouse of an Association board member; another was the resident with whom the Association board members had allegedly conspired. Schaefer was later convicted of two counts of misdemeanor battery, after which post-trial proceedings continued for approximately one year.
2000
Michael Schaefer, a Nevada resident, sought to file as a candidate in the special Congressional election of April 7, 1998 to fill the vacancy for the 44th Congressional District of California. The seat was previously held by the late Congressman Sonny Bono who died while in office. Mischelle Townsend, the Registrar of Voters for Riverside County, refused to give Schaefer the required nomination papers because he was not registered to vote in California as required by California Elections Code § 201. Under Section 321 of that code, Schaefer could not register to vote without first establishing residency in California. He refused to become a resident until elected.
1999
"Be Safer With Schaefer." But safety may not be Mike Schaefer's strongest quality, according to court and administrative records, which show that the energetic district attorney candidate has an extensive past on the other side of the law.
1986
Schaefer insists he is a serious candidate who favors the death penalty in espionage cases and "would not oppose a gallows at the airport to dissuade hijackers." He said he is using the "name's the same" ploy only to get attention for his candidacy.
1981
By your conduct you have brought embarrassment and disgrace to the legal profession of which you are a member. It is the order of this Board that in addition to this public reprimand you be fined and assessed the costs of the disciplinary proceedings against you.
1970
The names of those indicted were not released until they were booked. By late today Mr. Curran, Assemblyman Tom Hom, County Supervisor Jack Walsh, Councilman J. Michael Schaefer, Councilman Helen Cobb, and County Supervisor Harry Scheidle had been taken into custody. All were mem bers of the council in 1967.
