Along the way, Jeff raised the ante, hiring Frank Ubhaus, a lawyer who represented Garden City card club, Bay 101's crosstown rival. Finally, in July 1994, the state cleared Tim and George and gave them a conditional OK to let the games begin. 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." Well, guess what? Whenever trouble arose at the Flea Market with city code or building inspectors, the Bumbs sent Jeff to settle things. At the time, Jeff was in the midst of negotiating an arrangement to be bought out of the family businesses. During his long tenure at the Flea Market, Venzon apparently developed a close relationship with George Bumb Sr. 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. At the time, San Jose, like cities throughout the state, was strapped for cash, looking at an $11 million budget shortfall. ALL TOGETHER, the intrafamily litigation has spanned nearly three years. You think this didn't break my heart?" Tim and George Jr. would appeal and reapply, the hope being that the club would open as soon as possible. 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. At the time, Jeff was in the midst of negotiating an arrangement to be bought out of the family businesses. "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. In fact, Tim and George had to agree not to collaborate with other Bumbs on any new business venture. The investigation was given a shot in the arm after the arrest of Johnny Venzon in 1997, a cop who made headlines for burglarizing homes while on duty to pay for his mounting gambling debts. And he [Jeff] wants me to violate the condition which says in it that I sign away my rights and they close us down. Finally, in July 1994, the state cleared Tim and George and gave them a conditional OK to let the games begin. "And when I visited you at your home I told you that other than God you are the only person I've gotten down on my knees for," Venzon says on page 7. One month later, the state attorney general's office made a devastating announcement: Authorities had come across issues of "such magnitude" and "concern" that they would need at least another month to decide if gambling should be allowed at Bay 101. 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.) "He took care of it." 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. His crimes included taking valuables from the bereaved family members of dead crime victims while pretending to console them. She recalled that she was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt covered by a blanket. 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. Bay 101 was Jeff's idea--no one disputes that. During his long tenure at the Flea Market, Venzon apparently developed a close relationship with George Bumb Sr. 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. It wasn't the money, either. Jeff entertained offers to buy the club, the highest bid, he recalls, coming in at $40 million. During his long tenure at the Flea Market, Venzon apparently developed a close relationship with George Bumb Sr. The teenagers had been drinking booze earlier in the night. Preventive Medicine: George Bumb Jr. is a co-owner of Bay 101, where a snakebite kit is kept on-hand as a family joke. And then police remembered the old rumors about a murder plot at the Flea Market, where Venzon had worked as a security guard for more than 15 years. "They had to find Snow White and Cinderella," Tim Bumb says, "and that was George and I." Toward the end of the call, things got heated. 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. There were flowers everywhere. "I'm a big boy." ALL TOGETHER, the intrafamily litigation has spanned nearly three years. "They had to find Snow White and Cinderella," Tim Bumb says, "and that was George and I." "I'm a big boy." The elder Bumb may not have been feeling well, but he wasn't too sick to remember who was boss in this family. Snow White or Cinderella? Matthew is the kind of guy a relative described to police as "polite," the guy parents wanted their daughters to date. Snow White or Cinderella? But Jeff says the loan dispute screwed up their moving plans. "I'm a big boy." "They had to find Snow White and Cinderella," Tim Bumb says, "and that was George and I." In a fit, he took the paper he was writing on, crumpled it up and threw it out the office door. 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. 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. 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. The elder Bumb may not have been feeling well, but he wasn't too sick to remember who was boss in this family. His crimes included taking valuables from the bereaved family members of dead crime victims while pretending to console them. He demanded $10 million from his brothers to compensate him for violating the purported secret Bay 101 deal. Christopher Gardner "Hell, no," George Bumb replied. 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. But his dream, which now seemed so close to being a reality, was about to become a nightmare. Unlike other partners, neither Jeff nor Brian had buyback provisions in their written agreements, an intentional omission meant to appease state gaming officials who wanted them out of the picture. His crimes included taking valuables from the bereaved family members of dead crime victims while pretending to console them. Matthew is the kind of guy a relative described to police as "polite," the guy parents wanted their daughters to date. Initially, police filed felony charges against Matthew Bumb for having oral sex with a minor and penetrating her with his fingers. Ultimately, the charges against the older Bumb were reduced to a misdemeanor. Family Feud 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. However, he has remained Intuit's chairman and holds 5% of shares in. On Nov. 8, 1995, attorney Albin Danell, Elizabeth's brother-in-law, contacted the police, apparently after consulting with Elizabeth. Well, George, whether you want to believe it or not I do love you and you are like a father to me." The average annual household income in San Jose is $162,521, while the median household income sits at $125,075 per year. You know the school we went to?" Their pun-afflicted surname adds to the hillbilly mystique. "Hell, no," George Bumb replied. Before the end of the month, the Flea Market laid off Jeff's daughters Anne and Rebecca. "It made you tough, made you get a thick skin." He demanded $10 million from his brothers to compensate him for violating the purported secret Bay 101 deal. Tim and George Jr. would appeal and reapply, the hope being that the club would open as soon as possible. Unlike other partners, neither Jeff nor Brian had buyback provisions in their written agreements, an intentional omission meant to appease state gaming officials who wanted them out of the picture. In the last five years, the Bumb family and its enterprises have been investigated for illegal political campaign contributions, an alleged profit-skimming racket out at the Berryessa Flea Market and even a murder-for-hire scheme involving Johnny Venzon, a former cop, convicted thief and gambling addict. he asked. He started telling people around the office that he wanted out of the family business. "My wife broke the code," he says, "and I supported her." "What am I going to say to the vice president?" "Could he [Jeff] do any other work on his own behalf?" He followed that with suits alleging breach of contract, wrongful termination and misrepresentation. 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." "My wife broke the code," he says, "and I supported her." "My wife broke the code," he says, "and I supported her." 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. "And I told you that I loved you and you are like a father to me. One wag refers to them as "the Beverly Hillbillies of San Jose." She recalled that she was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt covered by a blanket. On Nov. 8, 1995, attorney Albin Danell, Elizabeth's brother-in-law, contacted the police, apparently after consulting with Elizabeth. Bay 101 was Jeff's idea--no one disputes that. Well, guess what? A nurse was present to monitor his condition. The fund would be controlled by an advisory group made up of city staff, vendors and flea market representatives. 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. Initially, police filed felony charges against Matthew Bumb for having oral sex with a minor and penetrating her with his fingers. "He worked for me." "I'm a big boy." Finally, in July 1994, the state cleared Tim and George and gave them a conditional OK to let the games begin. He and his brothers had a plan, he says. "Jeff is a wheeler and dealer," explained his Uncle John, the Flea Market's executive vice president and owner of the Skeeball Arcade. The investigation was given a shot in the arm after the arrest of Johnny Venzon in 1997, a cop who made headlines for burglarizing homes while on duty to pay for his mounting gambling debts. One wag refers to them as "the Beverly Hillbillies of San Jose." Don't Shoot: George Bumb Sr., the publicity-shy patriarch of the Bumb family and creator of the Flea Market, in a rare photo which appeared in California Today magazine in 1980. Campaign records show that Bumb & Associates and Bay 101 have made at least $587,000 in campaign donations since 1994 to local and state politicians and ballot measures. The couple even had a purchase contract for a $850,000 house on Golf Links Road. 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." Werner said no. 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." Christopher Gardner "Jeff is a wheeler and dealer," explained his Uncle John, the Flea Market's executive vice president and owner of the Skeeball Arcade. 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. Werner said no. 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. Jeff didn't mind, though. It's like we had no life except for the family." Christopher Gardner But his dream, which now seemed so close to being a reality, was about to become a nightmare. "They didn't teach anything about this. The guy doesn't get a slap on the hand." 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. "Hell, no," George Bumb replied. Jeff's daughter interrupted Matthew and said, "And I didn't know better. 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. He followed that with suits alleging breach of contract, wrongful termination and misrepresentation. He followed that with suits alleging breach of contract, wrongful termination and misrepresentation. And as with any divorce, embarrassing private details about the family and its businesses made their way into the public record. And for nearly a month, they did. And Jeff himself had been playing poker since he was 12. When Jeff and Brian were denied licenses for Bay 101, Tim (above) and brother George Jr. jumped in. Christopher Gardner "And when I visited you at your home I told you that other than God you are the only person I've gotten down on my knees for," Venzon says on page 7. But his dream, which now seemed so close to being a reality, was about to become a nightmare. 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. Along the way, Jeff raised the ante, hiring Frank Ubhaus, a lawyer who represented Garden City card club, Bay 101's crosstown rival. He was also the kind of guy, police records reveal, who told his mother about the incidents "because he felt guilty." The Bumbs' reputation as an unconventional, insular, wealthy, large brood keeps tongues in political circles flapping. 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. "Hell, no," George Bumb replied. Their pun-afflicted surname adds to the hillbilly mystique. (Tim Bumb, the school's director, says it was put there to save on rent. (That thing that involved Jeff when Bay 101 was scheduled to open but didn't.)" 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. 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. OK--we didn't get out--OK? 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. And Jeff himself had been playing poker since he was 12. attorney Frank Ubhaus asked the Bumb patriarch. Or at least he thought he didn't. But Jeff says the loan dispute screwed up their moving plans. Three years ago, the Mercury News listed the Bumb family in the Top 10 of the valley's most generous political contributors. "My wife broke the code," he says, "and I supported her." In the last five years, the Bumb family and its enterprises have been investigated for illegal political campaign contributions, an alleged profit-skimming racket out at the Berryessa Flea Market and even a murder-for-hire scheme involving Johnny Venzon, a former cop, convicted thief and gambling addict. 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. She told police about at least seven other sexual encounters she had with her cousin after that. Or at least he thought he didn't. Jeff entertained offers to buy the club, the highest bid, he recalls, coming in at $40 million. Jeff tells the story differently: "Matthew was my godson. Werner said no. And as with any divorce, embarrassing private details about the family and its businesses made their way into the public record. Jeff tells the story differently: "Matthew was my godson. Of the four brothers, Tim and George had faced the least resistance from state gaming officials. In fact, Tim and George had to agree not to collaborate with other Bumbs on any new business venture. At the time, Jeff was in the midst of negotiating an arrangement to be bought out of the family businesses. 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." Jeff's daughter interrupted Matthew and said, "And I didn't know better. It's like we had no life except for the family." After learning of the incident, Jeff and wife Elizabeth did not report the matter to police immediately.
San Jose Flea Market - Wikipedia The couple even had a purchase contract for a $850,000 house on Golf Links Road. 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. But there was no gambling done that night. Hamilton, where Latin mass is conducted on a regular basis. He wanted to relocate and expand Sutter's Place in Alviso from a five-table card room to a 40-table one, matching the size of Northern California's largest card room, Garden City in San Jose. "Hell, no," George Bumb replied. And as with any divorce, embarrassing private details about the family and its businesses made their way into the public record. Don't Shoot: George Bumb Sr., the publicity-shy patriarch of the Bumb family and creator of the Flea Market, in a rare photo which appeared in California Today magazine in 1980. Jeff's grandfather, Frank Bumb, had met his wife, Mary, at a card parlor in San Francisco where they worked. He also pulled off an armed robbery of the Aloha Roller Palace. 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. 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. 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. It's like we had no life except for the family." "I liked my name," he maintains. Ultimately, the charges against the older Bumb were reduced to a misdemeanor. And it was very explicit in there that no Bumbs could have anything to do with the club. 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." Toward the end of the call, things got heated. Before the end of the month, the Flea Market laid off Jeff's daughters Anne and Rebecca. "It made you tough, made you get a thick skin." (In one case, George Bumb Sr. loaned Jeff $31,250 in 1992 for his son to invest in Bay 101.) 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. He and his brothers had a plan, he says. The district attorney's office says that Bumb attorney Ron Werner turned the letter over to authorities immediately after it came in the mail. Jeff signed a deal with his brothers that prohibited him from owning Bay 101 stock until he got all the necessary licenses. Or at least he thought he didn't. Werner said no. 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. "They didn't teach anything about this. "My wife broke the code," he says, "and I supported her." 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. Finally, in July 1994, the state cleared Tim and George and gave them a conditional OK to let the games begin. But the Bumbs are hardly traditional political players. In response to Jeff's legal attacks, George Bumb Sr. and Bumb & Associates filed two separate suits of their own to collect nearly $1 million in loans and interest they claimed Jeff never paid. The couple even had a purchase contract for a $850,000 house on Golf Links Road. Along the way, Jeff raised the ante, hiring Frank Ubhaus, a lawyer who represented Garden City card club, Bay 101's crosstown rival. "They didn't teach anything about this. "My wife broke the code," he says, "and I supported her." 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. Well, George, whether you want to believe it or not I do love you and you are like a father to me." Bryant, who acts as emissary for the family and its patriarch, thinks the Bumbs are a misunderstood bunch. Initially, police filed felony charges against Matthew Bumb for having oral sex with a minor and penetrating her with his fingers. Three years ago, the Mercury News listed the Bumb family in the Top 10 of the valley's most generous political contributors. Other allegations were more dubious: Investigators chased after a tip that the Bumbs were skimming cash from the Flea Market parking lot, an accusation that was never proven. "They had to find Snow White and Cinderella," Tim Bumb says, "and that was George and I." 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. 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. 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. A nurse was present to monitor his condition. 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. Werner said no. According to Jeff, there was tremendous pressure from his father and others in the family to keep the incest a secret. Snow White or Cinderella? 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. Meanwhile, Jeff and his lawyers spent 15 months trying get his father to appear at a deposition. Near the end Venzon writes, "They want to bring up the 'murder-for-hire' investigation again. 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. 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. she said, referring to the family-run Catholic school at the Flea Market. 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. And it was very explicit in there that no Bumbs could have anything to do with the club. The two, she said, never talked about what was going on while it was happening. The elder Bumb may not have been feeling well, but he wasn't too sick to remember who was boss in this family. But the Bumbs are hardly traditional political players. He also pulled off an armed robbery of the Aloha Roller Palace. The investigation was given a shot in the arm after the arrest of Johnny Venzon in 1997, a cop who made headlines for burglarizing homes while on duty to pay for his mounting gambling debts. The guy doesn't get a slap on the hand." Well, guess what? It's very tightknit," says Bryant, adding that the senior Bumb doesn't give interviews--ever. Now that their gaming license had been denied, a decision needed to be made--quickly. Christopher Gardner He followed that with suits alleging breach of contract, wrongful termination and misrepresentation. The district attorney's office says that Bumb attorney Ron Werner turned the letter over to authorities immediately after it came in the mail. Tim and George Jr. would appeal and reapply, the hope being that the club would open as soon as possible. You know the school we went to?" Almost four months later, on July 21, 1998, George Bumb Sr. appeared in the downtown offices of Berliner Cohen to have his deposition taken. Eight months later, the frame of the weapon was found in a Salinas pond near Venzon's home with the barrel and slide missing. In her 10 years as the Flea Market's community relations specialist, Bryant has come to adore the lack of pretension among this clan of millionaires who have their offices in a mobile home where none of the furniture seems to match. 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. Jeff didn't mind, though. 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.