Environment | Law

Judge appoints overseers for mobile home park

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

A federal judge appointed three overseers for a troubled mobile home park on the Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Reservation in southern California.

Judge Stephen Larson said he could have closed the Desert Mobile Home Park, home to an estimated 2,000 to 6,000 migrant workers and their families. But he said he would give the overseers 60 days to investigate and manage the facility.

Pierre-Richard Prosper, a former U.S. ambassador, and Jack Shine, president and chief executive of First Financial Group, will serve as special masters and look into conditions at the park. Attorney Mark Adams was named temporary receiver to make emergency repairs to water, electricity and sewage systems.

Harvey Duro, a tribal council member who owns the park, told The Los Angeles Times that the judge's plan was "reasonable and sensible." The tribe said it supported the plan.

The U.S. Attorney's Office, representing the Bureau of Indian Affairs, opposed the overseers. Government attorneys wanted the trailer park shut down.

Get the Story:
Judge names overseers for Duroville (The Los Angeles Times 2/12)
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Judge appoints co-managers at Duroville (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 2/11)
Judge places SoCal migrant camp under temporary receiver (AP 2/12)
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Relevant Links:
Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians - http://www.torresmartinez.org