But Jeff says the loan dispute screwed up their moving plans. They recorded the conversation. AN ATTORNEY involved likened the whole contentious affair to a divorce. George Bumb Sr., an avid card player, held a regular weekly family poker game at his home. You think this didn't break my heart?" Well, George, whether you want to believe it or not I do love you and you are like a father to me." Tim now runs Bay 101, which he says is no easy task. Along the way, Jeff raised the ante, hiring Frank Ubhaus, a lawyer who represented Garden City card club, Bay 101's crosstown rival. The two, she said, never talked about what was going on while it was happening. She told police about at least seven other sexual encounters she had with her cousin after that. 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. The teenagers had been drinking booze earlier in the night. 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. AN ATTORNEY involved likened the whole contentious affair to a divorce. OK--we didn't get out--OK? 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. 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. Matthew is the kind of guy a relative described to police as "polite," the guy parents wanted their daughters to date. "I don't need their help," he barked at Werner. "It made you tough, made you get a thick skin." According to Jeff, there was tremendous pressure from his father and others in the family to keep the incest a secret. 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. 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. "I mean," Jeff later said at a deposition, "it was a time of hurt and heartache for us--and not my father, not my mother, not my brother George, not my brother Tim, not Brian could care less." she said, referring to the family-run Catholic school at the Flea Market. Werner said no. Jeff Bumb later explained to the press that they didn't know partnerships were required to file such reports, and they paid the state a $1,250 fine. George Bumb Sr.'s loan-repayment demands came in July 1996, just as his oldest son and his wife were about to move to Los Gatos and break away from the family and its eastside enclave. "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. Jeff tells the story differently: "Matthew was my godson. You know the school we went to?" And it was very explicit in there that no Bumbs could have anything to do with the club. (Tim Bumb, the school's director, says it was put there to save on rent. Soon after his confession, the word started spreading in the family about what happened. The Richest People In Brazil 2013: The Full List - Forbes "They didn't teach anything about this. 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. 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. He demanded $10 million from his brothers to compensate him for violating the purported secret Bay 101 deal. One wag refers to them as "the Beverly Hillbillies of San Jose." It wasn't the idea of gambling. Werner said no. He also runs day-to-day operations at the family-owned Flea Market. "Could he [Jeff] do any other work on his own behalf?" 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. he asked. 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. Near the end Venzon writes, "They want to bring up the 'murder-for-hire' investigation again. Christopher Gardner "My wife broke the code," he says, "and I supported her." Their pun-afflicted surname adds to the hillbilly mystique. Privacy hasn't been so easy to come by for the Bumbs in the '90s, since they got involved in Bay 101. "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. Eight months later, the frame of the weapon was found in a Salinas pond near Venzon's home with the barrel and slide missing. Finally, in July 1994, the state cleared Tim and George and gave them a conditional OK to let the games begin. On Nov. 8, 1995, attorney Albin Danell, Elizabeth's brother-in-law, contacted the police, apparently after consulting with Elizabeth. Toward the end of the call, things got heated. It wasn't the money, either. 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. 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. Along the way, Jeff raised the ante, hiring Frank Ubhaus, a lawyer who represented Garden City card club, Bay 101's crosstown rival. "He worked for me." he asked. Privacy hasn't been so easy to come by for the Bumbs in the '90s, since they got involved in Bay 101. "What am I going to say to the vice president?" Toward the end of the call, things got heated. 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. Matthew Bumb's attorney argued that the relationship was consensual. 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. "I mean," Jeff later said at a deposition, "it was a time of hurt and heartache for us--and not my father, not my mother, not my brother George, not my brother Tim, not Brian could care less." 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. Ultimately, the charges against the older Bumb were reduced to a misdemeanor. "I mean," Jeff later said at a deposition, "it was a time of hurt and heartache for us--and not my father, not my mother, not my brother George, not my brother Tim, not Brian could care less." Initially, police filed felony charges against Matthew Bumb for having oral sex with a minor and penetrating her with his fingers. Now that their gaming license had been denied, a decision needed to be made--quickly. 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." 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. 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. And for nearly a month, they did. Upon questioning by Jeff's lawyer, John Bumb acknowledged that his brother George Bumb Sr. threw a fit at three of his children's weddings because they played rock & roll. 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. 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. Ultimately, the charges against the older Bumb were reduced to a misdemeanor. Almost four months later, on July 21, 1998, George Bumb Sr. appeared in the downtown offices of Berliner Cohen to have his deposition taken. Tim and George Jr. would appeal and reapply, the hope being that the club would open as soon as possible. "I'm a big boy." Soon after his confession, the word started spreading in the family about what happened. FROM THE START, Jeff's three brothers and father didn't share his enthusiasm for opening a lavish gaming house. After learning of the incident, Jeff and wife Elizabeth did not report the matter to police immediately. "Hell, no," George Bumb replied. 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. "They didn't teach anything about this. He followed that with suits alleging breach of contract, wrongful termination and misrepresentation. "I mean," Jeff later said at a deposition, "it was a time of hurt and heartache for us--and not my father, not my mother, not my brother George, not my brother Tim, not Brian could care less." VENZON WAS well known to the Bumbs. The only reason we are driving around in his Lexus today is because he knows I have read the bizarre and bitter contents of a 2-foot-high stack of documents down at the Santa Clara County Superior Courthouse. And for nearly a month, they did. He was also the kind of guy, police records reveal, who told his mother about the incidents "because he felt guilty." And for nearly a month, they did. AN ATTORNEY involved likened the whole contentious affair to a divorce. Tim and George Jr. would appeal and reapply, the hope being that the club would open as soon as possible. She told police about at least seven other sexual encounters she had with her cousin after that. When Jeff and Brian were denied licenses for Bay 101, Tim (above) and brother George Jr. jumped in. 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's grandfather, Frank Bumb, had met his wife, Mary, at a card parlor in San Francisco where they worked. 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. The state, still busy conducting background checks, still hadn't approved the Bumbs and their partners' gaming licenses. Tim now runs Bay 101, which he says is no easy task. He also pulled off an armed robbery of the Aloha Roller Palace. "Hell, no," George Bumb replied. He demanded $10 million from his brothers to compensate him for violating the purported secret Bay 101 deal. He followed that with suits alleging breach of contract, wrongful termination and misrepresentation. "Could he [Jeff] do any other work on his own behalf?" EIGHT MONTHS AFTER its approval by the City Council, the peach-colored Bay 101 held its "grand opening." 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. 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. 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. He also disputes that such a letter was even necessary for Jeff to get licensed. 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. 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. Within weeks, Jeff says, his six-month-old dog was dead, his cat was dead and the tires of a family car were slashed. he asked. Of the four brothers, Tim and George had faced the least resistance from state gaming officials. Christopher Gardner When he was jailed, the desperate cop wrote a 15-page handwritten letter in pencil to George Bumb in May 1997 asking the Flea Market owner to bail him out. "And I told you that I loved you and you are like a father to me. ALL TOGETHER, the intrafamily litigation has spanned nearly three years. 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. Tim now runs Bay 101, which he says is no easy task. 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. The ensuing delay forced Jeff Bumb to lay off 600 workers he had hired. And he [Jeff] wants me to violate the condition which says in it that I sign away my rights and they close us down. By Will Harper 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. Toward the end of the call, things got heated. "Hell, no," George Bumb replied. In a fit, he took the paper he was writing on, crumpled it up and threw it out the office door. 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. Jeff tells the story differently: "Matthew was my godson. Along the way, Jeff raised the ante, hiring Frank Ubhaus, a lawyer who represented Garden City card club, Bay 101's crosstown rival. And then, just when it seemed as though family relations couldn't get any worse, they did. After learning of the incident, Jeff and wife Elizabeth did not report the matter to police immediately. He followed that with suits alleging breach of contract, wrongful termination and misrepresentation. The elder Bumb may not have been feeling well, but he wasn't too sick to remember who was boss in this family. And for nearly a month, they did. AN ATTORNEY involved likened the whole contentious affair to a divorce. You know the school we went to?" The guy doesn't get a slap on the hand." Christopher Gardner Almost four months later, on July 21, 1998, George Bumb Sr. appeared in the downtown offices of Berliner Cohen to have his deposition taken. 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. But the Bumbs are hardly traditional political players. 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. According to Jeff, there was tremendous pressure from his father and others in the family to keep the incest a secret. For all his quirks and controlling behavior, the old man is regarded as a benefactor by most family members and some Flea Market employees who know their boss to be capable of great generosity. You know the school we went to?" 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. I'm on the hook for $15 million. "It's a very strong family. Of the four brothers, Tim and George had faced the least resistance from state gaming officials. 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. George Bumb Sr., an avid card player, held a regular weekly family poker game at his home. Over the years, he had developed working relationships with the city's politicians and bureaucrats. There were flowers everywhere. As legend has it, the Bumbs still send a monthly check to the widow of a former head of security who died of a brain tumor 20 years ago. And Jeff himself had been playing poker since he was 12. 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. Christopher Gardner 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 entertained offers to buy the club, the highest bid, he recalls, coming in at $40 million. 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. Most of George Bumb Sr.'s five dozen grandchildren have grown up in the 95127 ZIP code and have attended the family-run K-12 Catholic school, St. Thomas More, located on Flea Market grounds since 1978. Jeff tells the story differently: "Matthew was my godson. "He took care of it." You could also do it yourself at any point in time. Almost four months later, on July 21, 1998, George Bumb Sr. appeared in the downtown offices of Berliner Cohen to have his deposition taken. At the time, San Jose, like cities throughout the state, was strapped for cash, looking at an $11 million budget shortfall. Tim and George Jr. would appeal and reapply, the hope being that the club would open as soon as possible. And as with any divorce, embarrassing private details about the family and its businesses made their way into the public record. 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. attorney Frank Ubhaus asked the Bumb patriarch. Initially, police filed felony charges against Matthew Bumb for having oral sex with a minor and penetrating her with his fingers. (In one case, George Bumb Sr. loaned Jeff $31,250 in 1992 for his son to invest in Bay 101.) Eight months later, the frame of the weapon was found in a Salinas pond near Venzon's home with the barrel and slide missing. But Jeff Bumb would greatly prefer not to talk about this. And then, just when it seemed as though family relations couldn't get any worse, they did. 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. Initially, police filed felony charges against Matthew Bumb for having oral sex with a minor and penetrating her with his fingers. Dealers stood at the tables, ready to deal the cards. They recorded the conversation. The card club has done more than bring unwanted public scrutiny to this insular group. And he [Jeff] wants me to violate the condition which says in it that I sign away my rights and they close us down. In a fit, he took the paper he was writing on, crumpled it up and threw it out the office door. Christopher Gardner And then, just when it seemed as though family relations couldn't get any worse, they did. Initially, police filed felony charges against Matthew Bumb for having oral sex with a minor and penetrating her with his fingers. And as with any divorce, embarrassing private details about the family and its businesses made their way into the public record. Matthew Bumb's attorney argued that the relationship was consensual. The Bumbs made millions off of their successful gaming club, Bay 101, but the experience tore the family apart and aired the dirty laundry of a once tightly-knit and fiercely private clan. 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. She recalled that she was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt covered by a blanket. Soon after his confession, the word started spreading in the family about what happened. Preventive Medicine: George Bumb Jr. is a co-owner of Bay 101, where a snakebite kit is kept on-hand as a family joke. The couple even had a purchase contract for a $850,000 house on Golf Links Road. At the time, Jeff was in the midst of negotiating an arrangement to be bought out of the family businesses. It wasn't the idea of gambling. Toward the end of the call, things got heated. She recalled that she was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt covered by a blanket. Jeff's daughter interrupted Matthew and said, "And I didn't know better. 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.