The federal investigation into the office that sets property tax bills for every homeowner in Orinda, Lafayette, and Moraga has grown wider.
Newly released grand jury subpoenas show federal prosecutors are now seeking assessment records tied to major developers, a Martinez refinery, a Walnut Creek apartment complex, and several current or former county employees, the East Bay Times reported Sunday, July 12. The subpoenas were obtained through a California Public Records Act request.
The expansion comes roughly five weeks after FBI agents searched the homes, offices, and vehicles of outgoing Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer and Assessor-elect Vince Robb on Monday, June 8. Search warrants cited alleged wire fraud and "other offenses," according to the San Francisco Chronicle. No criminal charges have been filed, and the subpoenas do not accuse any individual or company of wrongdoing.
What's at stake for Lamorinda
The Assessor's Office determines taxable property values across all 383,191 parcels in Contra Costa County. The county's 2026–2027 assessment roll, delivered Monday, July 6, totals nearly $300.8 billion. Those valuations drive property tax revenue for Lamorinda schools, fire districts, and city services.
None of the properties named in the subpoenas are in Lamorinda, but the subpoenas focus on whether specific commercial assessments were improperly reduced. That matters to residential taxpayers whose bills depend on the same assessment roll.
The Carmel Pines dispute
Among the properties named is the Carmel Pines apartment complex at 1770 Carmel Drive in Walnut Creek. Former supervising appraiser Andrea Albrecht alleged Kramer intervened to cut the property's assessed value by at least $3 million, according to the East Bay Times. The county paid Albrecht $135,000 to settle her lawsuit.
The Chronicle reported that Albrecht had valued the property at $13 million to $15 million in 2022. Owner A.L. Kolom & Associates contested the figure, arguing it should be about $8 million. Kramer agreed to lower the valuation to $10 million. The property later sold for $10.3 million, according to the Chronicle.
Developers and a refinery
Prosecutors also subpoenaed records involving Martinez Refining Co., the PBF Energy-owned refinery, though the subpoena does not suggest the refinery is accused of wrongdoing.
The subpoenas name the Seeno family and Discovery Builders, one of Northern California's largest homebuilding companies, as well as Concord-based DeNova Homes and founders David and Lori Sanson. David and Trent Sanson separately face federal bribery and conspiracy charges related to DeNova's 533-home Aviano subdivision in Antioch, but the subpoenas do not indicate the subdivision's property assessment was improper.
Three current or former assessor's office employees are also named: Denise Lucido, Peter Yu, and Parampreet Singh Bhatia. Prosecutors specifically requested records involving Lucido and members of her family.
Background
Kramer, who has served as assessor since 1994, announced in March 2026 that he would not seek a ninth term and will leave office in December 2026. He endorsed Robb, his assistant of 20 years, who won the June 2 primary with about 68% of the vote, according to KTVU.
Speaking to CBS News Bay Area on June 9 as agents searched his office, Kramer called the probe "a fishing expedition based on rumor and innuendo."
The Board of Supervisors said in a June 9 statement that it is "focused on ensuring the integrity of the assessment process" but noted limits on its authority over an elected official.
No charges have been filed. No court dates or grand jury hearing dates have been publicly announced. Robb has not responded to media requests for comment on the expanded subpoenas.
