My String of Bad Luck - YorkieTalk.com Forums

pixiepooh · 07-07-2005, 07:56 AM

I have been contemplating on writing this predicament of mine and sharing it with you. Numerous times have I found myself deleting it before I can ever post the thread. But because my husband is the only person I can hang on to at this point, I thought it really wouldn't do me any harm if I share it with you.

2 months ago, I thought I would die when my husband found a pinhole camera in the attic pointed directly into our bedroom. He immediately called the Landlord who said "If you call the cops, you won't get the house, Do you want to get the house?" and "If I'm your friend you won't do it, Kim". Now tell me, does that mean innocent to you? I was crying, furious and hysterical. We called the authorities and they have extracted the equipments including three pairs of underwears that I didn't recognize!!! The detectives called us the following day and asked us to catch him taped saying something that would blow his cover. Well, it didn't happen. I guess he was too clever for that. They found his prints inside the DVR and cannot prosecute him!!! It;s almost 3 months now but the detectives doesn't have anything new to tell us. This horrible man is our landlord and we are still here in this pitiful house. He won't return the money we have added monthly so that the closing purchase on the house won't blow our bank account. The monthly payment is supposedly $1195.00 He made us sign papers that said we'll be adding another 650 monthly to help us close on the house. Since we have a lease-to-own option on it, we agreed because we really want the house. Well, he won't return almost 9,000 that we have given him. To make matters worse, the realtor who put the property on the market is his ex-wife. Apparently, they're still good friends. She's making it very complicated because she will be showing the house to potential buyers and anyone related to that horrible man entering the house just gives me the creeps. That's why I installed security cameras in the house.

I have called local media and felt so sorry for myself because I couldn't even say one word straight because I was crying. They told me that if we were willing to talk to them, they'll do a story on it. But our lawyer advised us not to or we might face a slander lawsuit.

I know this is too much to share, but I couldn't even tell my parents. My mom has heart problems and because of the severity of the matter, it might just give her a heart attack.

A month ago we have decided to look for a house to buy or lease. We found one for sale and have gone through the process of closing on the loan... We got denied

because my husband recently moved to a new company and because his previous job which he only works part time now, switched him to a 1099 instead of a w2. I was crushed. And to make matters worst, the homeowner asked us to go through their mortgage company and try again(or they'll take us to mediation), well, it looked promising because the underwriter kinda assured us we'll be getting it. He said that the first loan was approached wrong... But just before the closing, we get a phone call telling us we got denied again.

2 days after that, we heard my husband's grandma's house burned down.

Two days from now, we'll be moving to a house that we have leased. I don't know what's stored for us there. But a new beginning on everything really wouldn't hurt. We're a very young couple. Nobody believed, except for our immediate family, that we would amount to any success because I got married so young.

We're holding on to our savings because we might need all of it to pay our civil lawyer once the criminal case is out for this man. We were advised that it would be alot easier on us if we waited til then to pursue a civil case against him.

I'm not asking for you Yters to feel sad for me... I just need your advise. Please, if you know anybody that can help us bring justice to what happened to us, let me know.

pixiepooh · 07-07-2005, 08:06 AM

And thanks to YT, I entertained myself and mingled with people who are happy and positive... God knows I even wanted to talk to a phsychiatrist because I couldn't sleep or eat. My husband was the same way.

wollfy · 07-07-2005, 08:28 AM

Wow you are going through a lot of stress. I really don't have any advice for you. But I hope everything goes ok for you.

lynette · 07-07-2005, 08:31 AM

I even begon to imagime what you and your husband have been through. It's sad that you did lnothing wrong and yet you are the one paying the price. Hopefully, everything will work out.

pixiepooh · 07-07-2005, 08:50 AM

It seems like criminals have more protection than the victims nowadays.

LIL MIS' MAGIC · 07-07-2005, 09:26 AM

I am sooo sorry to hear about all that is happening to you...the only thing I can say, it believe it or not, everything happens for a reason...sometimes we have no idea why but God has a plan and you are part of it....I will kept you in my thoughts and prayers and you struggle through this hard time!!!

pixiepooh · 07-07-2005, 09:39 AM

Everytime I'm about to fall apart, I chant that to myself "that God has a plan". It's a very rough time but I know God won't forsake us. He never has

Jeniferlee · 07-07-2005, 10:26 AM

I can tell you that you are doing the right thing by moving out! (as long as you have police records of the taping and camera's, etc for civic court)
Do not let the extra money you have been paying him go to waste! You are not the one who broke the contract you had- he did! My exlandlord tried something similar with our downpayment money, we got it all back.
As a lesson to others if this ever happens to anyone you know- call the cops first not the landlord!
Your trust will take time build back up but you are doing the right thing by trusting that God has a plan for you and your future!
Hugs good luck and you'll be in my prayers.

ssguzzy828 · 07-07-2005, 01:52 PM

OMG How awful. I hope you dont give up. People like this need to be stopped and castarated imo. God does not give you more than you can handle please believe that and you will see everything will work out. I know something like this can be very traumitizing, but TRUST ME you do go on. You wont forget but you learn to deal with it and go on. I will keep you in my prayers and i so hope everything works out.

P.S My husband has been a mortgage broker for many many years and might know of a company you can deal with out by you. I know you already found a house but he can definately give you tips on how to get a 100% loan or depending on your credit you may be able to get a loan w/o verifying your income. let me know if need anything.

pixiepooh · 07-07-2005, 05:38 PM

Thank you

I appreciate your reply. My husband and I are looking on getting the loan by the end of our lease. We were originally considering a 6 months lease because by then, his work history with his new job will at least show stability.

It's been awful and my husband has been really strong for the both of us. If it wasn't for my furbabies, I don't know if I could even recover from the shock.

Mya's_Mom · 07-07-2005, 05:56 PM

What a freaking nightmare! Montel Williams did a whole show on that. I would of thought times have changed since then. I would be scared and paranoid where those pictures would show up. It is tempting to do the stalking in reverse to see how he likes it? How many friends do you have? *evil grin* I am so sorry to hear you are going through all this. There is a saying that "The best revenge is success" I hope you can get past all this and not let it ruin your life.

MeganS · 07-07-2005, 05:56 PM

I'm so sorry you have to go through this. isn't it teriable how you can really trust no one nowadays!!? you think you know someone and then boom! i feel so badly for you all i can say is get records and keep them. get a police report. get and keep all the proof you have! good luck and you will be in my thoughts and prayers!

LvMyYorki · 07-07-2005, 06:26 PM

I am so sorry you have gone through this! I'm sorry I don't have any advice except to keep your chin up and don't lose faith! This will all work out and the upside is that you are a young couple and these hurdles are the glue that will keep you together!

SoCalyorkiLvr · 07-07-2005, 06:40 PM

It sounds as though the police and the DA do not feel that they have sufficient evidence at this time to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that your landlord is the one who installed the camera. Is there a possibility it could have been anyone else? If you can rule out anyone else then the case is stronger. I would think his fingerprints on the DVD would be enough so I am a little confused.

If the police are refusing to arrest him at this time then I would say go ahead with the civil suit because the standard of proof is easier "clear and convincing evdence". This is how OJ was found guilty in the civil suit although he was adjudicated not guilty in the crininal case. You need ypur money back ...and then some....NOW. I would ask your attorney to proceed on the civil matter and include the violation of your privacy rights, etc.

I am sure your attorney has reviewed the lease and knows that even if it says you forfeit the "extra" money you were paying toward the downpayment to purchase every month if you do not follow through with the purchase, I know that given these facts, basically a breach of contract of this magnitude would require a refund of not only the extra money but all the rent you paid for the entire time you lived there! I would certainly argue that he should not profit as a result of his illegal activity and disgusting invasion of your right to privacy!

Good luck.

pixiepooh · 07-07-2005, 08:28 PM

SoCalyorkiLvr--Our friends live up south and none of them would come over for dinner because frankly, I'm not such a good cook (

). The one compelling reason why me and my husband know it's him is that once he went up in the attic to check the vents... He said it will save us money in the long run. And he also said that we shouldn't go up there because the insulation gets really itchy. I also noticed that the cap of the smoke detector fell and was hanging because he stepped on the board where it was directly situated. He knew it fell and even apologized. Even helped put the cap back. Two days before my husband found the camera in the attic, he came in the house wihtout us present because he offered to install the water cooler he sold to us. He called us and said he should be done by five. We arrived home and after 20 mins., he came back and said he forgot to install a valve. We shrugged it off because we do not know anything about fixing things around the house, much less installing the water cooler. My husband talked to him outside after a while and my husband mentioned that he was working for a security company who supplies equipments to NASA and some of the county sheriffs in the US. He said he once owned a pinhole camera that he can check in his house. He said that he bought it for his restaurant in california. That triggered my husband's suspicions. He didn't mention it to me, because he knew I'd freak out about it because I never felt comfortable around this guy. My father-in-law knew it. Anyway, when he left, I noticed that the cap of the same smoke detector fell again. I asked my husband if the landlord mentioned anything about fixing something up in the attic.

I have typed out two pages of the weird things that happened before that now made sense. My husband and I feel so naive and plain stupid that we fell right into his trap. The detectives know it;s him. They told me he's had run ins with the law in california and knew how to get out of it. That freaked me out even more because that means we;re dealing with an experienced criminal here.

07-07-2005, 07:56 AM	#1
pixiepooh Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 231	My String of Bad Luck I have been contemplating on writing this predicament of mine and sharing it with you. Numerous times have I found myself deleting it before I can ever post the thread. But because my husband is the only person I can hang on to at this point, I thought it really wouldn't do me any harm if I share it with you. 2 months ago, I thought I would die when my husband found a pinhole camera in the attic pointed directly into our bedroom. He immediately called the Landlord who said "If you call the cops, you won't get the house, Do you want to get the house?" and "If I'm your friend you won't do it, Kim". Now tell me, does that mean innocent to you? I was crying, furious and hysterical. We called the authorities and they have extracted the equipments including three pairs of underwears that I didn't recognize!!! The detectives called us the following day and asked us to catch him taped saying something that would blow his cover. Well, it didn't happen. I guess he was too clever for that. They found his prints inside the DVR and cannot prosecute him!!! It;s almost 3 months now but the detectives doesn't have anything new to tell us. This horrible man is our landlord and we are still here in this pitiful house. He won't return the money we have added monthly so that the closing purchase on the house won't blow our bank account. The monthly payment is supposedly $1195.00 He made us sign papers that said we'll be adding another 650 monthly to help us close on the house. Since we have a lease-to-own option on it, we agreed because we really want the house. Well, he won't return almost 9,000 that we have given him. To make matters worse, the realtor who put the property on the market is his ex-wife. Apparently, they're still good friends. She's making it very complicated because she will be showing the house to potential buyers and anyone related to that horrible man entering the house just gives me the creeps. That's why I installed security cameras in the house. I have called local media and felt so sorry for myself because I couldn't even say one word straight because I was crying. They told me that if we were willing to talk to them, they'll do a story on it. But our lawyer advised us not to or we might face a slander lawsuit. I know this is too much to share, but I couldn't even tell my parents. My mom has heart problems and because of the severity of the matter, it might just give her a heart attack. A month ago we have decided to look for a house to buy or lease. We found one for sale and have gone through the process of closing on the loan... We got denied because my husband recently moved to a new company and because his previous job which he only works part time now, switched him to a 1099 instead of a w2. I was crushed. And to make matters worst, the homeowner asked us to go through their mortgage company and try again(or they'll take us to mediation), well, it looked promising because the underwriter kinda assured us we'll be getting it. He said that the first loan was approached wrong... But just before the closing, we get a phone call telling us we got denied again. 2 days after that, we heard my husband's grandma's house burned down. Two days from now, we'll be moving to a house that we have leased. I don't know what's stored for us there. But a new beginning on everything really wouldn't hurt. We're a very young couple. Nobody believed, except for our immediate family, that we would amount to any success because I got married so young. We're holding on to our savings because we might need all of it to pay our civil lawyer once the criminal case is out for this man. We were advised that it would be alot easier on us if we waited til then to pursue a civil case against him. I'm not asking for you Yters to feel sad for me... I just need your advise. Please, if you know anybody that can help us bring justice to what happened to us, let me know. Last edited by pixiepooh; 07-07-2005 at 07:59 AM.

07-07-2005, 08:28 AM	#3
wollfy JereBo On the Go Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jax, Florida Posts: 1,094	Wow you are going through a lot of stress. I really don't have any advice for you. But I hope everything goes ok for you. __________________ Jhordan, Jane, Jeremiah, and Buddy

07-07-2005, 09:26 AM	#6
LIL MIS' MAGIC Yorkie Lover Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Midlothian, Texas Posts: 4,377 Blog Entries: 3	I am sooo sorry to hear about all that is happening to you...the only thing I can say, it believe it or not, everything happens for a reason...sometimes we have no idea why but God has a plan and you are part of it....I will kept you in my thoughts and prayers and you struggle through this hard time!!! __________________ Kristin, Mom to: Lil Mis Magic, Sailor and Captain

07-07-2005, 10:26 AM	#8
Jeniferlee Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: In da UP of Michigan Posts: 346	I can tell you that you are doing the right thing by moving out! (as long as you have police records of the taping and camera's, etc for civic court) Do not let the extra money you have been paying him go to waste! You are not the one who broke the contract you had- he did! My exlandlord tried something similar with our downpayment money, we got it all back. As a lesson to others if this ever happens to anyone you know- call the cops first not the landlord! Your trust will take time build back up but you are doing the right thing by trusting that God has a plan for you and your future! Hugs good luck and you'll be in my prayers. __________________ "Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times."-Anon

07-07-2005, 05:56 PM	#11
Mya's_Mom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Brampton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 689	What a freaking nightmare! Montel Williams did a whole show on that. I would of thought times have changed since then. I would be scared and paranoid where those pictures would show up. It is tempting to do the stalking in reverse to see how he likes it? How many friends do you have? evil grin I am so sorry to hear you are going through all this. There is a saying that "The best revenge is success" I hope you can get past all this and not let it ruin your life. __________________ Regards,Cyn Driving the grammatically correct insane, one posting at a time

07-07-2005, 08:06 AM	#2
pixiepooh Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 231	And thanks to YT, I entertained myself and mingled with people who are happy and positive... God knows I even wanted to talk to a phsychiatrist because I couldn't sleep or eat. My husband was the same way.

07-07-2005, 08:31 AM	#4
lynette Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 104	I even begon to imagime what you and your husband have been through. It's sad that you did lnothing wrong and yet you are the one paying the price. Hopefully, everything will work out.

07-07-2005, 08:50 AM	#5
pixiepooh Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 231	It seems like criminals have more protection than the victims nowadays.

07-07-2005, 09:39 AM	#7
pixiepooh Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 231	Everytime I'm about to fall apart, I chant that to myself "that God has a plan". It's a very rough time but I know God won't forsake us. He never has

07-07-2005, 01:52 PM	#9
ssguzzy828 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: south suburbs of illinois Posts: 734	OMG How awful. I hope you dont give up. People like this need to be stopped and castarated imo. God does not give you more than you can handle please believe that and you will see everything will work out. I know something like this can be very traumitizing, but TRUST ME you do go on. You wont forget but you learn to deal with it and go on. I will keep you in my prayers and i so hope everything works out. P.S My husband has been a mortgage broker for many many years and might know of a company you can deal with out by you. I know you already found a house but he can definately give you tips on how to get a 100% loan or depending on your credit you may be able to get a loan w/o verifying your income. let me know if need anything.

07-07-2005, 05:38 PM	#10
pixiepooh Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 231	Thank you I appreciate your reply. My husband and I are looking on getting the loan by the end of our lease. We were originally considering a 6 months lease because by then, his work history with his new job will at least show stability. It's been awful and my husband has been really strong for the both of us. If it wasn't for my furbabies, I don't know if I could even recover from the shock.

07-07-2005, 05:56 PM	#12
MeganS Donating YT 7000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 12,016 Blog Entries: 1	I'm so sorry you have to go through this. isn't it teriable how you can really trust no one nowadays!!? you think you know someone and then boom! i feel so badly for you all i can say is get records and keep them. get a police report. get and keep all the proof you have! good luck and you will be in my thoughts and prayers! __________________ Megan "I have my dreams, I have made plans." - The Pirate Queen All Gave Some; Some Gave All

07-07-2005, 06:26 PM	#13
LvMyYorki Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 1,181	I am so sorry you have gone through this! I'm sorry I don't have any advice except to keep your chin up and don't lose faith! This will all work out and the upside is that you are a young couple and these hurdles are the glue that will keep you together! __________________ Tara, Tino & Diva Bunny Diva Bunny: http://www.dogster.com/?141104 Rudolph Valentino: http://www.dogster.com/?76963

07-07-2005, 06:40 PM	#14
SoCalyorkiLvr BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 8,246	It sounds as though the police and the DA do not feel that they have sufficient evidence at this time to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that your landlord is the one who installed the camera. Is there a possibility it could have been anyone else? If you can rule out anyone else then the case is stronger. I would think his fingerprints on the DVD would be enough so I am a little confused. If the police are refusing to arrest him at this time then I would say go ahead with the civil suit because the standard of proof is easier "clear and convincing evdence". This is how OJ was found guilty in the civil suit although he was adjudicated not guilty in the crininal case. You need ypur money back ...and then some....NOW. I would ask your attorney to proceed on the civil matter and include the violation of your privacy rights, etc. I am sure your attorney has reviewed the lease and knows that even if it says you forfeit the "extra" money you were paying toward the downpayment to purchase every month if you do not follow through with the purchase, I know that given these facts, basically a breach of contract of this magnitude would require a refund of not only the extra money but all the rent you paid for the entire time you lived there! I would certainly argue that he should not profit as a result of his illegal activity and disgusting invasion of your right to privacy! Good luck.

07-07-2005, 08:28 PM	#15
pixiepooh Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 231	SoCalyorkiLvr--Our friends live up south and none of them would come over for dinner because frankly, I'm not such a good cook (). The one compelling reason why me and my husband know it's him is that once he went up in the attic to check the vents... He said it will save us money in the long run. And he also said that we shouldn't go up there because the insulation gets really itchy. I also noticed that the cap of the smoke detector fell and was hanging because he stepped on the board where it was directly situated. He knew it fell and even apologized. Even helped put the cap back. Two days before my husband found the camera in the attic, he came in the house wihtout us present because he offered to install the water cooler he sold to us. He called us and said he should be done by five. We arrived home and after 20 mins., he came back and said he forgot to install a valve. We shrugged it off because we do not know anything about fixing things around the house, much less installing the water cooler. My husband talked to him outside after a while and my husband mentioned that he was working for a security company who supplies equipments to NASA and some of the county sheriffs in the US. He said he once owned a pinhole camera that he can check in his house. He said that he bought it for his restaurant in california. That triggered my husband's suspicions. He didn't mention it to me, because he knew I'd freak out about it because I never felt comfortable around this guy. My father-in-law knew it. Anyway, when he left, I noticed that the cap of the same smoke detector fell again. I asked my husband if the landlord mentioned anything about fixing something up in the attic. I have typed out two pages of the weird things that happened before that now made sense. My husband and I feel so naive and plain stupid that we fell right into his trap. The detectives know it;s him. They told me he's had run ins with the law in california and knew how to get out of it. That freaked me out even more because that means we;re dealing with an experienced criminal here.