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More Trouble at the Brookdale Inn
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More Trouble at the Brookdale Inn
Owner Charged in Employee Disputes as He Pursues 'Labor of Love'
By Linda Fridy
On Oct. 16, 2007, Sanjiv Kakkar bought the former Brookdale Lodge and promised to revive its faded glamour. Two years later to the day, he was arrested there, charged with fraudulent workers' compensation insurance statements and accused of bouncing employee pay checks.
The growing rumbles of discontent and complaints from workers prompted an investigation by the District Attorney's office. Those efforts led to the Oct. 16 charges.
They may not be the last, as D.A. investigator Craig Tanako confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and more possible offenses have surfaced since the arrest.
"Others have been calling me with similar complaints and we're looking into those," he said.
Kakkar, who paid $75,000 bail before being released, said the allegations came as a surprise.
"I was very much surprised by it. … They never asked. I hope to clear it up quickly," he said.
Kakkar was arraigned Oct. 29 on four criminal charges, three of which are felonies and one misdemeanor. His preliminary trial is set for Dec. 14, at which time a judge will determine if there is sufficient evidence to go forward.
Assistant D.A. Kelly Walker said that Kakkar was interviewed during the investigation. Walker confirmed that the case was ongoing.
A Tough Two Years
Kakkar attributed some of his problems to a lack of communication, for example the workers' compensation issue.
"[The alleged victim] never told me or the manager he was injured on the job," he said.
Kakkar also disputes that the injuries were job-related or that the person involved, who resides on the property, was an employee. He claims the injuries happened during fights at night.
Kakkar also acknowledged that he may have an image problem.
"I think people have the wrong impression of me. I've always been a person who cares about society and cares about the community," he said, explaining that he thought his work to improve a local landmark would show the community his good intentions.
"I'm doing it for the local people of the San Lorenzo Valley. I'm not getting any personal gain out of it," he said. "Maybe it's just the economy and the times. I've run into some stumbling blocks."
Even Kakkar's attempts at renovation seem to have created problems, as planning department records show that construction at the site is still awaiting permits and the applications were not submitted until earlier this year.
Yet he remains committed to restoring the landmark he renamed the Brookdale Inn and Spa.
"I took on the challenge and continuously have been pouring money into it. … The last two years have been a constant labor of love."
A Deadly Fall & Unpaid Property Taxes
The inn owner may have other problems beyond the employee charges.
County tax records show that property taxes on the two parcels that make up the hotel and adjacent apartments are in default, owing a total of $27,372.67.
On Sept. 26, San Lorenzo Valley native Robin Carlson, a former Marine, died six days after sustaining injuries in a fall at the inn. Carlson, 35, had fallen in an area under construction by the pool and was airlifted to Stanford.
Emergency responders from Boulder Creek Fire said Carlson fell in what appeared to be a construction hole and that there was nothing in the area marking or protecting the hole, according to Fire Chief Kevin McClish.
Kakkar said that the entire pool area had no trespassing signs and that Carlson had forced his way into an area where welders were at work on a Sunday evening. He appeared to be high on drugs and threatened the workers with a screwdriver, Kakkar said.
They had gone to the office to report the incident when Carlson broke open a bolted door leading to an old firewood shaft and fell, said Kakkar.
Fire Still under Investigation
The District Attorney's Office is not the only agency looking into incidents at the Brookdale Inn and Spa.
Agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) continue their investigation into the Aug. 18 fire at in the rear of the inn. The charred remains of cars and apartments remain fenced off.
The fire began in a vacant area used for storage before spreading into occupied apartments behind the inn itself. Initial damage estimates totaled $750,000.
The previous owner faced a similar problem. That is the same location where a 2005 fire began, McClish noted.
Kakkar paid $5,340,000 for the two parcels in 2007 near the peak of the real estate market, taking over from the Gilbert family that bought it in 1989.
"A lot of the issues I had inherited," said Kakkar.
The original lodge dates back to 1890, but much of its original rustic architecture was lost to fire and remodeling.
The lodge hosted a U.S. president and movie stars in its heyday, but is now best known for its reputation as a haunted locale. The ghost of a child who allegedly drowned in the creek has been sighted, according to local legend.
The inn has retained its most famous feature, the Brook Room. The dining room resembles a conservatory greenhouse complete with a real brook, Clear Creek, running through it.
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