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Arcadia City Councilman John Wuo resigned, citing health and personal reasons. He had served on council for 12 years, including as mayor for 3 terms. His resignation comes on the heels of a lawsuit and intense scrutiny of his alleged involvement with GemCoin (digital currency) and alleged violations of the Political Reform Act's statement of economic interests disclosure requirement and conflict of interest.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34319
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 7, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A4
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 7, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A4
Subjects
Arvizu, David
Gemcoin (company)
US Fine Investment Arts, Inc. (USFIA)
Wuo, John
Item ID
34513AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Troubles mount in GemCoin (digital currency) scheme. Arcadia company is accused of scamming investors out of millions in a pyramid scheme since 2013, possibly earlier. Arcadia Councilman John Wuo denies any involvement, even after YouTube videos surfaced showing him at Gemcoin marketing events.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34318
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 2, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A6
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 2, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A6
Subjects
Chen, Steve
Gemcoin (company)
Johnson, Leonard Stacy
US Fine Investment Arts, Inc. (USFIA)
Wuo, John
Zhao, Weiwen (Wayne)
Item ID
34511AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Feds seize assets of US Fine Investment Arts (USFIA), a company that sells GemCoin, a digital currency that is purportedly backed by amber and other precious gems. Arcadia City Councilman John Wuo has denied any connection to the company. Securities and Exchange Commission served a temporary restraining order against USFIA and CEO Steven Chen. USFIA is under scrutiny for allegedly defrauding investors.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34316
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
September 30, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A4
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
September 30, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A4
Subjects
Chen, Steve
Gemcoin (company)
US Fine Investment Arts, Inc. (USFIA)
Wuo, John
Item ID
34509AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Some residents call for Arcadia City Councilman John Wuo's resignation amid allegations that he used his position to influence local Chinese Americans to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into a company called US Fine Investment Arts, Inc., which sells GemCoin, a digital currency, that some investors allege is fraudulent.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34312
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
September 17, 2015
Pages
p. A3
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
September 17, 2015
Pages
p. A3
Subjects
Gemcoin (company)
US Fine Investment Arts, Inc.
Wuo, John
Item ID
34506AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Some residents call for Arcadia City Councilman John Wuo's resignation amid allegations that he used his position to influence local Chinese Americans to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into a company called US Fine Investment Arts, Inc., which sells GemCoin, a digital currency, that some investors allege is fraudulent.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34313
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
September 17, 2015
Pages
p. A3
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
September 17, 2015
Pages
p. A3
Subjects
Gemcoin (company)
US Fine Investment Arts, Inc.
Wuo, John
Item ID
34506AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Arcadia firm US Fine Investment Arts (USFIA) is charged in fraud. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) alleges operator used GemCoin in a worldwide pyramid scheme, allegedly bilking investors out of $32 million.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34317
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 3, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A6
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 3, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A6
Subjects
Chen, Steve
Gemcoin (company)
US Fine Investment Arts, Inc. (USFIA)
Wuo, John
Item ID
34510AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Arcadia-based company US Fine Investment Arts, Inc. is under investigation by state and federal agencies as it faces allegations from investors that it swindled them out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The company has connections to Arcadia Councilman John Wuo.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34311
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
September 16, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A4
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
September 16, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A4
Subjects
Chen, Steve
Gemcoin (company)
US Fine Investment Arts, Inc.
Wuo, John
Yang, Solomon
Item ID
34505AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Arcadia City Council appoints ex-mayor Mickey Segal to fill seat vacated by John Wuo's resignation, until the municipal election in April. Wuo, who served on City Council for 12 years, resigned two weeks ago amid mounting allegations over his endorsement of USFIA and Gemcoin, in addition to an ethics investigation launched in September by the Fair Political Practices Commission. Segal is a CPA. Also the zoning code update resumes.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34353
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 22, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A5
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 22, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A5
Subjects
Arcadia City Council-2010-2019
Gemcoin
Segal, Mickey
Wuo, John
Item ID
34546AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

SEC reports show Gemcoin, USFIA were set up to 'defraud investors.' USFIA claimed it had amber mines, millions in precious gems, and other assets to back up its digital currency called Gemcoin, but none of that was real.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34499
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
March 20, 2016
Pages
p. A5
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
March 20, 2016
Pages
p. A5
Subjects
Chen, Steven
Cryptocurrency
Fraud
Gemcoin (company)
Liu, Long Z.
Ponzi scheme
US Fine Investment Arts, Inc. (USFIA)
United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Wuo, John
Zhao, Jennifer aka Zhao, Li
Item ID
34691AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

A recent report filed in federal court says Gemcoin's scam collected $164 million. Initially, investigators linked Gemcoin to $32 million in fraudulent investment. Steven Chen, his company U.S. Fine Investment Arts Inc., and Gemcoin (digital currency backed by precious gem reserves and amber mines) are accused of a "worldwide pyramid scheme."

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34615
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
July 24, 2016
Pages
p. A7
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
July 24, 2016
Pages
p. A7
Subjects
Chen, Steven
Crime and Criminals
Fraud
Gemcoin
Seaman, Thomas
U.S. Fine Investment Arts Inc.
Item ID
34807AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Arcadia firm GemCoin proves it owns amber mines in Caribbean, backing E-currency (cryptocurrency), despite earlier claims those mines did not exist. Still, there is no evidence GemCoin's digital currency had any revenue backing it beyond the funds generated from investors, according to court-appointed company tasked with going through U.S. Fine Investment Art Inc.'s books. Investigators found 300 acres of land in Dominican Republic, with a working mine, purchased for $373,000 in the name of CEO Steve Chen's brother Yan Chen.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34724
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
November 23, 2016
Pages
p. A1, A6
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
November 23, 2016
Pages
p. A1, A6
Subjects
Chen, Steve
Chen, Yan
Cryptocurrency
Gemcoin
U.S. Fine Investment Art Inc.
Item ID
34916AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) warned City of Arcadia of gift limits regarding the trip to China and Taiwan that city officials are planning for cultural learning and sister city relationships. See VF Sister City.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34073
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
February 23, 2015
Pages
p. A4
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
February 23, 2015
Pages
p. A4
Subjects
Arcadia City Council--2010-2019
California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC)
California Political Reform Act
Sister City
Item ID
34267AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Arcadia resident David Arvizu to challenge city on open meeting law. His letter gives city officials 30 days to respond to alleged open meeting law violations before he files a complaint with the D.A. or a lawsuit against the city. He offered two alternatives to litigation: the Council would either set aside the decisions made in closed session on May 5, or make the meeting minutes available to the public. In a closed session May 5, City Council voted to suspend comprehensive updates to the city's residential and commercial zoning codes, postpone the Neighborhood Impacts Committee, and move forward with a citywide historic preservation survey, excluding the Highland Oaks Homeowners Association. City Attorney Stephen Deitsch said officials did not violate the Ralph M. Brown Act when they voted on three "procedural" items in closed session because they were tied to pending litigation against the city.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34176
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
May 21, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A4
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
May 21, 2015
Pages
p. A1, A4
Subjects
Arcadia City Council
Arvizu, David
Ralph M. Brown Act
Deitsch, Stephen
Highlands Homeowners Association (HOA)
Lane, Arthur
Lawsuits
Save the Arcadia Highlands
Verlato, April
Item ID
34370AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Former candidate, Vince Foley has filed a complaint with the State's Fair Political Practices Commission regarding alleged under-reporting of campaign contributions by George Fasching and Dennis Lojeski.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper6243
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
June 28, 1996
Pages
p. A3
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
June 28, 1996
Pages
p. A3
Subjects
City Council - elections, 1996
Foley, Vincent
Item ID
6068AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Arcadia City Council members to submit nominees for John Wuo's vacant seat at next meeting October 20. Mayor Gary Kovacic and Councilman Tom Beck recommended former mayor Mickey Segal. Councilman Roger Chandler and Sho Tay wanted to take time to think of a few more nominees.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper34321
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 8, 2015
Pages
p. A3
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
October 8, 2015
Pages
p. A3
Subjects
Arcadia City Council-2010-2019
Beck, Tom
Chandler, Roger
Kovacic, Gary
Segal, Mickey
Tay, Sho
Wuo, John
Item ID
34514AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

First time school board candidate John Wuo is profiled.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper4527
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
April 13, 1995
Pages
p. A-3 photo
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
April 13, 1995
Pages
p. A-3 photo
Subjects
Wuo, John T
School Board - Elections, 1995
Item ID
4403AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

John Wuo was named the new mayor of Arcadia on Tuesday, April 19. He is the first Asian-American to be appointed to serve in the position for a full year. He wants to build a community auditorium.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper29474
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
April 21, 2005
Pages
p. A3
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
April 21, 2005
Pages
p. A3
Subjects
Wuo, John
Mayors
Asian-Americans
Item ID
29659AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

Mayor Gary Kovacic and former councilman John Wuo were leading yesterday in the early returns for two City Council seats, but former school board president Mary Dougherty was close behind. About 6,500 of the city's nearly 30,000 voters had already cast their vote as of early Tuesday evening.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper32922
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
April 11, 2012
Pages
p. A1, A4
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
April 11, 2012
Pages
p. A1, A4
Subjects
Arcadia City Council Elections--April 2012
Dougherty, Mary
Kovacic, Gary
Nunez, Henry
Tay, Sho
Wuo, John
Item ID
33119AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

As a result of Mayor John Wuo's vote against a Habitat for Humanity low-income housing project in Arcadia, three prominent Arcadians--Gary Kovacic, Mickey Segal, and former Mayor Charles Gilb--have withdrawn their support for Wuo's re-election campaign.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper29882
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
January 24, 2006
Pages
p. A1, A6
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
January 24, 2006
Pages
p. A1, A6
Subjects
Gilb, Charles
Habitat for Humanity
Kovacic, Gary
Low-income housing
Mayors
Wuo, John
Item ID
30068AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

City council candidate Sheng Chang accuses Mayor John Wuo of making the wrong decision in approving the resolution of necessity to begin eminent domain proceedings against Arcadia Self-Storage so that Rusnak Mercedes-Benz can expand. Wuo says Chang does not understand the proceedings.

https://arcadiahistory.andornot.com/en/permalink/newspaper29982
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
April 6, 2006
Pages
p. A1
More detail
Newspaper
Pasadena Star News
Date
April 6, 2006
Pages
p. A1
Subjects
Chang, Sheng
Wuo, John
City council elections - 2001-2010
Eminent domain
Candidates
Item ID
30169AN
Collection
Newspaper Index
Less detail

20 records – page 1 of 1.