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County Metropolitan Transportation Authority as a full-time bus
operator. Since 1993 petitioner resided at 4431 West 49th Place,
Los Angeles (LA residence). The LA residence was purchased in
1993 by Druetta R. Orum (Ms. Orum), petitioner’s sister.
According to petitioner, he did not qualify for the loan to
purchase the LA residence and Ms. Orum “agreed to go in and get
the property in her name” and that “it was never intended for her
to live there.” During the years in issue, petitioner lived
alone at the LA residence. Petitioner testified that he did not
pay rent to Ms. Orum but made the mortgage payments directly to
the lender, Countrywide Home Loans (Countrywide), and also paid
for all real estate taxes, homeowner’s insurance, repairs, and
maintenance of the LA residence. Petitioner and Ms. Orum owned a
joint checking account with Fidelity Federal Bank (joint
account). All payments for mortgage interest, real estate tax,
and insurance on the LA residence were made from the joint
account. Petitioner testified that Ms. Orum did not make
deposits into the joint account.
According to petitioner, his name is not on the deed of the
LA residence, and it is his belief that during the years in issue
he could not sell or transfer the property. The deed to the LA
property is not a part of the record, and Ms. Orum did not
testify at trial.
In 1998, petitioner assumed Ms. Orum’s loan to Countrywide.
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Last modified: May 25, 2011