Court battles continue over Fort Bragg”s Tradewinds motel on South Main Street, even as Scott Feil, the former owner, serves his time in federal prison.
Attorneys involved in the case on all sides, have been mum to this newspaper and others who have contacted them. Joshua Eaton, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney in San Francisco said he could not provide any comment, even on when the next court date is, or what is on the docket.
The new owner of the bar and grill, Brittney Monciardini, is listed as daughter-in-law of Feil on her Facebook page. Monciardini, 24, and her husband Seth and their infant son, have their picture on the wall behind the cash register in the restaurant.
“I just own the restaurant. It is a sole proprietorship. I am not affiliated with the hotel. That is now bank operated. I took over June 2011,” she said.
Tradewinds has regained its liquor license, which was lost last year. Feil was sentenced to five years in federal prison in November. At that time, the Tradewinds bar, restaurant and motel was part of a federal forfeiture action, along with another motel Feil, 45, owned in Eureka.
Last Friday, the federal government removed its lien on the Tradewinds. An action by the bank to enter a state court action to install a trustee receiver for the motel was postponed until March 15.
Most of the very long list of charges against Feil were dismissed in November. He was sentenced for one count each of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana and filing a false tax return.
Also charged in the case were Steven Swanson, of Sebastopol, Tom Carter, of Upper Lake, Brett Bassignani, of Nice, and Mark Garcia, of Los Angeles.
Judge Jeffrey S. White ordered Scott Feil to pay the Internal Revenue Service $164,682 in restitution, a $200 fine and, along with his wife, to pay a forfeiture judgment of $2,695,146.
Feil paid the $200 fine the next day. Feil was also ordered to forfeit properties at 8838 East Road in Redwood Valley; 1975 Hunter Point Road, Upper Lake; 10850 Bachelor Valley Road, Upper Lake; 1960 South Dora St., Ukiah; Scottsfield Executive Hotel, 270 Fifth St., Eureka Quality Inn Hotel and Tradewinds Grill and Bar, 400 S. Main St., Fort Bragg and a mobile home at 511 Della Ave., Willits.
The forfeiture action took again $131,132 seized from Feil in November 2005. In a case widely heralded by medical marijuana activists, Feil won return of that money after it was seized by Los Angles Police during a raid of his medical marijuana dispensary.
In fact the current federal criminal case began in 2009, about the same time as Feil won a court order to return that money, on behalf of his Los Angeles based United Medical Caregivers Clinic medical cannabis dispensary in 2006. The Los Angeles Police Department had also seized 209 pounds of medical marijuana, 21 pounds of hashish, 12 pounds of marijuana oil. Medical marijuana activists believe federal authorities were angry about the return of the money and pressed harder on Feil.
Feil grew up in Rohnert Park, ran a janitorial business that served much of Northern California, ran a cattle ranch and raced stock cars locally.
Feil acquired the Fort Bragg business from the previous owners, the Affinito family, with Robert Affinito having been the owner and manager.
Monciardini said she has had no contact with the Affinitos and has heard they are no longer interested in the location.
The courtroom drama has had little effect on the restaurant, which was bustling on a weekday evening..
Monciardini said the restaurant now has a new menu, a live band on First Friday, karaoke every Thursday night, Taco Tuesdays and “Buck a Rib” Thursdays.
