Oakland Landlord Faces Charges in Court, Protests from Angry Tenants
The largest private landlord in Oakland began his trial on Monday, both inside and out of federal court on Clay Street.
As Michael Marr walked into court on the day jury selection commenced in the government’s case accusing him of rigging foreclosure auctions, he was greeted by his angry East Oakland tenants, who say the trial only tells part of his misdeeds.
Marr, who owns more than 300 properties, mostly in Oakland’s flatlands, is one of four men accused of working together to suppress the prices of bids on foreclosed homes at courthouse auctions.