Autry CEO Daniel Finley leaves behind foreclosed Wisconsin home for California Gold

New Autry CEO Daniel Finley and wife Jenifer lefted behind their Waukesha County, Wisconsin home to face foreclosure for California riches.

New Autry National Center Daniel Finley.

Fundraising savvy did not carry over to family finances for Wisconsin's and new California residents Daniel and Jenifer Finley.

The new Autry National Center CEO Daniel Finley and wife, Jenifer were apparently in such a haste to find California Gold, that they lefted their million dollar Wisconsin home and its $5,432 monthly mortgage to face the "foreclosure forces" of Associated Bank 

In a story by the Milwaukee Sentinel Journal, the one-time Republican Waukesha County Executive who served four terms in office from 1991-2005 and former CEO of the Milwaukee Public Museum, along with his wife Jenifer are the subjects of a lawsuit by Associated Bank. The lawsuit claims the Finleys are derelict in making their $5,432 monthly mortgage payments towards a 2008 $1.2 million dollar loan for the home pictured above. Further, we should note the Finleys soon after the $1.2 million loan, also arrainged for another $70,000 equity mortgage.

As reported in the story, "Associated Bank is seeking foreclosure and sale of the property and is asking that the Finleys each be held personally liable for any unpaid debt remaining after sale proceeds are applied to the mortgage, interest and costs".

Finley, who was credited for using his political savvy (at one time, Finley was consider a candidate to replace former Governor Tommy Thompson) and fundraising expertise to save the Milwaukee Public Musuem from near financial meltdown, apparently risks his own financial ruin in moving west to become Jackie Autry's latest front person.

Meanwhile, the "Friends of the Southwest Museum's upcoming "Soda-Tasting Fundrasier" is garnering attention from the likes of Yelp.com and we can report that one donor has already made a $1,000 donation! 

After all, if Mr. Finley can't practice financial accountability at home, can we trust him to exercise financial integrity in raising the capital to reopen a Los Angeles icon?

Your thoughts..............

Scott Johnson in the Southwest Museum's Home Council District.

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Tuesday

We reported last week on how, due to budget cuts, LA County beaches' restrooms are getting cleaned and are quite filthy.  Radio talk show hosts John and Ken led a harangue against County Stupidvisor Zev Yaroslavsky which led to Zev yelling at fellow Stupidvisor Don Knabe. Maybe Zev should just get a mop - or he can call Mayor Villaraigosa.

This blog has chronicled for sometime the controversy around the Autry National Center's takeover of the Southwest Musuem.  Now it appears the matter could lose a significant grant for the Autry.

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Councilman Huizar and Reyes take action regarding illegal Rec. and Parks Commission vote on Autry National Center expansion

CD 14 Councilman Jose Huizar and CD 1 Councilman Ed Reyes's Motion to assert council jurisdiction over the recent illegal action of the Recreation and Parks Commission to allow expansion of the Autry National Center in Griffith Park. The Friends of the Southwest Museum are asking museum supporters to attend Tuesday's May 31, 2011 City Council Meeting to show support for Councilman Huizar and Reyes's Motion.

Why is Councilman Huizar stuck between a "political rock and a hard place" on the fate of the Southwest Museum? (Hint, don't claim victory to after the battle is over) Maybe it also has to do with his "political Papi" Mayor Villar's supposed financial support from Latham &  Watkins? More on that issue in a email commentary from a Southwest Museum supporter after the jump.

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