Former Housing Manager: I “Made a Few Serious Mistakes” When Leading Taxpayer-Funded Facility

Michael Shew is being investigated by San Diego Police after allegations of embezzlement at the Hotel Sandford complex

The former Hotel Sandford manager who is being investigated on possible charges of embezzlement told NBC 7 Investigates Friday he is cooperating with detectives.

Michael Shew was hired by Royal Property Management (RPM) to manage the affordable housing complex from October 2014 until April of this year when he resigned.

In an email to NBC 7 Investigates, Shew said:

"I have spoken with the San Diego Police department and I am working/cooperating with them and their investigation. I made a few serious mistakes in judgement and I am trying to do anything that I can to help correct those mistakes."

Click here to read the email.

NBC 7 Investigates reported last week that RPM lost the Hotel Sandford property management contract this month after the San Diego Housing Commission and SDPD were alerted to possible cases of embezzlement at the complex. RPM was awarded the property management contract last October by the San Diego Housing Commission.

In 2010, the San Diego Housing Commission bought the former hotel and converted the building into housing units for seniors.

The owners of RPM said they hired Michael Shew to run the day-to-day operations of the housing complex when they were awarded the property management contract last year.

Last month, the owners of RPM said they were first alerted that rent checks, made payable to the Hotel Sandford, were not being cashed into the hotel’s accounts.

When RPM brought this to the attention of Shew, the owners said, he submitted his resignation the next day, citing personal health issues.

San Diego Police say the investigation is ongoing.

At this time, no charges have been filed against Michael Shew or RPM’s owners.

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