Have we explored all the possible avenues LR has for income? I looked at comparable rentals on Craigslist for Fremont, and it still seems you'd be looking at $2k-2500/mo in rent.
The options seem to be:
- JC's salary (which I can't imagine would be over 40K, even as a manager in the Bay Area)
- State assistance for foster care (how much does this pay in CA?)
- Welfare (not likely being that it doesn't look like a Section 8 property)
- LR's Inheritance (but he would have inherited years ago from his parents, and he still was in debt several years ago according to court documents)
- Stock options (if he was laid off 1-2 years ago, it was a bad time to sell. I'm also not sure how reputable the company was, or if it was publicly held. Plus he did technical temping after that, strange if you are living large with stock options)
- JC's Inheritance (her family doesn't seem to be made of money, and you'd figure if a grandparent passed away, her mother would inherit)
- Trust fund (again, doesn't seem likely with fairly recent debt on LR's part)
- Lawsuit settlement (there may not be a record of it if it settled out of court)
- Excellent stock trades (I have known some people who have won by selling short even in this economy)
None of the above seem to be enough to pull in a few-thousand dollar rental or mortgage payment, and take care of prenatal care, an 18-month old, and a boy with special needs (let alone school costs and gas and other living expenses). And they don't seem particularly rich right now, beyond the house and nice car.
Although, some people have gotten good deals on housing since the real estate bubble burst (buying). And I have seen some nice Bay Area homes go Section 8 when the rental market suffers (but it's seemed pretty competitive in recent years).
I just think there must be some other source of income, but can't for the life of me guess what it would be. The possibility of drugs has been brought up, but I would think neighbors would notice excessive comings and goings.
I hope one of the search warrants focused on financials. Also hope LE has indeed been tracking or requesting ISP records and phone calls.