(March 24, 2009) -- Public records obtained by LBReport.com indicate that the Loynes-south parcel (between Los Cerritos Channel and the mobile home park) -- which new owner Sean Hitchcock cleared of vegetation (in response to what he says was a fire hazard advisory) using a bulldozer on March 20 -- was conveyed to Sean and Linda Hitchcock (husband and wife) via a Grant Deed with a typed date of Feb. 19, 2009 (notarized signature date March 4) from "Bixby Long Beach, LLC" signed by Tom Dean, identifying himself as the LLC's Majority Member.

The Grant Deed reserves to Mr. Dean's Bixby Long Beach, LLC "all right, title and interest in and to all gas, petroleum and minerals and other hydrocarbon substances lying below a depth of 500 feet" [subject to a quitclaim deed by and between Bixby Ranch Company...and Bixby Bellflower Oil Prospect, LLC recorded July 29, 2003].

The Grand Deed includes a stamp stating "Transfer Tax Not A Public Record." The L.A. County Assessor's office tells LBReport.com that under such circumstances, the sale price can be withheld from the public for a period of time...but indicates that the sale price will eventually become public (perhaps in a period of months) when the new ownership of the property comes onto the tax rolls.

Also recorded in L.A. County's records is a Deed of Trust With Assignment of Rents securing payment to Mr. Dean's Bixby Long Beach, LLC of the sum of $2,300,000 plus interest under a promissory note (not recorded). The Deed of Trust includes notary attestations dated March 5 and 6, 2009.