Complaint Review: Gateway Capital

Twice Gateway Capital took large deposits from my clients without delivering financing! 

As a commercial Broker, I was seeking financing to complete the site work in a large, high-end Pacifica subdivision.  Another broker brought Gateway’s $10.5 million LOI to the table.  Long story short: after taking a $20,000 deposit and completing their due diligence, they could not deliver.. 

The second time, I called them.  They were nice guys—Byron Lusk and Shawn Hammond—and they had a “story” for what had happened.  I would give them the benefit of the doubt.  This time the transaction was easier. Still they required a $15,000 deposit for a $7.5 mm construction loan.  Byron flew out to Healdsburg, with his wife, and it would seem they had a lovely, all-expense paid vacation. 

I was told loan docs were being prepared.  Loan docs were being reviewed.  Loan docs would be out tomorrow.  Loan docs would be out next week.  But there were no loan docs. Ever. Their capital source had “backed out.” Again.

They said they would return the deposit—both verbally and in writing. But that was 6 months ago, 

Who are they?  I do not know for sure.  I guess they are brokers pretending to be lenders, who give out LOIs, hoping they can find the capital.  They take large deposits but do not deliver. They put me and my clients at risk, taking their money, apparently with no scruples.  The word unscrupulous comes to mind.