Coastal officials order tech billionaire to reopen Martins Beach near Half Moon Bay

California's coastal regulator is threatening to fine a billionaire investor millions of dollars for ignoring a court order to open a popular beach to the public.|
ASSOCIATED PRESS
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

HALF MOON BAY - California's coastal regulator is threatening to fine a billionaire investor millions of dollars for ignoring a court order to open a popular beach to the public.

A San Francisco appeals court ruled in August that venture capitalist Vinod Khosla broke state law when he blocked the public from Martins Beach, south of Half Moon Bay. He bought a $32.5 million beachfront property there in 2008 about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of San Francisco.

On Tuesday, the California Coastal Commission released a cease-and-desist letter ordering Khosla to remove a locked gate and signs warning of no trespassing and beach closed. It also seeks to ban further development without a permit.

An attorney for Khosla, Dori Yob Kilmer, declined to respond to the letter.

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