It was supposed to be a win-win.
San Diego would acquire a downtown high-rise being vacated by Sempra Energy, spend a minimal amount to clean it up, and quickly move some 800 city employees into badly-needed new quarters very near city hall.
But that's not what happened.
101 Ash St. turned out to have huge problems (asbestos, plumbing, wiring); the city's lease-to-purchase agreement cost millions; employees were evacuated weeks after moving in; at least four people, including the real estate assets manager who originally said the purchase was a bad idea, lost their jobs; and the city is out $60 million and counting with nothing to show for it.
RELATED: NBC7 Admits Story On 101 Ash Street Was Based On Forged Document
The building's owner, Sandor Shapery; minority owner, Doug Manchester; a volunteer real estate broker, Jason Hughes; a dealmaker, Cisterra Development; San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and the city council all figure in the saga, but there is much that remains unknown.
The San Diego Union-Tribune Watchdog reporter Jeff McDonald's latest story helps fill in some of the gaps. He joined Midday Edition on Tuesday.