{
  "id": 16060833,
  "title": "Experts Say Land Venture Linked to David Flippo is “Batshit” and a “Huge Red Flag”",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/experts-say-land-venture-linked-to-david-flippo-is-batshit-and-a-huge",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-22T15:14:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mother Jones",
    "slug": "mother-jones",
    "url": "https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/10/david-flippo-nevada-lost-basin-arizona-land-reserve-mcdowell-tuminello/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In December 2022, a 20-year-old California woman invested a significant portion of her savings into a venture called Lost Basin Holdings, which aimed to develop remote land in Arizona. However, upon the loan's maturity in late 2024, she received no repayment. The company's founder, Robert McDowell, claimed the business was \"actively looking\" for new investors to repay her. Despite asking McDowell about her money multiple times, she did not receive any response.\n\nWhat complicates matters further is Arizona Land Reserve, a real estate venture co-founded by McDowell in January 2025. This company aims to provide a \"constant 20% annual return\" over 20 years, with its primary asset being Flippo's stake valued between $1 million and $5 million. The company's deep ties to David Flippo, a scandal-plagued Republican candidate for Congress in northern Nevada, raise concerns. Flippo is reportedly present at all investment meetings and has a business relationship with Arizona Land Reserve.\n\nMoreover, Flippo has received hundreds of thousands of dollars in political donations from Arizona Land Reserve and its associates. Flippo, McDowell, and Tuminello have declined to comment on the project's financial viability and connections with Flippo. The company's proposed development of a \"1st class fly-in community\" seems highly unlikely given its remote location and the financial challenges it faces. Experts question the feasibility of the project and Flippo's ability to repay the loans. Flippo's financial disclosures are also overdue, raising further red flags.",
  "summary": "In December 2022, a 20-year-old California woman loaned most of her savings to a venture calling itself Lost Basin Holdings. In theory, the $25,000 loan from the young conservative, who asked to remain anonymous, would be used to develop remote land in northwestern Arizona. But when the loan came due in late 2024, she got […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Lost Basin Holdings promised repayment, but failed to do so in late 2024.",
    "Arizona Land Reserve, co-founded by McDowell, targets 20% annual return for 20 years.",
    "Flippo's involvement raises red flags due to financial ties and political donations."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}