Art Fraudster's Unauthorised Fence Blocks Popular California Beach Path
Chaos has erupted in a Northern California coastal community after a convicted art swindler constructed a substantial metal fence blocking a cherished scenic walking path to Thornton State Beach. The controversial barrier stands on property that does not belong to him, according to local officials, sparking widespread anger and legal action.
Fence Appears Without Warning
Luke Brugnara, a 62-year-old former real estate mogul turned fraudster, admitted to Daly City Police Chief Cameron Christensen that he directed the installation of the large chain-link barricade. The fence directly obstructs the walking path to Thornton State Beach in Daly City, located approximately thirty minutes outside San Francisco. County authorities confirmed Brugnara erected the structure weeks ago, despite not holding ownership of the land.
Donna Pope, one of the verified property owners, expressed her dismay to the San Francisco Chronicle. "It's just bizarre," Pope stated, confirming she reported a trespasser on the family land, which has been in her family for generations. She demands the fence's immediate removal.
Legal Violations and Community Outrage
The fence dominated discussion at a recent Daly City Council meeting, where a code enforcement officer revealed a formal notice of violation had been issued to the property owner. The notice cites multiple potential infractions, including construction without a required permit, possible encroachment into public land or city right of way, and obstruction of a public trail used by the community for decades.
San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa, who frequently hikes the trail, described the situation as egregious. "To have the audacity to squat and then, if you could imagine, build a fence is probably in my 19 years of politics the sickest thing I have ever seen," Canepa told the Chronicle. He estimates the fence stands eight feet tall, though Brugnara claims it measures six feet.
Local residents and preservationists are equally furious. Annie Elliott, co-founder of the Thornton Beach Bluff Preserve, emphasised the path's historical significance. "This has been an area that, again, has been used by literally thousands of people for decades," Elliott said. "It's visited by locals, by visitors to San Francisco, international visitors come to this area. It's very popular because it's very scenic and it's near the city. It's just too bad that this person decided to fence it all in."
Brugnara's Controversial History and Claims
Brugnara, who also goes by the nickname 'Lucky,' insists his actions are legal, claiming he is part of a group that owns the property. He has suggested locals access the beach via the north side instead. However, his credibility is severely undermined by a extensive criminal record.
Once a prominent figure in San Francisco's 1990s commercial real estate scene, Brugnara's downfall involved multiple convictions. He served nearly nine years in federal prison for refusing to pay for artwork worth over $11 million, a case involving wire fraud, tax fraud, and art swindling. During his 2015 trial for art fraud, he represented himself before receiving a seven-year sentence, despite an appeal arguing mental instability.
His past includes being denied a Las Vegas gambling license due to financial irregularities and allegations of making death threats. Brugnara was released from federal custody in August 2025 and was briefly booked into San Mateo County Jail on January 22 this year, though it remains unclear if that arrest relates to the fence controversy.
Investigation and Next Steps
Following the council meeting, the code enforcement officer requested the property owner submit crucial documents, including permits, survey data, and site plans. This will enable a thorough multi-agency investigation into the fence's legality. Supervisor Canepa has also written to the California Coastal Commission regarding the matter.
Zachary Leyden, co-owner of nearby Ocean View Stables, recounted that Brugnara approached him before the fence's sudden appearance, claiming to be the new property owner and demanding removal of the stable's belongings. "At first, he was being nice until he put up the fence and he said 'no more horses' basically stop using the property," Leyden recalled.
The community now awaits the outcome of the investigation, hoping for the swift removal of the barrier that has unlawfully severed a beloved public connection to Thornton State Beach.
