The criminal case against the Larchmont Bungalow, filed more than 7 years ago, moved further toward closure today. Vicki Podberesky, a lawyer for the Larchmont Bungalow entities, told Commissioner H. Elizabeth Harris that her client has paid all their fines and was now in compliance with their no contest plea having closed the restaurant on August 1.
At the time of the plea, the Bungalow agreed to either close or comply with local zoning laws by August 7. If Bungalow owners remain in compliance for the next six months, they will earn dismissal of their case. As the owner of the building, Renee Mizrahi, widow of Albert Mizrahi, could now lease the space to another tenant.
“Anyone who opens there will have to comply with all the codes and get the proper permits,” said Podberesky, adding that she did not know with that owner intended to do with the space.
“If they are still in compliance at the end of the term, we will dismiss the case,” said City Attorney Serena Christion. “However, if they don’t, we are prepared to file another case.”
The Bungalow paid just over $3,000 in fees to the City for expenses of the Department of Building and Safety to prepare the case. Court appearance and attorney fees are not chargeable. An attorney estimated the case has consumed thousands of hours of legal time, as it has continued over dozens of lawyers, judges and court rooms in the last 8 years.
“This case should have ended a long time ago, but we got what we needed, not what we wanted. We finally got them to do what they were supposed to do,” said Christion.
