Delayed is the term once again used to describe the status of the City of Los Angeles’s criminal case against Larchmont Bungalow restaurant owner Albert Mizrahi. The case was filed in 2010 for operating without a certificate of occupancy and failing to comply with city orders.
On Wednesday, attorneys Richard Hirsch and Alan Fenster appeared before Judge Margelita V. Haynes, who granted another delay. Mr. Hirsch explained that former City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, now part of the legal team for Mr. Mizrahi, had contacted the City Attorney’s office Tuesday afternoon to advise them he was seeking a temporary continuance in the case while the city planning department reviews the Larchmont “Q” Conditions, the zoning ordinance governing the occupancies on the Larchmont between First street and Beverly Blvd.
Prosecutor Serena Christion demurred, telling the judge the City Attorney’s Office had previously agreed not to oppose the request. The judge, completely new to case, agreed to the continuance and set a new date of December 15.
Mr. Hirsch told the Buzz the planning department is reviewing Mr. Mizrahi’s case to clarify the definition of a “take out” food establishment. If the Bungalow is found to conform with that, “it makes this case moot,” said Mr. Hirsch.
“This case is not about the “Q” conditions, it’s about operating without a certificate of occupancy and failing to comply with city orders,” explained a frustrated Christion. “They seem to want to make this case about the “Q” conditions and it’s not.”
In August, the Buzz reported that Mr. Mizrahi has filed a new Land Use application with the City, formally requesting a clarification of the City’s “Q” conditions on Larchmont, specifically in the definition of “restaurant.” Planning department staff told the Buzz that they have prepared a clarification letter that is currently being reviewed by senior planning staff members and will be published once the internal review process is completed, perhaps sometime next month.
The scumbag Mizrahi delays again! Is he the worst property owner on Larchmont Blvd or what?! His property acquisitions resulted in the loss of stores cherished by the community and he continues to oppose our community rules otherwise known as local zoning code.
5 years of complete contempt by Mizrahi! He apparently is succeeding in making a law a joke.
And now he is being aided by former City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo – who of course is supposed to know exactly what the law states. Isn’t it just perfect that Delgadillo – who is actively allowing his own historic property at the corner of Windsor and 8th Street to decay, unsecured, unkempt, unfixed and (and City-cited) is now the attorney who is actively promoting disrespect for the law, and irresponsible stewardship of planning in Larchmont.
Mizrahi is making a mockery of the justice system. Shame on the city council, shame on the City Attorney’s office for turning a blind eye by not contesting the continuance and shame on the judge who granted it. People go to jail for lesser offense and less due process. What a blackeye on our system.