Case Against Larchmont Bungalow Continues

The criminal case against the Larchmont Bungalow restaurant, at 107 N Larchmont Blvd., isn’t affected by the recent death of Bungalow owner  Albert Mizrahi, according to Serena Christion, Deputy City Attorney. “This does not change the posture of the case,” Christion told the Larchmont Buzz yesterday. 

The Larchmont Bungalow LLC is the corporate entity that has been charged in the case; Mr. Mizrahi was the representative. What happens next depends to some degree on what happens with the corporation, explained Christion. 

The next hearing in the case was originally scheduled for today (August 17, 2016), but it was rescheduled for February 1, 2017, after when Mr. Mizrahi’s lawyer appeared in court a few weeks ago to make a progress report and pay investigation fees on behalf of his client, who was at that time in the hospital. According to Christion, the case continues to move forward.

The Larchmont Bungalow secured permits to open in October in 2009, as a take-out retail restaurant with no tables and chairs…but it immediately violated the terms of a covenant signed with the City of LA Department of Building and Safety. Mizrahi’s permits were then revoked and criminal charges filed.  Over the years, Mizrahi has sued the City, alleging unfair prosecution and attesting that he did not understand the covenant he signed, agreeing to operate as a take-out with no tables and chairs. The City won both of its lawsuits, and higher courts refused to hear or grant Mr. Mizrahi’s appeals.

Mr. Mizrahi also pleaded guilty to fire code violations for failing to file for a permit with the Fire Department and overcrowding. The Larchmont Bungalow LLC is currently on probation and is subject to frequent inspections by the Fire Department.