Earlier this week, defendants Larchmont Bungalow and its owner Albert Mizrahi were granted another continuance in their criminal case after defense lawyers requested more time to present yet another motion urging the court to invalidate the charges filed against the defendants by the City of Los Angeles.
In granting this latest extension, Commissioner Elizabeth Harris agreed to resolve all matters, either setting a trial date or dismissing the case, on May 20, 2015. Commissioner Harris also advised Mr. Mizrahi’s longtime defense attorney Alan Fenster that there would be no further continuances. Lawyers for Mr. Mizrahi have presented seven motions overs the past three years, and all of the motions have been denied.
Objecting to this latest request for additional time, LA Deputy City Attorney Serena Christion said the city was revoking all previous offers that had been made to settle the criminal charges.
“There are no deals, this case will either get dismissed or go to trial,” Christion said. “Mr. Mizrahi has never made any attempt to comply with the law. His legal team has only attempted to change the law.”
Previously, the city had offered to drop the case if Mr. Mizrahi would plead guilty to the three charges against him and bring the illegal restaurant into compliance, then operate for 18 months, during which time he could seek to gain the necessary approvals from the city’s Planning Department to operate legally as a take-out food service establishment.
In 2010 The City Attorney’s office charged Mr. Mizrahi with three counts: failing to comply with orders from a city agency; providing false information; and continuing to operate without a certificate of occupancy. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Mizrahi filed a civil lawsuit against the city challenging the revocation of his certificate of occupancy which stopped the criminal case for two years while the matter was adjudicated in civil court. In January 2012, the court upheld the city’s enforcement action clearing the way for the criminal case to proceed.
Larchmont Buzz: Criminal Case Held Over to March
why should any merchant ever follow the Larchmont code again?
How in the h…. Does the cort let him get away with his actions. His type anyways tries to beat any laws. Makes you wonder about our court system
We go to larchmont for the bungalow and then shop, as do many others. Leave that man and that business alone. It’s one of the best things about larchmont, and brings in revenue for the entire street.
We are supposedly a community of laws. Scofflaws should not be permitted to flaunt their disrespect. Do you have excuses for all criminals who “bring in revenue”? Is that the standards of our community?
I think the zoning for Larchmont needs to be revisited. Especially since there’s likely other other eateries that are in violation as well. Yep the owner knowingly entered into the odd zoning arrangement. As did the cycle exercise biz that took over the ol’ Blockbuster store that had been empty for eons. But they did jump thru the hoops to get a variance.
We make regulations to keep certain businesses out yet a pot shop nearly slipped in.
As with any disagreement, it can be hard to see the forest through the trees. As a part of the mix of independent businesses in Larchmont, the Bungalow is a great fit. The menu, the price points, and the atmosphere, drive local residents and non-local alike to come and enjoy the strip.
That said the business owner has clearly made enemies and potentially or certainly has broken the law. Zoning is tough. Finding the right balance of command and control. The laws need to be looked at clearly, and the Bungalow owner is responsible for playing by the rules, but only to the degree that we would hold others on the strip accountable, as well as any business that would take over the space should the Bungalow be forced to close.
The end in mind is the health and balance of the strip. I hope that those at the wheel of control are focused on the big picture and not simply on the short-lived “win.”