Slumlord Fined $10,079 After Pleading Guilty to Violations

The landlord of a South-Central Los Angeles apartment building on Tuesday became the third owner in less than two years to be convicted of maintaining slum conditions at the property.

After pleading guilty in Los Angeles Municipal Court to 10 violations of fire, health, building and safety codes at 124 W. 22nd St., Hector F. Flores, 48, of Downey, was ordered to pay $10,079 in fines, penalty assessments and restitution.

He was also placed on three years’ probation and ordered to return to court Jan. 28 with proof of compliance with the codes.

Flores bought the 32-unit building in September, 1985, from Santa Monica Bank, which had purchased it the year before at a trustee auction. The bank and two of its top officers were charged a year ago with 32 criminal counts involving slum conditions at the building.

The bank pleaded no contest on May 15 to five code violations and was ordered to pay $5,000 to Las Familias Del Pueblo, an organization that relocates Skid Row families, as well as nearly $5,000 in fines and penalties. Charges against the officers--chief executive officer Aubrey Austin Jr. and vice president Ronald Makela, were dismissed.

Defendant Skipped Sentencing

The bank had acquired the four-story complex after the previous owner, Tofi Stephen, declared bankruptcy. Stephen pleaded guilty to code violations in January, 1985, but failed to show up for sentencing the following June and remains a fugitive, the city attorney’s office said.

When he acquired the building, Flores said he intended to spend $150,000 renovating the structure.

“I don’t know how much he’s spent,” said Deputy City Atty. Abraham Khan, the prosecutor. “We’ve given him a lot of time, but it doesn’t seem like he’s used the time to the best of his abilities.”

The code violations included vermin infestation, absence of heating in the units, missing kitchen sinks and lavatories, a lack of smoke detectors, inadequate fire doors, exposed live wires, a blocked fire escape exit, defective drop ladders and holes in walls, ceilings and floors, according to the city attorney’s office.

Khan said Flores was doing some of the work himself, even though he is not a licensed contractor.

“When we come back to court Jan. 28, if it looks like there’s been no progress . . . we will ask for some jail time,” the prosecutor said.