Local News in Brief : Slumlord Skips Court
A third convicted Los Angeles slumlord has become a fugitive rather than face court action and a possible jail sentence, the city attorney’s office said Thursday.
A $50,000 arrest warrant was issued for Milan Novakovitch, 38, of Sherman Oaks, who previously served 60 days in jail for failing to make repairs at the 82-room El Cortez Hotel at 375 Columbia Ave.
Novakovitch missed a Nov. 19 deadline for making further repairs at the hotel and a $10,000 warrant for his arrest was issued at the time. The $50,000 warrant was issued Wednesday by Los Angeles Municipal Court Commissioner Barry Kohn when Novakovitch, also known as Mike Novak, failed to appear in court on new charges of failing to provide heat and water, clear out garbage, and eliminate rat and cockroach infestations at the hotel.
The other convicted slumlords who fled rather than face jail time are Vijaynand Sharma and Rosemary Martin. Sharma has been ordered to spend 23 months in jail and has additional charges pending against him. Martin faces 305 days in jail.
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