Compton : Complaining Tenant Moves

A family whose complaint to county officials led to the citation of health and safety violations at an apartment building owned by Compton City Atty. Wesley Fenderson Jr. voluntarily moved out of the building last weekend, causing an eviction suit against them to be dismissed.

Terri Hill, 21, said that her family had simply moved “to a better place” in Long Beach.

Fenderson had filed eviction proceedings against the Hills, alleging that he was owed $686 in back rent. Hill said she had not paid the money because Fenderson had not installed carpeting in her apartment as she said he had promised.

Hill filed a complaint with the county Environmental Health Services Department last month, charging that the apartment complex did not meet health and safety standards. A subsequent investigation found more than 30 violations, including a cockroach infestation and faulty plumbing and heating, in the two-story, six-unit building.

At an administrative hearing last week, Fenderson was given until April 28 to complete repairs, according to Michael Spear, a department supervisor. If Fenderson fails to make those repairs he could face criminal prosecution, Spear said.