Adult Shop Sued Over Lewd Conduct Arrests

Los Angeles City Atty. James K. Hahn on Thursday filed a lawsuit against a North Hollywood pornography shop where police officers have made 20 arrests since Jan. 1 for lewd conduct and prostitution.

Hahn called the Big Apple Bookstore at 10654 Magnolia Blvd. a “magnet for criminal activity.” The store is run by Stephen Wiener, who, according to a Hahn news release, has been sued twice before by the city in connection with two other pornography shops he operates, including the J & B Bookstore in North Hollywood.

Hahn’s office seeks to require Wiener to discourage patrons from engaging in sexual activities, such as masturbation, while they view adult films in the store’s viewing booths, Deputy City Atty. Henry A. Burr said.

If the case goes to trial, a judge will be asked to require Wiener to hire a security guard to regularly patrol the booths, install two-way mirrors to allow booths to be monitored, keep the booths well-lit and post signs warning patrons about prohibited sexual activity.

Burr said neither of the two other cases against Wiener went to trial. The city attorney’s office negotiated an out-of-court settlement regarding one of the stores and is negotiating a similar settlement regarding J & B.