GARDEN GROVE : Landlord Granted Arraignment Delay

A landlord charged with 685 criminal counts for maintaining substandard housing in the city was granted an arraignment delay Tuesday after city officials raised no objections to the postponement in court.

City officials said they did not object to the 30-day postponement because the landlord, Khosro Khaloghli, 52, of Newport Beach, has made a substantial cleanup effort at his Park Regency apartment complex, said John Bushman, a city spokesman.

“We’re cooperating with their work schedule,” Bushman said. “As long as they are making progress, we are just going to sit by and make sure it’s according to schedule.”

Khaloghli, who faces 685 criminal misdemeanor charges involving rat and cockroach infestation and other problems at the complex in the 12000 block of Buaro Street, was due in court for arraignment Tuesday, but was granted a delay, Bushman said.

Deputy City Atty. Gary Baum, who filed the charges against Khaloghli, said on Tuesday that he “has been gagged” from talking about the case by the city manager and city attorney. He referred all inquiries to Bushman, the city information officer.

Bushman said the order for Baum not to make public statements on the case was issued by City Atty. Stuart B. Scudder and City Manager George Tindall, who is on vacation. Bushman said part of the reason was Baum has a heavy caseload and “he needs to be working on them.”

Bushman said Khaloghli and his attorney met with Scudder and Tindall the day after charges were filed and reached an agreement under which Khaloghli is to renovate the apartments, Bushman said.

“He’s already gutted two apartments, and he’s shown that he wants to clean them up, and we’re going to cooperate with him,” Bushman said.

Khaloghli’s arraignment is now scheduled for Oct. 10.