BOYLE HEIGHTS : Accused Slumlords Plead Not Guilty

A Mission Viejo man and his wife pleaded not guilty last week to charges of violating health, fire and building and safety codes in a residential hotel they own in Boyle Heights.

James V. Carone, 52, and Gwendolyn G. Carone, 43, were not at the arraignment before Los Angeles Municipal Court Commissioner Barry D. Kohn on Thursday morning. They were represented by their attorney, Victor M. Salerno.

The Carones are charged in a 28-count complaint regarding the 24-unit Hollenbeck View Hotel at 2033 E. 4th St.

The city Slum Housing Task Force inspected the building Nov. 2 through 16 and found cockroach infestation, broken windows, a missing heater, leaky plumbing, exposed electrical wiring, broken windows, a damaged fire hose and a missing smoke detector.

The hotel has been the target of numerous complaints, some of which resulted in the prosecutions of previous owners. One former owner, Chinnamma Kalapura of Hollywood, was sentenced to 30 days in jail and 500 hours of community service last year, according to Los Angeles City Atty. James Hahn’s office. The court has issued a warrant for the arrest of another former owner for failing to appear in court.

Deputy District Atty. Michael R. Wilkinson said Thursday, however, that the Carones have started improving the property.

“The most important thing and what our office will consider when recommending a sentence is how well they have responded and are trying to fix it up,” Wilkinson said, adding that he has visited the property. “It looks like they’re getting some progress there.”

Kohn ordered the Carones to appear at a pretrial hearing Feb. 10 in Municipal Court. They face a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine on each count, Wilkinson said.