BOYLE HEIGHTS : Trial Under Way for Hotel Owners

The trial of a couple accused of violating health, fire and building and safety codes in a residential hotel they own began last week in municipal court.

James V. and Gwendolyn G. Carone of Mission Viejo each have been charged in a 28-count complaint stemming from conditions at the Hollenbeck View Hotel, 2033 E. 4th St. They pleaded not guilty to the 28 charges in January.

The jury trial, before Judge Ronald Schoenberg, was expected to continue through this week.

James Carone was accompanied by several of the hotel’s residents, including the manager, who came to testify on his behalf. They lauded the improvements he has made to the building since he became the owner in August.

“What I have to appreciate about Mr. Carone, more than the repairs, is he was very concerned about my complaints about the bad people (who were living there),” said Rosa Venegas, who manages the 24-unit building.

Carone said he has put $55,000 worth of repairs into the three-story building and spent $20,000 evicting tenants who were suspected of selling drugs or involved in gangs.

His attorney, Victor M. Salerno, said the Carones have brought the building up to code. He asked Schoenberg to dismiss the case, but the judge refused.

Deputy City Atty. Michael R. Wilkinson has suggested a sentence of 36 months probation and $10,000 in fines and investigative costs. He also agreed to dismiss charges against Gwendolyn Carone if James Carone pleads guilty.

The city Slum Housing Task Force inspected the building last November and found large holes in the walls, cockroach infestation, broken windows, a missing heater, leaky plumbing, exposed electrical wiring, broken windows, a damaged fire hose and a missing smoke detector.