LAKE VIEW TERRACE : Equestrian Center Operator Sues L.A.

Ex-jockey Eddie J. Milligan, operator of the Hansen Dam Equestrian Center, has sued Los Angeles in Small Claims Court for a $5,000 deposit he paid the city for the right to run a concession at the center.

It’s the first legal skirmish in what Milligan, 65, predicts will be a long, litigious war with the city over 20 acres of land between the Big and Little Tujunga washes in Lake View Terrace. Milligan has operated the center on behalf of the city since 1989.

Milligan says the city rejected his request to return the $5,000 deposit he paid for the right to operate an equestrian concession on the property. The city leases the land from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which owns the property because it is on a federally regulated flood plain.

But after tangling with the corps for years over environmental and other issues--including his right to live on the property--and after investing $3 million of his own money in improvements there, Milligan said last month that he wants out.

He wrote to city parks commissioners and Mayor Richard Riordan, among others, demanding compensation for his investment, but received no response. Last week, he requested his original $5,000 deposit back.

“They’re telling me there’s no deal between us, that they don’t have to return the deposit to me,” Milligan said. The city has allowed Milligan to operate the center under a lease renewed every month since 1989.

“In good faith, I have waited five years for a more permanent deal with the city to run this place. I have built a superior equestrian center with my own money. And I am no closer to a deal with the city today than I was five years ago. They (the city) rejected my claim, so we’ll see what the judge has to say about it. This is just the first showdown in court,” Milligan said.

Noelia Rodriguez, Riordan’s press secretary, said the city is unaware of any suit brought by Milligan. “We’ve apparently been working with Mr. Milligan and the corps to resolve all the issues; it’s been a long process. However, I checked with our attorneys and we have no record of being served with any legal papers from him.”

A Dec. 8 letter from the city parks department to Milligan rejected his claim, stating: “Upon the advice of the City Attorney, the Department is unable to return the cashier’s check at this time.”

Milligan said the city’s inability to confirm the legal action he has taken against it is an example of “the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. It’s a good example of what I’ve been dealing with for five years.”

Court documents show that a Jan. 17 date has been set for the case of Eddie J. Milligan vs. the City of Los Angeles in Van Nuys Small Claims Court.