Central Los Angeles : CRACKDOWN ON LANDLORD
No one would ever confuse his apartments with rooms at the Beverly Hills Hotel, but Salvador Paja says that at least he provides a “humanitarian service” for Filipino World War II veterans who need housing.
The city attorney’s office disagrees. It has charged Paja with criminal landlord violations. Paja, a Los Angeles lawyer and landlord, owns three buildings on Oakwood Street and North Heliotrope Drive on the edge of Koreatown and Hollywood. Along with associate Mateo DeCaza, Paja scouts poor veterans in the Philippines and works out financial agreements so that they move to Los Angeles and stay in his apartments.
The problem is that some of Paja’s apartments provide far less than quality living, authorities said. Late last month, Paja, 65, was charged with 36 violations of health, fire and building and safety codes for the Heliotrope Drive buildings.
City inspectors said the apartments were vermin-infested and lacked heaters, hot water or working smoke detectors. Missing plaster exposed live electrical wires. And the plumbing was faulty.
Paja says he began repairs on the properties in March and has spent at least $40,000. “I want my buildings to be updated to code,” he said. “I have nothing to gain by not doing so.”
He is scheduled for arraignment July 5 in Los Angeles Municipal Court.
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