Man Gets Probation for Trash in Yard

Adolph Leben, the Thousand Oaks man who has scuffled for years with the city over his habit of piling rubbish in his yard, received three years probation on Monday after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges.

Leben’s hearing in Simi Valley Municipal Court was not the first time the pack rat has had a showdown with the law over his trash obsession.

During the past seven years, Leben has been incarcerated twice and has been ordered to undergo psychological counseling for turning his property into a miniature junkyard.

City officials have twice entered Leben’s property on Havenwood Drive to remove the rubbish--the last time was just 10 months ago. But by last month, Leben had already built his home-grown dump back to the way it was. Responding to neighbors’ complaints, city officials say they had no choice but to file another set of charges against Leben.

Deputy City Atty. Jim Friedl said he was pleased to see that as of Monday morning, Leben’s yard was clear of waste.

Under the terms of the probation, if Leben builds up a new junk heap, he will face a third jail term, Friedl said.

“It looks like he’s cleaned up his act,” Friedl said. “He’s done what we wanted. We hope he will clean it up for good.”

Leben was also fined $135. He could not be reached for comment Monday.