City Attorney Sues to Shut Down Club

Saying state regulators are slow to crack down on alcohol violations, City Atty. James Hahn announced Monday the filing of a rare civil abatement lawsuit seeking to close a troublesome nightclub.

The suit filed Monday against the Maeva Club in Pacoima alleges that the bar engages in unlawful business practices and has become a public nuisance, triggering criminal activity in the neighborhood, authorities said.

Club owner Joel Torres could not be reached for comment.

Hahn said the civil action is necessary because it takes too long to revoke the club’s liquor license through state Alcohol Beverage Control authorities. The suit, he said, seeks to revoke the Maeva Club’s liquor license as well as place strict conditions on future business there.

“This is going to send a message that if you’re irresponsible, you’re going to have to face the music. They got their last chance, now we’ll see them in court,” said Hahn.

The suit is part of a joint effort with Los Angeles police--called Operation ABC Los Angeles--to target problem liquor outlets in the northeast San Fernando Valley. The pilot program aims to reduce crimes related to alcohol sale and abuse. It is also being tried in the LAPD’s 77th Division south of Downtown.

The city has so far singled out 19 bars and liquor stores for the program, which began in January with a $100,000 grant from the ABC.

Although the city has filed alcohol abatements in the past, most of the other lawsuits have been tied to related problems, such as prostitution, said supervising Assistant City Atty. Edmund Fimbres.

“Straight alcohol abatement lawsuits are rare. We do a couple a year,” he said. “But with the funds, we may now get to do more of them.”

As a result of the stepped-up enforcement, officers of the LAPD’s Foothill Division have increased alcohol-related arrests 900%--for a total of 137--during the first four months of 1996, compared to the same period last year, said Sgt. Kris Pitcher.

Police also employ underage teenagers to try to buy alcohol from stores and bars. Police have so far caught 28 establishments selling alcohol to minors, Pitcher said.

The Maeva Club also has been cited several times for allegedly employing so-called “B-girls,” women who illegally earn commissions based on the number of alcoholic drinks they solicit from customers, Pitcher said.

Foothill Capt. Ronald Bergmann said the bar is believed to be responsible for nearly 40% of all the robberies and crimes reported in the neighborhood since 1994. In addition, he said, 32 calls for police help--including 13 involving violent offenses--were made from the club during the first two months of the year.

Amelia Velasquez, who operates the Pacoima Traffic School next door, said she has not seen any problems created by the club in the past five years. “They have their own security that keeps the people in line,” she said.