Landlords Charged Over Health, Safety Violations
Criminal charges have been filed against the owners of two rat-infested residential buildings in Los Angeles, the city attorney’s office announced Friday.
Abu Hossain, 46, of Walnut was charged with 33 counts of health and building and safety code violations stemming from the condition of his two-story, 18-unit apartment building in the 3800 block of South Broadway.
In a separate case, Dinshaw D. Bhagwagar, 50, and his wife, Shiraz, 47, both of San Pedro, were charged with 36 health and building and safety code violations in connection with the operation of their 40-room hotel on West 9th Street in San Pedro.
Investigators inspecting both properties in March and April uncovered numerous violations, including defective smoke detectors, missing guardrails, peeling paint and window security bars without quick-release devices, officials said.
In addition, investigators found missing plaster, illegal locks, leaky pipes and rat and cockroach infestations.
Hossain’s arraignment is set for July 25 in Los Angeles Municipal Court. Bhagwagar and his wife are scheduled to be arraigned July 31. Each violation carries a six-month jail sentence and a $500 fine.
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