Landlord Charged With Violations

For the second time in less than a year, a Van Nuys landlord has been charged with poor upkeep of one of his properties, with authorities saying he forced tenants to live with exposed electrical wiring and broken heaters.

The Los Angeles city attorney’s office Thursday charged Gerhard A. Dohner, 59, with 25 violations of various fire, safety and health codes at the three-story apartment building that he owns in the Pico-Union district.

Dohner will be arraigned on the criminal slum violations charges Aug. 1.

Deputy City Atty. Michael R. Wilkinson, who handled the case, said the building at 1823 W. Pico Blvd. was inspected by the Slum Housing Task Force between March and May of this year.

During those inspections, authorities said they found cockroach and rat infestation, leaky plumbing, loose toilets, missing window screens and missing handrails.

In addition to the new case, City Atty. Jim Hahn filed a probation violation against Dohner on Thursday because of a prior conviction at the same property late last year. Wilkinson said as a result of that conviction, Dohner was fined $705 and placed on one-year probation.