Motel Co-Owner Fined for Slum Violations
The co-owner of a North Hollywood motel who pleaded no contest to criminal slum violations Tuesday was ordered to pay $9,532 in fines and costs.
After entering his plea to 10 violations of health and building and safety codes, Chih-Ming Kao, 39, of Burbank, was also ordered by Los Angeles Municipal Court Commissioner Kristi Lousteau to serve three years’ probation and make repairs to the 25-unit Magnolia Motel by April 20.
Inspections last year of the motel by the Slum Housing Task Force revealed a number of problems, including exposed electrical wiring, peeling paint, ruptured water-heater vent lines, loose toilets, broken doors and missing window screens, said Deputy City Atty. Michael R. Wilkinson, who handled the case.
Repairs have already begun and “good progress is being made,” Wilkinson said.
In 1982, Kao purchased the motel at 10750 Magnolia Blvd. with his parents, Chin-Tien Kao and Payo-Yu Kao, who were also charged but whose trials have been delayed, Wilkinson said.
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