Landlord Sentenced: 60 Days in Run-Down Unit He Owns

An Anaheim landlord convicted of violating housing codes was sentenced Monday to spend 60 days confined to a run-down apartment he owns, city officials said.

Sam Menlo has grossly neglected his 350-unit Ridgewood Gardens apartment complex at 1700 North Temple St., ruled Orange County Superior Court Judge Michael Hayes after touring the property last week.

Hayes ordered that Menlo wear an electronic tracking device to make sure he remains on the property, which comprises 15 buildings. Menlo was also ordered to upgrade one building a month using licensed contractors. If Menlo violates the court’s conditions, he could serve up to 18 months in jail.

John Poole, code-enforcement manager for the city, said the complex has more than 150 vacant apartments, many in extreme disrepair. The conditions are unsafe for those living there, he said. “The windows are broken, there’s human defecation throughout, narcotics paraphernalia on the floors, graffiti and mold, which made it difficult to breathe.”

Menlo has been at odds with city officials since 12 years ago, when neighbors in nearby homes began complaining about the increasingly noticeable disrepair of the apartments after Menlo purchased them.

Menlo was convicted earlier in Superior Court of violating city housing standards, but was put on probation after he agreed to fix up the apartments. In a hearing that began last week, Menlo pleaded guilty to violating the probation agreement.

A representative of Century Quality Management in Los Angeles, which manages the property for Menlo, said the company and Menlo had no comment on the case.