Sterling to Pay $25,000 Over Tenant Harassment

Real estate magnate Donald Sterling will pay $25,000 to settle charges that he harassed tenants in three rent-controlled buildings he owns in Santa Monica, city officials said.

Part of the payment will go to eight tenants and the rest will be used by the city for future consumer-protection enforcement.

Sterling, who also owns the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team, allegedly had employees threaten to evict several tenants on grounds that potted plants they kept on their balconies caused $100,000 in damage. Employees also allegedly entered apartments without notice and harassed tenants. Sterling could not be reached for comment.

As part of the settlement, Sterling will notify tenants that state law prohibits landlords from entering apartments to do such things as make repairs or show prospective tenants without 24 hours notice.