Comedian sues owner of furniture shop
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DOWNTOWN — The owner of a furniture store has been sued by comedian Adam Carolla for allegedly defaulting on months’ worth of rent for using his warehouse at the Burbank Airport Commerce Center.
In the lawsuit filed against Lounge 22 LLC Aug. 28 in Los Angeles Superior Court, Carolla is seeking nearly $45,000 in unpaid rent for the 12,368-square-foot warehouse from May through July, and about $500 for each day since Aug. 1.
On July 2, Lounge 22 owner Armen Gharabegian was given three days to either settle the debt or return possession of the property at 7679 San Fernando Road, according to court records.
The notice to pay rent or quit stated that failure to do so would lead to legal proceedings seeking judgment for past rent, plus damages for each day of occupancy after the date, including late charges, interest and attorneys fees.
Plaintiff attorney Charles Birke would not comment on the details of the case, but did confirm that his client is the popular radio host and actor.
“The rest of the facts are set forth in the complaint,” he said.
Carolla is host of “The Adam Carolla Podcast,” rising to fame as co-host of the radio program “Loveline,” while working simultaneously on the television comedies “The Man Show” and “Crank Yankers.” Attempts to reach Gharabegian, who is listed on court documents as managing member of Lounge 22, were unsuccessful.
Gharabegian is also chief executive of Ethos Design, at 1805 Flower St. in Glendale. The company is based in Los Angeles and New York and lists Microsoft, Tiffany and Wynn hotels among its clients.
Federal bankruptcy court records show Ethos Design filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sept. 4.
Lounge 22, which rents, leases and sells hand-crafted furniture, agreed in its lease with Carolla that the warehouse would be used to store and distribute furniture, court records show.
On Thursday, the warehouse was stocked with furniture as deliverymen loaded items into trucks.
Attendants at both the warehouse and Ethos Design declined to comment.