XPost: alt.firefighters, alt.california, sac.politics
XPost: alt.fan.rush-limbaugh
From: leroysoetoro@bho-rejected.com

http://www.dailybreeze.com/2017/11/10/suit-blames-pot-operation-building- owner-for-devastating-downtown-san-pedro-fire/

Two former tenants who lost businesses in a massive downtown San Pedro
fire have filed a lawsuit against property owner Eric Eisenberg, a
property management firm and a fellow tenant who allegedly operated an
illegal marijuana grow that may have sparked the blaze.

Earlier attempts at an out-of-court settlement failed, according to the attorney representing the plaintiffs, but other discussions could still
take place. The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Oct. 24
due to a statue-of-limitations deadline.

The suit charges the parties with negligence and breach of contract, said attorney Victor Otten who represents plaintiffs Parker Robbins, who
operated CrossFit WorldPort Inc., and Jaime Burton, whose business was Playground Fitness.

An earlier settlement was reached with another former tenant, Rennie
Nunez, who lost his Renz Wear art studio, a family silk-screening business
of 20 years, in the fire. Terms of that settlement remain confidential.

The Nov. 2, 2015, fire began in an unmarked storefront at 524 S. Pacific
Ave. occupied by Tree Lab L.A., a medical marijuana machine rental
business. Investigators later confirmed numerous marijuana plants were
being illegally grown in the space, which was one of several connected
under a common roof of the building that fronted both Pacific Avenue and
Sixth Street.

“Nobody intentionally started a fire, it was just incompetence and not following the law,” Otten said. “Thank goodness no one died.”

The fire was stopped just short of reaching the historic Warner Grand
Theatre, a downtown landmark since the 1920s.

Cannabis operation suspected

While no specific cause of the fire could be pinpointed, the official
report stated that Los Angeles city fire investigators “were not able to
rule out a malfunctioning electrical appliance, overtaxed electrical
circuit system or one of the four high-pressure sodium bulbs left on to
grow the cannabis plants, left too close to combustibles. The cannabis hydroponics grow operation draws a substantial amount of electrical
power.”

Also named with Eisenberg’s Oban Renaissance LLC company, which purchased
the commercial office building on Dec. 28, 2012, are Lukas Sean Lucas, who operated the Tree Lab L.A. business, and Propwestmanco (Properties West Management) Inc., the property management firm for the building.

Lucas has insisted, in past interviews, that he was not growing marijuana
in his shop and that all the machines he rented out were used only off-
site.

Eisenberg, the property management firm, and their attorneys have declined
to publicly comment on the charges.

The complaint alleges that some or all of the defendants either knew or
“should have known” that:

The building, constructed in the 1920s or ’30s, needed upgrades and improvements to the electrical system.

Lucas, a former tenant of Eisenberg’s on Gaffey Street, was illegally operating a cannabis cultivating business in a “reckless and conscious disregard” for other tenants.

Unsafe conditions, including faulty wiring and circuit breakers, existed
in the building and there were improper fire safety mechanisms, including
smoke alarms and sprinkler systems. Lucas modified electrical wiring in
his unit without a permit but with the knowledge of the property owner and management company.

Illegal transactions and attempts to circumvent several state and local
laws were ongoing in the cultivating activities.

Lucas did not possess proper local or state licenses or permits, and the cultivation activity was in violation of state and federal law.
‘Major’ losses claimed

The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for loss of their businesses as
well as equipment, among other damages.

Additionally, the suit claims potential evidence was destroyed when
Eisenberg demolished what remained of the burned-out building on or around March 1, 2016, without notifying the tenants about when that would occur
so they could retain private experts to investigate the cause of the fire.

In addition, on or about Nov. 20, 2015 — some two weeks after the fire — Burton’s business at 528 S. Pacific Ave. was looted and ransacked, with
several items stolen.

The plaintiffs also charge that before the fire occurred, the marijuana cultivation activity had caused an ongoing nuisance to neighboring tenants
who complained of fumes and smoke.


--
Donald J. Trump, 304 electoral votes to 227, defeated compulsive liar in
denial Hillary Rodham Clinton on December 19th, 2016. The clown car
parade of the democrat party has run out of gas.

Congratulations President Trump. Thank you for ending the disaster of the Obama presidency.

Under Barack Obama's leadership, the United States of America became the
The World According To Garp.

ObamaCare is a total 100% failure and no lie that can be put forth by its supporters can dispute that.

Obama jobs, the result of ObamaCare. 12-15 working hours a week at minimum wage, no benefits and the primary revenue stream for ObamaCare. It can't
be funded with money people don't have, yet liberals lie about how great
it is.

Obama increased total debt from $10 trillion to $20 trillion in the eight
years he was in office, and sold out heterosexuals for Hollywood queer
liberal democrat donors.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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