May 29, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office Obtains Judgment and Injunction Against Landlord

Case Involved Tenant Harassment and Covid Eviction Moratorium 

By Dolores Quintana

In a significant legal judgment involving the City’s Tenant Harassment Ordinance, COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium, and Home-Sharing Ordinance, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael E. Whitaker has approved a stipulated judgment and injunction against SoCal Investment Company, LLC, a Defendant-landlord, as brought forward by the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office.

The City v. Youseph Golshirazian et al., Case No. 21SMCV00201, alleges that the Defendants orchestrated a campaign to displace long-term, rent-controlled tenants from a 30-unit residential building. The allegations include a range of misconduct, such as fraud, intimidation, baseless evictions during the pandemic surge, violation of the COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium, failure to provide required disclosures in buyout offers, and illicit rental of units as vacation rentals despite ongoing attempts to evict long-term tenants.

In November 2020, the Defendants filed eviction cases against five tenant households during the initial wave of the pandemic while the Santa Monica Eviction Moratorium was in force. The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles represented the tenants in these eviction defense cases, which the Defendants subsequently dismissed.

As part of the settlement agreement with the City, Defendants Hanokh Golshirazian, Youseph Golshirazian, and SoCal Investment Company, LLC have undertaken the following measures:

  • Distributed and mailed notices of tenants’ rights to all residents in Santa Monica properties under their ownership or management.
  • Participated in City-approved landlord-tenant training sessions.
  • Paid $125,000 to the City, earmarked to support housing protection efforts within the City.
  • Agreed to comply with tenant protection and vacation rental laws, subject to a minimum penalty of $10,000 for each violation proven in court for a period of four years.

According to the stipulated judgment, the landlord is now obligated to abide by Santa Monica’s tenant protection laws, encompassing the Tenant Harassment Ordinance, mandatory reporting of attempted evictions, vacation rental regulations, and the eviction moratorium. City Attorney Doug Sloan emphasized, “The City has enacted some of the most robust tenant protection laws in the state. We have gone to great lengths to safeguard tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic and have continued our commitment to tenant protection ever since. Cases like this underscore our unwavering resolve to enforce these laws for the benefit of our community.”

Additionally, a separate and related case filed by the victim tenants, represented by the law firm Elder & Spencer, LLP, has also been successfully resolved.

in News
<>Related Posts

Film Review: Bring Her Back

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

By Dolores Quintana Grief is the price of love.  Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou’s second feature film, Bring Her Back,...

County Assessor Stresses Need For Fire-Affected Households to Update Addresses to Receive Relief Checks

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Assessor’s Office Offers Automatic Tax Relief for Fire-Affected Homeowners Following the destruction caused by wildfires earlier this year, the Los...

(Video) Main Street Bars & Restaurants Give a Taste in 10th Annual ‘MAINopoly’ Event

May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

The event took place Sunday, May 25, transforming five blocks of Santa Monica’s Main Street into a Monopoly-themed culinary experience...

Sen. Allen’s Wildfire Relief Bills Advance, Targeting Insurance Reform, Firefighting Jobs, and Housing Protections

May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

The bills reflect a comprehensive approach to recovery, addressing immediate needs like insurance payouts and long-term strategies like workforce stability...

Friends of Ballona Wetlands to Host Migration Celebration May 31

May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

The celebration will feature avenger hunts, a science lab, and native plant sales, offering attendees a chance to engage with...

SMC to Launch Inaugural Collaboration Showcase with Free Concert

May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

Introduced this spring, the class allows students to explore a variety of small ensemble styles, including jazz combos, chamber quartets,...

Volunteer Event to Restore Hillside and Clear Debris in Palisades

May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

Organized by local nonprofit Palisades Beautiful, the event will take place near the intersection of Marquez Avenue and Bollinger Drive...

Ben Affleck’s Daughter Recounts Harrowing Experience During Wildfire, Draws Parallels to COVID Response

May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

Affleck, a Yale undergraduate and vocal public health advocate, recalls evacuating to a hotel with her family as flames tore...

Former Irvine City Manager Tapped as New One For Santa Monica

May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

Oliver Chi to take over July 14, pending council approval The Santa Monica City Council announced Friday the selection of...

Malibu Launches 24/7 Armed Patrols to Protect Fire-Damaged Neighborhoods as PCH Reopens

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

City Partners With Private Firm Covered 6 and Law Enforcement Ramps Up Presence In anticipation of the reopening of Pacific...

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Mourns the Loss of Beloved Groundskeeper Abel Orozco

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

Dedicated SAMOHI Employee, Orozco Leaves Behind a Legacy of Care The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) issued a statement...

Over 100,000 Pounds of Illegal Fireworks Seized in Los Angeles County Before July 4th

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

Cal Fire, ATF Uncover Massive Stockpile, Urge Residents to Report Incidents More than 100,000 pounds of illegal fireworks were confiscated...

Resilient Palisades Named Nonprofit of the Year by Sen. Ben Allen

May 23, 2025

May 23, 2025

Volunteer-led group honored for climate resilience work and wildfire recovery efforts Resilient Palisades, a grassroots environmental organization based in Pacific...

Governor Announces Early Reopening of Pacific Coast Highway After Wildfire Closures

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Major Stretch of PCH Reopens May 23 After Months of Wildfire-Related Closures Governor Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that State Route...

Film Review: Final Destination: Bloodlines

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

FILM REVIEWFINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINESRated R110 MinutesReleased May 16th  This is the sixth entry in the Final Destination movie franchise that...