June 23, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

City Files Lawsuit Against Landlord Over Alleged Discrimination and Harassment

Santa Monica’s Housing Anti-discrimination Ordinance Prohibits Discrimination by Landlords Against Tenants With Disabilities

The City of Santa Monica’s Attorney’s Office Consumer Protection Unit has filed a lawsuit against Masoud Atef, a landlord of a rent-controlled property, alleging violations of local laws protecting tenants against housing discrimination and harassment, according to a City news release.

The city alleges that Atef intentionally discriminated against a tenant with a disability. The tenant, who is immunocompromised and has lived at the property since 2021, requested multiple times in the past year for reasonable accommodation to remediate toxic mold in her unit and to be temporarily relocated during the process. Atef allegedly refused the request, stating that his building is not suitable for tenants with “special conditions” or those with respiratory issues.

Santa Monica’s Housing Anti-Discrimination Ordinance prohibits discrimination by landlords against tenants with disabilities. The ordinance requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations for disabled tenants, prohibits discriminatory statements, and forbids making rental units unavailable due to a tenant’s disability.

The complaint also alleges that Atef has harassed tenants in multiple units at the property, including demanding tenants move out without legal basis, demanding entry without notice, yelling at tenants in front of their children, and cutting off access to common areas in retaliation for exercising their legal rights.

The city’s lawsuit seeks a court order to prevent future harassment and discrimination, mandate fair housing training for Atef, grant the tenant’s accommodation request, and restore housing services. The suit also seeks monetary damages, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, and other relief.

in Hard, News
<>Related Posts

Downtown Santa Monica Landmark Faces Uncertainty as Loan Misses Maturity Deadline

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

$26.7M Santa Monica Office Loan Moves to Special Servicing Amid Cash Flow Shortfall Morningstar Credit reported that the loan tied...

Santa Monica to Begin AI-Powered Bus Lane Enforcement in July

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

The program follows a 45-day pilot conducted earlier this year along Lincoln Boulevard, where 511 potential violations were identified, though...

A.O.C. Brentwood to Close After 16 Years on San Vicente Boulevard

June 22, 2025

June 22, 2025

Chef Goin and Styne Cite Unsustainably High Rent in Decision to Close  A.O.C. Brentwood, the acclaimed Westside outpost from James...

Malibu Traffic Delays Expected: REPORT

June 21, 2025

June 21, 2025

The warning applies to the first weekend of summer Transportation officials are warning travelers on the Pacific Coast Highway through...

Strongman to Pull 34,680-Pound Bus at Santa Monica Pier

June 21, 2025

June 21, 2025

Licis, also the 2022 “Arnold Strongman Classic” champion, will undertake the feat to showcase his strength  Strongman Martins Licis, the...

All Aboard to LAX: Metro Opens Game-Changing Transit Hub Ahead of Global Events

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

 New LAX/Metro Transit Center Comes Closer to Connecting Metro Directly to LAX The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)...

New Leadership at Samohi: Jane Han Named House Principal

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Equity-Focused Educator Joins Samohi Leadership Team By Diana Bouchaaya, SMMUSD Communications Specialist The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Board...

Food Fight on the Venice Boardwalk: Chefs Stand Up for Immigrants with Food

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Turk’s Pizza Party Rallies Top Local Eateries for an Immigrant Rights Fundraiser In a bold display of culinary activism, Turk’s...

Weekend Lane Closures on PCH in Malibu Could Snarl Summer Beach Traffic

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Army Corps Work Triggers Weekend Closure on Pacific Coast Highway Motorists traveling along Pacific Coast Highway this weekend should prepare...

SMC Gallery to Showcase Faculty Art in Virtual Exhibition

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

The online event will feature works by seven Emeritus faculty artists. The Santa Monica College Emeritus Art Gallery will host...

(Video) Where great minds grow at The Willows Community School

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

The Willows, a DK-8 co-educational school, enrolls 474 students from 57+ zip codes annually. As a balanced, progressive educational leader, experiential learning,...

Film Review: The Life of Chuck

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

FILM REVIEWTHE LIFE OF CHUCKRated R110 MinutesReleased June 6th A  heartfelt movie of lie, love, friendship and loss, delivered in...

THIS WEEKEND: Five Outdoor Concerts for Make Music Day Comes to Santa Monica

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

The global event, inspired by France’s Fête de la Musique, unites communities through music and is observed in over 800...

(Video) The Guest List Collab Dinner with Chef Raphael Lunetta and Chef Alan Wong

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

Held at Marelle Restaurant at The Sandbourne Hotel in Santa Monica. An Incredible mix of Hawaiian and Santa Monica’s flavors...

Jeni’s Drops Goose-Inspired Ice Cream Flavor to Kick Off Summer of Sweetness

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

Goose Tracks Is a Nod to the Jam-Band’s Live Magic + Super Fun Times Flavors Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is...