901 Strada Vecchia Update: Sentencing this Thursday, July 20th
Bel-Air community encouraged to attend this very important hearing
8:30 AM
Van Nuys Superior Courthouse West
14400 Erwin Street Mall
Van Nuys, CA 91401
7th Floor, Department 113
Here is a re-cap of the case:
As many of you know, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety issued more than 10 Orders to Comply and Stop Work Orders to Mr. Hadid, all of which have been completely ignored. On April 6th, 2015, approximately ten LADBS inspectors conducted an inspection of 901 Strada Vecchia Road and found a plethora of unapproved unpermitted construction, much of it deliberately concealed behind tarps, potted plants, paneled walls and taped-over doors. The inspectors found “unsecured open excavations” and other hazards. They also uncovered a host of unapproved features such as an entire story created below basement level, five underground bedrooms and a 70 seat IMAX theater, all built without proper geology and concern for safety.
On May 30th, Mohamed Hadid entered a no contest plea in the Van Nuys Superior Court in the ongoing criminal case regarding this illegal and unsafe project. Hadid is scheduled to be sentenced on July 20th. According to a proposed sentencing memorandum prepared by the City Attorney’s Office, city prosecutors are asking that Hadid be placed on three years probation and be ordered to perform 200 hours of community labor and pay $3,000 in fines. Prosecutors are also calling for him to pay $250,000 into a community improvement fund and for a performance bond guaranteeing the project will be brought into FULL compliance within a fixed period and/or the house be demolished. The judge stated that all remedies and penalties are on the table, including jail time.
The developer’s actions were intentional, were in total disregard of all applicable laws, and with total disregard for the community. His actions were done solely out of greed - to profit from the illegal project - without any remorse or concern for the safety of the neighbors or the community. Hadid has threatened that if he does not get the permits he wants, he will let the house sit and rot. He was quoted as saying “Demolish this house? Never!” “This house will last forever. Bel-Air will fall before this will”. Mr. Hadid’s attitude is that he is above the law.
