Morrison Hotel Hit With Tenant Suit

Tenants of a downtown Los Angeles hotel that was immortalized on the cover of 1970 album by the Doors filed a “slumlord” lawsuit Tuesday, alleging that they have been forced to live with rats and without heat, working plumbing and other basic amenities.

In the civil complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, about 40 residents of the Morrison Hotel claimed that they have endured leaky windows, mold and mildew on carpets and walls, exposed electrical wiring and other conditions that have made the hotel uninhabitable and a health risk.

In addition, blood tests conducted on children at the 111-unit hotel on South Hope Street found elevated levels of lead from chipping and peeling paint.

The tenants are seeking unspecified monetary damages and the right to hold tenants meetings on the property.

“The owners have chosen to let these people live in pretty despicable conditions, even though they are continuing to pay rent,” said Eric E. Castelblanco, an attorney for the tenants.

Castelblanco said tenants have been intimidated and harassed, and that a virtual lockdown by security and management has prevented residents from having visitors.

Security guards at the hotel said the manager was not available to comment. Fariba Banayan, an attorney representing the hotel, did not return a call seeking comment.

The green-and-white tiled building, built in 1914, has been investigated by city officials for nearly a year, and in May was ordered to address more than 100 violations of building and safety codes.

Earlier this month, housing officials determined that deficiencies had not been corrected and placed the building in the Rent Escrow Accounts Program, which allows tenants to pay rent into a city account to be used for repairs.

Last week, the Los Angeles city attorney filed a 34-count criminal complaint against owners of the hotel, Hope Pico Co. and four individuals. It charges them with misdemeanor violations of several city codes, including inoperable fire exits; broken doors, windows, floors and walls; faulty plumbing and electrical wiring; leaking toilets; and infestations of rats, fleas, bedbugs, roaches, lice and mosquitoes.

Each count is punishable by up to six months in county jail or a $1,000 fine.

“We’re going to seek the remedies we think will gain their attention, and if that includes jail time then that’s what we’ll ask for,” said Deputy City Atty. Michael F. Duran.

Augustina Ramirez, the lead plaintiff in the civil suit, said she and her two sons have lived without heat since she moved into the building about 1 1/2 years ago. Twice, a broken toilet on the floor above her leaked raw sewage for several days, ruining her belongings.

“I would have to leave the apartment to eat somewhere else because of the stench,” said Ramirez, a downtown garment worker who pays $420 monthly for one room with a bath. “And I had to sleep somewhere else because the carpeting stank.”

Her sons suffer from asthma, Ramirez said, and all three of them have fungus growing on their feet and in their hair.

She said the building’s security guards blocked her sister from visiting on Thanksgiving even though she had brought a turkey dinner for the family.

“I didn’t have money for food and so the children didn’t eat that day,” said Ramirez. “I feel like I’m living in a jail.”

Stephanie Havatone said guards had not allowed her brother, visiting from Arizona, to enter the building. Havatone also said her four children were terrified of the roaches and rats.

“The kids were playing in the hall when a big rat ran by and they began screaming and crying,” she said. “My husband and I spend money every month to buy roach spray.”

Monic Uriarte, a health worker for the Esperanza Community Housing Corp., said 16 rooms in the building were tested for lead and all exceeded federal safety standards. Blood tests found elevated lead levels in all children tested, she said.

Two had levels high enough to cause learning problems and physical symptoms, she said.