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EPIDEMIC OF SLUM HOUSING IN LOS ANGELES CONTINUES AS TENANTS OF FOUR APARTMENT BUILDINGS FILE LAWSUITS LOS ANGELES, CA,

August 17, 2006

Terming it a clear indication of the ongoing proliferation of substandard or "slum" housing that is infesting the greater Los Angeles area, Attorney Eric E. Castelblanco today filed lawsuits in Los Angeles Superior Court on behalf of tenants of four apartment complexes in the downtown Los Angeles area. The lawsuits seek general, exemplary, statutory, special and punitive damages as well as legal and court costs. "Our ultimate goal is to ensure residents of these specific buildings have a clean and safe environment in which to raise their families," Castelblanco emphasized, "however, we hope to also send a message to other owners and landlords that tenants are increasingly becoming aware of their rights and will not accept housing that threatens their health and welfare." According to Castelblanco, each of the buildings are substandard and are inflicted with a wide range of severe unsanitary and unhealthful conditions, including: cockroach and rodent infestation, mold, inoperable or faulty electrical and heating systems, structural damage, inadequate water supply; faulty and leaky plumbing, unstable stairs and balconies and inadequate security. As a result, he emphasized, residents have sustained injuries and experienced harmful health effects such as respiratory problems, asthma and skin irritations.

Castelblanco, whose Beverly Hills, CA-based law firm filed the lawsuits jointly with Reilly Atkinson of the Santa Monica, CA law firm of Yuhl Rhames & Atkinson, LLP, said that due to these health and safety hazards, the lawsuits cited the following causes of action: Breach of Warranty of Habitability- Contract; Violation of Civil Code (section1941); Tortuous Breach of Warranty of Habitability; Breach of Covenant of Quiet Enjoyment; Nuisance, Unfair Business Practices (business and professional code section 17200); and Negligence. Noting that each of the buildings had previously been cited for hundreds of code violations by the City of Los Angeles Department of Building & Safety. He commented: "The ownership and management of each of these buildings have a deplorable record of operating buildings that are a threat to the health and safety of their residents and have repeatedly ignored requests by both the residents and government to correct numerous deficiencies. Make no mistake, this is a war against slum housing and the residents are fed up with inaction and are prepared to take part in this battle until these intolerable living conditions are corrected. Castelblanco reported that the lawsuits were filed against the owners of the apartment complexes located at the following addresses and the defendants in each lawsuit were comprised of those individuals and businesses who own, manage and control the operation of the buildings: " 1608 N. Serrano Ave., Los Angeles. Defendants are: Patrocinio Coronel and Natividad Coronel. " 114 through 118-3/4 S. Bonnie Brae, Los Angeles. Defendants are: Gary Gillman, Debbie L. Gillman, W. Robert Morrow and Rita Morrow. " 508 S. Union Drive, Los Angeles. Defendants are Roy Galido, Gel T. Galido and the Galido Family Trust. " 1448 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles. Defendant is Donald Eller. Noting that he has filed lawsuits against 10 apartment buildings during the past four years alone, Castelblanco remarked: "Slum housing is an epidemic, unfortunately there is no sure fire instant antidote - we just have to keep finding a cure for each case, one at a time."