By Mary O’KEEFE

The owner of the Honolulu Manor Senior Apartments appeared in Glendale court yesterday, Wednesday, before Judge Beverly Bourne.

The City of Glendale brought criminal charges against Honolulu Manor owner Elias Shokrian and Montrose LP in June after residents who reported in May that both elevators in the complex had stopped working contacted the city. But the problems began in October 2018 when the first of the two elevators stopped working. At the time residents shared their concerns that if the other elevator broke down several of them would be trapped in their apartments because they could not navigate the building’s stairs.

Then over Memorial Day the second, and only working, elevator broke down.

The court appearance on Wednesday was to discover the progress that the owner had made in repairing both elevators at the complex.

Shokrian and his lawyer, Thomas Sands, explained that one elevator was working but not in use because they were waiting for an approval from state inspectors.

“The two elevators are very, very old,” Shokrian explained to the Judge.

It has been almost a year since the elevator referred to as “2” stopped working. Elevator “1” stopped working in May of this year. Shokrian told the judge he had spent $140,000 on both elevators. He also said elevator 1 had only been down for “two to three days before it was operational.”

However, it was actually eight days that the elevator was out of use and, when it started working again, residents reported several issues including being stuck in the elevator. Since the repairs, residents reported a “shaky ride” and the elevator not stopping at a level position at floors.

Glendale City Attorney David Ligtenberg said the City had sent an inspector out to the apartments on Tuesday and the one elevator seemed to be functioning.

Shokrian, who at times was combative, told the judge he was not required by the state to have both elevators operational. Ligtenberg responded that despite what the state requirements are Honolulu Manor is in the City of Glendale and therefore the owner must comply with the Glendale building code, which requires both elevators to be operational.

Judge Bourne pointed out that there was some discrepancy between Shokrian and his lawyer about when, and how many, elevators were working.

In addition to the city attorney and Shokrian, Raymond Zakari also addressed the court. Zakari represents numerous apartment residents in a civil suit against Montrose LP and Shokrian. There were several residents in court on Wednesday, and Zakari spoke on their behalf.

Judge Bourne scheduled the next court date for Oct. 30 and ordered Shokrian to be in court to give an update on the elevators. Another court date for a pretrial was scheduled for Nov. 21.

As residents and attorneys left the courtroom Shokrian became enraged at Ligtenberg for allowing Zakari to address the court, a decision that was approved by the judge. He accused the two of colluding, and threatened to report Ligtenberg to the city. The incident became aggressive enough that the LASD bailiff came out into the hallway to ask Shokrian and his attorney to leave.

Next week CVW will follow up with the residents’ response on the court appearance and give an update on the elevators.

  Mary Okeefe