Larchmont Bungalow case continues after owner’s death
LLC IN COURT Feb. 1, following owner’s death.
Ever since Albert Mizrahi opened the Larchmont Bungalow seven years ago next month, he has been embroiled in administrative and court cases with the city.
Mizrahi, 63, died Aug. 12, but the Bungalow criminal case continues with co-defendant, Larchmont Bungalow LLC.
“As of now, the case is not affected by the recent passing of Mr. Mizrahi. The company entered the plea, not the individual,” said city Frank Mateljan, spokesman for the City Attorney’s office.
“The LLC is still on the hook along with whoever steps in Mr. Mizrahi’s place [as manager],” said Todd Maland, an inspector in the city Dept. of Building and Safety.
Mizrahi’s son, Michael Mizrahi, will be taking over his father’s affairs on Larchmont, according to Thomas Kneafsey, president of the Larchmont Village Business Improvement District.
“On behalf of the Larchmont Village Business Improvement District, I have extended sympathies to his family,” Kneafsey added in a notice to BID members.
The case thus far
In February of this year, the Larchmont Bungalow LLC pled guilty to three criminal counts and Mizrahi was placed on probation, with his sentencing suspended for 18 months.
Besides bringing the restaurant into compliance with city zoning codes — removing tables and chairs — Mizrahi agreed to pay the city’s costs incurred over the past seven years.
A hearing had long been scheduled for last month to deal with the costs issue and to review Mizrahi’s progress in complying with the city’s orders from 2009, as agreed when the guilty plea was entered last February. According to Building and Safety inspector Maland, if there were no progress shown, setting the date for the criminal trial for non-compliance was planned.
On Aug. 3, the Bungalow’s lawyer did present a check to pay the city’s bill of $3,633.47. However, the hearing to review Mizrahi’s progress was continued to Aug. 17 because the lawyer said Mizrahi was ill.
On Aug. 17, following Mizrahi’s death, the hearing on progress was continued to Feb. 1, 2017.
The Larchmont Bungalow take-out at 107 N. Larchmont Blvd. had its certificate of occupancy revoked almost immediately after opening in 2009 because it opened as a restaurant with tables and chairs. Mizrahi previously had signed a sworn affidavit, under penalty of perjury, promising not to have seating at his proposed take-out establishment.
Mizrahi, a second-generation Westside landlord, purchased four buildings on Larchmont in 2007, and soon rents went up and favorite retailers left the Boulevard, including the popular La Luna restaurant and Larchmont Hardware, which had opened in 1925.
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