Is Inglewood Mayor James Butts misinformed or simply a liar? 2UrbanGirls has consistently reported on a property located at 4821/4949 W. Century Blvd. that is owned by the city of Inglewood. Mayor Butts publicly stated the city didn’t own it, and chided a resident for “exploiting” an elderly, wheelchair bound woman brought to a city council meeting crying over her housing being taken for no reason.
Related: City of Inglewood Is Evicting Elderly Tenants to Create Hotel
Additionally, he admonished this blog during the April 23rd city council meeting for reporting them as owners. Now two brave residents have come forward, with receipts, to prove he has lied to the public about the ownership of the building. They have shared unlawful detainers, filed days after that council meeting, with the city listed as plaintiff.
“…a silly online publication reported that we are evicting the elderly when all we have done is put our name on the property for purchasing a piece for the street widening project…”
Inglewood Mayor James Butts, April 23, 2019
Two residents are still facing eviction for non-payment of rent, an action not covered under the current temporary rent stabilization ordinance.
One resident in particular retained an attorney last December due to habitability issues of their apartment. She reports bed bugs and electrical hazards resulting from electrical sockets catching on fire.
Another resident made Mayor Butts aware of the problems as well with the bed bugs not properly being treated and electrical concerns. It appears the management/owners are aware based on a permit being pulled to address the items.
7/9/2018- BAACR-2017-09-04482 – All units remove and replace finishes, electrical fixture, plumbing fixture to be relocated, replace doors, retrofit windows. new guardrail, exterior stair reconfiguration. The value of the property was listed at $90 million.
2UrbanGirls reached one of Warren Properties employees, back in April, who shared they received building permits and the property was headed towards an extensive renovation once all of the tenants were out.
Inglewood’s Building and Safety department has also been called to the property, by the residents, which resulted in them being issued 60 day notices to vacate later that day. Is the building deemed unfit to occupy?
On May 1st, 2UrbanGirls reported those 60 day notices were rescinded.
The mayor has maintained the city only owns the sidewalk thus making it confusing to residents as to why they received notices with the city listed as plaintiff.
Related: Letter to the Editor: Inglewood Mayor is Misinformed on Property Ownership
If Mayor Butts is making statements of material falsehoods about evicting residents, and true ownership of this property, what else is he misrepresenting to the public?
