Tarzana Landlord Charged With Exposing Tennants To Asbestos

LOS ANGELES, CA — A Tarzana commercial property owner and a tenant have been charged with improperly removing hazardous asbestos material from the building, the City Attorney's Office announced Thursday.

Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer said the alleged removal of material from the building at 18434 Oxnard Ave. during a renovation project violated state regulations and rules, Feuer said.

"Exposure to asbestos can be deadly. We have asbestos removal regulations for a reason, to protect public health and safety," Feuer said. "Property owners have a responsibility to follow those laws."

Tzvika M. Diner, the owner of the multi-unit commercial property in Tarzana, and Shay Grinberg, the owner of Clear Horizon Home Solutions Inc. and a tenant at the property, were charged. Neither could be reached for immediate comment.

Also charged were their corporations, with one count of disposal of hazardous waste and nine counts of violating AQMD rules and regulations. Diner and his corporation, 18434 Oxnard LLC, were also each charged with nine criminal counts for alleged AQMD violations.

"This was an egregious violation that put the health and safety of the residents and construction workers in danger," said Wayne Nastri, South Coast Air Quality Management District's executive officer. "It is our hope that partnering with the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office will prevent further incidences of this kind from happening again."

The complaint alleges that Grinberg, a licensed contractor, remodeled a unit of the building that Diner's corporation owns, and that during the course of the renovation, between Nov. 13, 2017, and Nov. 30, 2017, asbestos was removed in violation of numerous California regulations.

City News Service, Photo: Shutterstock