The landlord behind the largest mass eviction from rent control housing in Los Angeles in 40 years poured more than $1.1 million into city elections in 2022 and has spent $400,000 in the current election cycle. The company’s only prior donation occurred in 2010: $500 to then-Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz. Tenants at Barrington Plaza, a rent-controlled 712-unit Westside apartment complex, and their advocates say that the company backed the election of decision makers who would allow the eviction of tenants from 577 units.
The donations came after the landlord met with a city councilmember and raised the possibility of evicting some of its tenants, renovating the property to make it fire safe and later re-renting the apartments, according to two participants in the meeting. Then-Councilmember Mike Bonin said he opposed the idea. One of the complex’s three towers had been badly damaged in a deadly 2020 fire that left eight floors unfit for occupancy.
