A Los Angeles landlord is facing criminal charges after allegedly converting a South Los Angeles triplex into a lodging of 44 rooms, according to the City Attorney's Office.
John Callaghan faces 53 criminal counts for illegally expanding the use of his properties in South LA and Highland Park, and for violating a series of public safety standards.
Callaghan -- a 58-year-old landlord who the Los Angeles Times reported had charged tenants up to $500 per month for one room -- had failed to maintain "habitable conditions," a Monday press release from the City Attorney's Office stated.
The release cited a third-floor attic that had been converted into living spaces, missing fire extinguishers, unmaintained smoke detectors, unapproved gas wall heaters, illegal electrical panels and "excessive accumulations of trash and garage."
The defendant could face up to six months in jail and up to $53,000 in fines.
Inspectors from three LA city departments said in the release that they noticed multiple violations at two of Callaghan's properties, which were located at 443-445 W. 49th Street (map) and 5101 Granada Street (map).
Inspectors from the city's Housing Department, Department of Building and Safety, and Fire Department visited the property on multiple occasions from Jan. 9 to Feb. 27 of this year, according to the release.
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The series of safety hazards led to dozens of eviction notices right before Christmas last year, the LA Times reported.
Callaghan had also allegedly carved out 14 rental units from a single-family residence on Granada Street in Highland Park, turning the building's garage, basement and recreation room into living areas. The City had not permitted these changes, according to the release.
He faces charges for the illegal changes to both properties.
His arraignment is scheduled for July 31 at Los Angeles Superior Court.
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