City Attorney Sues Sylmar Motel

The office of Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer has filed a lawsuit against the owners of the Motel 6 hospitality chain and the managers of the chain’s property in Sylmar, Feuer’s office announced on Monday. The lawsuit alleges that the Sylmar Motel 6 has become a hub for prostitution, drug trafficking and other offenses. “Families and other visitors staying at a motel that’s part of a respected, national chain should never be subjected to dangerous criminal activity in the next room, at the pool or in the parking lot,” Feuer said in a prepared statement. “We’re demanding the absentee owners of the Motel 6 chain be accountable for making this property a safe, secure neighbor.” G6 Hospitality Property LLC, which owns the Motel 6 at 12775 Encinitas Ave. in Sylmar, and property managers Alma Michel and Carol Torres were named in the lawsuit. G6 Hospitality’s alleged failure to provide executive supervision over Michel and Torres enabled them to facilitate illegal operations at the hotel, the suit maintains. Since 2013, the Los Angeles Police Department has made 10 arrests for prostitution, 22 for narcotics and a few dozen more for crimes such as battery, burglary and firearm possession. In addition to demanding executive oversight of property management, the lawsuit also mandates that the property restrict cash payments for room rentals, implement video monitoring systems and secure access to the parking lot for guests. All employees must also be trained in human trafficking detection and prevention, and notices about such violations are to be posted on-site, according to Feuer’s office.