Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

City Arrests Building Owner for Erecting Supergraphics Near LAX

supergraphic_cali.jpg
An example of a supergraphic | Photo by troshy via Flickr

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Another supergraphic, another arrest. The L.A. City Attorney's Office on Friday arrested a building owner on 48 misdemeanor charges. 56-year-old Siamak Michael Rahimi, a Santa Monica resident, is accused of violating city law by installing and maintaining supergraphic signs at 9800 South Sepulveda Boulevard, across the street from LAX. Rahimi, along with LAX Enterprises, LP, and Westside Investment Group, was charged with "12 counts of illegally erecting a supergraphic sign; 12 counts of illegally maintaining an off-site sign; 12 counts of obstructing Fire Department emergency ingress and egress from the building and 12 counts for failure to identify the person or entity responsible for installing and maintaining the supergraphic signs," according to the city.

The office building is described as vacant, but because of its proximity to the airport and its location along traffic-impacted Sepulveda Boulevard, Fire Department and Building and Safety issued violations to the defendants who apparently did not respond.

A L.A. County Superior Court judge issued an arrest warrant for Rahimi, who was taken into custody on Friday and remains in jail today. His bail is set at $75,000.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today