Paul Krekorian - Did LA Budget Boss Skip Home Renovation Rules?

By Daniel Guss

@TheGussReport - Congratulations to Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian and his pharmacist wife Tamar on the recent $2.54 million sale of their magnificent Studio City home in a walkable nook of the highly desirable neighborhood.   

An examination of publicly available records suggests that the duo may have side-stepped Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) rules for home renovations which may have required permits that could cost several thousand dollars each.

The Krekorian listing includes text and staged photos on the real estate website RedFin that claim and show extensive and seemingly recent renovations in the kitchen and master bathroom. But LADBS records show no permits issued since 2005 for the kitchen and 2011 for the bathrooms.

According to one prospective buyer who claims to have toured the Krekorians' stunning abode, when asked whether the renovations were permitted, someone in the sellers' camp allegedly acknowledged that, at minimum, the kitchen was brand new and un-permitted.

If the Krekorians' kitchen hasn't been renovated since 2005, it is in rather remarkable condition after more than sixteen years of belonging to a family of five.  And the magnificent windows would require a permit, as well, but one is not on file.

A City Hall legislator wrapping up his final term, Krekorian, 61, Chairs City Council's all-powerful Budget and Finance Committee.   What's next for the Councilmember from the Valley is unknown, as he was suspended from practicing law by the State Bar of California due to failure to pay Bar dues and not completing mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE).

The Krekorians purchased the home for $699,000 in September 2011 but was reportedly heavily refinanced to more than $2 million prior to the sale.  Former neighbors speak well of them.

Since Mr. Krekorian and some of his top staffers did not respond to multiple requests regarding this matter, this column has reached out to LADBS and Ethics for further info. The buyer does not appear to have moved in yet.

UPDATE:  48 HOURS LATER, MR. KREKORIAN WAS CHALLENGED TO STAND UP AT THE NEXT LA CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND DENY HE MADE UN-PERMITTED RENOVATIONS ON HIS HOME.  HE SAID NOTHING.  NOR HAS HE DEMANDED A RETRACTION.

(Follow me on The Twitters @TheGussReport.   Using mi amigo Scott's sign-in for the time-being.)