CARUSO FILES SUIT AGAINST GENERAL GROWTH DEVELOPER ALLEGES INTIMIDATION, THREATS.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

GLENDALE - Town Center developer Rick Caruso filed suit Friday, alleging that owners of the rival Glendale Galleria violated anti-trust laws in their dealings with him.

In his petition, Caruso claims General Growth executives tried to force his company to partner with them and divide tenants between the Galleria and Caruso's planned outdoor shopping and dining complex - in violation of fair business practices.

``We have clear evidence that General Growth has engaged in a pattern of anti-competitive behavior at the highest levels, including the president of the company,'' Caruso said Friday. General Growth Properties officials flatly denied all the suit's allegations.

``We have not seen the lawsuit and can't comment on something we haven't seen, but we vehemently deny any allegations of wrongdoing,'' said Arthur Sohikian, a spokesman for General Growth.

The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, also claims that once Caruso refused to join General Growth's plan, the mall owner tried to ``kill'' the Town Center project.

The petition, which seeks at least $40 million in damages, further claims that General Growth threatened and ``intimidated'' tenants Caruso has lined up for his Town Center project.

Those tenants ``have now expressed reservations about signing binding leases agreeing to rent space in the new Town Center project,'' causing Caruso to be unable to complete lease transactions for retail space, according to the court document.

Also Friday, the city released its business terms with Caruso for the 15.5-acre project between Central Avenue and Brand Boulevard, south of the Glendale Galleria. The city's redevelopment agency is scheduled to review and consider approving the terms at its Tuesday meeting.

Naush Boghossian, [phone]

naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com