COURT: LAX APARTMENT OWNER MUST PAY CITY $100,000.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

PALMDALE - City officials won a court judgment of $100,000 against the former owner of a downtown apartment complex that had been a source of building code violations and drug activity.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Frank Jackson entered a summary judgment against Kimberly Ann Doyle, whom the city had sued over multiple code violations and criminal activity at a 22-unit apartment complex in the 38000 block of 11th Street East she had owned. The judge also ordered Doyle to pay the city's legal fees, which are estimated between $50,000 and $60,000.

``This victory puts on notice all property owners who let their properties slide into disrepair, impacting their neighborhoods and the greater community, that Palmdale will not let you get away with it,'' said City Attorney Matt Ditzhazy. ``It will cost you a lot more money if we have to force you to clean up your own property.''

City officials filed the case against Doyle in November 2003 after 13 months during which, according to the lawsuit, there had been drug dealing, public disturbances and harassment of passers-by, as well as at least 26 arrests and the shooting of a man trying to buy drugs.

The apartment had also fallen into a state of disrepair. The roof, plumbing, electrical systems, railings, walls and carpeting all needed work to bring the apartments up to code standards, officials said.

Cleaning up the complex on 11th Street East required the work of a court-appointed receiver, David Pasternak, and the city's Partners Against Crime program, a joint effort involving the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the city's code enforcement, public safety and housing divisions.

Pasternak oversaw the recent sale of the apartment complex to Antelope Valley orthodontist Gilbert Snow, city officials said.

Jim Skeen, [phone]

james.skeen(at)dailynews.com