Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto has taken legal steps to put an end to the operations of what has been described as a violent, illegal after-hours nightclub situated in downtown LA. Feldstein Soto’s office announced that a civil enforcement action was filed, stating that the property at 217 East Washington Boulevard has had a history of violence, with events including a fatal shooting. In a bid to safeguard the community, the lawsuit seeks to permanently shut down the venue, known for flouting laws and disrupting local peace. “The Defendants have repeatedly and brazenly violated laws and jeopardized the well-being of our community. Ensuring public safety of our residents is a top priority and, with this suit, we are holding the property owners accountable and putting a stop to illegal activities that have continually disrupted this neighborhood,” said Feldstein Soto in a statement revealed by her office.
The establishment in question has played host to unauthorized after-hours parties, complete with illegal alcohol sales, DJs and dance floors without the appropriate permits, unregulated amplified music, and the sale of nitrous oxide-inflated balloons. According to reports, the Los Angeles Police Department has been called multiple times regarding the disturbances, leading to strained relations and resources. Even after ongoing efforts from the City Attorney’s Office and the LAPD to work with the property owners and lessee, the defendants have still continued to allow the illegal use of the property.
Chronicling the property’s troublesome past, it is recorded that since at least December 2017, the defendants have permitted the property to be used for illicit purposes. Before it served as a nightclub, it was the location of an illegal marijuana dispensary and an illegal gambling operation. The LAPD’s involvement led to the unearthing of an unregistered firearm and gambling machines, as well as multiple arrests. Serious incidents at the club include a June 2023 confrontation that turned into gunfire, resulting in one person’s death and another injured. Further LAPD action in December 2024 found a party with about 120 attendees shutting down, with officers recovering a fully loaded ghost gun along with ammunition…