Legal News

Duroville to stay open for repairs

By Richard Binder

U.S. District Judge Stephen Larson ruled yesterday that the Desert Mobile Home Park, also known as Duroville, will remain open until alternative housing can be built. He also urged residents to relocate "with all deliberate speed."

Larson appointed Tom Flynn, manager of the Thermal park, a court receiver for two years to oversee repairs to sewage, water and other systems and collect hundreds of thousands of dollars in back rent. He also banned any new tenants from moving into the park and encouraged current residents to relocate.

Federal prosecutors had called for the park to close because of poor living conditions. They say park owner Harvey Duro did nothing to improve conditions for close to 10 years. Last year, the judge removed Duro from any management role at the park and stopped his $7,000 monthly salary.

Because the park is on tribal land, it is not subject to local and state health and safety codes.

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Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on May 01, 2009 (boomark / email).