Mini-Mall Owner Accused of Safety Code Violations

The city has filed a 29-count criminal complaint against the owner of a mini-mall in north Pasadena for failing to comply with city health and safety regulations.

Chong C. Kwak of Monterey Park has been ordered to appear before a Superior Court judge today for arraignment. If convicted, he faces possible fines and up to a year in prison.

The charges stem from businesses Kwak owns at a mini-mall at Fair Oaks Avenue and Washington Boulevard. Kwak is accused of ignoring the city’s warning to fix electrical wires, remove fire hazards and numerous other complaints.

Kwak could not be reached for comment.

City prosecutor Tracy Webb said that an initial inspection by the City Resources Against Slum Housing team on Oct. 1 turned up the violations, and subsequent attempts to force Kwak to clean up the property were unsuccessful.

“We scheduled a weekly meeting with Mr. Kwak to make sure he was attempting to comply,” Webb said, “but after coming to the first meeting he never kept his appointment.”