The City of Monterey was granted part of the money it requested to reimburse costs related to a problematic apartment building owned in trust by Leslie J. Flores, who is currently serving a prison sentence for crimes unrelated to the building.
Monterey County Superior Court Judge Ian A. Rivamonte made the ruling on Monday, June 18. The city was asking for $183,833 to cover its legal and staff costs after the building was put into receivership in 2024. Rivamonte awarded the City $172,887.
The apartment complex on Larkin Street had been deteriorating, with tenants living there for a few years, when the City began condemning apartments in 2023. In 2024, city officials asked the court to assign a receiver to take over the complex and make repairs. The receiver recommended selling the property, but Flores, through his trusts and attorneys, challenged a sale.
The two sides reached an agreement on a rehabilitation plan to be completed over the next year.
Rivamonte further ordered that the City has the right to make additional requests for reimbursement until the termination of the receiver.
A status hearing to determine when the defendant, through a trust, will pay the reimbursement is set for June 23.