John Drayman, former Glendale Councilman, is still dealing with the FBI investigation of his condominium renovations.
Earlier this summer allegations that John Drayman used funds intended for construction for Los Angeles affordable-housing project were used for his renovation on his condominium surfaced.
FBI agents confiscated records from the subcontractor, Ronald Chamberlin, owner of D & A Coating & Restoration, who worked on Drayman’s high-end renovation. He called these records that were turnover to FBI agents as, off-the-books work at the Drayman’s home.
Advanced Development & Investment, an affordable-housing developer accused by its own court-appointed overseer of defrauding Los Angeles, Glendale and other government agencies of at least $134 million as it built dozens of subsidized apartment buildings for low-income families, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Los Angeles Times also reported that Chamberlin said half of his company’s work, or roughly $4,000, was paid from an account devoted to Manitou Vistas II, a 21-unit apartment complex built in Lincoln Heights with $1.5 million in financial assistance from the city of Los Angeles. He also estimated the total remodeling cost on Drayman’s condominium was $200,000.
The former councilman is currently facing a series of corrections to the original documentation for the 2010 renovations to bring the condominium into compliance. Drayman filed for a permit but he filed months after the work was completed.
The permits that were originally filed by Drayman underreported the work that was done. This is what prompted the city to inspect the home and require supplementary permits. Drayman’s permit fees have come out to about $2,271.96 which would have been half of that if he had properly filed, according to officials.
“He’s getting up there in fees, and he’s not done yet,” said City Building Inspector Stuart Tom.
The inspectors told Drayman that he needed to tear holes in his walls so that they can check interior changes. After the holes were made and the inspectors showed up to inspect the changes Drayman was told that the holes were not big enough.
Due to the improper permits the city must inspects the home in this fashion because typically the inspections are performed while the work is being done.
“Ultimately, what it’s going to come down to is inspectors will continue to require permits until, in aggregate, the permits Mr. Drayman gets covers the full scope of work,” Tom said.
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