Judge Rejects Suit Over Denial of Liquor Permit

A Superior Court judge has rejected business owner Jerry Jamgotchian’s lawsuit against the city for denying him a permit to sell liquor at his billiards hall.

Jamgotchian sued the city and City Council after he was denied a conditional use permit three times. The permit would allow Jamgotchian to obtain a state liquor license.

The council has denied the permit because Jamgotchian’s business, South Bay Billiards, is within 600 feet of Hawthorne High School, said acting City Atty. Glen Shishido.

In a ruling filed last month, Judge Robert H. O’Brien said the law was not vague and that city officials had shown that issuing a permit would lead to problems for area residents.