BEL AIR—The unfinished mansion by real estate developer Mohamed Hadid on 901 Strada Vecchia has been the focus of contention, legal battles, and exploration in recent years. 

Hadid pleaded no contest to the charges against him after being accused by prosecutors of building a property larger than what is permitted by law. He has fought in court with neighbors, who reported that the city was aware and failed to end the illegal construction of the mansion. Investigators have pursued potential misconduct by a city building inspector examining the property.

According to a declaration given in a civil case concerning the house, former construction manager Russell Linch provided new claims involving the city inspector who supervised the project. Linch reported safety issues pertaining to the property noting it should be demolished. He previously defended Hadid and his company and is now being sued by Hadid.

According to a legal declaration in the civil case by neighbors, Linch states Hadid administered him to send “some guy“ to assemble wooden cabinets that belonged to Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety inspector Anthony Anderson.

Linch alleged to the Los Angeles Times, “there were no checks or other records reflecting that Anderson paid for these cabinets.” In a different declaration, the carpenters that performed the work declared they were paid by Hadid and his company for building the walnut cabinets, closets and a built-in dresser. Los Angeles city officials are prohibited from receiving gifts that could potentially influence them from completing their job. The FBI is not investigating the issue. 

Hadid continues to claim his innocence and Anthony, whom no longer works for the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety has not replied for comment.

The mansion’s floor area is almost 20,000 square feet higher than the permitted 11,300 square feet. The property is 40 feet higher than the maximum height.

Previously in 2015, Hadid faced criminal charges for his illegal construction work. He was sentenced to 200 hours of community service, probation and fines despite pleading no contest to the charges against him.

A lawsuit was filed by four of Hadid’s neighboring residents in June 2018. Rachel Wilson from Sugerman Communications Group indicated in a press release to Canyon News that Hadid failed to comply with several safety building codes while building his mansion. The mansion has a height of 70 feet, where the maximum height is 30 feet tall. Hadid also hid areas of work done at the property from Los Angeles city inspectors including underground rooms and a giant IMAX theater. From 2011 and 2015, the city issued 11 “Order to Comply” citations that required an immediate halt to construction.

Hadid’s building permit was previously revoked and he was ordered to stop work on the house, and begin the destruction process for the illegal third floor on the home back on February 1, 2019, after violating city code.

The website www.TearItDown.net. has been created for residents of Bel Air to sign in order to ask Los Angeles City Officials to demand a stop to the construction of Hadid’s mansion, which has been nicknamed the “Starship Enterprise.”

“We cannot teach developers that it is better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission, or the issues at 901 Strada Vecchia will be repeated citywide,” said Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz.

Hadid, is ex-husband of reality star Yolanda Foster from “The Real Housewife of Beverly Hills” and father to models Gigi and Bella Hadid.