Feds after African leader’s Malibu mansion
The U.S. government has filed a “lis pendens” (meaning suit pending) on the Sweetwater Mesa mansion of Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, along with several high-end cars and a crystal-studded glove worn by the late Michael Jackson while on tour.
Obiang is the son of Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, president of Equatorial Guinea, and he also serves as the country’s minister of agriculture and forestry. His ministerial salary is $5,000 per month, according to reports, but Obiang’s reportedly lavish lifestyle has led to an ongoing four-year investigation by U.S. authorities.
Equatorial Guinea has a population of 650,000 people but is sub-Saharan Africa’s third-largest producer of oil after Nigeria and Angola.
The document is a written public notice saying that a lawsuit has been filed that concerns the title to a property.
The “lis pendens” pertaining to the multimillion dollar Malibu mansion reads, “Notice is hereby given that the foregoing action has been commenced and is now pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California… for the forfeiture of said real property. The real property which is the subject of this actions is located at 3620 Sweetwater Mesa Rd., Malibu, California.”
Other items mentioned in the document include “one white crystal-covered ‘Bad Tour’ glove and other Michael Jackson memorabilia,” an airplane and various luxury cars, including a Bentley, a Lamborghini and a Ferrari, among others.
The Obiang family also reportedly faces lawsuits in both Spain and France, where they own property. The French government seized 11 luxury cars worth millions of dollars belonging to the leader’s son a few weeks ago.
Jamie Malibu to close
Local clothing store Jamie Malibu will close next week, the store’s manager confirmed. Currently, all items at the boutique are $10, and all are vintage. There will be a closing event Tues., Oct. 25 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., where the last items will be sold and wine and cheese will be served. The event will take place at the store, located in Point Dume Village, 29211 Heathercliff Rd., Suite 50.
Friday power outage caused by fallen tree
The cause of a power outage Friday evening last week in Malibu was a fallen tree, Southern California Edison spokesman Charlie Coleman confirmed. The outage began at 4:06 p.m. and affected 944 customers. By 4:37 p.m., 904 customers had their power restored, while the remaining 40 went without power until 12:48 a.m. early Saturday.
The outage caused the traffic light at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Paradise Cove Road to go out as well.
“[The] cause was a tree that had fallen, knocking down a wire at Ramirez Canyon Road, just north of Pacific Coast Highway,” Coleman said.
Diesel, A Bookstore to reopen Oct. 23
Diesel, A Bookstore is reopening in Malibu on Sun., Oct. 23 at the Malibu Country Mart. The store is celebrating its return with an author event featuring local Les Klinger, who will read from and discuss his new book “In the Shadow of Dracula.” The bookstore will also host an official grand opening party in November. The reopening event takes place Sunday at the store’s new location, 23410 Civic Center Way, suite A3, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. More information can be obtained by calling 310.456.9961.
Red tide hits local beaches
A water sample taken by Heal the Bay scientists off the Santa Monica Pier last week confirmed what Malibu’s more avid beachgoers may already know: Local beaches have experienced a red tide. The phenomenon causes normal blue-gray water to take on a rusty, brownish pigment due to an overabundance of algae. While not all red tides are harmful, about a third of the algae species causing red tides can cause adverse health affects, according to a press release from Heal the Bay.
During such toxic red tides, mussels, clams and other shellfish that filter algae for food can safely ingest the toxins. However, humans who eat the shellfish can suffer nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, tingling or numbness. That risk is the reason for the annual mussel harvesting quarantine along the length of the California coast which lasts from May 1 to Oct. 31.
Some people also believe that coming into contact with water or breathing sea spray affected by red tide can cause eye irritations, skin discomfort and sore throats. Heal the Bay’s website urges people to be safe but to check out the unique conditions along the coast.
One pleasant side effect of red tides is increased bioluminescence due to the presence in the water of exponentially greater numbers of dinoflagellates, microorganisms that help make up algae. The dinoflagellates can be seen lighting up the surface of the water at night.
JAKKS Pacific purchases Moose Mountain Toymakers
Malibu-based toy company JAKKS Pacific, Inc., has completed the purchase of Hong Kong-based Moose Mountain Toymakers Limited, according to an Oct. 17 press release from JAKKS Pacific. The Malibu toymaker acquired all the shares of stock of Moose Mountain and its Parsippany, N.J. affiliate Moose Mountain Marketing, Inc.
Moose Mountain manufactures and sells foot-to-floor ride-ons, wagons and tents, among other products. The business includes licenses for characters and brands including Disney, Fisher-Price, Sesame Street, Thomas & Friends, Nickelodeon and others.
“We believe that Moose Mountain and its roster of evergreen licenses and broad array of product lines, coupled with its stellar management team, will be a strong addition to JAKKS’ portfolio of brands across multiple product categories,” Stephen Berman, president and CEO of JAKKS Pacific, said.
Road work update
Work being performed on the Coastal Interceptor Relief Sewer Project is expected to continue through May 2012, according to a press release from the City of Los Angeles. Night construction will continue on both sides of Pacific Coast Highway from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. between the Annenberg Beach House and Chautauqua Blvd., requiring lane closures. However, at least one lane in each direction will be open at all times and all lanes will be open between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. Work will also continue in Will Rogers State Beach parking lots one and two.
More information about the project can be obtained by calling 213.978.0317.