INSIDE City to Pay $20M For Discharging Untreated Wastewater into Santa Monica Bay smmirror.com
August 23 - August 29, 2024 Volume CXXIII Issue 214
See Page 7
Remembering Dr. Siroos Farzam: A Legacy of Dedication, Vision, and Community in Santa Monica
Dr. Farzam, wife and two children at the Eastlake Inn (the first property he bought in Seattle, Washington).
Pioneering Hotelier Passes Away, Leaving an Enduring Legacy in Santa Monica Dr. Siroos Farzam, a beloved figure in the Santa Monica community and a pioneering hotelier, passed away peacefully on Friday at his home. Dr. Farzam was not only a visionary
in the hospitality industry but also a man of deep compassion, hard work, and commitment to his family and the community. Before he found his calling in the hotel business, Dr. Farzam was a dedicated medical doctor. His journey to the United States began in Seattle, Washington, where he first immigrated with his wife, Gina, and their three children at the time. In Seattle, they purchased their first motel, a business venture they knew little about. But with resilience and a strong work ethic, they made it their own. Dr. Farzam worked the front desk while Gina worked housekeeping, learning the ins and outs of the hospitality industry from the ground up.
Dr. Farzam, wife and three children at the demolition site of the Auto Motel located at 1447 Ocean Ave. (now Ocean View Hotel).
Driven by a desire for new opportunities, Dr. Farzam and his family eventually moved to Los Angeles, where they discovered Santa Monica—a place they would come to call home and where they would build a lasting legacy. One of their first properties in the area was the Santa Monica Motel on Lincoln Boulevard, which was recently reimagined and reopened as the Santa Monica Hotel earlier this year. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Dr. Farzam’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to acquire several more properties, including the Auto Motel, Pacific Sands Motel, and Travelodge on Ocean Avenue. In 1993, he redeveloped the Auto Motel into what is now the Ocean View Hotel, a uniquely designed Ocean Avenue landmark. His vision didn’t stop there; Dr. Farzam also foresaw the potential in the Pacific Sands and Travelodge properties, which were ultimately transformed into the awardwinning Shore Hotel, a testament to his commitment to sustainability and excellence. Dr. Farzam’s journey from a medical doctor to a respected hotelier is a story of perseverance, vision, and the American
Dr. Farzam, wife and three children at the demolition site of the Auto Motel located at 1447 Ocean Ave. (now Ocean View Hotel).
dream. His impact on Santa Monica is immeasurable, not only through the properties he developed but also through the sense of community he fostered. He was a man who believed in the power of family, hard work, and giving back to the community that supported him. Dr. Farzam is survived by his wife and five children, who, along with their extended hotel team family, are committed to carrying on his legacy of dedication, compassion, and excellence in hospitality.
Santa Monica Physician Charged in Connection to Matthew Perry’s Death The Indictment Alleges That Plasencia Was Complicit in Distributing Ketamine to Perry During the Actor’s Final Weeks Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a Santa Monica physician, is among five defendants charged in connection with the fatal ketamine overdose of actor Matthew Perry in October 2023. Plasencia and
alleged San Fernando Valley drug dealer Jasveen Sangha were arrested today and face serious consequences under an 18-count superseding indictment unsealed this week. Plasencia, 42, also known as “Dr. P,” is charged with conspiracy to distribute ketamine, seven counts of distribution of the drug, and two counts of altering documents related to the federal investigation. If convicted of all charges, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison for each count related to ketamine distribution and up to 20 years for each records falsification charge. The indictment alleges that Plasencia was complicit in distributing ketamine to Perry during the actor’s final weeks. Perry, who struggled with addiction, suffered a fatal overdose on October 28, 2023, after receiving multiple injections of ketamine. The court documents claim
that Plasencia distributed the drug to Perry outside the scope of legitimate medical practice and failed to monitor him after administration. United States Attorney Martin Estrada stated, “These defendants cared more about profiting off of Mr. Perry than caring for his well-being,” emphasizing the importance of holding drug dealers accountable for the harm they cause. Sangha, 41, who is known as “The Ketamine Queen,” faces even harsher penalties, including a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a potential life sentence if convicted. The indictment cites that her actions on October 24, 2023, directly contributed to Perry’s death. Both Plasencia and Sangha are expected to be arraigned later today in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles. The charges come as part of
a broader investigation into the illicit distribution of drugs that led to Perry’s tragic demise, which has garnered significant public attention. The ongoing investigation involves the Los Angeles Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration, among other agencies.