The State - News from July 7, 1989

A San Pedro slumlord who was late in paying $16,000 to help his tenants relocate will not have to spend extra time in jail for his tardiness, a San Pedro Municipal Court judge has ruled. Judge Roy Ferkich on Wednesday declined a prosecutor’s request that he lengthen the sentence of landlord Martin Canter, whom health inspectors said operated a rat- and cockroach-infested apartment. The judge told Canter in March that he would have to serve only 45 days of a six-month sentence if he sold his building and paid his tenants’ relocation costs. Canter promised four tenants $4,000 each if they agreed to move out in March. His first check bounced. Judge Ferkich said he would consider a longer jail sentence for Canter. A second check delivered Monday was covered by sufficient funds.