FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Court Rules Drug Signs to Stay Posted

The 4th District Court of Appeal in Santa Ana has ruled against Fountain Valley condo owner Garrie Charles Culverin his challenge of a lower-court ruling that he post signs outside his house declaring that he would not sell illegal drugs.

The City of Fountain Valley filed a civil suit last June against Culver alleging that he sold drugs at his condominium.

A state law allows cities to take civil action to stop public nuisances such as drug activity at a home.

In July, 1992, Orange County Superior Court Judge C. Robert Jameson issued a preliminary injunction ordering Culver to post the signs. In December, Culver sought to have the injunction lifted, but Jameson ruled that the signs should remain posted.

Culver was ordered by the court to post signs on his property stating that the premises are not to be used for the sale of illegal drugs.

Culver then sought to have the Court of Appeal invalidate that ruling and also asked the court to require the disclosure of the names of the city’s confidential police informants who have given affidavits accusing Culver of drug dealing at his condo. Neighbors and police officers also gave affidavits against Culver, which were submitted to the Superior Court as evidence.

Emmett Raitt, Culver’s attorney, could not be reached for comment.

Culver has not been arrested or charged with selling drugs. However, he has been cited for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, according to court records.

Fountain Valley City Atty. Alan R. Burns said as a result of the Feb. 18 Court of Appeal ruling, Culver must leave the signs posted until a trial is held on the civil action.