San Clemente Files Complaint Against Sovereign Health Treatment Cetners

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — The City of San Clemente recently filed a First Amended Complaint against Sovereign Health, a provider of alcohol and drug dependency treatment and mental health based in San Clemente, for violating numerous municipal ordinances.

The City’s October 25, 2016 amended complaint includes the following causes of action:

• Public Nuisance (Violation of Civil Code Sections 3479, 3480, 3491, 3494. Violation of SCMC Section 1.16.030. Violation of SCMC Chapter 8.52)
• Disorderly Conduct (Violation of SCMC Sections 9.040.010. Violation of SCMC Chapter 8.48)
• Litter (Violation of SCMC Chapter 8.40)
• Loud and Unruly Gathering (Violation of SCMC Chapter 9.16)
• Operating without a Business License (Violation of SCMC Chapter 5.04)
• Operating without a Home Occupation Permit (Violation of SCMC Chapter 17.28)
• Work without Permits (Violation of SCMC Section 15.08.010)
• Violation of California Building Code Section 105.1
• Treatment without a State License (Violation of California Code of Regulations Sections 10500 et. Seq. 80001 et. seq.)
• Violation of Health and Safety Code Section 11834.30
• Operation of a Boarding House (Violation of SCMC Section 17.32.030, Violation of SCMC Section 17.40.030)
• Unlawful Referrals (Violation of Business and Professions Code Section 650. Violation of Health and Safety Code Section 445)
• Professional Clinical Counseling Services without a License (Violation of Business and Professions Code Sections 4999.20, 4999.30)

“The City of San Clemente has a duty to the citizenry to ensure that all businesses follow local laws established to ensure the safety and welfare of the community. Despite numerous notices from the City to seek compliance, Sovereign Health has refused to abide by local laws, prompting the City’s suit against the company,” said Mayor Bob Baker.

The City of San Clemente originally filed suit against Sovereign Health in 2015.

Sovereign has opposed that lawsuit and filed its own lawsuit against the City in federal court. Although the parties had discussed settlement of that 2015 litigation, those settlement discussions ultimately failed.

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