Top

news

Stories

 

The Mad Men of Los Angeles

Living the good life, thanks to the big profits from illegal outdoor advertising

Now, Rush and his cronies are wondering if the game is over in L.A. They have reaped millions of dollars from their oil derricks in the sky — much of it, city officials say, illegally.

"I didn't come in the middle of the night," says an indignant Rush. "I came to the court of the land, and they gave me an injunction and said it was fine. If I lost in federal court, I would have gone home."

In Silver Lake, guerrilla artist Jordan Seiler slathers an illegal outdoor ad with his "weave" art.
In Silver Lake, guerrilla artist Jordan Seiler slathers an illegal outdoor ad with his "weave" art.
Oil derrick in the sky: Illegal ad at Wilshire and San Vicente rakes in dough for Barry Rush.
PHOTO BY TED SOQUI
Oil derrick in the sky: Illegal ad at Wilshire and San Vicente rakes in dough for Barry Rush.

For its part, the City Attorney's Office has said it will continue its crackdown until all of the illegal signs, supergraphics and billboards come down. And so will citizens, say L.A.'s anticlutter activists.

Says Hathaway, the leader of the antibillboard movement, "They are in the business of making tons of money by creating what people in most neighborhoods consider blight, which diminishes property values — and their quality of life."

Contact the writer at cpelisek@laweekly.com.

<< Previous Page | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | All
 
My Voice Nation Help
0 comments
Sort: Newest | Oldest
 
©2013 LA Weekly, LP, All rights reserved.
Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places Los Angeles

    Voice Places

    Find everything you're looking for in your city

  • Happy Hour App

    Happy Hour App

    Find the best happy hour deals in your city

  • Daily Deals

    Daily Deals

    Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city