Emmy-winning producer sued by tenants of Hollywood building he co-owns

HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Actor and Daytime Emmy-winning producer Andre Bauth is facing more legal troubles.

Bauth is already behind bars on suspicion of attempted murder. On Wednesday, his tenants sued over what they describe as deplorable and unsafe conditions in a Hollywood building he co-owns.

The historic home in the heart of Hollywood was to be a collective of aspiring actors and musicians.

"It was a fraud. What it was is just a big boarding house that these people didn't really bargain for," attorney Eric Castelblanco said.

According to Castelblanco, Bauth and his business partner Geoffrey Lichtman had advertised on sites like Craigslist for The Artists Advantage - a group providing networking and acting classes and a place to live close to auditions. The cost was about $600 per person.

Lichtman says that he just wanted to help people.

"It's not a scam. We didn't force people to move in. We gave them a tour of the house, the whole house, every bedroom. They saw the bunks," he said.

Meanwhile, the tenants told Eyewitness News a different story.

"All the things that came with the academy was not fulfilled," said Baindu Mando, an aspiring actress.

According to Castelblanco, as many as 34 people were living in the home at one time and some of the rooms are not up to code.

What complicates matters is that, according to Los Angeles police, Bauth is in jail in connection with a stabbing in Studio City.

Tenants also claim they have cellphone video of Bauth throwing their mattresses and personal belongings in the street.

Lichtman says there's a right way and a wrong way to deal with people.

"It shouldn't have been done like that, and basically it was just like a combination of everything hitting all at once and just exploding," he said.

Bauth and Lichtman actually sublease the home in Hollywood and say the owner, Cahp Holdings, knew about their plans. But when contacted by Eyewitness News, a Cahp Holdings property manager said they didn't know the home was being used as a boarding house. Cahp Holdings says they've served eviction notices to Lichtman and Bauth, and just want everyone out.

The tenants say they bonded in the home, but wish they would have done more research.

"Sometimes things aren't always what they seem to be," resident Michael Ross said.