A federal court ruled Friday that several private interest leases on United States Department of Veterans Affairs property – including on UCLA’s Jackie Robinson baseball stadium – are illegal.
U.S. District Judge David O. Carter’s ruling comes after a non-jury trial, which found that the West Los Angeles VA grounds were mismanaged by leasing out parts of its land to the Brentwood School, Safety Park, Bridgeland Resources and UCLA – all of which do not primarily cater to veterans’ interests. The VA is prohibited from entering into a new lease agreement with any of the four entities, leaving the future of the Jackie Robinson baseball stadium unclear.
Carter’s ruling said the agreements were previously found to be in violation of the West LA Leasing Act of 2016. However, despite warnings, the VA continuously extended its lease with Safety Park – which operates a parking lot on the grounds – and has made no effort to end or renegotiate its agreements with the Brentwood School, Bridgeland Resources or UCLA.
“The Court holds that it is virtually impossible for leases for a private school’s athletic facilities, a parking lot near Brentwood businesses, an oil drilling operation, and a UCLA baseball stadium to principally benefit veterans,” the ruling said.