By [Samantha Miller]
Last updated:
The Los Angeles City Attorney sued Ultimate Host, LLC, which did business as The Nightfall Group, along with its owner and several property owners, over illegal short-term rentals and “party house” nuisances. Three defendants settled in September 2025 for a combined $280,000 in civil penalties. This guide explains what the city alleged, what the settlements required, and what was still pending when they were announced.
The information below comes from announcements by the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office and the court case listing for LASC Case No. 23STCV19069. Allegations in a complaint are claims, not findings by a court. [VERIFY: confirm the current status of the case on the LA Superior Court case search and update the “Current status” section before publishing.]
Case at a glance
- Case: People of the State of California v. Ultimate Host, LLC dba The Nightfall Group, et al.
- Court and number: Los Angeles Superior Court, LASC Case No. 23STCV19069
- Filed: August 16, 2023, by City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto
- Main allegations: Violations of the city’s Home-Sharing (short-term rental) rules and Party House Ordinance
- Relief sought: An injunction and civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation of each ordinance
- September 2025 settlements: $280,000 in civil penalties from three defendants
- Status when the settlements were announced: Claims against Ultimate Host, LLC and Mokhtar Jabli were still pending
Who is the Nightfall Group?
According to the city attorney’s complaint, Ultimate Host, LLC did business as The Nightfall Group. The company was based in Beverly Hills and marketed private homes, which it called villas, in areas such as the Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills and Bel-Air as a high-end home hosting service. The complaint names Mokhtar Jabli as the company’s owner and operator.
Listings reportedly cost as much as $16,000 per night, with add-ons such as private chefs, bartenders and DJs. [VERIFY: add a source for the price and add-on services, or delete this paragraph.]
What the city alleged about short-term rentals
Los Angeles limits who can host short-term rentals. In summary, a host may operate only one short-term rental, it must be the host’s primary residence (lived in for more than six months a year), and the host must register with the Planning Department and show the registration number on every listing.
The city alleged that Nightfall and Mr. Jabli did not meet these requirements. According to the complaint, they leased hundreds of properties from homeowners under long-term agreements and then rented the same homes out short-term as luxury stays. The city said this violated the ordinance because of the number of properties involved, the lack of primary-residence use, and missing registration numbers on listings.
The party house allegations
The city also alleged that Nightfall-linked properties became a public safety problem. According to the allegations, LAPD was called to Nightfall-associated properties more than 250 times in two years, counting only the Hollywood area. The complaints included excessive noise, disruptive behavior, blocked public rights of way, littering and vandalism, and large unauthorized parties spilling into surrounding streets.
Los Angeles has a Party House Ordinance aimed at this kind of nuisance. The city alleged that Nightfall enabled the problem by renting to clients who wanted to hold large events, without meaningful oversight of basic rules.
The lawsuit and the defendants
On August 16, 2023, City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto filed a civil enforcement action naming:
- Ultimate Host, LLC (dba The Nightfall Group)
- Mokhtar Jabli, individually, as owner and operator
- Jungle Kerry, Inc.
- 5554 Green Oak, LLC
- Kirill “Kirk” Ayzenberg, individually and as Trustee of the Gabriel Mark Trust
The city asked for an injunction to stop the alleged violations and nuisances, and for civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation of each ordinance. Three of the five defendants were property owners or property-owning entities, not the Nightfall operating company itself.
The September 2025 settlements
In September 2025, the City Attorney’s office announced settlements with three defendants:
| Defendant | Civil penalty |
|---|---|
| Kirill “Kirk” Ayzenberg (individually and as Trustee of the Gabriel Mark Trust) | $215,000 |
| 5554 Green Oak, LLC | $45,000 |
| Jungle Kerry, Inc. | $20,000 |
| Total | $280,000 |
Beyond the penalties, the three settling defendants were prohibited from short-term rental activity at any residential property in the City of Los Angeles unless it complies with the Home-Sharing Ordinance, and were required to tell guests at properties they own or operate that loud or unruly parties are prohibited.
The city announced these settlements alongside a separate pre-litigation settlement with MC Pico Properties, LLC and Monem Corporation, the owner and manager of the Franklin Apartments at 6871 Franklin Avenue. The city alleged that at least 10 of the building’s 30 rent-stabilized units had been converted into an underground hotel operation since late 2020. That settlement included $150,000 in civil penalties and a requirement to return the units to the long-term rental market. It was a different matter from the Nightfall case.
Current status
When the settlements were announced, litigation against Ultimate Host, LLC and Mokhtar Jabli was still pending.
Why the case matters
The city framed the case as part of its effort to enforce short-term rental rules, arguing that illegal rentals take homes off the long-term market and create safety problems for neighbors. The separate Franklin Apartments settlement, which involved rent-stabilized units, reflects the same housing concern.
What this means for guests
If you booked through Nightfall Group and had a problem, such as a property that did not match its listing, unexpected fees or a cancelled booking:
- Save listings, contracts, confirmation emails, photos and all messages.
- If you paid by card, ask your issuer about a chargeback for services not provided or misrepresented.
- You can file a complaint with the California Attorney General’s office or the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- Consider speaking with a consumer protection attorney.
What this means for landlords and property owners
Three of the five defendants in this case were property owners or property-owning entities. That shows owners can be named when the city alleges their property was used in violation of the rules. If you lease to a tenant or a company, include a clause that bars short-term subletting, and speak with a real estate attorney if you find a tenant is doing it. For current rules, see the city’s Home-Sharing page at planning.lacity.gov.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nightfall Group still operating?
The September 2025 announcement said claims against Ultimate Host, LLC and Mokhtar Jabli were still pending. This article has not confirmed whether the company is operating today. [VERIFY.]
How much did the settling defendants pay?
Three defendants agreed to a combined $280,000 in civil penalties: $215,000 (Ayzenberg), $45,000 (5554 Green Oak, LLC) and $20,000 (Jungle Kerry, Inc.).
What laws did the city say were violated?
The complaint alleged violations of the city’s Home-Sharing (short-term rental) rules and the Party House Ordinance. The Franklin Apartments settlement, a separate matter, involved rent-stabilized units.
Is this the same Nightfall Group as other companies with similar names?
The name “Nightfall Group” may be used by other businesses. This article covers only Ultimate Host, LLC, which did business as The Nightfall Group, the defendant in LASC Case No. 23STCV19069.
Can I sue the Nightfall Group as an individual?
If you were a guest who was misled, overcharged or harmed, you may have grounds for a civil claim. A consumer protection attorney in California can advise on your situation.
Sources
- Los Angeles City Attorney announcements, August 2023 and September 2025
- Los Angeles Superior Court case listing, LASC Case No. 23STCV19069
- Los Angeles City Planning Home-Sharing Program: planning.lacity.gov
- FTC complaint site: reportfraud.ftc.gov
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.
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