VENTURA : Port District Rejects $36-Million Claim

A $36-million claim against the Ventura Port District was rejected Wednesday by port commissioners, who dismissed the claim by a Chatsworth businessman as frivolous.

Victor Sampson, owner of the Don Ricardos Management Co., contended that officials failed to honor an agreement and mishandled the way they awarded the new lease of the Harbortown Marina Resort Hotel.

Sampson said he was seeking to take over the failing hotel and thought that he had struck a deal with district officials when the contract was awarded to another company.

“It’s sour grapes,” said Richard Parsons, general manager of the port district, which leases the 150-room hotel at Ventura Harbor. “We never had any kind of agreement with the guy.”

Sampson said officials had sent him an agreement that he signed in September, 1992. He also sent the district an initial deposit check of $10,000 that was held for several months.

“He was not treated appropriately or fairly,” said Lee Alpert, Sampson’s attorney. “He has spent significant time and expense in preparing and dealing with the port district. . . . He was blown out by this other group for no good reason.”

Parsons said district officials had seriously considered Sampson’s offer, but awarded the lease to Pasadena-based LYW Group in December. Officials made their decision partly because LYW Group has access to a travel agency network that would help bring visitors to the harbor.