EL CAJON, Calif. — A former El Cajon city council member is getting sued by the city he once served.
On Tuesday, December 5, the city of El Cajon filed a court injunction against Ben Kalasho for running an illegal bed and breakfast at his El Cajon property as well as for performing numerous unpermitted renovations at the property.
Kalasho resigned from the city council in March 2019 amid allegations that he posted fake nude photos of a female contestant in his Miss Middle East Beauty Pageant that he ran.
Since his resignation, Kalasho has been no stranger to court or controversy.
In September a San Diego Superior Court Judge issued an arrest warrant for Kalasho for contempt of court after Kalasho refused to turn himself in to authorities for an eight-day jail sentence for failing to pay legal judgments against him in a defamation lawsuit filed by the former beauty pageant contestant.
Most recently, the fallen former elected official is facing another round of fines for operating an illegal bed and breakfast out of his former El Cajon residence.
According to a non-conformed court injunction obtained by CBS 8, city officials say Kalasho and his wife have been running what is labeled on hotel websites as, “The Historical Chamber House In East San Diego With Optional Breakfast.”
Kalasho Bed and Breakfast
In the court injunction, El Cajon officials say they first discovered that the "chamber house" was operating during a September 2019 inspection of Kalasho's Cliffdale residence.
During that visit, inspectors found Kalsho had built outside stairs, a deck, as well as a second kitchen without necessary permits.
"The officers observed and took photographs of unpermitted construction of an outdoor stair and a deck and an unpermitted second kitchen in the primary dwelling," reads the December 5 court injunction. "They also had become aware of an illegal bed and breakfast business with services on the property."
In the months that followed, according to the court filing, Kalasho told the city that he would apply for building permits to rectify the violations. The applications, however, were never submitted.
Beginning in May 2021 the city issued Kalasho citations, carrying a $100-a-day fine until the property was brought into compliance with local codes.
In June 2021, the city raised those fines to $500 a day.
Without any word or permits from Kalasho, the complaint then states that the city raised the violation amount to $ 2,000 a day.
Now, more than four years after discovering the unpermitted bed and breakfast as well as the building violations, the city is taking legal action.
"City of El Cajon is informed and believes that [Kalasho]...blatantly and willfully in violation of the ECMC and will continue to maintain the code violations in the future unless the Court enjoins and prohibits such conduct."
According to searches of rental sites, Kalasho appears in photos making elaborate meals for his guests.
In one rental post, the 1-bedroom rental is described as being inside of a "spectacular French Victorian 4-story home" in an "upscale neighborhood."
"This gorgeous rental is located on the 'entire second floor' of this castle-like home. It has its own private entrance in the front. Full bathroom, full kitchen & 1 full bedroom. The best part is that it's fully furnished with brand-new furniture. This property is historic with a lot of character known for its fairytale vibes."
The post then goes on to describe Kalasho as a "top-rated Gourmet Chef with food unlike any other Bed and Breakfast should you decide on the food option. Chef cooks gourmet 5 star dishes. His plates have been well received & reviewed on multiple platforms. His creations are high end & in demand. Guests who opted in for the optional gourmet Breakfast will be served at 8am via the service door which is located inside their unit. (Host will message guest upon reservation completion)."
The site Family Vacation Rentals had listed the nightly stay cost at $82 a night. Currently, the website states that the "property is unavailable on this site presently. Check back later."
Kalasho did not respond to CBS 8's request for comment. The story will updated when, or if, he does.
