Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • A4

4 aZ3 SATURDAY, 02.10.18 An edition of The Arizona Republic A Gannett newspaper Nicole Carroll Vice and Editor, 602-444-8797, nicole.carroll@arizonarepublic.com Alia Beard Rau Community Editor, 602-444-4947 alia.rau@arizonarepublic.com TO ADVERTISE Please email Or call 602-444-4920 TO SUBSCRIBE 602-444-1000 CONTACT US 602-444-6397 200 E. Van Buren Phoenix, AZ 85004 CORRECTIONS Call 602-444-NEWS (6397) Or e-mail Community Editor Alia Beard Rau PHOENIX REPUBLIC HEAD TO THE 2018 PYEONGCHANG OLYMPICS WITHAZCENTRALSPORTS Capture the winning moments. Go behind the scenes with the athletes. Feel the grit and glory. Friday, February 9 Sunday, February 25 Check out dailyWinter Olympics coverage at olympics.azcentral.com A federal judge has twice denied the request for a temporary re- straining order, which would prevent de- struction of the religious ele- ments, choosing to instead let the other lawsuits play out.

But the suit has not been dismissed and could come back into play if commu- nity members lose their other legal bat- tles. 4. Beijing lease The owners of Beijing Gardens, an- other restaurant in the Chinese Cultural Center, also sued the new owner. A few weeks ago, the restaurant filed a lawsuit alleging that 668 North breached its contract by not extending Beijing lease. The lease expired Jan.

31 but allowed for a five-year extension, according to court documents. The restaurant owner tried to prolong the lease last summer by sending a letter asking for either a three- or five-year extension. According to court documents, 668 North respond until December, when it notified the restaurant it would not extend the lease and the owners must vacate by the end of January. During a court session last week, 668 North and the restaurant owners agreed to come back later in February for argu- ments. Beijing Gardens can stay open during that time.

5. defamation lawsuit Super Ranch Market was the anchor tenant of the Chinese Cultural Center for about 20 years. Last summer, 668 North decided not to renew the lease, which forced the store to move to a new location in Scottsdale. This was the first trigger of public backlash against the new owners. At that time, representatives of 668 North said publicly that the grocery store moved out voluntarily and had pre- viously declared bankruptcy and suf- fered other financial difficulties, ac- cording to court documents.

The store sued 668 North and its pub- lic-relations team in October for defama- tion, alleging the claims made about the business were untrue and detrimental. 668 North denied the accusations and filed counterclaims alleging the market breached its contract by leaving the space a mess when it moved out. No arguments have been scheduled. 6. Second defamation suit In December, True North the parent company of 668 North, filed a def- amation lawsuit against Charlie Lai, the owner of Super Ranch Market.

At a Phoenix City Council meeting in September, Lai spoke about his dealings with True North and accused the compa- ny of lying and improperly evicting his business from the Chinese Cultural Cen- ter. True North in its lawsuit alleged Lai knowingly spread false and damaging information about the company during the meeting. attorneys have hit back. They have said the lawsuit is a Strategic Law- suit Against Public Participation that in- tended to censure Lai and other critics of True North. Arizona has anti-SLAPP laws, which prohibit entities from suing someone for the purpose of keeping them quiet.

If a judge agrees with Lai, the case will be dismissed. Oral arguments on the SLAPP allega- tions are scheduled for later this month. Center Continued from Page 3.