The owner of a martial arts studio in White Oak faces eviction after deciding to pay only part of his rent due to building maintenance issues. This comes after he said he spent tens of thousands of dollars on new equipment due to numerous plumbing issues caused by the business above him.
Pow Srikachorn, a disabled veteran and owner of The Compound Fight House, said sewage from an upstairs toilet leaked into part of his studio where students ages 3 to 85 learn various martial arts skills. Some of his students are Ukrainian refugees, Afghans and wounded American veterans. Also involved are young people who learn self-defense techniques after having been bullied or are autistic.
“We’ve had leaks, from minor to some pretty major ones.” Srikachorn told MCM. The issue dates back to April 2019, he said.
A plumber has come to the office located above his studio to fix the immediate leak, but Srikachorn said the problem has continued.
“They are putting a bandaid on an interior leak,” said Srikachorn.
Because his lease states that Srikachorn is responsible for his own equipment, Guardian Realty in North Bethesda has not reimbursed him.
“We have no comment at this time,” a representative from Guardian Realty told MCM.
Every time a leak occurs Srikachorn said he must purchase a new mat, which costs him about $15,000.
“You have kids on the mat, and you have sewage leaking on them? It hurts retention.” As the problem persists, Srikachorn has had to budget $60,000 a year for replacement equipment, he said.
He attributes the drop in students at his gym to the leaking.
Srikachorn decided to subtract a portion of his rent by the affected square footage, which has led to the threat of eviction. If he doesn’t pay around $150,000 in withheld rent, Srikachorn could be evicted as early as Jan. 15.
“I may have to refinance my house,” he said. “I don’t want to be evicted. I just want it to stop,” he said. “I’ll fall on the sword. If I have to file bankruptcy, I’ll do that. Nobody has said that it is my fault.”
He started a GoFund me campaign. So far, he has raised $330 of his $2,800 goal.
Srikachorn also has filed a lawsuit. A lawsuit was also filed against him. His attorney’s office, Shulman Rogers in Potomac, has not returned calls and emails from MCM for comment.
“What we are doing is the right thing. We are empowering people,” said the veteran who was involved in special operations missions, including rescuing hostages and determining the helicopter route during the capture of Osama bin Laden.
In addition to owning the martial arts business, Srikachorn is deputy director of operations with the U.S. Department of Defense.
“I just ask for fairness,” he said.
Photo courtesy of The Compound’s Facebook page
