Local dispensary owner filed a legal claim against the city of Eureka

Heart of the Emerald Dispensary owner, Roy Gomez filed a claim–requesting $500,000 against the city of Eureka. Accusing that councilman, Leslie Castellano made negative comments against Gomez’s event rental space he ran called “Forever Found.” These comments allegedly cost his business significant financial damage.

“Forever Found has been part of the Dream Makers project for about five years now and we really set Forever Found off as an event rental space that obviously supports the arts and culture and the community,” Gomez said.

The Dream Makers project is a program set up by the Ink People Director and Councilmember Castellano. The dream makers program is made up of self-directed projects created by locals who strive to make the community a better place through art and cultural engagement.

Last year, Gomez requested a beer and wine permit for a community haunted house at his “Forever Fund” venue–from the city. After a string of emails from council member CastellanO and the Eureka police department (EPD) assistant chief, it came to light that a few comments from both the councilmember and EPD were accusing Gomez’s business of alcoholic control violations as well as cannabis regulation violations. 

The city of Eureka was unable to make comments or statements. For more information visit the city’s public document portal.

“We did everything we could and unfortunately, the ethics violations are what shut us down,” Gomez said.