Nobu and Malibu near secret settlement over zoning violations Play

There may be some sort of legal agreement brewing between Nobu and the City of Malibu — over the issue of overcrowding, rowdy parties, and blocking PCH traffic by the trendy restaurant.

The swanky Malibu restaurant and the city have been battling over zoning violations. Violations that may have led to the death of an innocent motorist on the highway at the hands of a drunk driver and Nobu patron.

Nobu has filed a lawsuit against the city in a preemptive action, after the city opened a zoning enforcement case against Nobu. The restaurant has been apparently operating way outside of limits placed on the business by the city years ago.

The booze-soaked, overcrowded special events in particular have drawn public attention. There was an outcry after the bar once again leased itself out to a Hollywood party organizer for the out-of-control yearly Fourth of July parties that used to jam PCH near the pier.

Two years ago, the parties ended after one partygoer got drunk and crashed head-on into an oncoming car, hours after attending the 2024 edition of the party.

The self-proclaimed social media influencer, Summer Wheaton, stands charged with killing the driver of a rideshare car. Wheaton, age 35, was arraigned last week and pleaded not guilty to one vehicular manslaughter charge and two drunken driving charges.

After the Fourth of July party at Nobu in 2024, Wheaton allegedly drove across the center turn lane into oncoming traffic. Her 2019 Mercedes Benz sedan crashed head-on into a 2020 Cadillac SUV traveling westbound. Forty-four-year-old Martin Okeke was killed.

City of Malibu zoning officials had already been at odds with Nobu over occupancy limit violations and illegal conversion of outdoor areas into lucrative restaurant seating. Illegal transfer of the liquor license to a Beverly Hills party organizer company was also alleged, by outraged citizens.

In what may have been an attempt to legally outflank the city, Nobu filed a lawsuit claiming it was being persecuted. KBUU News has learned that Nobu has asked for its lawsuit to be "tolled" - put on hold, apparently a part of a legal agreement with the city.

The city council is scheduled to discuss the secret agreement next Monday. No comment yet from either side.