I don't live in the U.S.A (thank fuck) but either way if someone advertised a space as a place to grow in i would automatically be suspicious.
It's like some old burnout grease-bag show you a "great" spot to plant your shit outdoors.
Just so he can fuck over your plants.
Sorry about your loss bud, but i think a judge would laugh over a case like this but then again i live far from california haha.