In a significant move to tackle the persistent issue of lead contamination in Buffalo homes, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a substantial settlement against local landlord Farhad Raiszadeh and the Raiszadeh Group for neglecting crucial lead hazard maintenance in their properties, many of which are situated within economically disadvantaged neighborhoods and are predominantly occupied by families of color, this information comes via a statement released by the Attorney General's office.
Following a lawsuit initiated in March 2023 by Attorney General James, a binding agreement now requires Raiszadeh and his companies to pay a hefty sum of $515,000 in penalties, provision a tenant relief fund with $70,000, and direct $445,000 towards eradicating lead paint hazards in their Buffalo real estate portfolio which spans 78 properties, reportedly housing low-income families of color who've been systematically exposed to lead poisoning risks due to inadequate property maintenance, chronicled over the years by several city and county inspection reports as outlined in the Attorney General's announcement.
The toxic effects of lead are no secret, causing irreversible health issues with children under six being incredibly susceptible to its neurological effects, which can manifest as learning disabilities and attention deficits among other complications; these hazards are particularly prevalent in Buffalo, a city that bears a high childhood lead poisoning rate, disproportionately impacting its marginalized communities, this being a facet of the broader conversation surrounding the settlement as cited by several officials in the Attorney General's press release.
Under the settlement, Raiszadeh and his associates are required to spend at least $445,000 on certified hazard inspections and remediation work, appoint an EPA-certified risk assessor to evaluate properties promptly, engage a third-party to oversee all safety work they are also mandated to provide quarterly updates on progress to the OAG, Erie County, and the City of Buffalo, and all existing lead-related violations must be rectified within 60 days, with lead remediation slated to conclude within an 18-month window, consistent with the details provided by Attorney General James.
This development signifies the ongoing efforts of the Attorney General's office to hold property managers accountable for ensuring lead-safe environments, a commitment solidified through previous settlements with landlords accused of negligence in lead hazard prevention; just last year, the Attorney General's office secured a $6.5 million settlement with New York City's Lilmor Management, known for persistent legal infringements associated with lead paint and housing maintenance and similarly, earlier settlements in Syracuse targeting noncompliant landlords were made public in the same source.
The concerted action by Attorney General James signifies a relentless pursuit of justice for those affected by negligent landlords while underscoring the crucial role of systematic accountability in eliminating lead hazards and safeguarding public health, sentiments echoed by Erie County and city officials, advocates, and community leaders who have steadfastly collaborated with the Attorney General's office, as per the collective voices featured in her office's recent communication.
