Harlem landlord fined $15,000 for nearly 100 lead paint violations at properties

NEW YORK — A Harlem landlord with nearly 100 lead paint violations has been fined tens of 1000’s of bucks as New York City cracks down on lead hazards. 

The town needs it to be a caution to different landlords. 

From its early days as a assets as soon as owned by means of the Astor circle of relatives, to its scenes at the large display within the movie “New Jack City,” Graham Court condo are filled with historical past within the worlds of fiction and truth. 

Resident Richard Memminger best needs the lead paint violations present in his condo since 2021 have been fiction. 

“Definitely worried, not super scared … I also supervise my nephews while they’re here,” mentioned Memminger. “I try to have an inviting home and a welcoming home, and then to find out that people have been here and there was lead, it was definitely disconcerting.” 

The town mentioned that is considered one of at least 10 properties owned by means of Ezriel Weinberger the place inspectors marked lead paint violations over the previous few years. 

Inspectors mentioned the violations vary from recordkeeping problems to failing to take away lead paint earlier than a brand new tenant strikes in. 

The Department of Housing Preservation and Development mentioned the landlord just lately needed to pay $15,000 fines for every development and that different landlords must take understand. 

“January is the time when they are supposed to be sending out their annual notices, doing their investigations. We hope that other landlords hear this message and come into compliance,” mentioned AnnMarie Santiago, a deputy commissioner with the dept. 

Memminger mentioned his nephews didn’t get lead poisoning, however he is fearful about whether or not the issues have been mounted correctly. 

“I don’t want to say anything disparaging about the management company, but if we’re just talking about facts, it felt like they didn’t care,” mentioned Memminger. 

CBS New York attempted attaining Weinberger a couple of occasions on Monday, however didn’t listen again.