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Letitia James sues Syracuse landlord over alleged lead violations
Lawsuit says 11 children have been poisoned due to violations by companies owned by Todd Hobbs
Syracuse landlord Todd L. Hobbs and his companies — TLH Holdings and TLH Properties — are being sued by New York Attorney General Letitia James for alleged repeated violations of lead safety laws at more than a dozen properties.
Dating back to 2016, Hobbs’ companies have violated lead safety laws 413 times at 19 different properties, according to a press release. At least 11 children have been poisoned by lead while residing in these properties, the lawsuit alleges.
The lawsuit alleges that Hobbs consistently violated city, county, state, and federal laws by neglecting to address lead paint hazards and not following regulations for safe lead paint repairs and risk communication to tenants. Despite multiple citations for lead paint violations, Hobbs failed to take appropriate action at his rental properties.
The legal action seeks thousands of dollars for impacted families, and the disgorgement of ill-gotten profits, including rent payments received by Hobbs. Additionally, officials are requesting an order to halt Hobbs’ alleged harmful housing practices.
The lawsuit also seeks an order requiring Hobbs to regularly inspect every rental unit for lead hazards, promptly and safely remediate any lead exposure risks, and provide tenants with accurate and lawful lead disclosures.
James said that no parent should have to worry about their children’s safety in their own homes. She emphasized that children of color and their families are disproportionately affected by lead paint exposure and vowed to go after landlords who violate lead safety laws to protect all children’s well-being.
Lead is a highly toxic metal that can lead to severe and irreversible health issues, particularly in children during early development.
Syracuse faces a persistent lead problem, with 81 percent of its housing stock built before the 1970 New York ban on lead-based paint. Children of color, especially those in Syracuse, are disproportionately affected by lead poisoning.
In 2022, 510 children in Onondaga County had elevated levels of lead in their blood, with 90 percent of those children residing in Syracuse, the release says. Black children were affected at a rate of over 11 percent, while white children were affected at just two percent, indicating a significant racial disparity, according to the release.