News & Updates

Attorney General Schwalb, Councilmember Robert White Announce Legislation to Protect District Tenants

Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today, alongside Councilmember Robert White, announced the introduction of the STRONG Homes Amendment Act of 2025, which would strengthen the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) ability to more quickly hold negligent landlords accountable and protect District…

Topics: Tenant Rights

Attorney General Schwalb Announces DC Landlord Will Pay $10,000 in Penalties and Change Policies That Discriminate Against Housing Voucher Recipients

Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced a settlement with local landlord Portico Investments LLC (Portico) for allegedly violating DC law requiring landlords to treat all tenants equally, regardless of the source of funds they use to pay their rent.

Attorney General Schwalb Secures $41 Million for Marbury Plaza Tenants and District

Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced that the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) won a $41 million judgment against the former owners of Marbury Plaza (now re-named Langston Views), MP PPH LLC and Dr. Anthony Pilavas, for neglecting the safety and habitability of the complex,…

Topics: Tenant Rights

Office of the Attorney General Announces Petra Management Group Will Pay $700k to Resolve Lawsuit Over Housing Voucher Abuse Scheme

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) today announced that the owners and manager of three District apartment complexes—Petra Management Group, LLC, Rashid Salem, 4825-4829 North Capital St L.L.C., 5616 13th St NW L.L.C., and 743 Fairmont St NW LLC, (collectively, “Petra”)—will pay $700,000…

Attorney General Schwalb, Councilmembers Frumin and Pinto Announce Child Support Increase for TANF Families 

Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb, alongside Councilmembers Matt Frumin (Ward 3) and Brooke Pinto (Ward 2), today announced that beginning October 1, 2025, families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) will see an increase in child support passthrough payments from $150 to $…

Topics: Child Support

Attorney General Schwalb Sues Developer of New Ward 7 Apartment Building for Dangerous, Illegal Construction

Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb, following an investigation in which the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) worked closely with the District’s Department of Buildings (DOB), today sued the developers and former owners of a newly-built apartment building in Ward 7 for performing shoddy,…

Topics: Tenant Rights

Attorney General Schwalb Announces Program to Help Parents Who Are Behind on Child Support Payments

Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced the Office of the Attorney General’s Child Support Services Division’s (CSSD) Amnesty Program, designed to support and provide relief for parents who are behind on child support payments and may be facing legal action from the District.

Topics: Child Support

Frequently Asked Questions: Individuals in Homeless Encampments in DC

This guidance is intended to inform residents—including residents who are experiencing homelessness—about their rights and the resources available to them. Please read and share the Q&A below.

Attorney General Schwalb Wins Appeals in Two Significant Housing Cases in Wards 4 & 8

Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced successful outcomes in two separate appellate cases in which the District sought to hold landlords and developers accountable for harm they caused to DC residents.

Attorney General Schwalb Secures Over $1 Million from District Landlord Involved in Rental Price-Fixing Scheme

Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced that William C. Smith & Co., Inc. (W.C. Smith) will pay over $1 million and reform its business practices to resolve allegations that it conspired with other District landlords, using pricing software from RealPage, Inc., to inflate rents at…