Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced settlements with the owners and managers of two apartment complexes in Ward 7, Benning Courts and Azeeze Bates Apartments, that will improve living conditions for tenants and ensure ongoing compliance with DC housing code and consumer protection laws at the properties.

Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today sued real estate lending and investment firm Red Oak Capital Holdings, LLC (Red Oak) for illegal lending practices that discriminate against tenants without housing subsidies.

Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today filed a first-of-its-kind civil lawsuit under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) to dismantle an extensive real estate fraud scheme led by slumlord Ali “Sam” Razjooyan, his brother Eimon “Ray” Razjooyan, and their mother Houri Razjooyan.

Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today released the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) 2025 Impact Report, highlighting OAG’s efforts to protect the District and its residents over the last year, including securing $906.8 million in savings and benefits for DC – a 477% return on investment.

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 tenants who are being forced to live in dangerous housing conditions.

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 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, defying a court order to fix dangerous conditions there, and putting the lives of more than 2,500 tenants at risk by forcing them to live with chronic water leaks, widespread mold, and a lack of air conditioning, heat, and hot water.

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 and reform their practices to resolve the Office of the Attorney General’s lawsuit alleging that Petra had illegally discriminated against lower income DC residents in order to boost profits, effectively limiting affordable housing options in DC.

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, illegal construction, failing to pass required safety inspections, and endangering tenants at the property.

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.