New York AG Sued Syracuse Landlord for Repeatedly Violating Lead Safety Laws

JULY 27, 2023

In July 2023, New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a complaint against William D’Angelo, a landlord in Syracuse, and his company for violating lead safety laws. Despite numerous citations, D’Angelo failed to address the lead-based paint hazards at his properties, putting his tenants at risk. The AG’s office found 336 violations at 22 different properties since 2016, resulting in lead poisoning in at least 15 children. Lead contamination is especially harmful to children, and it disproportionately affects low-income communities and communities of color. Of the 15 children poisoned at D’Angelo’s properties, 10 were children of color. AG James’ lawsuit sought disgorgement of profits, including profit from rent payments, as well as restitution for the families of affected children, penalties for each failure to disclose lead hazards, and an injunctive order requiring D’Angelo to address the lead hazards at his properties.

In February 2024, AG James announced a settlement-in-principle with the landlord requiring him to pay $310,000 towards a tenant relief fund and to resolve all violations at the properties in question. The settlement prohibits the landlord from selling the properties until the violations are remediated.