DC Attorney General Sues Landlords Using a Racketeering Law to Stop Mistreatment of Low-Income Tenants

Washington, D.C., Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit Thursday using an expansive racketeering law — originally crafted to prosecute organized crime — to put a landlord accused of providing unsuitable living conditions to his renters out of business.

Speaking at a press conference, Schwalb announced his office was using the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO, to dismantle the real estate operation of Ali “Sam” Razjooyan, his brother Eimon “Ray” Razjooyan, and their mother Houri Razjooyan.

Read more at AP News