New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced a major win in her office’s fight to protect Buffalo children and families from dangerous lead poisoning in their homes. In March 2023, Attorney General James sued Buffalo landlord Farhad Raiszadeh and his associated companies (Raiszadeh Group) for failing to properly address lead-based paint hazards. An agreement, filed today in Erie County Supreme Court, will resolve the lawsuit and require the Raiszadeh Group to correct unsafe and deteriorating conditions at dozens of rental properties they own in Buffalo, many of which are located in low-income neighborhoods. The Raiszadeh Group will pay $515,000 in penalties, including $70,000 to create a tenant relief fund and $445,000 for lead hazard remediation, and submit to extensive oversight to ensure that its buildings are safe for current and future tenants. 

“Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and healthy home, free from the devastating and irreversible harms of lead poisoning,” said Attorney General James. “For years, Farhad Raiszadeh and the Raiszadeh Group failed to protect tenant families despite receiving repeated warnings and violations. Today, we are ensuring that hundreds of thousands of dollars will be invested directly into making these homes safe.”