WATERTOWN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced May 10 that he has settled with LeRay 300 LLC, a Virginia-based company that operates a community of 150 duplex-style townhomes near Fort Drum.
LeRay 300 will pay $69,000 in relief and penalties after allegations of illegal charges against service personnel.
Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, service personnel and their families can terminate residential leases early without penalty if they are deployed, receive orders for a permanent station change, or are honorably discharged from the military. According to Schneiderman’s office, LeRay 300 ignored this law and charged servicemembers termination fees of between $200 and $300.
“Service to our nation should not lead to victimization by predatory businesses,” Schneiderman said. “New York stands beside our servicemembers, and I will do what it takes to defend their rights as they bravely defend ours.”
LeRay 300 will pay $59,000 in relief to more than 125 servicemembers, and will pay a $10,000 civil penalty to the state.
Handling the case for New York were assistant attorney general Alicia M. Lendon, investigator Chad Shelmidine, and legal assistant Eric Taub, all of the Watertown Regional Office.