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Delaware landlord agrees to settle after long-term tenant mistreatment

LEGAL NEWSLINE

Monday, December 23, 2024

Delaware landlord agrees to settle after long-term tenant mistreatment

State AG
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Attorney General Kathy Jennings | Official Website

Attorney General Kathy Jennings has announced a settlement with Adolph Jay Pokorny, marking the end of his lengthy career as a landlord in Wilmington, Delaware. This resolution concludes a Department of Justice investigation into Pokorny's management of the North Adams Street apartments, which had been previously condemned. As part of the agreement, Pokorny will provide $125,000 in compensation to former residents and exit the apartment management business in Delaware within 30 months.

"Mr. Pokorny repeatedly, egregiously, and illegally endangered his tenants in the pursuit of profit," stated Attorney General Jennings. She emphasized that this case highlights the importance of landlords fulfilling their legal and moral obligations. Jennings expressed gratitude towards her team and the City of Wilmington for their efforts in securing justice for those affected.

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki also commended the Attorney General's office for its diligent investigation into Pokorny's practices. "As explained in the complaint filed by the DOJ, Pokorny's neglectful and negligent practices as a landlord over many years came to a head one day in May of 2022 when people living in 27 apartments spread across seven buildings on Adams Street lost their homes," said Mayor Purzycki.

The legal actions were based on an extensive two-year investigation that included interviews with numerous individuals connected to Pokorny's properties. The findings revealed that he failed to perform necessary repairs and maintenance at his North Adams Street properties, compromising tenant safety and leading to structural failures such as a wall collapse on May 15, 2022.

Pokorny's disregard for property upkeep continued despite prior court orders addressing similar issues identified during an earlier DOJ inquiry in 2002. He was found guilty of deceptively marketing rental units without disclosing their poor condition or lack of maintenance.

Under the consent judgment, Pokorny is required to sell all his Delaware rental properties and is prohibited from owning or managing any residential rentals within Delaware except for any primary residence he may own there. Additionally, he must allow city inspections before renting out units.

The settlement obliges Pokorny to pay $150,000 total; $125,000 will be allocated for former residents affected by his mismanagement. A suspended judgment threatens an additional $600,000 penalty should he fail to comply with these terms pending judicial approval.

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