RI Attorney General Takes More Action Against Lead Violations

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Superior Court judge ordered two Rhode Island landlords to immediately address lead hazards at a Providence apartment building. The "long-standing" issues led to several cases of childhood lead poisoning.

Regent Place, LLC and Robert Riccardi were ordered to hire license lead remediation contractors for the Wealth Avenue building within seven days, as well as to relocate tenants to temporary housing while the work is being completed. During that time, the owners must also contribute to the tenants' meal costs.

Attorney General Peter Neronha sued the owners in November 2021 after they failed to address the hazards, which led to the poisoning of two children. When the property was again inspected in December, the hazards were still present.

"Far too many children are lead poisoned due to the presence of lead paint in and around their homes every year, and far too many landlords fail to do what they are required to do by law, which is to take action in response," Neronha said. "Those landlords in many instances have repeatedly blown off Department of Health orders to remediate their rental properties. Since this Office began our unprecedented lead paint enforcement initiative last year, these landlords are being hauled into court and forced to take action, as happened here."

Before the court order was issued Feb. 11, the hazards were still present in the building, which was built in 1910.

The court order comes just a few weeks after two other landlords, Mark O'Day and David Buda, were also ordered to correct outstanding lead violations at their property that cause multiple child illnesses.

"Every child in every home in Rhode Island deserves to be safe from lead paint poisoning," Neronha said. "This Office will continue to stand up for children and hold these landlords accountable. The law requires them to do the right thing. We’ll make sure they do."