New York Attorney General Letitia James has reached a settlement with Buffalo landlord Farhad Raiszadeh and his associated companies, the Raiszadeh Group, following a lawsuit over lead-based paint hazards in dozens of rental properties. The agreement, filed in Erie County Supreme Court, resolves allegations that the Raiszadeh Group failed to address unsafe and deteriorating conditions at their Buffalo properties, many of which are located in low-income neighborhoods.
Under the terms of the settlement, the Raiszadeh Group will pay $515,000 in penalties. Of this amount, $70,000 will be allocated to a tenant relief fund for families whose children were poisoned by lead in these properties, while $445,000 will go toward certified hazard inspections and remediation work. The group is also required to hire an EPA-certified risk assessor within 30 days and engage a third-party monitor to oversee all remediation efforts. Quarterly progress reports must be submitted to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), Erie County, and the City of Buffalo.
Attorney General James stated: “Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and healthy home, free from the devastating and irreversible harms of lead poisoning. 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.”
The OAG investigation found that since 2008, 75 percent of the 78 buildings owned or managed by Raiszadeh Group were cited for conditions conducive to lead poisoning. Fourteen children living in these properties between 2017 and 2025 were diagnosed with lead poisoning. All buildings were presumed to contain some level of lead paint.
Lead exposure can cause significant health problems for children under six years old. Even small amounts can impact brain development and result in long-term cognitive challenges. Buffalo remains among cities with high rates of childhood lead poisoning; children living in low-income areas are particularly affected.
All current city and county housing code violations related to lead must be corrected within 60 days under the settlement terms. Lead remediation work must be completed within 18 months. If tenants need temporary relocation during remediation, landlords are required to provide alternative accommodations at no cost or compensate tenants who choose to end their leases.
Additional requirements include prohibiting property sales until they have been certified as lead-safe; annual third-party inspections for four years; distribution of EPA-approved disclosures about lead hazards; safety pamphlets; and inspection reports for each tenant. Failure by Raiszadeh Group to comply could result in an additional suspended penalty up to $445,000 plus interest.
Earlier this week, Attorney General James met with local officials and community advocates about ongoing efforts against childhood lead poisoning in Buffalo. She highlighted her office’s continued actions against landlords violating safety laws.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said: “Lead poisoning is insidious. It steals futures from kids… I thank the Attorney General for supporting these efforts through litigation, and for helping affected families to find a resolution.”
Buffalo Mayor Christopher Scanlon commented: “No family should have to worry about their children being exposed to lead in their own home… I thank Attorney General Letitia James for her leadership.”
Senator April Baskin noted: “After consistently ignoring these hazards…the reckless practices of the Raiszadeh Group are being held accountable.”
Senator Sean Ryan added: “The consequences of lead exposure can last a lifetime… Settlements like this are a step toward breaking the cycle.”
Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes stated: “Thankfully, we have an Attorney General in Letitia James who will not back down from landlords who prey upon residents…”
Other community leaders expressed gratitude for holding landlords accountable and emphasized ongoing needs for safer housing across Buffalo.
This settlement follows previous enforcement actions by Attorney General James against other landlords across New York State over similar issues involving hazardous housing conditions due to lead paint violations.
The case was handled by Assistant Attorneys General Patrick Omilian, Ayah Badran, Ashley M. Gregor, Steve Nguyen; Special Assistant Sharde Slaw; Environmental Scientists Jennifer Nalbone and Isabel Murphy; Investigators Ken Peters and Jennifer Terranova; Bureau Chief Lemuel M. Srolovic; Chief Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux; First Deputy Jennifer Levy; with support from Erie County Department of Health and City of Buffalo Permit and Inspection Services Department.
