FARGO (KFGO) – A Federal magistrate judge in Fargo has ordered a Moorhead-based real estate company to pay $.4.2 million in restitution and fines for failing to disclose that a home contained lead-based paint as required by the Toxic Substances Control Act.
US Attorney Mac Schneider says Valley Property Partners LLC, doing business as “House Dudes,” sold a home in Hillsboro, North Dakota in 2019 that contained lead paint. It was built prior to 1978. In April of 2022, two children living in the home were diagnosed with elevated blood-lead levels. An inspection of the house determined the presence of lead-based paint in several parts of the home, including the children’s playroom.
The Toxic Substances Control Act protects kids and homebuyers, and while most sellers make the required disclosures in good faith, there can be serious health impacts on children when the law is violated,” Schneider said. “As this case shows, there are also legal consequences for the violators. I want to thank our career prosecutors and their federal and state partners for providing accountability and reaching a fair outcome in this case.”
The company was also placed on probation for one year and must perform 50 hours of community service.
The case was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency – Criminal Investigation Division with assistance from the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality.
Comments