‘Let this be a lesson': SF Chinatown SRO owners to pay $810K for illegal, unsafe units
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The San Francisco City Attorney's office said the landlords of three Chinatown single room occupancy (SRO) hotels will have to pay $810,000 in civil penalties for forcing tenants to live in 'unsafe and unhealthy living conditions' for several years.
Omar Torres convicted for sexually molesting minor in 1999
City Attorney David Chiu said the settlement agreement resolves an October 2023 lawsuit over the condition of the properties that alleged the SRO owners caused a 'public nuisance.'
City Attorney Chiu said Jeff Appenrodt, Shailendra Devdhara, and Kamlesh Patel own the hotels — located at 1449 Powell St., 790 Vallejo St., and 912 Jackson St. — that house 85 authorized SRO rooms. However, since 2018, Chiu said several City departments have issued Notices of Violation (NOVs) for health, safety, and building violations at the three hotels, saying the owners 'illegally converted, combined, or added unauthorized SRO rooms and dwelling units.'
Chiu said the laundry list of violations at the properties include 'unpermitted work, broken and rusted plumbing, exposed electrical wiring, insect and rodent infestations, mold and mildew, unsanitary shared restrooms, malfunctioning appliances, lack of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, seismic safety risks, insufficient emergency exits, broken doors and locks, missing hardware, broken windows and frames, damaged paint with lead risks, and damaged ceilings, floors, and walls.'
'Let this be a lesson to all landlords who profit off of the suffering of their tenants,' said City Attorney Chiu in a news release. 'In San Francisco, there are consequences for depriving tenants of a safe and healthy place to live. I'm proud our collective actions held the owners accountable and addressed the many issues at the properties.'
Chiu said the three owners will have to repair the conditions at the three SRO hotels per the settlement agreement.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Davison County Sheriff opposing possible prison near Mitchell
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – The sheriff for Davison County is officially opposing the idea of building a new men's prison near Mitchell. Last week, Gov. Larry Rhoden's Project Prison Rest task force included Mitchell among Worthing and other existing DOC sites as a possible site for a new men's prison facility to replace the current South Dakota State Penitentiary located in Sioux Falls. 35-year-old arrested in early morning crime spree including stolen bus In a post on social media, Davison County Sheriff Steve Harr said he 'will not be supporting bringing the state prison to Davison County.' 'I contacted Minnehaha County Sheriff Milstead, who sits on the task force, informing him of this. I have asked him to forward it on to the entire task force,' Harr wrote. Harr said prior to last week's task force meeting, he had signed a letter of support for the prison near Mitchell. 'This was done with hopes Davison County would make the final cut and some conversations would start,' Harr wrote. 'It was not done as a statement of 'we need a prison in Mitchell.' Well, as you know, this was successful, as the conversation all over town is on this topic.' Harr said he believes it has become clear there's a large number of residents opposed to a new men's prison being built near Mitchell. 'My job as Sheriff is to look out for the citizens of Davison County and I feel that is what is being done by coming to this decision,' Harr said. 'I would like to thank everyone that has reached out or made your concerns known in other ways.' Project Prison Reset plans to meet again in July to discuss further options for replacing the State Penitentiary. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Man charged with DUI after allegedly driving wrong way on I-91 in Enfield
ENFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) — State police say a Massachusetts man was arrested after driving the wrong way on Interstate 91 while under the influence early Saturday morning. Tyzier Virola, 25, of Springfield, Massachusetts was charged with illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, driving wrong way on a divided highway, and improper parking on a highway. Metro-North back to normal after downed wires left passengers stranded The charges stem from about 3:45 a.m. Saturday, when troopers received word of a wrong way driver traveling north in the southbound lanes of I-91. The vehicle was later reported at the bottom of the Exit 49 off ramp, facing the wrong way. While speaking to the driver, troopers said they saw clear signs of impairment, including the odor of alcohol on him. He agreed to do Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, which state police say he failed to perform to standard. Virola was released from custody on a $2,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court on June 20. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Virginia man arrested on illegal weapons charges in Steuben County
ERWIN, N.Y. (WETM) — A Virginia man was arrested in June on illegal weapons charges after an incident in the Town of Erwin, according to a release from the New York State Police. Clarence J. Payton, 30, of Virginia, was arrested on Thursday, June 5, on several felony charges including: Criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree: loaded firearm, not in home/business, a class C felony. Criminal possession of a firearm, a class C felony. Two counts of unlawful possession of certain ammunition feeding devices, not in the home, a class B misdemeanor. Police investigating gunshot after overnight incident in Elmira Payton was arrested after an incident inside a home on Thursday where troopers said Payton was asked to leave the residence and reportedly had a gun. Troopers found Payton at the home and saw he had a pistol and an additional extended magazine. It was later learned that Payton did not have a valid New York State pistol permit. The following items were taken from Payton: Clock 17 pistol Two Glock-17 magazines One KCI USA 33-round magazine Various 9mm Luger ammunition Payton was arrested on the charges and taken to the state police barracks for processing before he was moved to the Steuben County Jail for further proceedings. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
