EPA v. IKEGWU, JAMES AND MARTHA (TARGET HOUSING)

Case summary

ON APRIL 3, 2014, REGIONAL JUDICIAL OFFICER, RENEE SARAJIAN, ISSUED A DEFAULT ORDER AGAINST THE RESPONDENTS IN THE ABOVE REFERENCED MATTER. ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2011, EPA REGION III FILED A COMPLAINT AND NOTICE RIGHTS TO HEARING ( COMPLAINT ) AGAINST, THE SELLERS OF TARGET HOUSING LOCATED IN BALTIMORE MARYLAND, ( THE RENTAL PROPERTY ), FOR ALLEGDLY VIOLATING SECTION 409 OF TSCA, BY FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE DISLOSURE RULE . THE RESPONDENTS JAMES AND MARTHA IKEGWU, WHILE SUBJECT TO A LEAD-BASED PAINT ABATEMENT ORDER ISSUED BY THE BALTIMORE HEALTH DEPARTMENT CHILDHOOD LEAD POISIONING PREVENTION PROGRAM, SOLD THE TARGET HOUSING WITHOUT DISCLOSING THE PRESENCE OF LEAD-BASED PAINT AND LEAD-BASED PAINT HAZARDS TO THE PURCHASER, IN VIOLATION OF TSCA, REGULATIONS 40 C.F.R. SECTION 745.107(a)(2), 107(a)(4), 745.113(a)(3) AND 745.137(c)(1). EPA PROPOSED A PENALTY IN THE COMPLAINT. THE RESPONDENTS FAILED TO FILE AN ANSWER TO EPA'S COMPLAINT. EPA SUBSEQUENTLY FILED A MOTION FOR DEFAULT WHICH WAS GRANTED BY RJO SARAJIAN. THE ORDER REQUIRES RESPONDENTS TO PAY A $6,450.00 PENLTY UNLESS RESPONDENTS CHOOSE TO APPEAL TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL APPEALS BOARD.

Defendants (2)

• IKEGWU, MARTHANamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• IKEGWU, JAMESNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• TARGET HOUSING - 1700 NORTH CASTLE STREET, BALTIMORE MD

  1700 NORTH CASTLE STREET, BALTIMORE, MD, 21213

  Registry ID: 110070158671

Statutes cited

• TSCA 409 — Lead: Violation of Section 1018

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• IKEGWU, JAMES AND MARTHA (TARGET HOUSING)entered 2014-09-19

  Primary law: TSCA

  Federal penalty: $6,450

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2014-09-19Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2014-09-19Final Order Issued
• 2018-01-31Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2019-08-07Enforcement Action Closed