SOFIE RUDIN / THE PUBLIC'S RADIO
From Providence, Road Island, a local real estate investment trust and two landlords have allegedly ignored orders to clean up lead paint from within their rental properties in Providence and Cranston. The children living in these properties having tested positive for elevated levels of lead in their blood. The lawsuit claims that the owner of the three-family triplex, Robert N. Riccardi, violated state laws that protect the renter from lead poising. Elaine C. Proeung and Mortgage Equity Conversion Asset Trust 2011-1, Providence property owners, were both sued in October of 2021 for the same reasons.
All lead hazards are required to be immediately rectified upon notification under the Road Island Lead Poisoning Prevention Act. The two property owners who had been sued in October bought their properties with lead violations already existing on the property. The properties were cleaned up over the summer as a court document states. The violations on Mr. Riccardi’s property were brought to light when 5 children were tested with higher levels of lead in the blood stream. Accordingly, state officials were notified, and a property inspection was triggered.