David Dieu Nuyen, Lead Paint Fraud, Maryland 2002

Baltimore, MD – Landlord David Dieu Nuyen was sentenced to federal prison in March 2002 after pleading guilty to a violation of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and subsequently admitting to obstruction and fraud related to concealing lead-based paint hazards in his rental properties. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlighted a deliberate effort to endanger tenants and deceive federal authorities.

According to court documents, Nuyen knowingly failed to inform tenants of the presence of lead-based paint in his properties, a direct violation of federal law. This failure put residents, particularly children, at risk of lead poisoning, a serious health concern with long-term neurological and developmental consequences. The EPA requires landlords to provide tenants with specific information about lead-based paint hazards, including a lead warning statement, a list of known lead-based paint and hazards, and a sample report or records disclosing lead-based paint and hazard information.

The initial indictment on March 14, 2001, detailed 14 counts of making false statements (18 U.S.C. 1001) and one count of obstruction of proceedings (18 U.S.C. 1505). The investigation quickly expanded to include mortgage fraud charges filed on July 10, 2001, also under 18 U.S.C. 1001, suggesting a pattern of deceptive practices beyond the immediate health risk to tenants. On July 11, 2001, Nuyen was formally charged with the TSCA violation (15 U.S.C. 2615) in the District of Columbia, solidifying the core of the EPA’s case.

Nuyen’s attempt to conceal his failure to comply with TSCA regulations ultimately led to his downfall. He pled guilty to the TSCA violation on July 26, 2001, admitting to knowingly withholding crucial safety information from his tenants. The subsequent investigation revealed a calculated scheme to prioritize profit over the well-being of those renting his properties. Federal investigators discovered evidence indicating Nuyen actively misrepresented the condition of his properties to both tenants and federal officials.

On March 13, 2002, Nuyen received a 24-month prison sentence, followed by a 36-month probationary period. In addition to incarceration and probation, he was ordered to pay a substantial $50,000 federal fine. The sentence served as a warning to other landlords about the serious consequences of failing to comply with environmental regulations and endangering the health of tenants. The EPA continues to prioritize enforcement of TSCA regulations, with a focus on protecting vulnerable populations from the dangers of lead poisoning.

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Key Facts

Defendant: David Dieu Nuyen
State: Maryland
Year: 2002
Violated Statutes: 15 U.S.C. 2615 (TSCA), 18 U.S.C. 1001 (False Statements), 18 U.S.C. 1505 (Obstruction)
Penalty: 24 months incarceration, 36 months probation, $50,000 fine
Crime: Failure to notify tenants of lead-based paint hazards and subsequent false statements to federal officials.
Indictment Date: March 14, 2001

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Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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