Karians Hit with $9,000 Fine for Discriminatory Housing Practices

New York – In a hard-hitting crackdown on illegal housing discrimination, Attorney General Letitia James has fined brothers Greg and John Karian $9,000 for denying rental opportunities to low-income renters. The Karians, who own three buildings in the Capital Region, were caught refusing Section 8 vouchers and charging exorbitant late fees, violating New York’s human rights laws.

“Landlords who discriminate against low-income New Yorkers are not just exacerbating the housing crisis but also denying basic rights to those most vulnerable,” AG James stated. “My office will not tolerate such practices.”

The Karians, owners of twenty-four rental units in Glenmont, Albany, and Troy, were investigated by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) after online listings indicated a refusal to accept Section 8 vouchers. The investigation revealed multiple instances of discriminatory behavior, including refusing to rent to tenants with housing subsidies and advertising their properties as not accepting such vouchers.

Under the settlement agreement, the Karians must rent at least three units to voucher holders within a year, offer anti-discrimination training, and publicly accept Section 8 subsidies. They are also required to limit late fees to five percent of monthly rent and remove any discriminatory policies from their rental agreements.

“All New Yorkers should have access to affordable housing,” Senator Patricia Fahy commented. “Attorney General James has once again shown that she will protect our neighbors from discrimination.”

The Karians were ordered to pay $3,000 in penalties with an additional $6,000 if they fail to comply with the OAG’s agreement. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for fair housing practices across New York State.