Mohammad Sikder, Lead-Based Paint Violations, Washington 2019

Mohammad Sikder, a 60-year-old resident of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty to two counts of violating the Toxic Substances Control Act for his role in renovating a Washington, D.C., property without following lead-safe work practices and lead disclosure requirements.

Sikder’s solely held company, District Properties LLC, also pleaded guilty to making false statements in 25 building permit applications to the District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA). These applications understated the age of the homes being renovated, with the intent to avoid regulatory scrutiny of inadequate lead-based paint safety measures at those properties.

The Honorable Amy Berman Jackson scheduled sentencing for Nov. 22, 2019. The charges against Mr. Sikder carry a statutory maximum of twelve months in prison and potential financial penalties. He and the government will jointly recommend a $50,000 fine in addition to any prison time imposed. The company has agreed to pay a $150,000 criminal fine, and to put another $25,000 towards funding lead-based paint compliance trainings in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.

“Lead poisoning is a major environmental health problem, and the deliberate actions taken by the defendant posed an unnecessary risk to his employees and the public at large,” said Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The Justice Department will not allow to go unchallenged such flagrant disregard for the rule of law and will continue to work with its partners to protect the health of communities here in Washington, D.C., and beyond.”

“By using unlicensed and untrained workers to renovate older buildings, the defendant threatened the health of his workers and the general public,” said Jennifer Lynn, Acting Special Agent in Charge for EPA’s Mid-Atlantic criminal enforcement program. “Today’s guilty pleas demonstrate that EPA and its partner agencies are committed to enforcing laws protecting public health.”

Lead poisoning continues to be a major environmental health problem in the United States, although it is completely preventable. The most common source of childhood lead poisoning is lead-based paint in older homes, and the primary exposure pathway is ingestion of lead-contaminated dust. Lead is a toxic substance that can cause permanent damage, and is regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act. Under the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP Rule), contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

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