Baltimore judge denies bid by tenants to file class action suit against Jared Kushner-owned apartmen

Baltimore judge denies bid by tenants to file class action suit against Jared Kushner-owned apartment complexes


A Baltimore Circuit Court judge recently ruled against the tenants who are attempting to file a class action lawsuit alleging unlawful rental practices by the Maryland apartment company owned by Jared Kushner, son-in-law and adviser to President Donald Trump.

Judge Videtta A. Brown denied a request by five tenants to certify the lawsuit as a class action on behalf of all tenants living in the apartment complexes in Maryland owned by the Kushner Cos. and managed by its affiliate, Westminster Management.

“After carefully considering the parties’ written briefs and oral argument, the court correctly determined that there is no basis for a class action lawsuit against Kushner and Westminster Management,” said Michael Blumenfeld, an attorney for the companies. “In denying the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification, the court recognized that plaintiffs’s allegations are unique and individualized and not appropriate for class treatment.”

The tenants alleged that the companies violated Maryland law by “charging their tenants excessive, illegal late fees,” in addition to “misallocating rent payments to these illegal fees” in such a way that then triggered more fees for late rent. They also accused the companies of “using the threat of eviction to unlawfully collect these fees and other purported debts.”

Read more: https://www.baltimoresun.com/business/real-estate/bs-md-sun-investigates-kushner-20190503-story.html