(Washington, DC) Attorney General Robert J. Spagnoletti and Dr. Patrick Canavan, director of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), announced today the successful prosecution of the owners of two nuisance properties as a result of the partnership between the two District government agencies.

The Public Safety Division, Nuisance Property Unit (Unit) of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and DCRA are working to ensure the safety of District residents by prosecuting owners of properties who have contributed to blight or criminal activity in District neighborhoods. Through an agreement between the two agencies, two prosecutors were hired solely to address nuisance properties. The prosecution team began in the fall of 2005, and two of the cases brought by the new Unit successfully resulted in guilty pleas this week. Both cases involved properties that were inspected by DCRA following complaints by area residents.

“This is a prime example of the importance of District agencies working in concert to improve the quality of life for the residents of the District,” said Spagnoletti. “Properties that attract illegal activity impact the lives of the residents living in those neighborhoods. Property owners need to know that we will enforce the law when they allow such activities to occur on their property.”