SPOKANE, Wash. — The United States has filed a complaint against a Spokane property management company, alleging that the company fraudulently claimed hundreds of thousands of dollars in rent assistance intended to support struggling renters during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington, between 2021 and 2022, All Star Property Management "falsely and fraudulently sought and obtained T-RAP (Treasury Rent Assistance Program) relief funding for more than 30 tenants for which All Star was not eligible."
During the pandemic, congress established T-RAP to give landlords and property management companies an opportunity to apply for federal funding for a tenant’s past due and projected unpaid rent.
The company shared those proceeds with Arlin Jordan, who owned several properties under All Star. During this time, Jordan was serving time in prison for drugging and raping a tenant. But, he continued to own and receive income from five Spokane properties managed by All Star.
The complaint went on to accuse All Star and Jordan of claiming "falsely inflated rent amounts" higher than tenants' actual rent. In addition, both are accused of falsely representing T-RAP funds as rent assistance, which resulted in them collecting double and even triple rent for the same tenant for the same month.
“Building safer and stronger communities in Eastern Washington requires that residents have access to safe, secure, and affordable housing,” U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref said. “Landlords and property management companies need to play by the rules, especially when they claim precious and limited rent assistance funds intended to protect members of the community struggling under the weight of a deadly pandemic. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who abuse critically-important housing support programs.”
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