Providence landlord hit with lead enforcement lawsuit

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Providence landlord is the defendant in a lawsuit for noncompliance with state lead poisoning prevention law at her rental property.

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced the lawsuit Friday after Amanda Weinberger was found to have rented out a property where significant lead hazards were found in a home with lead-poisoned children.

Weinberger is accused of failing to address lead violations identified by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH).

Multiple children who resided at her Smith St property have been poisoned over a period of two years.

RIDOH found amounts of lead throughout the property determined to be hazardous, including within the children’s bedroom.

The living room, kitchen, dining room, front common staircase, rear common staircase and soil surrounding the property were also found to have dangerous levels of lead.

Neronha is seeking a court order against Weinberger to resolve the lead hazards, provide adequate alternative housing during lead remediation and fines of up to $5,000 per day.

“These types of legal actions to hold landlords accountable play an important role in Rhode Island’s comprehensive strategy to minimizing – and hopefully ending – lead exposures for children, along with lead screenings, referrals for case management, and the identification of lead hazards in homes,” said Interim Director of Health Utpala Bandy, MD, MPH.