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The United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) issued a June 20th news release announcing an individual pleaded guilty to violating the Toxic Substances Control Act (“TSCA”).

Mohammad Sikder is alleged to have been involved in renovating a Washington, D.C., property without following federal TSCA lead-safe work practices and lead disclosure regulations.

The DOJ news release states that according to a Statement of Offense Sikder and his solely held company, District Properties LLC, purchased and renovated a property in Washington, D.C., without following the requirements of the TSCA Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule. It further states:

. . . In 2014, the company submitted a building permit application to DCRA for addition, alteration, and repair of the property. At Sikder’s instruction, the employee submitting the permit application, under the section of the application titled “Lead Abatement,” falsely indicated that the property was built after 1978. During the summer and fall of 2014, a contractor conducted demolition at the property without following RRP Rule safe work practices. The demolition work included removing windows, removing interior and exterior painted surfaces, and removing floor and ceiling joists.

The referenced individual is scheduled to be sentenced on November 22nd. The charges are stated to carry a statutory maximum of twelve months in prison and potential financial penalties.

A copy of the news release can be found here.