LEWISTON LANDLORD REQUIRED TO MAKE LEAD WARNINGS

JAMES MCKENNA, ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, 207-626-8842

            Attorney General Steve Rowe announced today that Edward F. Toussaint, who owns several apartment buildings in the Lewiston area, has entered into a court-ordered Unfair Trade Practice Consent Decree in which he agrees to comply with the federal law which requires lead paint warnings.

Housing built prior to 1978, when lead paint was commonly used, may contain high levels of lead paint.  “Even exposure to low levels of lead can severely harm children, especially those six years of age or younger,” said Attorney General Rowe.  “We don’t know if any of Mr. Toussaint’s apartments pose a lead problem, but his tenants should have received the required lead paint warnings.”

            In entering this Consent Decree, Mr. Toussaint also agreed to stop charging a fee for late payment of rent sooner than allowed by law (before 15 days from the rent due date).

            Pursuant to the Consent Decree, Mr. Toussaint has paid an Unfair Trade Practice Act Civil Penalty of $2,500 and has also paid $2,500 to the Maine Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, to be used for lead inspections in the Lewiston area.  By entering into this Consent Decree, Mr. Toussaint did not admit to any wrongdoing.

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