City to probe alleged rental security deposit scam

City to probe alleged rental security deposit scam
By Lynda Carson 11/27/02

Tenants claims draw attention to notorius slumlord Richard E. Thomas

Oakland Ca--The Oakland City Attorney's Office has agreed to look into allegations that notorius landlord Richard E. Thomas has been conducting a racket to steal the security deposits from the renters of his numerous properties.

In a packed lobby of the City Attorney's Office it was announced that a meeting has been arranged for December 10, with Oaklands Mayor, District Attorney of Alameda County, and the City Attorney of Oakland to
meet with the victims of Richard E. Thomas. Despite a heavy Police presense, tenant activists and the victims of Richard E. Thomas refused to leave the packed lobby of the 6th floor City Attorney's Office until City Officials agreed to take some sort of action to protect future Oakland renters from the security deposit rent scams of slumlord Richard E. Thomas.

Before filling up 3 elevators to reach the City Attorney's Office on the 6th floor of Oakland City Hall, tenant activist's and victims of Thomas held a rally and testimony on the steps of City Hall calling out for justice from City Officials to take action and prosecute Thomas for his criminal activities.

One by one the victims of Thomas spoke to the crowd numbering about 30, asking why Thomas has been allowed to continue with his criminal enterprise known as Environment and Land Management Incorporated. To live in one of Thomas' buildings is like living in a mouse trap you can never leave from, because the needed security deposit to relocate is never returned to you, Joseph Johnson said.

Joseph Johnson is the tenant who contacted the Campaign for Renters Rights while seeking help in the return of his security deposit from Thomas. Joseph Johnson did what was possible to seek the return of his security deposit when relocating by paying for the cleaning of his apartment, and taking photos of the cleaned apartment just in case. He still was ripped off of a large unreturned portion of his Security Deposit by Richard E. Thomas. A few weeks ago you were alone in trying to seek justice, and now take a look at the crowd of people that has joined you, Rob Rooke of the CRR said.

Indeed, Joseph Johnson was no longer alone in his search for justice after court records turned up the names and phone numbers of other victims of Thomas who filed suit in small claims court demanding the return of their security deposits.

Through the Campaign for Renters Rights, the victims were located and united for a plan of action to press Oakland City Officials to prosecute Thomas as an habitual criminal who steals the security deposits from decent hard working citizens of Oakland.

Oakland has been plagued by criminal elements operating in the city as landlords who have been scaming upon the renters due to the lack of enforcement in local rent laws and a lack of criminal penalties for their wrong doing.

The criminal activities of Richard E. Thomas have not been a secret to the courts or city officials of who have sanctioned Thomas repeatedly for his failure to obey lawful court orders, local rent laws, and code compliance. Local activist's and renters also were aware of Thomas' criminal activities in evicting at least one tenant a week from his properties so that he may raise the rents on the new tenants moving in to replace the old. Court records reveal a long list of evicted renters from Thomas' properties. Nearly 40 activist's and victims of Thomas appeared at one of his properties 2-3 years ago to give testimony to his criminal activities which have continued while Thomas has remained at large in the community to perpetrate his scams upon the unsuspecting public.

This time, the tenant activist community is pushing for prosecution of Thomas and the revocation of his Business Tax Transaction License to operate in Oakland, and they planned to go directly into the City Attorney's Office to make their demands known when the rally would finish outside.

When addressing the victims of Thomas during Tuesdays rally upon the steps of City Hall; you all need to file complaints with Small Claims Court on the same day so that the Judge may see the large number of you being ripped off, local tenant attorney Anne Omura said.

After the rally and testimony upon the steps, the crowd of activists headed inside City Hall to the City Attorney's Office on the 6th floor. Once inside at the front desk, they were told to go away because it's a Thanksgiving Holiday weekend and no one was around to talk to, a woman said as she panicked while pushing a hidden button under the desk top for security. One of the activists countered that it was only Tuesday, the holiday did not start for another 2 days and the group refused to leave.

Then the crowd was advised that this was out of the jurisdiction of the City Attorney's Office, and that they needed to see the District Attorney. Besides, said the secretary at the desk inside the lobby, no one was aware that you all were coming here today and everyone has left work for the day. No way, Karen Boyd the Communications Director for the City Attorney knew we were coming, Rob Rooke said. Communications Director Karen Boyd contacted a member of the Campaign for Renters Rights on Monday November 25, in an attempt to deflect the activist's from heading to City Hall by claiming a lack of jurisdiction over the activities of Thomas. You need to talk to the District Attorney to seek justice for the activities of Richard E. Thomas, Karen Boyd said during a Monday afternoon call to the CRR member.

Meanwhile, a security man from ABC Security appeared, followed shortly by at least 6 to 8 Oakland Police Officers who pushed their way into the already crowded room. Now I really feel safe, tenant activist Richard Mellor said. The crowd started laughing over that one as the room quickly heated up a few degrees when they again refused to leave the lobby as ordered to do so, while new excuses were being thrown about by City Officials stating why the tenant activists could not achieve anything here.

Suddenly, a tall thin man appeared claiming to be the Deputy City Attorney, and he asked how he may be of assistance. After a few minutes of bantering back and forth with the activists, Rob Rooke and Joseph Johnson were quickly ushered into one of the offices back along a hallway behind the receptionists front desk.

After a moment of eternity had elapsed, suddenly Joseph Johnson and Rob Rooke reappeared in the lobby to make the announcement for the scheduled December 10 Meeting in City Hall where the victims and activists shall meet the Mayor, Alameda County District Attorney, and the City Attorney to look into the criminal activities of Richard E. Thomas.

For more info; Call the Campaign for Renters Rights 510/595-5545