This story was supported with funds from Spotlight DC—Capital City Fund for Investigative Journalism.
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced a sweeping civil lawsuit this week against Ali “Sam” Razjooyan, his brother Eimon “Ray” Razjooyan, and their mother, Houri Razjooyan, accusing them of operating a vast illegal real estate empire.
Schwalb says the lawsuit is the first time a landlord in D.C. has been accused of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, which is typically used to take down mob bosses and organized crime. The complaint also alleges violations of the Consumer Protection Procedures Act and the District’s False Claims Act. The AG says that under RICO and the FCA, “the Razjooyans can be held liable for three times the amount they owe for their fraud (known as treble damages) as well as civil penalties payable to the District.”…