‘Firm Accused of Deposit Fraud’

I applaud the efforts of the Consumer Protection Unit of the Orange County district attorney’s office in continuing the efforts against landlords who retain security deposits illegally (“O.C. Rent Firm Is Accused of Deposit Fraud,” Aug. 1).

Your readers should be aware that the Consumer Protection Unit has handled similar cases in the past. In 1987, a similar situation was brought to our attention.

The landlord, who had 13 properties throughout Orange County, immediately corrected the rental agreement and attempted to contact every previous tenant in the past four years to refund any security deposit due to them. In fact, about $30,000 in refunds were made.

Because it was impossible to find all of the previous tenants, the landlord also paid $200,000 to the district attorney’s office in a restitution fund in January.

That money was to be used primarily for the investigation and prosecution of housing cases, i.e., retaining security deposits illegally, substandard housing or housing not up to code, and housing discrimination. In addition, the landlords agree to pay $150,000 in civil penalties to the county.

I was the deputy district attorney who handled that case where there was an estimated 4,000 violations.

It is my hope that the district attorney’s office can establish a hot line for reporting housing problems and take fast action by using some of the $200,000 in the fund set up for prosecution of housing issues.

Too few tenants know their rights or where to turn for help. Had the district attorney’s office established such a hot line in January, think how many alleged victims of the Elerding Properties might have been saved.

GAY GEISER-SANDOVAL

Santa Ana