Krystal’s first-hand account: I moved into this building years ago, when I got out of a 16-year relationship. At first, it appeared nice. Then rent kept getting raised. I worked for the owner for a short period, but I soon got fired, supposedly because I wasn't able to perform my duties. The real reason was that I tried to do everything by the book.
Later, Arlin hired All Star Property Management. At first, I thought they truly cared about the tenants. They seemed understanding when I told them there were cracks in walls, cockroaches, bedbugs, and mold in bathroom. The heat didn't work. I sent in request after request for repairs. Sanitation was the worst. I was on the basement level. The septic system kept overflowing into my apartment.
I had nowhere to go. I had three dogs. I cleaned up the living area best I could and blocked off the bathroom. After a certain point I stopped paying rent because the place was unlivable. When I complained, they served me an eviction notice for nonpayment of rent.
I contacted Andrew Newman at NJP. He helped settle everything. I wasn't evicted and didn't owe a dime. When I turned in my keys, All Star had to pay me $2,400 for all my stuff that had been ruined.
I moved out to temporarily live in my car. Right around then, Arlin called and told me that he would pay me if I would get the tenants to sign some papers about owing back rent. I said no. Something told me they were trying to collect money illegally.
I called all the rental assistance groups I knew of and told them I did not need any assistance and did not owe a dime in rent. I told them to let me know if anyone asks for money in my name and not to send it. I started doing my own investigation of All Star, talking to tenants and keeping track of stuff. I wanted to do something so people wouldn’t have to live in such awful conditions.
“Believe you me, I’m not letting it go”
Not long after, I got an email that said, “Your landlord has received your check.” All Star had gotten a check for $16,000 for back rent—submitted in my name! But I had never applied. I took a screenshot of that email and sent it to All Star. I told them this better not be right. If it is, believe you me, I'm not letting it go.
I contacted Andrew Newman at NJP again. I told him how All Star was going around to tenants and having them sign that paper. I told him about the check for $16,000 in my name.
Andrew, bless his heart, he really listened to me and talked to others at NJP. They investigated and took it to the U.S. Attorney’s office. I kept saying I'm not the only one. Soon, more people were working on this case than I ever dreamed would get involved.
I'm thankful I was listened to. When you're low income, like me, people don't care, but they actually listened to me. They believed me, believed in me.
Now I live in a travel trailer and I rent my lot for $400 a month. My family saw I was trying to catch a break and bought me a car. That way I could get back and forth to doctor’s appointments. I had three surgeries last year and more are coming up. There were cancer cells. If I hadn’t had a place to live, I wouldn’t have been able to take care of my health.
I never dreamed when I started this that I would get some of the money that All Star and Arlin would have to pay. When I found out I would get $68,000, I wanted to cry. I want to put a down payment on a forever place. I want to have a tree. I don’t think that’s too much to ask. If I can find the landlord that will work with me, I’ll put $50K down, and pay $700/month. I want a place that I can say is mine forever.
This whole thing has taught me that just because something seems good on the surface, it doesn’t mean it’s honest. But our government will win every time. If you are doing wrong, you’re going to get caught, and there are penalties to pay.
However, in this case, I don’t think All Star is getting a harsh enough sentence. Money is just money. The All Star manager should have to live in that building and go through what we went through. The bigger problem hasn’t been resolved. The conditions of these buildings are horrible. People shouldn’t have to live like this.