Kenyan Landlord in San Francisco Fined $2.4 Million for Harassment, Wrongful Eviction of Tenants
A Kenyan landlord in San Francisco, California has been fined $2.4 million by a San Francisco Superior Court judge for various violations, including ongoing harassment of tenants and illegal evictions of tenants in her rent-controlled residential buildings that she owns.
Superior Court Judge Angela Bradstreet said that Anne Kihagi “and two associates had engaged in a campaign of harassment, retaliation and fraudulent evictions of tenants at seven rent-controlled buildings in San Francisco.”
The ruling by the judge oders her to pay the $2.4 million in fines, prevents her from making further contact with her contacts, and requires her to hire an independent property management company to manage the seven rent-controlled buildings that Anne and her associates own. The order also stops all evictions currently in progress.
Tenants accused Anne of verbal abuse, threats, and stoppage of utilities. They also accuse her of entering their rental units without their approval, as well as installing surveillance cameras outside the tenants’ front doors.
A total of 10 tenants accused Anne of wrongful eviction, while 10 others accused her of illegal harassment.
San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Harrera, who filed the case in June, 2015 on behalf of the tenants, said the ruling is a “resounding victory for San Francisco tenants and the rule of law.”
"I've gone after a lot of lawless landlords in my time, but Anne Kihagi has a special place reserved for her in San Francisco's abusive landlord hall of fame… Her cruelty is stunning,” said Herrera.
Anne's attorney has indicated they intend to appeal the ruling.
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