Attorney: List damages reputations

The urban league is concerned about fair treatment of renters involved.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A Warren attorney says the reputations of 158 city residents whose names are listed as being questionable renters have been damaged.
"If they want to legally pursue it, they can do it," Atty. Gilbert Rucker said Thursday.
The list -- facetiously termed the "best of the best renters" -- was compiled by Take Back the Neighborhood, a group of residents formed to clean up a North Side neighborhood near downtown, said local Atty. Frank Bodor, TBTN neighborhood spokesman.
Bodor's law offices are on Porter Street within the target neighborhood of Porter, Scott and Washington streets.
When asked to comment Thursday, Bodor responded that he doesn't "plan to engage in warfare here."
The document
Besides the names, the list designates those who allegedly didn't pay their rent, damaged property, were a pubic nuisance, broke leases, have been in jail or suspected of prostitution or drug activity.
At the bottom of the list is a disclaimer:
"The above information is based upon sources of volunteered data that has not been verified by the distributor as to its truth or accuracy, and distributor assumes no responsibility as to its reliability or authenticity."
Rucker said the statements against those on the list are unsubstantiated.
While he applauds Bodor's effort to clean up neighborhoods, Rucker does not like his method.
Rucker said he doesn't directly know who compiled and distributed the list, but whoever did could be held "personally liable."
Explanation
In a four-page letter, Bodor explained the TBTN Council initiated two methods: a complaint system and creation of a "tenant list."
The list is circulated among landlords, Bodor said, so they can determine if a prospective tenant should be questioned before committing to a lease.
Bodor pointed out that the list is for the benefit of landlords who are getting "ripped off" by tenants and doesn't involve any city office.
If any person on the list can refute the information provided by their former landlords, Bodor pledged, TBTN will use its best efforts to assist the person in renting property with a suitable landlord in the neighborhood and issue a public apology.
Discussion
The list is "secret," Rucker noted, and those named don't know their character and reputations have been damaged. But Rucker said one man listed as being a delinquent renter told him the allegation is untrue.
Thomas S. Conley, president and chief operating officer of the Warren-Trumbull Urban League, attended Thursday's press conference in Rucker's office and expressed concern about the issue.
The league deals with fair housing, and he questions if those on the list may not be treated fairly in the future. "We want to get to the bottom of it to determine if it's legal," Conley said.
Safety Service Director William "Doug" Franklin and Christopher A. Taneyhill, city chief building official, said the building department always accepts complaints about housing and property code violators.
Both said the city was not involved in putting together the list or distributing it.
The city will accept complaints, Franklin explained, and assist any group in cleaning up a neighborhood.
yovich@vindy.com