COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Franklin County magistrate has recommended a civil penalty of $19.8 million against the owners and property manager of Latitude Five25 in Columbus.
Franklin County Common Pleas Court Magistrate Jennifer Hunt recommended imposing the penalty Thursday against Boruch Drillman and Paxe Latitude LP, a limited partnership that Drillman fully controls, and a property management company, Aloft Management LLC.
The proposed penalty comes after Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said the state’s asbestos regulations were violated, including exposing workers to asbestos danger without their knowledge.
“While not final, this sends a clear message that disregard for safety regulations and court orders will not be tolerated in Ohio,” Yost said. “We will continue to vigorously pursue justice and hold accountable those who prioritize profit over the well-being of our communities.”
Latitude Five25, located on the Near East Side, was a 400-unit affordable residential housing complex. It was formerly known as Sawyer Towers.
In August 2021, Paxe bought the Sawyer Towers complex, which was in need of repairs and maintenance. According to Yost, the City of Columbus repeatedly cited the complex for extensive health code violations and eventually took Paxe and Drillman to court.
Residents at the complex were evacuated on Christmas in 2022 when some pipes burst due to the freezing temperatures, causing electrical damage. The city condemned the complex after the buildings were found to be without potable water, heat and a working fire suppression system. Additionally, only one of four elevators were working.
Paxe, Drillman and Aloft hired contractors to fix the water damage and remove the mess from the flooding. Yost said the owners and property management company ignored plans for asbestos abatement that were on file, failed to inform contractors of the potential danger or supply the contractors’ employees with protective gear and caused significant harm to the environment and endangered residents.
The cleanup of the property led to asbestos fibers being released throughout the complex, contaminating the items that many tenants left behind. Yost said the owners did not secure the complex after residents left and asbestos was spread more due to vandalism.
