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D.C. Files Civil RICO Suit to Shut Down Alleged Razjooyan Housing Enterprise

The case marks the District’s first housing use of RICO to reach through shell companies and target the alleged enterprise as a whole.

Overview

  • Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed the civil case in D.C. Superior Court against Ali “Sam” Razjooyan, Eimon “Ray” Razjooyan and Houri Razjooyan.
  • Prosecutors allege a Ponzi‑like model that used false renovation claims and documents to secure loans, diverted funds, and allowed buildings to deteriorate.
  • The complaint cites more than $16 million in allegedly fraudulent housing‑subsidy payments and names lenders Red Oak Capital Holdings and New Day Commercial Capital as victims.
  • Officials say the defendants amassed about 70 buildings with more than 600 units, largely in Wards 7 and 8, and accrued over 4,000 code violations tied to hazardous conditions.
  • The suit seeks to bar the defendants from doing business in the District, recover restitution, damages and penalties, and obtain tenant‑protective injunctions as the defendants deny the claims.