Schwalb Targets Wage Theft, Housing Conditions in Pair of Enforcement Actions Across D.C.

July 1, 2026

D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb has initiated two significant enforcement actions addressing labor rights and housing safety violations in the District. In the first case, his office secured a settlement exceeding $243,000 with The Park at 14th restaurant and nightclub for violating labor laws affecting over 270 workers, including failing to provide paid sick leave and misclassifying employees. The second action involves a lawsuit against landlords who own two Brightwood apartment buildings with 96 units, alleging they forced tenants to endure hazardous living conditions including heating failures, pest infestations, and structural damage.

Who is affected

More than 270 workers at The Park at 14th restaurant and nightclub who experienced labor violations
Over 200 employees who were denied paid sick leave between 2021 and 2024
Workers who were misclassified as independent contractors
96 apartment units' worth of tenants at 1355 Peabody Street NW and 6000 13th Street NW
Members of the joint tenants' association, particularly its president and vice president who received eviction notices
Park Place Inc. (owners/operators of The Park at 14th)
Saifur Khan and Monna Khan, along with their companies 16th St. Heights Aaron LLC and Ahmed Inc.

What action is being taken

Park Place Inc. is paying $127,321 to harmed workers and $116,029 in civil penalties to the District
The company is providing retroactive paid sick leave to current employees
Park Place Inc. is implementing policies to comply with District wage and hour laws
The company is submitting annual compliance reports to OAG for three years
The Office of the Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against the landlords of the two Brightwood apartment buildings

Why it matters

This enforcement action is significant because it addresses two critical issues affecting D.C. residents: workers' rights and housing safety. The labor settlement puts money back into workers' pockets who were denied legally required compensation and benefits, while also ensuring fair competition among businesses that follow the law. The housing lawsuit is particularly important during a housing affordability crisis, as it protects existing housing supply and establishes that tenants have the right to organize and demand safe living conditions without facing retaliation. These cases demonstrate that the Attorney General's office is actively enforcing local laws and holding employers and landlords accountable, having recovered over $35 million through wage theft enforcement since 2015.

What's next

Park Place Inc. will submit annual compliance reports to OAG for three years
The lawsuit against the apartment building owners seeks court orders requiring repairs to the properties, restitution and damages for affected tenants, and civil penalties against the defendants

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer