Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced an investigation into Wilmington Landlord Adolf J. (“A.J.”) Pokorny. after more than two-dozen dwelling units were condemned.
On May 16, 27 apartment units owned by Pokorny were declared uninhabitable following the partial collapse of the building located on North Adams Street in Wilmington.
Structure problems were found after a wall collapse led to an inspection of the properties.
Residents were ordered out of their apartments, with the city, county and state scrambling to find housing.
“We are working closely with our partners in the City of Wilmington as we launch a full investigation,” said Jennings. “My heart goes out to the tenants and families who were affected by this harrowing ordeal.”
Pokorny was a party to a consent order with the state in 2002, the terms of which will also be considered in this investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Consumer Protection Hotline at 302-577-8600 or toll-free at 800-220-5424, or file a complaint at attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/fraud/cmu/complaint/.
Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki thanked Jennings for her commitment to investigating Pokorny. “The city appreciates the efforts of the Delaware Department of Justice related to this property owner and landlord. The city is actively partnering with the state in its probe. Wilmington’s ongoing investigation of this matter, which caused scores of residents to be abruptly displaced from their homes, has thus far resulted in a total of 372 citations against Pokorny. Our city records are readily available to the State as we too seek justice.”
