DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb
@dcattorneygeneral
Dad, listener, and third-generation DC resident 🏛️. Honored to fight for our communities every day as DC’s independent Attorney General ⚖️. Official Account 🦋.
Yesterday, OAG's Equitable Land Use Section testified before the Zoning Commission in support of a map amendment in Shaw. The rezoning triples the allowable onsite density directly next to a Metro station. The nonprofit developer plans to develop the site with 200+ all-affordable housing units.
Across the five properties, the Department of Buildings identified nearly 200 housing code violations. The judge said it best: "But left unabated, these violations have created unconscionable living conditions that no person—let alone a resident of our nation’s capital—should be forced to endure."
In his ruling, the judge cited the dangerous abuses tenants endure: — Caulked-over mold — No heat during winter — Sewage dripping from the ceiling — Rats "as big as puppies" that crawl over tenants — Conditions that caused a child's asthma to flare up and sent him to the hospital multiple times
JUST IN: A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against the Razjooyans for appalling housing conditions. The Court ordered urgent repairs across multiple buildings. This is a critical step to protect at-risk tenants and rein in the Razjooyans' severe neglect and fraud.
NEW: 23andMe will pay $18 million from bankruptcy funds for a data breach that exposed users' genetic data. 23andMe initially denied the breach, then tried to blame customers and avoid responsibility as the data went up for sale on the dark web. DC and 42 states are holding 23andMe accountable.
Please read this powerful poem from Paul Gray, a DC student who just graduated 8th grade. It was the winning submission of this year’s Do the Write Thing challenge, a violence prevention program that elevates student voices. Paul is serving as the DC Ambassador at the 2026 DtWT National Summit.
DC, we're in the middle of another heat wave. ☀️🌡️ If you're a renter, and your AC is broken or your water is being disconnected — we have your back. Please call our Consumer and Tenant Response unit at 202-442-9828, and we will work to get the cool air or cool water flowing again.
Thank you to the many DC residents who joined us at West End Library for our hearing on the proposed transfer of MFA. We will share a transcript and our presentation on OAG's website in the coming days. DC residents can submit public comment by emailing oag.mfacomments@dc.gov by Friday, July 17.
In 2024, the owners’ continued failure to address problems at 1433 Columbia Rd NW led to a large gas explosion. One tenant experienced first and second-degree burns to her face and body. According to incident reports, tenants had reported issues with their stove and gas, which the owners ignored.
NEW: We are suing two Ward 1 landlords for horrific housing conditions, including a gas explosion that displaced 50 residents. Two years after the explosion, the building is still uninhabitable. We are fighting to get these homes repaired, reimburse DC, and get money back for harmed tenants.
It's 2026. Why do we still get robocalls? Scammers used to illegally spoof phone numbers until governments cracked down on the practice. Now, scammers buy real numbers and cycle through them to evade your spam filter. Today, 49 state AGs are calling for stronger rules to block robocalls for good.
Today we celebrate a great nation ruled by its people — not by kings. And we fight for the full promise of American democracy to arrive here in DC through Statehood. Happy Independence Day, DC! 🇺🇸
DC WORKER WIN: The Park at 14th will pay $243,350 to harmed workers and DC. We uncovered evidence it denied paid sick leave to hundreds of workers, misclassified some staff as independent contractors, and retaliated against some workers who raised concerns. Now, workers will get what they earned.
Effective today, DC's new minimum wage is $18.40/hour. ↗️ DC's tipped minimum wage also rose to $10.30/hour. ↗️
OAG is hosting a public hearing to discuss the proposed transfer of Medical Faculty Associates, Inc. (MFA). The meeting will take place on Monday, July 13, 2026 from 5:30pm-7:30pm at West End Neighborhood Library (2301 L St NW). Register to testify at the hearing at oag.dc.gov/MFA.
When tenants exercised their legal right to organize, they faced threats and retaliation. The landlord threatened to call police if tenants met on the properties — forcing them to meet at a nearby church instead. Management also blasted music to drown out tenant voices during a rally for repairs.
— Long heat outages during winter — Broken and unsecured doors and windows — Damaged walls, ceilings, and appliances — Mice, cockroach, and bedbug infestations — Fire and electrical hazards Despite repeatedly receiving notice from OAG, DOB, and tenants, the landlord let unsafe conditions persist.
NEW: We are suing a landlord in Ward 4 for dangerous and illegal housing conditions. For years, tenants have been tormented by long winter heating outages, rodents and pests, fire hazards, and widespread disrepair. The landlord also unlawfully retaliated against tenants who advocated for repairs.
Too many DC residents struggle to afford a home. Driving down housing costs requires more affordable and market-rate units — especially in areas with access to transit, businesses, and amenities. We will not let lawsuits stand in the way of the housing we need to make living in DC more affordable.
On June 5, the Court granted our Motion to Dismiss. It found that the Zoning Commission followed the proper procedures and considered community input — and that the plaintiffs' constitutional rights had not been violated. OAG will fight to uphold the Court's decision through appeal.
First, two residents and a neighborhood group sued to stop the changes before they were even approved. That lawsuit was dismissed. After the changes were approved, the same plaintiffs sued again — arguing the changes did not follow proper procedures and their constitutional rights were violated.
The Zoning Commission considered the zoning changes through the rulemaking process. This included public notice, public comment, and two public hearings. In June 2025, after the process concluded, the Zoning Commission approved the changes. But lawsuits tried to stop the plan from moving forward.
In 2023, the Office of Planning proposed zoning changes to allow multifamily housing along the northern Connecticut Ave corridor. This would enable new housing on 41 lots. And it would let DC rebuild the aging Chevy Chase library and community center while adding mixed-income housing at the site.
DC's Comprehensive Plan calls for more housing across the city, especially in the Rock Creek West Planning Area. Rock Creek West includes Chevy Chase and has the fewest dedicated affordable housing units in DC. Rock Creek West had less than 1% of DC's total affordable units as of 2018.
NEW: We defeated a lawsuit seeking to block new housing on upper Connecticut Avenue NW. The lawsuit challenged zoning changes that will allow multifamily housing in the DC neighborhood with the fewest affordable units. We’re fighting for more homes to drive down housing costs for everyone in DC.
It’s all love, joy, and PRIDE in DC today! 🏳️🌈
Welcome to our Summer 2026 Intern Class! ☀️ 74 talented students from 40 of the best colleges and universities in DC and across the country. They are serving the District and its residents by supporting the work of nearly every division of OAG.
It’s June, the flag is raised, and it’s now official: Pride celebrations in DC have started! 🏳️🌈🎊🎶
Youth sports are not just recreation. They are also a gateway to mentorship, connection, confidence, safety, mental health, and belonging for our young people in DC. We are lucky to have #FightForChildren and its partner organizations working nonstop to ensure every child in DC has a team.
Born of the devastation of the Civil War, Memorial Day is a solemn opportunity to honor veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice. In DC, we pay special tribute to the more than 5,000 District residents who laid down their life for our nation.