Okoro v. Maryland Department of the Environment

Appellee, the Maryland Department of the Environment (“the Department”), initiated enforcement proceedings against appellant, Chukuemeka Okoro, after discovering violations of the Reduction of Lead Risk in Housing Act (“the Act”) in two of Okoro’s rental properties in Baltimore City. Okoro was granted a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”), who found that Okoro had violated the Act, that his violations were willful and had the potential for harm to human safety, and that the Department’s penalty of $37,500 was appropriate. Okoro petitioned for judicial review in the Circuit…