ECB Must Provide Translator at New Hearing

DOB issued a violation notice to landlord for illegally altering a two-family dwelling by adding two apartments on the lower floors. Landlord claimed that he had only one illegal apartment. The ALJ ruled against landlord, finding that landlord admitted the violation and fined him $2,400 plus $45,000 in per-day penalties. Landlord appealed. He claimed that he spoke Farsi, didn't understand English well, and the ALJ didn't ask if he needed a translator. ECB ruled for landlord and sent the case back for a new hearing on the violation.

Ishal: ECB App. No. 1000838 (3/24/11) [3-pg. doc.]