USA et al v. Dennis Christ and Kevin Christ, Plaintiff's Exhibit 12 (Public record court filing, thus public domain) |
In July 2012, a tenant at 3821 Russell Ave N brought a civil suit against Dennis Christ and Kevin Christ. But this isn’t any ol’ lawsuit, it’s a qui tam action wherein the tenant (via their attorney, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid) asks the federal government to intervene on allegations that the landlords made fraudulent claims and demands relating to housing assistance payments. The Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota agreed to intervene, and one of the Christs was finally served the evening of December 18, 2013.
According to the original complaint and exhibits, a tenant was living in a subsidized housing unit that provided a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher at the end of her first year of tenancy. She started searching for apartments at the end of that period, and found 3821 Russell Ave N. She was allegedly told that rent was $1,050 per month, but that there was an additional $35 “laundry charge” for the washer and gas dryer. However, according to the tenant, that additional charge was not optional...
...She says she submitted a “Request for Tenancy Approval” as required by the government, and the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority purportedly sent Dennis Christ a packet of documents to complete to schedule an inspection of the property and complete the rental process. She eventually moved in on October 1, 2010. Fast forward a few months, and it appears the tenant found out that Mr. Christ had apparently executed documents with MPHA showing the rent was $1,050 a month (instead of $1,085).
Again according to the complaint, Christ allegedly continued to demand $35 a month for this “laundry charge” from the tenant, and then additionally demanded she pay $20.90 per month for a CenterPoint Home Service Plus repair plan for the landlord-owned appliances.
Plaintiff's Exhibit 10 (Public record court filing, thus public domain) |
She vacated the following summer, and there were apparently additional disputes as to payment of utilities. According to the tenant, the move-out walk-through indicated no damage, cleaning, nor repairs would be necessary, yet she was charged for cleaning and damages, additional rent, and payment of utilities, which appears to have wiped out the entirety of the deposit.
According to the Housing Assistance Program contract (which is in the included exhibits above), the defendants allegedly agreed that, "[e]xcept for the rent to owner, the owner has not received payments or other consideration . . . from the family . . . for Defendants certified that and will not receive any rental of the contract unit during the HAP Contract term.” Defendants further agreed, according to the Complaint, to "not charge or accept from the family or from any other course, any payment for rent of the unit in addition to the rent to owner."
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid filed the original complaint on behalf of the ex rel plaintiff tenant on July 25, 2012, which again is basically a request that the federal government bring the complaint on the plaintiffs’ behalf; the United States of America becomes the plaintiff.
The U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota, did elect to intervene on or about April 2, 2013, which effectively sealed the details of the case until the federal government could investigate and write up their own version of the complaint.
The United States filed their Complaint in Intervention on August 21, 2013, essentially re-writing the pleading for clarity, and bringing causes of action for presentment of false claims, reverse false claims, unjust enrichment, and payment by mistake. The federal government made a demand for relief in the amount of $34,884 for treble damages, and a penalty of $11,500 for each of the “twelve false claims,” or for other restitution.
The summons was finally served upon one of the defendants on December 18, 2013. Expect this case to get going a bit more quickly now. In fairness, recognize that the entirety of this post is based on the allegations in the complaint and included exhibits, and the Christs haven’t filed any answer or defenses… yet.
According to property records, the following are the North Minneapolis properties under their ownership or control.
DENNIS CHRIST (10984 228th St, Scandia, MN)
3906 Girard Ave N shows Dennis as the owner and rental license contact since at least 2008, and there’s a reference in the Webber-Camden Neighborhood Organization minutes and on the 4th Precinct CARE Task Force website of car repairs being done at the property, and cars being parked at the neighboring vacant lot.
3747 Oliver Ave N shows Dennis as the owner and rental license contact since at least 2009, and JNS highlighted in a previous post a search warrant being executed relating to DeWayne Day. MPD allegedly recovered 57.19 grams of crack cocaine, 6.6 grams of cocaine, a Remington 12-gauge shotgun, a confirmed stolen Redhawk .44 Magnum, a rack of cash, and a digital scale.
3647 Aldrich Ave N shows Dennis as the owner and rental license contact since at least 2009. When Malcolm Dashuan Peoples a/k/a Malcolm Dashuan Peoples was arrested on 10/12/2011 and 8/29/2011, he told police he resided there. He has convictions for assault, tampering with a motor vehicle, giving a peace officer a false name, and disorderly conduct. Also, when Wilmon Bryant was arrested on 7/31/2011, he gave the address as his home, too. His convictions include interference with an emergency call and domestic assault-fear, domestic assault-fear again, disorderly conduct, felony domestic assault that was reduced to a misdemeanor under a stay of imposition, and a felony violation of a no contact order, again a stay of imposition until his probation ends in October 2014.
3547 Girard Ave N shows Dennis as the owner and rental license contact since at least 2009. When James Mario Beard and Bobbie Joe Wagner were arrested, they gave this address as their home. Beard has convictions for disorderly conduct, receiving stolen property, domestic abuse, and driving after revocation. Wagner has convictions for obstructing legal force, disorderly conduct, and assault.
4000 Bryant Ave N shows Dennis as the owner and rental license contact since at least 2009. When Kynion Malik Love was arrested he provided the address as his home. He’s got convictions for *sigh* felony attempted aggravated robbery in the first degree, feeling a police officer, something relating to registration of predatory offenders, and domestic assault. He’s currently incarcerated.
3821 Russell Ave N shows Dennis as the owner and rental license contact since at least 2009. It's the property involved in the lawsuit above.
KEVIN G. CHRIST (5269 St. Mary’s Road, Minnetrista, MN)
3615 Emerson Ave N shows Kevin as the owner and rental license contact since at least 2009.
4135 Fremont Ave N shows Kevin as the owner and rental license contact since at least 2009. I found the home was advertised for rental on GoSection8.com at one point.
(And the following two are under the names Kevin Christ and DeeAnn Christ.)
4610 Bryant Ave N shows Kevin as the rental license contact since at least 2009.
3543 Dupont Ave N shows Kevin as the owner and rental license contact since at least 2009. There might be a business operating here called “God’s Garments of Praise.” Last month Finance & Commerce listed a public notice for someone at the address, although it’s not a court issue and I didn’t find any criminal charges. Interestingly, I recognized the address of the former rental license contact "3101 Old Highway 8 #101, Roseville, MN 55113” and… it was Ronnie C. Franklin, property manager for the slumlord-mortgage fraud TJ Waconia operation. I’m not saying there’s any negative connection, but I think it’s important to note when a home was a former TJ Waconia home. Which it is.
Sometimes Kevin is cited as Kevin Chirst [sic] during eviction proceedings.
Kevin also uses/used the business name “D K CUSTOM BUILDERS, INC.” at one point, bearing the same principal executive office as his home, but listing an additional office of 2815 Weston Ln N in Plymouth.
I couldn’t track down anything directly awful about Kevin’s homes or his tenants. Maybe he does a better job than Dennis does when it comes to picking tenants, eh?
North Mpls. slumlords need to be strung up. How is it that their ghetto crap houses can get that much for rent? Also, why are our tax dollars, via sec. 8, being used to finance this behavior and continued squalor? Who is in charge up there in North and why are they not cracking down on these slumlords?
ReplyDeleteHow about you pick apart these guys and find ANY kind of criminal record and their personal pictures and post them on your "blog".
ReplyDeleteIn the interest of fairness you do it to all of the other scumbags and these are the cocksuckers who really need their info posted and advertised and annihilated. Put an end to these assholes, John, you are the man to do it. POST PICS!!! Post Past's!!!
The same people who are in charge in the South, East, or West!
ReplyDeleteWhy isn't anything being done? --Great question!
Maybe some people think it is contained to the North Side and don't realize what an impact this has on their communities also.
@Anon 12:11, you're absolutely right. North Minneapolis by far seems to have it the worst, but I've seen landlords with holdings on the Southside, in suburbs, and even other states. It's a bit easier to wrangle together eyes to watch North Minneapolis than it is for an entire region -- although, clearly that's not working. But the more information that government makes available about businesses, properties, deeds, and court cases the more easily the information can be shared with others to get more attention (regardless of where the landlord is acting).
ReplyDeleteDennis Lee Christ DOB 6/3/1955 has one conviction for doing 40 in a 30.
ReplyDeleteKind of anti-climactic, isn't it?
The rap sheet of Kevin Christ (if you can call it that) also doesn't contain diddly-doo for charges.
ReplyDeleteOfficer
Type/Status
Charge(s)
82-K4-93-004936
SW 144696
CHRIST, KEVIN
05/26/1947
10/14/1993
- Washington-Stillwater
Misdemeanor
Converted Closed
EXPIRED REGISTRATION
25-T3-97-006471
FC97006471
CHRIST, KEVIN GERALD
06/25/1970
11/05/1997
Goodhue
Non- Traffic Misdemeanor
Closed-Physical File Destroyed
NO WAKE VIOALTION
27-CR-08-35779
CHRIST, KEVIN GERALD
06/25/1970
07/21/2008
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Ridgedale
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Under Court Jurisdiction
Careless Operation of Watercraft
Quiet Waters
There is a bunch of eviction actions as one might expect of a slumlord.
ReplyDeleteCase Number
Style
Filed/Location/Judicial Officer
Type/Status
27-CV-HC-09-8458 Kevin Christ vs Cindy Woodson, John Doe, Jane Doe
11/09/2009
- Hennepin Housing
Eviction (UD)
Closed
27-CV-HC-10-2979 Kevin Christ vs Yashica Pullins, John Doe and Jane Doe
05/14/2010
- Hennepin Housing
Eviction (UD)
Closed
27-CV-HC-10-5275 Kevin Christ vs Cynthia Mackerson, Tevin Barnett, Thomas Jenkins, John Doe, Jane Doe
08/12/2010
- Hennepin Housing
Eviction (UD)
Closed
27-CV-HC-11-2511 Kevin Christ vs Pamela Watson, Jeremiah M Bosire, John Doe, Jane Doe
04/19/2011
- Hennepin Housing
Eviction (UD)
Closed
27-CV-HC-11-2518 KEVIN CHRIST vs La'Shawn Denham aka Leshawn Denham, John Doe, Jane Doe
04/19/2011
- Hennepin Housing
Eviction (UD)
Closed
27-CV-HC-11-5410 Kevin Christ vs Linda Tollifson, Melanie Wells, Tim Wells, Daverius Moore, Jaime Poole, Dwayne Poole, John Doe, Jane Doe
08/16/2011
- Hennepin Housing
Eviction (UD)
Closed
27-CO-11-7531 LaShawn Denham vs Dennis Christ, Kevin Christ
09/22/2011
- Hennepin Civil
Conciliation
Closed
27-CV-HC-12-903 Kevin Christ vs Cindy L Stone, John Doe, Jane Doe
02/10/2012
- Hennepin Housing
Eviction (UD)
Closed
27-CV-HC-12-2168 Kevin Chirst vs Dawn Hayes, Robert Hayes, Dillion Howard, John Doe, Jane Doe
04/17/2012
- Hennepin Housing
Eviction (UD)
Closed
27-CV-HC-12-4650 Kevin Chirst vs BOBBIE WAGNER, JASMINE Wagner, MARIO BEARD, John Doe, Jane Doe
07/31/2012
- Hennepin Housing
Eviction (UD)
Closed
62-HG-CV-12-2244 Kevin Christ vs Tawanda Johnson, Ronnie Johnson, John Doe, Mary Roe
08/01/2012
Ramsey Housing Conciliation
Eviction (UD)
Closed
62-HG-CV-12-2600 Kevin Christ vs William J Nelson, Cheryl R Nelson, John Doe, Mary Roe
08/30/2012
Ramsey Housing Conciliation
Eviction (UD)
Closed
With Kevin there's a divorce in 1988, some minor cases, and then all the eviction actions you can expect of a slumlord.
ReplyDelete82-F4-88-000239 Linda Kay Christ vs. Dennis Lee Christ (9/27/88-20 PGS) KJM
01/15/1988
- Washington-Stillwater
Dissolution with Child
Converted Closed
19-C0-93-012674 FLOOR DESIGN INC. vs. DENNIS CHRIST et al.
03/04/1993
- Dakota-Apple Valley
Transcript Judgment
Converted Closed
19-S5-98-003231 DENNIS L. CHRIST, vs. AAMCO TRANSMISSIONS
04/27/1998
- Dakota-West St. Paul
Conciliation
Converted Closed
19-CX-98-002558 DENNIS L. CHRIST, et al. vs. AAMCO TRANSMISSIONS et al.
07/06/1998
- Dakota-West St. Paul
Conciliation Appeal
Converted Closed
19-C7-98-010519 DENNIS LEE CHRIST vs. JENNIFER BROWN et al.
12/24/1998
Dakota-Hastings - Non-Criminal
Minor Settlement
Closed-Physical File Destroyed
62-HG-CV-08-4357 DENNIS LEE CHRIST vs Maxine Kelly et al
11/18/2008
Ramsey Housing Conciliation
Eviction (UD)
Closed
62-CO-08-5298 Dennis Christ vs Maxine Kelly
12/03/2008
Ramsey Housing Conciliation
Conciliation
Closed
62-HG-CV-09-447 Dennis Christ vs Serita Green, et al
02/02/2009
Ramsey Housing Conciliation
Eviction (UD)
Closed
62-HG-CV-10-392 Dennis Christ vs Mary Lowe et al
02/10/2010
Ramsey Housing Conciliation
Eviction (UD)
Closed
27-CV-HC-10-1165 Dennis Christ vs Yvonne White, John Doe and Jane Doe
02/17/2010
- Hennepin Housing
Eviction (UD)
Closed
27-CO-10-4737 Dennis Christ vs Venus Jones, Termayne Allen
06/15/2010
- Hennepin Civil
Conciliation - Housing
Closed
27-CV-HC-10-3769 Dennis Christ vs Venus Jones, John Doe, Mary Roe
06/15/2010
- Hennepin Housing
Eviction (UD)
Closed
27-CO-11-7531 LaShawn Denham vs Dennis Christ, Kevin Christ
09/22/2011
- Hennepin Civil
Conciliation
Closed
27-CV-HC-13-1921 Dennis Christ vs Brettena Angeline aka Tina Angeline, Will Smith, John Doe, Jane Doe
04/08/2013
- Hennepin Housing
Eviction (UD)
Closed
62-HG-CV-13-1463 Dennis Christ vs Tammy Gipson, Chanessa R Gipson, Joella L Gipson, Jaivaun L Brigham, Christopher S Brigham, Trey S Clark, John Doe, Mary Roe
05/31/2013
Ramsey Housing Conciliation
Eviction (UD)
Closed
62-CO-13-2553 Dennis Christ vs Cheryl R Nelson, William J Nelson
06/19/2013
Ramsey Housing Conciliation
Conciliation
Closed
62-CV-13-4710 Dennis Christ vs Maxine Kelly
06/19/2013
Ramsey Civil
Transcript Judgment
Closed
62-HG-CV-13-1718 Dennis Christ vs William J Nelson, Cheryl R Nelson, et al
06/19/2013
Ramsey Housing Conciliation
Eviction (UD)
Closed
62-CO-13-3235 Dennis Christ vs Daniel Allenson
08/14/2013
Ramsey Housing Conciliation
Conciliation
Closed
62-HG-CV-13-2343 Dennis Christ vs Daniel Allenson et al
08/14/2013
Ramsey Housing Conciliation
Eviction (UD)
Closed
82-CO-13-1507 Michael Hunter vs Dennis Chirst
08/28/2013
- Washington-Stillwater
Conciliation
Open
Anon 8:36, I think what is happening is the slummies put the rent value at the ceiling set by Section 8, and then of course do what ever means possible to increase THAT by converting dining areas and porches into bedrooms and use the Section 8 money that should maintain appliances for vacations, luxury goods, etc. Perhaps Camden Canary can clarify my assumptions here, but this is why places like the Proton houses feature on the JNS have laundry spilling out of fences--there's no dryer for the tenants to use, but we as tax payers are all paying for Proton to provide one, they just choose to steal that money for themselves instead.
ReplyDeleteSection 8 is the biggest waste of taxpayer money that there is these days. Their inspectors are idiots and the none of the people that work there are even remotely competent! They should keep it simple and just give poor people "rent stamps", just like "food stamps" based on their income etc.
ReplyDeleteSec 8 housing drives the price of rentals ALL over the country. This is not a Nomi problem nor is sec 8 a local program. Any changes to the sec 8 program would need to come from the government and scumlords will always find a way to milk the system, just as much as those who use it do. MANY of the sec 8 properties have the the max rent allowed and then the landlord has the renert pay 100 or so on the side. They always do it because they need a place to live and someone to rent to them. using a persons arrest record only shows how dumb they are or how many times they've been caught. GOOD criminals may have broken the law a hundred times but have never been caught.
ReplyDeleteKevin Christ also owns a property at 2623 York avenue north, Robbinsdale.
ReplyDelete