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mitchryals.bsky.social
Mitch Ryals
@mitchryals.bsky.social
700 followers 320 following 120 posts
Managing editor of Washington City Paper
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mitchryals.bsky.social
Also, shoutout to former @wcp.bsky.social and DCist reporter Morgan Baskin, who was all over this story back in 2023:
The Next Hottest Rental Strategy? Market To Housing Choice Voucher Holders
Local real estate firms are increasingly keen to cash in on a lucrative government program. One local developer has leveraged it to build a small empire of low-income apartment buildings where constru...
dcist.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:34 PM
mitchryals.bsky.social
And thanks to @spotlightdc.bsky.social for its essential support of this reporting: spotlightdc.org/impact-story...
Washington City Paper Series Nails DC Slumlord and Prompts AG Fines -
Reporters Suzie Amanuel and Alex Koma's reporting on the troubling practices of landlord Sam Razjooyan has led to increased scrutiny over the controversial property owner.
spotlightdc.org
February 12, 2026 at 3:04 PM
mitchryals.bsky.social
And @alexkoma.bsky.social dug into the tools available to the D.C. government that could stop Razjooyan and others doing similar dirt, but wasn't using them:

washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7572...
How Can D.C. Make Life Harder for Landlords Like Sam Razjooyan? The City Has the Tools, But It’s Not Using Them.
D.C. has the tools to make life harder on landlords—like Sam Razjooyan—who are accused of deceptive practices. But it’s not using them.
washingtoncitypaper.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:03 PM
mitchryals.bsky.social
Amanuel also dug into how private lenders fuel Razjooyan's unlawful actions that displace low-income tenants and keep them in living in abject squalor.

washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7614...
Lender That Helped Fund Slumlord Sam Razjooyan Was Warned About Alleged Fraud. They Loaned Him Millions.
A whistleblower has accused Red Oak Capital of shoddy vetting and reckless lending. Razjooyan received more than $40 million from the private lender. Where did all that money go?
washingtoncitypaper.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:59 PM
mitchryals.bsky.social
@wcp.bsky.social investigative reporter Suzie Amanuel has been reporting on Razjooyan and his associates since 2024, including his doctoring of loan documents and tricking tenants out of their rights as he has built a portfolio of neglected slums:

washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7541...
How a D.C. ‘Slumlord’ Scammed Tenants and Lenders to Build a Portfolio of Neglected Properties, According to Lawsuits and Tenant Accounts
Ali “Sam” Razjooyan and his associates are accused of doctoring loan documents and tricking tenants out of their rights. While they get rich, tenants are displaced.
washingtoncitypaper.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:59 PM
mitchryals.bsky.social
But in March of 2023, a male Camden employee sexually assaulted a female employee in an empty apartment. The man initiated the contact by first asking for a hug.

The women is suing the company, alleging Camden's "hug life" is to blame for the alleged attack

washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7757...
Property Management Company’s Workplace Hugging Policy To Blame for Sexual Assault in a Locked Suite, Lawsuit Alleges
Camden Development says its “hug life” policy is not to blame for one of its employees sexually assaulting another.
washingtoncitypaper.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:37 PM
mitchryals.bsky.social
And read the original report that sparked the IG investigation here:
Professional Development or Party? DOES Staff Event Featured Acrobats, Backyard Band, and DJ EZ Street
DOES refused to disclose the cost to hire entertainers and speakers for an all-staff professional development event held last month.
washingtoncitypaper.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM