Manti Te’o, a former NFL great, is entangled in a dispute involving a crumbling Cleveland apartment complex. His public image is damaged by this circumstance, and allegations of being a slumlord become more concerning.
The property, located near East 142nd and Miles, stands empty and in disrepair, with trash accumulating around it. This has not only become an eyesore for the neighborhood but also a point of contention for city officials who are determined to hold property owners accountable for such conditions.
At that apartment building, Te’o Legacy has received citations for several housing code infractions.
“That is an eyesore,” said Marilyn Owens, looking over from her porch across the street. “He won’t fix his house? He’s just making money, collecting, right?” [H/T Yahoo!]
Manti Te’o’s Legal Challenges
Manti Te’o, who previously made headlines for a catfishing scandal involving a fake girlfriend, now finds himself embroiled in a different kind of controversy. The city has cited Te’o Legacy, the company that owns the property, for a list of housing code violations. These violations date back a year and a half, indicating a prolonged period of neglect
Residents like Marilyn Owens, who lives across from the building, have expressed their frustration with the state of the property. The sentiment in the neighbourhood is clear: they expect better from property owners, especially those with the means to maintain their buildings.
The housing complex that Te’o’s business, Te’o Legacy, owns is dilapidated, according to the city of Cleveland and local news sources. Pictures show abandoned buildings, exposed wiring, and mounds of trash.
Cleveland’s Director of Building and Housing, Sally Martin-O’Toole, has emphasized the city’s new campaign to crack down on landlords, particularly those who are out-of-state and often escape accountability for their properties’ conditions. This case with Te’o’s property is part of a larger effort to protect renters and improve living standards across the city.
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