College Park neighbors have until June to find somewhere to live after apartments condemned
Chelsea Gardens Apartments on Godby Road is in such disrepair that code enforcement inspectors have deemed it unfit for people to live in.
But renters told Channel 2's Courtney Francisco they do not have extra money to move.
'It's hard. It's just really hard,' said Jackie McQuery.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
She said last month, the new owner of their apartment complex, Pretas Dedvukaj, sent notices to vacate within 60 days for renovation and repairs.
Neighbors said they paid April rent while house hunting and coming up with the cash to move. All the while, they endured water and electric outages due to demolitions.
They took their concerns to the city council on Monday. The next day, the city manager responded with a letter giving residents eight days to move. The notice cited significant safety concerns, vermin infestations, unresolved structural issues, leaking sewage and other health hazards.
'The only person being held accountable is the residents,' said Ngaya Sway.
He was part of a team of advocates with renters outside city hall Wednesday night who demanded the city hold the landlord accountable.
TRENDING STORIES:
STORY 1
STORY 2
STORY 3
A city spokesperson, Antoinette Govan, said code enforcement tried to hold the landlord accountable, but the owner ignored citations and then sold the property last month.
Records show the city cited the owner in October for violations, giving the company until November to fix the problems or face condemnation.
Govan said the current owner has done some work and helped tenants find other places to live. She said some elected officials are trying to connect residents with non-profits that can provide financial assistance.
'We heard their pain and the challenges that they face,' said Govan.
Govan said Wednesday, the city agreed to give them until June 1 to move out.
'We hope this extension will give them some type of hope and understanding that we are working on their behalf,' said Govan.
Neighbors said now they want their security deposits back.
'It's hard to call and get the truth,' said McQuery.
Channel 2 Action News is waiting for a response from Dedvukaj.
In 2018, a judge jailed him for two days in connection to a nuisance property in East Point.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Rapper GloRilla arrested on drug charges after burglary at Georgia home
Rapper GloRilla has been arrested in Georgia after cops found a 'significant amount' of drugs while investigating a burglary at her metro Atlanta home. Authorities were called to the rapper's house at around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday to investigate a break-in, the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office confirmed to local ABC affiliate WSB-TV. The 'Let Her Cook' artist, who's legal name is Gloria Woods, was away in Indianapolis for the WNBA All-Star Game at the time of the incident, but a family member inside her home fired a gun at the burglars, causing them to run away, according to police. During the investigation, cops smelled a 'strong odor consistent with illegal narcotics' in a closet inside the home's primary bedroom. A drug task force was called in, after which 'a significant amount of marijuana was discovered in plain view,' according to the sheriff's office. After voluntarily turning herself in to the Forsyth County Jail on Tuesday, the 25-year-old rapper was charged with felony possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance. She was released the same day on $22,260 bond. Attorneys for GloRilla have slammed local law enforcement following the incident, calling their client 'a victim, not a suspect.' 'The arrest of Gloria Woods is a disturbing window into how warped law enforcement priorities have become,' her lawyers said in a statement to TMZ. 'Instead of investigating the violent home invasion and theft at Ms. Woods' home, they instead sought a search warrant when they spotted what they believed was a small amount of marijuana. Law enforcement then sought arrest warrants for her even though she hadn't been at her home for some time.' As noted by her lawyers, no arrest warrants have been issued for the burglars, who made off with some 'high-value jewelry.' 'This is our tax dollars at work, absolutely unbelievable,' her attorneys said. Forsyth County Sheriff Ron Freeman called the rapper 'a victim of a serious crime' and said his office is committed bringing the thieves to justice, but noted they must still 'continue to uphold and enforce the law in all aspects of this case.' Following the incident, GloRilla went on to perform at halftime of the WNBA's All-Star Game, singing a medley of her songs 'Let Her Cook,' 'Typa' and 'TGIF.' -----------
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
Atlanta rapper Cash Out gets life sentence after RICO, sex trafficking conviction
The trial, which began in June, alleged that Cash Out and his family members had forced women into sex work. Rapper Cash Out, whose real name is John-Michael Hakeem Gibson, was sentenced to life in prison plus 70 years on Monday after being found guilty in his RICO and sex trafficking case. On Friday, the 34-year-old artist received a guilty verdict in an Atlanta court. According to WSB-TV Atlanta , the life sentence plus 70 years will run concurrently. His mother, Linda Smith, was sentenced to 30 years, and his cousin, Tyrone Taylor, was sentenced to life in prison plus 70 years. Gibson is known for his 2014 platinum hit 'Cashin' Out' and 'She Twerkin.' He released one studio album in 2014, 'Let's Get It,' and six mixtapes. Advertisement His career was stalled when he was arrested in a Georgia prostitution sting in June 2019. The trial, which began this past June, brought forth allegations that Gibson, his cousin and his mother had forced women into sex work. When they operated the 'house of horrors,' they were also said to have coordinated the sale of women and the corresponding payments. Prosecutors presented text messages from eight different phones as evidence. 'This has been going on for seven years,' Fulton County prosecutor Earnelle Winfrey said to the Atlanta courtroom on Friday. 'This ain't just straight pimping — this is trafficking.' She added that though they were 'pimping, for sure,' it was the 'force and cohesion' of the operation that made it trafficking. Advertisement Gibson first faced charges in June 2023. His legal team claimed that victims were pushed to testify. In closing arguments, his team argued that the women involved were not forced. His mother claimed that she was unaware of the trafficking, but prosecutors cited payment receipts linking her to the offenses. This included a leased residence where some of the victims were said to be housed. Additionally, witnesses claimed that Smith had engaged in prostitution herself.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Rapper Cash Out Sentenced to Life in Prison Plus 70 Years on RICO and Sex Trafficking Charges
Rapper Cash Out has been sentenced to life in prison plus 70 years after being found guilty in his RICO and sexual assault case. Cash Out, born John Gibson, was found guilty on Friday in his Atlanta trial. He was sentenced to life in prison for his rape charge as well as an additional 70 years for RICO and his other convictions, according to WSB-TV Atlanta. The sentences will be concurrent. More from Variety 'Cash Out' Review: John Travolta Goes Through the Motions in Uninspired Crypto Caper The Atlanta emcee experienced moderate success in the early 2010s, with his 2012 debut single, 'Cashin' Out,' reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Rap Airplay chart. He scored another hit with 'She Twerkin' two years later, when he also released his sole album, 'Let's Get It.' Alongside his sentencing, his mother Linda Smith was also sentenced to 30 years on RICO charges, while his cousin Tyrone Taylor was given life in prison plus 70 years. The trial, which began two months ago, concerned allegations that Cash Out, his mother and cousin coerced and forced women into sex work over the course of several years. They were accused of exploiting women for profit, with prosecutors using evidence that included text messages from eight cellphones. Charges were initially brought in June 2023 against Cash Out, who allegedly leveraged his celebrity status to commit his crimes. His legal team argued that the victims were bullied into testifying against him, while the prosecution claimed that he had engaged in a 'seven-year reign of terror.' 'This has been going on for seven years,' said Fulton County prosecutor Earnell Winfrey during the trial. 'This ain't just straight pimping—this is trafficking.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples
