WASHINGTON, DC – A new article by the American Journal News exposes Virginia AG Jason Miyares’ long record of consistently siding with big real estate companies over tenants who have filed complaints about hostile living conditions. Miyares and his wife made over $2.5 million from his family’s rental company, Atkinson Realty, which has been accused of “slumlord practices.” 

As the American Journal News’ Jesse Valentine reported, prior to Miyares’ time as AG, he “…defended landlords whose tenants complained of mold and roach infestations. He has continued to side with big real estate over renters in his political career […] Several Google and Yelp reviews describe Atkinson Realty properties as dirty and unsafe.” 

Additionally, once Miyares became AG, he fired assistant attorney general Hellen Hardiman, who oversaw the Office of Civil Rights that focuses on litigating housing discrimination cases. At the time, the office was investigating an apartment complex where tenants cited “infestations of rats, roaches, and mold.” To this day, however, tenants have received no further communication of the investigation, and Miyares has not made any effort to meet with them.

Key highlights:  

• “Miyares was Atkinson Realty’s attorney in a 2016 civil suit that resulted in a couple being evicted from their home. His firm, Hangar Law, represented the company in a similar suit that same year.”

• “In a 2022 review, a short-term tenant said her brother cut his leg on an exposed nail. In another from 2013, a renter said that three of her unit’s four smoke detectors had dead batteries, which is a violation of state law. Another review from 2014 complained of bedbugs.”
• “Only two actions have been taken against the real estate industry during Miyares’ tenure as attorney general.”

• “Miyares reported that he and his wife earned $250,000 annually from Atkinson Realty between 2014 and 2024, totaling $2.5 million.”
• “Throughout his career, the real estate and construction lobby has been Miyares’ second-largest contributor, giving a combined $2.3 million to his campaigns and groups supporting him.”

###