Kensington property maintenance worker files lawsuit against former Landlord Tenant Officer for assault related to 2023 eviction.

The controversial operations of Philadelphia’s for-profit Landlord-Tenant Office came to a halt last fall, yet the repercussions from a series of violent incidents involving its personnel persist. The office, which facilitated evictions under the supervision of Marisa Shuter, a private lawyer appointed by the court, was uniquely positioned within the city’s eviction system.

This ongoing fallout has intensified following a second lawsuit against Shuter related to a July 2023 eviction that ended in violence. The incident, which occurred in Kensington, included an assault on a property management worker and a shooting involving a tenant, leading to scrutiny over the practices and safety measures implemented by the office.

On July 18, 2023, Angelize Rodriguez, a maintenance administrator at Grace Townhomes, was directed to meet an individual posing as a “sheriff” to execute an eviction. This individual, Vincent Tabita, a former deputy with the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Department who had worked for Shuter for over a decade, was not affiliated with law enforcement during this eviction and lacked the legal authority he appeared to possess. Despite wearing a bulletproof vest and displaying a badge, the claim is that Tabita did not follow appropriate protocols when tensions escalated.

The eviction escalated when tenant Latese Bethea, who had locked the door from the inside, became agitated and confronted Tabita. The lawsuit filed by Rodriguez asserts that Tabita failed to recognize the potential for violence and did not take the necessary precautions, such as calling for police backup or delaying the eviction. Instead, after an exchange with Bethea, Tabita requested police assistance only after the situation had deteriorated.

During this chaotic eviction, Bethea reportedly assaulted Rodriguez, resulting in her unconsciousness. In the same incident, Bethea was also shot in the leg, an event compounded by the presence of her young daughter, who witnessed the violence. Bethea has since filed a lawsuit alleging that Tabita was responsible for her injuries during the eviction process.

Rodriguez’s lawsuit specifically contends that Tabita placed her in unnecessary danger and criticizes Shuter for her lack of qualifications and inadequate procedures related to managing deputies and handling eviction operations. Shuter’s legal representation has defended her actions, asserting compliance with legal standards, while acknowledging a lack of written protocols for conducting safe evictions.

The July 2023 eviction and subsequent violence represented a critical moment amid growing concerns regarding Philadelphia’s for-profit eviction system, which has faced myriad allegations of improper conduct and safety concerns. This incident was not an isolated case; it followed another eviction-related shooting earlier in the year. In reaction to the escalating scrutiny and following the inability to secure an insurance provider, Shuter’s office ceased operations in October 2023. As a result, the responsibility for evictions has shifted back to the city’s Sheriff’s Office.

The transition reflects a significant move in Philadelphia’s approach to eviction enforcement as local leaders seek to implement new regulations and strategies to ensure tenant safety and responsible enforcement practices.

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