Baltimore Slumlord Watch:

Baltimore ACORN "Activist" Louis Beverly is Also a Slumlord, Records Show

Approximately two weeks ago, ACORN "activist" Louis Beverly assisted Donna Hanks in breaking into her former home. Hanks owed $260,000 when the house was placed into foreclosure. Louis Beverly, in an ill-fated publicity stunt, broke the lock on the home, allowing Ms. Hanks entry. As a result, both are facing criminal charges, and Ms. Hanks still doesn't have her house back. After a closer look into Louis Beverly's background, the stunt looks even more ridiculous. Louis Beverly has faced multiple foreclosures, most on his rental property located at 2622 Harford Road. He has also been charged numerous times by the city for failing to maintain his properties, owning a property that was not fit for human habitation, trash dumping, failing to register his property as a rental property, and failure to provide a safe means of egress. All of which are serious health and safety issues for his tenant(s). Along with his property violations, Mr. Beverly was also found guilty of battery and weapons charges.

In addition to his rental property on Harford Road that is currently in foreclosure, Mr. Beverly also owns a rental property at 540 Baker Street, located on a blighted block off North Avenue, and his residence on E. 25th Street. We believe Mr. Beverly's time and energy would be better spent fixing his properties and being a better landlord, than working on cheap publicity stunts.

Donna Hanks, the center of the failed ACORN "takeback" attempt, was found to be illegally renting out the basement of her S. Ellwood Street home, and was also charged with assault and possession of a dangerous weapon with the intent to injure, both in 2008.