OFFICE OF
JESUS RODRIGUEZ
ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY
THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
BONNIE M. DUMANIS
San Diego
330 West Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 531-4040
http://www.sandiegoda.com
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
For Immediate Release
October 19, 2007
Contact: Paul Levikow
619-531-3536
Archstone-Smith Fined More Than $600,000
and Ordered to Pay Refunds to Tenants
Corporation Accused of Estimating Water Bills in San Diego
San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis announced today that her office, in
conjunction with the District Attorneys of Los Angeles and Santa Clara Counties, filed and
settled a consumer protection lawsuit against Archstone-Smith, one of the largest owners of
apartment buildings in the U.S. The lawsuit, filed in Santa Clara Superior Court, alleged that
Archstone-Smith presented its tenants with water bills that were based in part on estimates rather
than actual measurements, in violation of state laws.
“Our office filed a civil law enforcement action in the name of the People of the State of
California alleging that Archstone-Smith engaged in untrue or misleading advertising and unfair
competition,” said DA Dumanis. “The individuals who rented apartments in San Diego from
this company and had water bills estimated will now be compensated.”
Archstone-Smith agreed to settle the case and the court ordered the company to pay a total of
$637,140 in penalties and costs. The violations were discovered by state and county weights and
measures officials in seven California counties.
The court ordered Archstone-Smith to pay restitution to tenants and former tenants of affected
apartment complexes. Individuals who rented apartments from Archstone-Smith from July 16,
2002, through July 30, 2005, will receive $3.08 for each month that they paid a water bill if they
lived in any of the following complexes: Harborside, Redwood Shores, Escondido, Seascape, La
Jolla, University Towne Center, Sierra del Oro, Terracina, Woodsong, Aliso Town Center,
Tustin, Huntington Beach, Pelican Point, Agoura Hills, Long Beach, Calabassas and The
Crossing. Eligible tenants will be contacted by a company hired by Archstone-Smith to handle
restitution payments. Payments could total over $500,000. Four of the complexes are located in
San Diego County. They are:
ƒ Escondido, 1361 W. 9th Street, Escondido
ƒ Seascape, 6938 Seascape, Carlsbad
ƒ La Jolla, 8506 Villa La Jolla Dr., La Jolla
ƒ University Towne Center, 7936 Navidad, San Diego
Archstone-Smith cooperated with the prosecutors and stipulated to the entry of the final
judgment, which also requires the business not to violate similar laws in the future.
###