Trenton Senior Citizen Files Federal Lawsuit After City-Backed Lead Program Abandons Project

TRENTON, N.J. -- September 11, 2026 -- Today, Mary Tard, a disabled senior citizen residing on a fixed income at 284 Rutherford Avenue, officially filed a verified civil rights and environmental lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (Case No. 3:26-cv-11830). The action names the City of Trenton, the Trenton Department of Economic and Housing Development, Isles, Inc., and program administrators Michael R. O'Donnell and Cherie V. Hooks as defendants.

The federal complaint addresses systemic administrative failure and constitutional deliberate indifference. On April 22, 2026, and subsequently on June 11, 2026, representatives from Isles, Inc. deployed to the plaintiff's residence to perform state-funded lead hazard assessment and mitigation services. During these operations, the agents attempted structural interventions without possessing or securing the mandatory local building and environmental safety permits required by the City of Trenton.

Faced with a lack of proper permitting compliance, the work was ordered to stop. Rather than resolving the administrative paperwork or ensuring the property was safe, the defendants completely abandoned the site. For nearly three months, Ms. Tard—who suffers from a severe chronic respiratory disability—has been left confined to a deteriorating home environment characterized by uncontained, active lead paint hazards and toxic particulate dust.

The federal filing brings counts under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 for fourteenth amendment due process violations and a Monell claim against the City of Trenton for a pervasive custom of non-enforcement and failure to monitor sub-recipient grant administration. The lawsuit seeks emergency injunctive relief to compel the immediate stabilization of the property under certified, permit-approved protocols, alternative safe housing accommodations, and compensatory and punitive damages for ongoing physical injury and property devaluation.

Ms. Tard and her representatives have exhausted all preliminary administrative remedies through local municipal offices and state regulatory channels before escalating the matter to the federal judiciary under District Judge Robert Kirsch and Magistrate Judge Justin T. Quinn.

Copies of the filed federal complaint and associated public records requests are available upon request