SARASOTA — A local tenants advocacy group has filed a complaint against the city of Sarasota’s Code Compliance Office and the department’s special magistrate this week, calling for an investigation into his tenure and removal from the position because of what the group calls a conflict of interest regarding a mother and local activist Alaina Martinez.

The complaint was submitted to city officials on Monday by the Manasota Tenants Union on Martinez’s behalf and describes the condition the group says Martinez and her three children have been living in at a property the magistrate and local attorney owns on 46th street in north Sarasota.

Several issues in the home, including dilapidated plumbing, a raccoon infestation and pre-existing black mold were cited in the complaint. The magistrate, Richard Ellis, denies any conflict or improper handling of Martinez’s tenancy.

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