Apartment Management Accuses Local Officials of 'Scapegoating' Over Venezuelan Gang Takeover

CBZ Management, a property management firm in Colorado, is pushing back against local officials in Aurora, accusing them of deflecting blame for the takeover of its apartment buildings by members of the violent Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. The company claims that city officials have ignored the gang problem, instead choosing to scapegoat the firm with code violations and hefty fines.

CBZ's statements, shared on their recently created X (formerly Twitter) account, reveal a dire situation where they have lost control of their properties to gang members who are allegedly extorting rent from tenants. According to CBZ, the city has turned a blind eye to this violent criminal activity, choosing instead to penalize the company for what they claim are superficial code violations.

• In 2023, CBZ passed three full building inspections, yet 99 apartments were suddenly shut down by the city over alleged code issues.

• CBZ claims the city's actions are a smokescreen to avoid addressing the gang’s criminal activities, blaming rising crime and illegal immigration for the deteriorating conditions in Aurora.

• The company alleges its private security has struggled to get police to respond to these issues, leading to an escalation of violence on their properties.

One of the company's representatives was attacked while investigating gang-related activities at one of the properties. CBZ posted a video of the assault, showing the representative with a bruised and bloodied face, reportedly seeking hospital treatment afterward.

CBZ has called out the Aurora Police Department and city officials for their inaction, citing an investigation by the law firm Perkins Coie, which revealed troubling gaps in law enforcement’s handling of the situation. Meanwhile, the city has hit the company with fines totaling tens of thousands of dollars for various code violations. Aurora’s Mayor, Mike Coffman, has called CBZ an “out-of-state slumlord,” accusing them of illegal evictions and poor property conditions, further fueling the public backlash.

CBZ insists that the real issue lies with the city's failure to confront the gang members that have overtaken their properties. “If the city had fulfilled its basic responsibilities instead of deflecting blame, our $1.3 million investment could have contributed to revitalizing Aurora. Instead, hardworking tenants lost their homes due to the city’s failure to protect them,” the company said.

As CBZ faces lawsuits from former residents and mounting pressure from city officials, this case highlights broader concerns about rising crime, illegal immigration, and the responsibility of local governments to protect their communities. Aurora isn’t alone in grappling with this issue San Antonio, Texas, is also reportedly facing similar gang-related problems, as Tren de Aragua’s influence spreads.

Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for updates on this developing story.