New York Attorney General Letitia James, the city of Syracuse and Onondaga County have filed a lawsuit against a landlord in the city.

The suit names John Kiggins, the owner of Endzone Properties.

According to the lawsuit, Endzone owns 89 properties throughout the city. The suit claims the company has repeatedly violated city, county, and state code and has led to 18 children getting lead poisoning.

"This legal action should serve as a message to all Syracuse landlords that it is unacceptable to allow tenants to live in sub-standard housing that contains lead paint hazards," Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said in a statement. "This is a zero tolerance approach by our Code Enforcement team and Law Department to ensure every landlord is following local, state, and federal laws and protecting our children and families from the risk of lead poisoning."