The City of Milwaukee has filed a lawsuit seeking the closure and sale of 12 south side rental properties that allegedly have been linked to widespread criminal activities, including drug sales and prostitution.

Alderman Bob Donovan and Alderman José G. Pérez said the properties have been a source of numerous complaints about criminal activities for years.

Both aldermanic districts are home to all 12 of the properties.

The properties are owned by defendant Kenneth D. Churchill III of West Allis.

“It is alleged that Mr. Churchill would take extra cash payments from tenants, to look the other way, if they were selling drugs (at a property),” Alderman Donovan said. “Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges that he (Churchill) may be actively involved in the drug activity at the properties.”

“Ruining neighborhoods was apparently all a part of Mr. Churchill’s ‘business plan’ in running his rental properties,” said Alderman Donovan, chair of the Public Safety Committee. “It is absolutely unconscionable.”

Alderman Pérez, a member of the Public Safety Committee, said the lawsuit was brought forward because of numerous constituent complaints about drug and prostitution activity occurring at the properties, as well as Milwaukee Police Department and Department of Neighborhood Services investigations.

“The lawsuit alleges that at least five, if not more, individuals have been linked to drug and prostitution activity at more than one of Mr. Churchill’s rental properties, and that the properties have received 11 drug house designations since 2011,” Alderman Pérez said.