A Cortland County landlord agreed to a settlement with the Attorney General's office.
Jeff Grodinsky refused to return more than $43,000 in security deposits to former tenants, according to Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. He was responsible for at least 36 properties, most of which housed SUNY Cortland students.
The AG's office launched an investigation after receiving 96 complaints from students who did not get their deposits back.
Schneiderman says Grodinsky didn't keep security deposits separate from personal funds, which is required by law.
Most of his properties were forclosed on in 2015 after he defaulted on mortgage payments.
Under the settlement, Grodinsky agreed to refund the deposits, as well as pay $26,000 in civil penalties and costs.
The deal must still be approved by the Onondaga County Supreme Court.