LEWISTON – A local landlord has been reprimanded for failing to warn tenants about the possibility of lead paint in their homes.

Edward F. Toussaint has been fined and ordered to abide by federal regulations pertaining to lead paint, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Friday.

As part of the unfair trade practice consent decree, Toussaint paid a fine of $2,500 and gave the same amount to the Maine Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. That money will be used for lead inspections in the Lewiston area, U.S. Attorney’s Office officials said.

As part of the agreement, Toussaint did not admit to any wrongdoing. It has not been determined if there is lead present in any of his apartment buildings.

“We don’t know if any of Mr. Toussaint’s apartments pose a lead problem, but his tenants should have received the required lead paint warnings,” said U.S. Attorney G. Steven Rowe. “Even exposure to low levels of lead can severely harm children, especially those 6 years of age or younger.”

Experts say buildings constructed before 1978, when lead paint was commonly used, may contain high levels of lead paint.

As part of the consent decree, Toussaint also agreed to stop charging a fee for late rent payment sooner than allowed by law.