I am in a lawsuit against the landlord, Goldberg companies INC. because of mold in the apartment I am renting in Cleveland, OH. We had a hearing two weeks ago when my attorney gave the landlord's attorney the evidence we have. Ever since that, my witnesses (most are my neighbors) told me one by one that they didn't want to be my witness any more because the landlord had warned them or intimidated them in this way and that. I told my attorney all about that and my attorny recommend that we do subpoena and make depositions to prove it in the court. I contacted my witnesses again today, and what I was told is that they are already in very hard situation and their further testimony, which eventually will reach the landlord, will make them in even harder situation.
My question is:
1. In u.s. or OH, witness could be intimidated in that way?
2. Is there any way that I can do to stop the landlord's harassment? I really don't want to put my neighbors in trouble, and I don't think I really need any witness regarding to mold because mold come back again in November ever since I moved out of that apartment three months ago.
3. what the consequence will be if I don't pay the rent any more? After I have moved out of the apartment for three months and deposited the rent in court for four months, I was told today that the landlord wouldn't let me out of the lease but choose to fix the apartment instead. I definitely can't afford nor would like to do that. Also I am wondering which knid of law system it is here.
Any advice will be highly appreciated!
Thanks!
