Even as Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the man behind the proposed Ground Zero mosque, attempts to redefine his image as an ordinary American, he is reportedly being assailed in his private life by Union City officials as a “terrible landlord.”

The Star-Ledger reports the new city lawsuit seeks to place two apartment buildings owned by Rauf into receivership on charges he failed to address ordinance violations and dozens of tenants complaints.

The lawsuit is the latest jab at the imam’s public image.

However, when it comes to winning over critics of his project, some of the wounds could be perceived as self-inflicted.

“We are exploring all options. Everything is on the table,” he said. “I vote in elections. I pay taxes. I pledge allegiance to the flag. I am a Giants fan.”

Rauf Monday disputed the widely-held notion that the Islamic center’s proposed location on Park Place was hallowed ground.

“Let’s clarify that misperception,” he said. “It is absolutely disingenuous as many have said, that that block is hallowed ground. With clubs (edit) around the corner, with betting parlors.”

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(Source: WCBSTV)