Padmapper is bravely carrying on under the threat of a lawsuit.

Its about physical rent collections with threats and cajoling as needed.

Our hopes are the city will go through with their threat of locking the house up for a year or takes possession altogether 

Yes these easily become provocations and we can easily say or do the wrong thing.I resent when the newest tenant becomes such a trouble maker that long term/ good tenants start calling with threats to move out. 

If you also provide something of value to the remaining tenants that makes living in these units better for them (more favorable rental agreement terms, quick attention to maintenance/repair needs, an upgrade that they have been longing for, a kind and respectful management style, etc.) they will be less likely to view you as a threat to their security and well being.Also, don't think about raising the rent anytime soon.

No big deal, unless you can't wait out the 120 Day IRS Right of Redemption.Really, what you're trying to do shut out other claims or threats to your deal. 

Was this an empty threat?

Sounds like a veiled threat to me...

Outside of real estate I work professionally within the Cyber Security realm and find fairly entertaining when dealing with malware or plain old email based scams :)

They can both protect you, but not in the same way nor from the same kind of threats.