The owner is an absentee landlord by his own admission.

To me, this admission may disable you from getting your deposit back because you are naming reasons for renegotiation outside of your contingencies.  

By his own admission, one of his three small commercial properties is still under water.

Even saying "I'm sorry" might be an admission of guilt.

I imagine the only other “slam dunk” evictions would be a drug bust in the property or something similar, or if you have a security camera showing clear proof of violations (like an unauthorized “guest” living in unit and coming and going on a daily basis, damage to property, assault…etc).You can call witnesses (typically other tenants or neighbors) but they must show up in court as no “hearsay” is admissible.

There could be licensing reasons or it could be to qualify for in-state college admission or tuition. 

Right now, by your own admission, you're going in blind. 

Some are free, some charge a couple of bucks for admission or a small membership fee.

Your business, by your own admission, is complex.

It won't be an admission of defeat, rather, it'll be an admission of having learned a few things.