Friday, August 15, 2008

USDOJ Files Discrimination Suit Against South Florida Property Management Company; Fair Housing Act Violations Alleged

In Broward County, Florida, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports:
  • A manager at a Davie apartment complex turned away African-American applicants, then tried to use the lack of black tenants to appeal to whites, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday by the U.S. Justice Department. The suit accuses C.F. Enterprises LLC and on-site apartment manager Don Murroni of discriminating against black people trying to rent at College Square Apartments in violation of the Fair Housing Act. Evidence was gathered through the department's Operation Home Sweet Home initiative, where individuals pose as renters to identify possible discriminatory practices.(1)

For more, see Davie apartment manager kept out black applicants, according to lawsuit.

See also USDOJ press release: Operation Home Sweet Home Results in Florida Lawsuit Alleging Discrimination Against African-Americans.

Go here for more on the U.S Justice Department's "Operation Home Sweet Home."

(1) According to the story: The complaint alleges the defendants discouraged African-Americans from applying and offered to waive the application fee and other costs for white applicants only. The lawsuit, filed in Fort Lauderdale federal court, seeks an injunction against further discrimination, money damages for victims and civil penalties to be paid to the United States.