Associated Press
LOWELL - A property management firm has agreed to pay as much as $158,000 to settle allegations that it discriminated against Cambodian-Americans who tried to rent apartments, the U.S. Department of Justice said Tuesday.
Pine Properties Inc. and six affiliate companies would pay up to $114,000 to compensate victims under the settlement, which is subject to approval by a federal judge in Boston. The settlement also requires Pine Properties to pay a $44,000 fine and take steps to ensure it doesn’t practice further discrimination.
The defendants, who own and operate 13 rental properties in Lowell, refused to show available apartments to Cambodian-Americans who didn’t have appointments, while white people were shown apartments immediately without appointments, the department said.
A phone message seeking comment from Pine Properties was not immediately returned Tuesday.
The government sued Pine Properties and the affiliates in September, alleging violations of the Fair Housing Act. The Justice Department said the lawsuit was the first the agency has ever filed alleging discrimination against Asian-American based on its fair housing testing program.
The case grew out of Operation Home Sweet Home, an initiative to enforce fair housing laws using people who pose undercover as prospective tenants or homeowners.
Pine Properties Inc. and six affiliate companies would pay up to $114,000 to compensate victims under the settlement, which is subject to approval by a federal judge in Boston. The settlement also requires Pine Properties to pay a $44,000 fine and take steps to ensure it doesn’t practice further discrimination.
The defendants, who own and operate 13 rental properties in Lowell, refused to show available apartments to Cambodian-Americans who didn’t have appointments, while white people were shown apartments immediately without appointments, the department said.
A phone message seeking comment from Pine Properties was not immediately returned Tuesday.
The government sued Pine Properties and the affiliates in September, alleging violations of the Fair Housing Act. The Justice Department said the lawsuit was the first the agency has ever filed alleging discrimination against Asian-American based on its fair housing testing program.
The case grew out of Operation Home Sweet Home, an initiative to enforce fair housing laws using people who pose undercover as prospective tenants or homeowners.
2 comments:
Yep, this happened in Tacoma Wa when I was trying to find housing for Cambodian people...fortunately racists are morons by definition, so they were so busted.
This Pine properties might think immigrant doesn't know the law. But, they messed with the wrong Cambodian/American person who happens to know the law and sue them as well. Good job and keep fighting until the White people drop down to their knee. They don't know most of Cambodians are good tenants. They pay on time and keep the properties clean.
The white people are discriminate every where. They don't want to talk or make friend with you. They want you to approach them even you live next door. Only a few make friend.
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