[ This article is being relayed from the Usenet "alt.native" newsgroup. ]
Here is a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Justice Department Sues Apartment Owners for Discriminating
Against American Indians
To: National Desk
Contact: Amy Casner of the U.S. Department of Justice,
202-514-2007
WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 -- The U.S. Department of Justice filed
a civil rights lawsuit against the owners of a Billings, Mont.,
apartment complex today, alleging they engaged in a pattern
and practice of discrimination against American Indians trying
to rent apartments at the property.
The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Billings, alleges
that Donald R. Lee Sr. and Richard E. Lee violated the Federal Fair
Housing Act when they discriminated against prospective American
Indian tenants because of their race, color or national origin.
They allegedly made apartments unavailable to American Indians;
imposed different rental terms and conditions upon American
Indians; offered American Indians different privileges while living
at the property; and told American Indian apartment seekers that no
apartments were available for inspection when in fact apartments
were available.
John R. Dunne, assistant attorney general in charge of the Civil
Rights Division, said, "Because of a long, sad history of
discriminatory treatment of Native-Americans in many areas of this
country, the Civil Rights Division has made a special effort
to combat such discrimination. This lawsuit is a result of those
efforts and with this case, the department reaffirms its commitment
to ensure that all Americans have equal opportunity to secure fair
housing."
The government's complaint seeks monetary damages for any
individuals who may have been the victim of the defendants' alleged
unlawful practices as well as a civil penalty in accordance with
the Federal Fair Housing Act.
The complaint also seeks injunctive relief that would prohibit
the defendants from discriminating in the future on the basis of
race, color and national origin. The complaint also asks that the
apartment owners be required to notify the public that its
apartments are available on an equal opportunity basis.
The lawsuit is based partially on evidence provided by a private
fair housing organization, the Concerned Citizens Coalition of
Great Falls, Mont., and its affiliate in Billings. Testers used by
the coalition uncovered the pattern and practice of discrimination
at Lee Apartments. The testers, individuals with matching
characteristics and credentials other than race, inquired about the
availability and rental terms of apartments. The evidence
indicated that the defendants treated American Indian testers less
favorably than white testers.
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