IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff,
WILLIAM A. MAHER;
WILLIAM A. MAHER,
as next friend for KEVIN MAHER;
PEARL L. SHORTER; and
MARTIN J. BARNDS,
Plaintiff-Intervenors,
vs. Case No. CIV 02-1181 WJ/ACT
FAIR PLAZA ASSOCIATES;
JOHN J. McMULLAN, in his
individual capacity and d/b/a
JOHN J. McMULLAN, REALTOR;
BESSIE GUTIERREZ; NANCY FOWLER;
and FAYE CROW,
Defendants.
CONSENT ORDER
- The United States initiated this action on September 19, 2002 pursuant to Section 814 of
the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. §3614, alleging that the Defendants, Fair Plaza Associates; John
McMullan; John McMullan d/b/a John J. McMullan, Realtor; Bessie Gutierrez; Nancy Fowler; and
Faye Crow (collectively, "Defendants"), discriminated based on race or color and familial status in the
rental of apartments. At all times relevant to this case, Defendants were the owners and/or managers of
multifamily residential rental properties totaling approximately 389 dwelling units in twelve apartment
complexes in Albuquerque, New Mexico: Fair Plaza Apartments; Casa Del Rey Norte, Sur & Oeste;
La Hacienda Norte, Sur & Este; Playa Del Sol Apartments; Whitehouse Apartments; Graceland
Apartments; and El Pueblo and El Pueblo II Apartments (hereinafter referred to as "McMullan
Defendants Apartment Complexes").
- The United States conducted an investigation including testing. The United States alleges
that testing involves the use of paired individuals with similar characteristics except for race or color or
familial status who inquire about the availability of rentals. The Unites States alleges that the
investigation and testing revealed a pattern or practice of housing discrimination based on race or color
and familial status.
- The United States' Complaint alleges that Defendants engaged in a pattern or practice of
discrimination in violation of the Fair Housing Act by refusing to rent or negotiate for, or otherwise
making unavailable or denying, dwellings to persons on the basis of race or color and familial status, in
violation of 42 U.S.C. §3604(a). The Complaint also alleges that Defendants discriminated against
complainants and others in the terms, conditions, or privileges of rental on the basis of race or color and
familial status in violation of 42 U.S.C. §3604(b), and made or caused to be made statements with
respect to the rental of a dwelling that indicate a preference, limitation or discrimination because of race
or color and familial status, in violation of 42 U.S.C. §3604(c). The Complaint further alleges that
Defendants represented to the aggrieved persons and others, because of their race or color and/or
familial status, that dwellings were not available for inspection or rental when such dwellings were in fact
so available, in violation of 42 U.S.C. §3604(d). Defendants deny these allegations.
- The Defendants and the United States desire to avoid costly and protracted litigation and
agree that the controversy should be resolved without an evidentiary hearing. Therefore, without a trial,
the parties have consented to entry of this Order, as indicated by the signatures appearing below.
Accordingly, the Court ORDERS, ADJUDGES, and DECREES that:
I. INJUNCTION
- Defendants, their employees, agents, and all those acting in concert or participation with
them, are hereby enjoined from:
- Refusing to rent a dwelling, refusing or failing to provide or offer information about a
dwelling, or otherwise making unavailable or denying a dwelling to persons because of race, color, or
familial status;
- Discriminating against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of rental or sale of a
dwelling or in the provision of services or facilities in connection therewith, because of race, color, or
familial status;
- Making, printing, publishing, or causing to be made, printed or published, any notice,
statement, or advertisement with respect to the rental, sale, or ownership of a dwelling that indicates
any preference, limitation, or discrimination on the basis of race, color, or familial status;
- Representing to any person because of race, color, or familial status that any dwelling is not
available for inspection, sale, or rental when such dwelling is, in fact, so available.
II. AFFIRMATIVE RELIEF
- Application and Tenancy Procedures: Defendants, including their representatives,
employees, and agents, shall comply with the procedures in paragraphs 7 through 14 with respect to
the rental of dwellings in the McMullan Defendants Apartment Complexes to ensure compliance with
the Fair Housing Act and to ensure that all these dwellings are made available for rent on an equal basis
and on the same terms and conditions for all persons.
- Uniform and Nondiscriminatory Procedures: Defendants shall implement objective, written
Uniform and Nondiscriminatory Procedures for receiving, handling, processing, rejecting and approving
rental inquiries and applications made in-person, by telephone, or by other means. Such written
Uniform and Nondiscriminatory Procedures shall be submitted to the United States for approval in
advance of their implementation.
- Availability Lists: Defendants shall maintain current, accurate lists of all dwellings available or
expected to be available for rental within the next thirty (30) days ("Availability Lists"), which include
for each dwelling:
- The address, apartment number, and number of bedrooms;
- Whether the apartment is vacant and, if not, the date that the apartment is scheduled to be
vacant;
- Whether the apartment is available to be moved into and, if not, the date that it is expected
to be available for move-in;
- Whether the apartment is available to be shown to the public; and
- The proposed monthly rent.
Each Availability list shall be specific for each apartment complex, be updated at least weekly and shall
bear the date it was issued or updated at the top.
- Guest Cards: Defendants shall maintain Guest Cards and request all persons who visit or
inquire about the McMullan Defendants Apartment Complexes to fill out a Guest Card providing the
date of the visit, the visitor's name, address, daytime and evening telephone numbers, children under 18
expected to occupy the dwelling, and date by which they wish to move. Defendants shall note on the
Guest Card the dwelling units the person was shown and whether the person was given an application.
The Guest Card shall contain a space in which the visitor may voluntarily note his or her race and
national origin. Should a visitor not fill in this space, the defendants shall fill it in based on the good faith
observations of an employee or agent. The top portion of the Guest Card shall contain the following
disclaimer: "The following information is requested to assist this apartment complex in complying with
the federal Fair Housing Act and will be kept confidential. Providing your race is voluntary and this
information is not required in order to rent an apartment."
- Rental Application Log: Defendants shall maintain a Rental Application Log on a daily
basis that sets forth the name and race (based on the employee's or agent's good faith observation) of
the applicant, whether the application for tenancy was approved or rejected, the building and unit
number occupied for all approved applicants, and, for all rejected applications, a complete explanation
of the reason for the denial. The Rental Application Log shall be similar to that attached hereto as
Attachment A.
- Information provided to prospective applicants: Defendants shall inform all persons who
inquire about renting dwellings of all types of units currently available for rent and any types of units
which are reasonably likely to be available during the time frame requested by the person making
inquiry. For units of the same type, Defendants shall inform inquirers of differing locations and features.
Defendants shall also provide accurate information about the lease term and rental rate of each unit
which is currently available for rent, as well as any security deposits or other fees required to reserve or
lease the apartment. Defendants shall advise all persons who inquire about renting a dwelling that they
may fill out an application and/or be put on a waiting list, which shall be maintained pursuant to
Paragraph 13 below, of this Section.
- Rental Applications: Defendants shall write legibly on each rental application filled out by a
prospective tenant the month, day, year, and time that Defendants received the application. Defendants
shall process the applications in the order in which they were received and offer to lease dwellings to
qualified applicants based on the order in which the applications were received. To the extent
Defendants reject any application, Defendants shall provide, either on the application or on an
attachment to the application, a written explanation why the applicant was determined ineligible for
tenancy, including all reasons therefor.
Defendants shall permit all persons who inquire about renting a
dwelling unit the opportunity to complete a written rental application and/or to be placed on a Waiting
List.
- Waiting Lists: Defendants shall maintain a Waiting List of all prospective applicants who
wish to be placed on such a list in chronological order by date and, if possible, time of inquiry. For all
prospective applicants, the Waiting List shall state their name, current address, daytime and evening
telephone number, the number of intended occupants, and a description of the dwelling desired (e.g.
number of bedrooms, monthly rent, location or other). When Defendants become aware of any current
or future vacancy at a dwelling owned or managed by them, they shall make a reasonable attempt to
contact persons from the Waiting List, in chronological order, before making that dwelling available to
any other person. Defendants shall indicate on the Waiting List, for each prospective applicant, their
name, date placed on the list, the date(s) and time(s) of attempted or actual communication regarding
the availability of a dwelling and the nature of the communication (e.g. telephone call, letter, or other)
and the result of all such communications. Defendants may purge individuals on the Waiting List after
such individual has been on the list for 90 days.
- Occupancy Limits: Defendants currently limit occupancy to three (3) persons for each one
bedroom apartment. While Defendants may limit the size of households to three persons per bedroom,
Defendants shall not otherwise restrict households from renting dwellings at the McMullan Defendants
Apartment Complexes based on familial status. Defendants shall not maintain individual apartments,
floors, buildings, or complexes as "Adult Only" or in any way limit families with children from renting
any dwelling at the McMullan Defendants Apartment Complexes. If Defendants wish to adopt any
policy or standard more restrictive than outlined above, a copy of any such proposed policy or
standard shall first be submitted to counsel for the United States for approval. (1) Moreover, no
occupancy policy, standard or restriction shall be more restrictive than such allowed by the United
States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Housing
Enforcement--Occupancy Standards Notice of Statement of Policy, 63 FR 70256 (Dec. 18, 1998).
III. TRAINING
- Within ninety (90) days after the entry of this Order (if they have not done so already
within one year of this Order), Defendants and all agents or employees of Defendants who have
responsibility for showing, renting, or managing dwellings at the McMullan Defendants Apartment
Complexes and each agent or employee who supervises such activities, shall attend and complete a fair
housing training program to be conducted by the Fair Housing Center of New Mexico Legal Aid or any
other educational service, agreeable to both Defendants and the United States, at Defendants' expense.
- The individuals trained shall verify their attendance at the training in writing.
- The training shall include the following:
- Informing each individual of his or her duties and obligations under this Order as well as
under the Fair Housing Act;
- Furnishing to each individual a copy of this Order, Defendants' written Uniform and Non-discriminatory Procedures and the Fair Housing Act;
- Informing each individual of procedures to ensure that the race, color, familial status, or
other protected status of a prospective renter does not influence the process of providing rental
information to persons who make inquiries or the process of making decisions on rental applications;
and
- Securing a signed certification in the form of the statement attached hereto as Attachment
B, from each such individual indicating that he or she has received, read, and understood this Order and
Defendants' written Uniform and Non-discriminatory Procedures.
- During the period in which this Order is in effect, within five (5) days of commencing an
employment or agency relationship, all new agents or employees of Defendants who have responsibility
for showing, renting, or managing dwellings at the McMullan Defendants Apartment Complexes and/or
supervising such activities, shall be given a copy of the Defendants' written Uniform and Non-discriminatory Procedures and this Consent Order and be required to sign the statement appearing at
Attachment B.
IV. NOTIFICATION TO TENANTS
- Defendants shall:
- Provide each current tenant, within thirty (30) days of the entry of this Order, and each new
tenant, within five (5) days of the commencement of his or her tenancy, and provide each prospective
applicant, with Defendants' written Uniform and Non-discriminatory Procedures, and a copy of the
HUD booklet, entitled Fair Housing Is Your Right!, HUD Form 903.1, in English and Spanish; and
- Post and prominently display a full size HUD fair housing poster, HUD Form 928.1, in a
conspicuous location in or near the rental office or apartment or other location used as a rental office at
each of the McMullan Defendants Apartment Complexes within thirty (30) days of the date of this
Order.
V. ADVERTISING
- Defendants shall include the words "Equal Housing Opportunity" and/or the fair housing
logo in all advertising (e.g., whether in newspapers, telephone directories, or other written materials; on
radio, television or other media broadcasts; and on all billboards, signs, pamphlets, brochures and other
promotional literature) produced by or for Defendants and/or their agents, or employees in relation to
the dwellings at the McMullan Defendants Apartment Complexes. The words and/or logo shall be
prominently placed and easily readable.
- Defendants shall include the following phrase on all rental applications, guest cards, leases,
rules, procedures, regulations, posters, and brochures using type size of at least equal size to that of the
text in the body of the document:
We are an equal housing opportunity provider. We do not discriminate
on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, handicap or
familial status (having children under age 18).
The phrase shall be prominently placed and easily legible.
VI. TESTING
- The United States may take steps to monitor Defendants' compliance with this Order
including, but not limited to, conducting fair housing tests at any dwelling in which any Defendant, now
or in the future, has a direct or indirect ownership, management, or financial interest to deter and detect
future acts of unlawful housing discrimination and to determine whether the Defendants are violating any
part of this Order.
VII. RECORD KEEPING
- Beginning thirty (30) days after entry of this Order and continuing for the duration of this
Order, Defendants shall preserve and maintain all records which are the source of, contain, or relate to
any information pertinent to their obligations under this Order, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Availability Lists;
- Guest Cards;
- Rental Application Logs;
- Waiting Lists;
- Applications;
- Leases;
- Non-discriminatory procedures;
- Tenant rules and regulations;
- Rental ledgers; and
- Any other information related to any inquiries regarding the availability of any dwellings at
the McMullan Defendants Apartment Complexes, and the persons who made these inquiries.
VIII. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
- Within one-hundred-twenty (120) days of the entry of this Order, Defendants shall submit
- All written verifications of the training conducted pursuant to the requirements set forth
above;
- Copies of all signed certifications of attendance at training(s) conducted pursuant to the
terms enumerated above;
- Copies of the signed and initialed Employee Fair Housing Acknowledgment Form from
Defendants and their employees and agents avowing that each understands this Order and Defendants'
written Uniform and Non-discriminatory Procedures (see Attachment B);
- A photograph of all the rental offices or apartments used as rental offices at the McMullan
Defendants Apartment Complexes, which verify that the Fair Housing Poster is being displayed as
required by the terms enumerated above;
- Representative copies of the applications, leases, brochures and other materials prepared
pursuant to the requirements of the terms enumerated above;
- Representative copies of any existing tenant rules and regulations; and
- Written verification that the Notice to Tenants has been distributed as required by the terms
enumerated above.
- Beginning six (6) months after the entry of this Order, and every six (6) months thereafter
for the duration of this Order, Defendants shall deliver to counsel for the United States a report
covering the preceding six months and containing the following information:
- All written verifications of the training conducted pursuant to the requirements enumerated
above;
- Copies of all signed certifications of attendance at training(s) conducted pursuant to the
requirements enumerated above;
- Copies of the signed and initialed Employee Fair Housing Acknowledgment Form from
Defendants and their employees and agents avowing that each understands this Order and Defendants'
written Uniform and Non-discriminatory Procedures (see Attachment B);
- A report, in summary form, of the number of households moving into dwellings at the
McMullan Defendants Apartment Complexes during the reporting period and the number of those, if
any, which included African-Americans and/or children under the age of eighteen (based upon the
identification described above);
- Copies of any advertisements or listings published or circulated by Defendants regarding
the dwellings at the McMullan Defendants Apartment Complexes during the reporting period and
including the name of the publication and the publication date.
- Defendants shall also advise counsel for the United States, in writing, within thirty (30)
days, of receipt of any complaint, whether written, oral, or in any other form, against Defendants, or
against any of Defendants' employees, agents or residential rental properties or dwellings, regarding any
type of discrimination based on race, color, and familial status. This notification shall include a copy of
the complaint, full details of the complaint, any action taken by Defendants, the complainant's name,
address, and telephone number, and shall be accompanied by all pertinent documents. The Defendants
shall also advise counsel for the United States, in writing, within fifteen (15) days of the resolution of any
complaint.
IX. INSPECTIONS
- During the term of this Order, representatives of the United States shall be permitted, upon
providing reasonable notice to Defendants, to inspect and copy at reasonable times any and all records
related to the rental of dwellings at the McMullan Defendants Apartment Complexes or related to
Defendants' obligations under this Order.
X. MONETARY RELIEF
- Compensation for Identified Aggrieved Persons
- Within 14 days from the date of this Order, Defendants shall issue a check or money order
for the sum of four thousand dollars ($4,000) payable to New Mexico Legal Aid Trust Account for
Martin Barnds. They shall deliver the check or money order to counsel for the United States. The
United States shall not deliver the check or money order to Mr. Barnds until it receives from him an
executed release of claims, attached hereto as Attachment C. The United States shall forward the
executed release to Defendants immediately upon receiving it.
- Within 14 days from the date of this Order, Defendants shall issue a check or money order
for the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) payable to New Mexico Legal Aid Trust Account for
Pearl Shorter. They shall deliver the check or money order to counsel for the United States. The
United States shall not deliver the check or money order to Ms. Shorter until it receives from her an
executed release of claims, attached hereto as Attachment C. The United States shall forward the
executed release to Defendants immediately upon receiving it.
- Within 14 days from the date of this Order, Defendants shall issue a check or money order
for the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) payable to New Mexico Legal Aid Trust Account for
William Maher. They shall deliver the check or money order to counsel for the United States. The
United States shall not deliver the check or money order to Mr. Maher until it receives from him an
executed release of claims, attached hereto as Attachment C. The United States shall forward the
executed release to Defendants immediately upon receiving it.
- Within 14 days from the date of this Order, Defendants shall issue a check or money order
for the sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000) payable to New Mexico Legal Aid Trust Account for
William Maher, as parent and next friend for Kevin Maher, a minor. They shall deliver the check or
money order to counsel for the United States. The United States shall not deliver the check or money
order to Mr. Maher, as parent and next friend for Kevin Maher, a minor, until it receives from him an
executed release of claims, attached hereto as Attachment C, and the settlement is approved by the
United States District Court for the District of New Mexico. The United States shall forward the
executed release to Defendants immediately upon receiving it. All funds paid on behalf of Kevin
Maher, a minor, shall be held in trust by his parent and next friend, William Maher, until the age of
majority. By entering this Order, the Court hereby approves the settlement of this case on behalf of
Kevin Maher, a minor.
- Within 14 days from the date of this Order, Defendants shall issue a check or money order
for the sum of four thousand dollars ($4,000) payable to the Fair Housing Center of New Mexico
Legal Aid. They shall deliver the check or money order to counsel for the United States. The United
States shall not deliver the check or money order to the Fair Housing Center of New Mexico Legal Aid
until it receives from it an executed release of claims, attached hereto as Attachment C. The United
States shall forward the executed release to defendants immediately upon receiving it.
- Establishment of Monetary Fund
- Within fourteen (14) business days after entry of this Order, Defendants shall deposit the
sum of eighty-five thousand dollars ($85,000) in an interest-bearing account for the purpose of
compensating any other aggrieved persons who may have been the victims of the alleged discriminatory
housing practices at dwellings at the McMullan Defendants Apartment Complexes, and who will be
identified through the procedures set forth in this Section. Within thirty (30) days of the date of filing of
this Consent Order with the Clerk of the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico,
the Defendants shall submit proof to the United States that the account has been established and the
funds deposited.
- Identification of Victims
- At least once each week during the thirty (30) days following the date of entry of this
Consent Order, including on at least two Sundays in the Albuquerque Journal, Defendants shall arrange
for and publish a Notice to Potential Victims of Housing Discrimination ("Notice") as follows: Each
Notice shall appear in the news sections of the Albuquerque Journal and the Albuquerque Tribune and
shall be at least an eighth of a page. The text of this notice shall be as set forth in Attachment D.
Defendants shall provide a copy of the newspaper containing each such Notice to counsel for the
United States within three (3) days after publication of the Notice. Defendants shall notify counsel for
the United States, in writing, of the date on which the last such notice was published, within five (5)
days of its publication.
- Defendants shall produce or permit representatives of the United States to review any
rental/tenancy records pertaining to rental dwellings at the McMullan Defendants Apartment
Complexes that are in the possession or control of the Defendants, their agents or employees, upon
notice to Defendants' counsel, which the United States believes would be useful in identifying persons
who may be entitled to relief under this Order. Upon reasonable notice, the Defendants shall provide
such rental/tenancy records or shall permit representatives of the United States to receive copies of
such rental/tenancy records through Defendants' counsel or, alternatively, to make such an inspection of
rental/tenancy records on any business day.
- Individuals claiming to be aggrieved persons shall have ninety (90) days from the date of
the last published Notice within which to contact the United States to assert any claims in connection
with this Order.
- Within one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of the last published Notice, the
United States, after investigation, shall make a preliminary determination of which persons, from among
those who have contacted the United States pursuant to the procedures described above or those
whom the United States has identified through other means, are likely to have been aggrieved victims of
discriminatory housing practices by the Defendants and an appropriate amount of damages that should
be paid to each such person.
- The United States will inform Defendants in writing of its preliminary determinations within
thirty (30) days of such determinations, together with a copy of a sworn declaration from each
aggrieved person setting forth the factual basis of the claim. Defendants shall have thirty (30) days to
review the declaration and provide to the United States any documents or information that they believe
may refute the claim.
- After receiving Defendants' comments, the United States shall submit its final
recommendations to the Court for approval, together with a copy of the declarations and any additional
information submitted by Defendants. When the Court issues an order approving or changing the
United States' proposed distribution of funds for aggrieved persons, Defendants shall, within ten (10)
days of the Court's order, deliver to the United States checks payable to the aggrieved persons in the
amounts approved by the Court. Counsel for the United States shall not forward an aggrieved
person's check until the United States has received that person's executed release of claims form, a
copy of which shall be provided to Defendants.
- No aggrieved person shall be paid pursuant to this Section until after execution of a written
release, Attachment C, of all claims, legal or equitable, that he or she might have against the Defendants
relating to the claims asserted in this lawsuit.
- The total amount to be paid by the Defendants pursuant to this Section shall not exceed the
account established under paragraph 29 above, of this Section.
- In the event that less than the total amount in the Monetary Fund, including interest, if any, is
distributed to aggrieved persons, the Court shall distribute the remainder in a manner consistent with the
purposes of this Consent Order and the Fair Housing Act. Defendants shall make a proposal to the
Court regarding distribution of the remainder of the fund for purposes consistent with this Consent
Order and the Fair Housing Act. When the Court issues an order concerning the proposed distribution
of funds, Defendants shall issue check(s) within ten (10) days of the Court's determination in the
amount(s) set forth in the Order to the United States for distribution in accordance with the terms of the
Court's order.
- Civil Penalty
- In order to vindicate the public interest, Defendants shall also pay the United States the sum
of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to constitute a civil penalty pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §3614(d)(1)(C).
Within thirty (30) days following the entry of this Order, Defendants shall send a check made payable
to the United States Treasury in said amount.
XI. JURISDICTION AND SCOPE OF ORDER
- The parties stipulate and the Court finds that the Court has personal jurisdiction over the
Defendants for purposes of this Civil Action, and subject matter jurisdiction over the claims in this Civil
Action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1345 and 42 U.S.C. §3614(a).
- This Consent Order shall remain in effect for a period of three (3) years from the date the
Court enters this Consent Order. The Court shall retain jurisdiction for the duration of this Consent
Order to enforce the terms of the Order, after which time the case shall be dismissed with prejudice.
- The provisions of this Order shall apply to Defendants, their employees, agents, anyone
acting under their direction, and all those acting in concert or participation with any of them. The
provisions of this Order shall not apply to any subsequent purchasers of any of the apartment
complexes so long as the sale is an arms length transaction to a purchaser who has no current financial,
managerial, or family relationship to any of the Defendants.
- The provisions of this Order shall apply to the dwellings at the McMullan Defendants
Apartment Complexes.
- The parties may mutually agree to extend the time periods set out in this Order for any
required action.
- The United States may move the Court to extend the period in which this Order is in effect
if it determines that it is likely that Defendants have violated one or more terms of this Order or if the
interests of justice otherwise require an extension of the terms of this Order.
- The parties to this Order shall endeavor in good faith to resolve informally any differences
regarding interpretation of and compliance with this Order prior to bringing such matters to the Court
for resolution.
- Each party shall bear its own costs and attorney's fees associated with this litigation.
ORDERED this ___ day of _____________, 2004.
_________________________________
HONORABLE WILLIAM P. JOHNSON
United States District Court Judge
APPROVED:
For the United States:
R. ALEXANDER ACOSTA
Assistant Attorney General
Civil Rights Division |
DAVID IGLESIAS
United States Attorney |
STEVEN H. ROSENBAUM
Chief
Housing and Civil Enforcement Section |
_______________________________
JEANINE M. WORDEN
Deputy Chief
KEVIN J. KIJEWSKI
SUSAN BUCKINGHAM REILLY
Trial Attorneys
Housing & Civil Enforcement Section
Civil Rights Division
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. - G St
Washington, DC 20530
(202) 305-2913 |
_______________________________
ELIZABETH MARTINEZ
Assistant United States
Attorney
P.O. Box 607
Albuquerque, NM 87103
(505) 346-7274 |
For William A. Maher, William A.
Maher as Parent and Next Friend of
Kevin Maher, a minor, Pearl L. Shorter,
Martin Barnds and Fair Housing Center
of New Mexico Legal Aid: |
For the Defendants:
Butt Thornton & Baehr PC |
NEW MEXICO LEGAL AID ______________________________
RICHARD WEINER
Staff Attorney
P.O. Box 25486
Albuquerque, NM 87125-5486
(505) 243-7871 |
_________________________________
JAMES H. JOHANSEN
S. CAROLYN RAMOS
P.O. Box 3710
Albuquerque, NM 87190
(505) 884-0777 |
Attachment A
RENTAL APPLICATION LOG
All information collected regarding race, national origin and familial status is being done
pursuant to a Consent Order entered to resolve claims of race, color, and familial status
discrimination in the rental of apartments. Please print clearly.
To be Completed by Management Personnel: Today's Date: _______________________
Name Prospective Tenant: _____________________________________________________
Current Address: ____________________________________________________________
City / State / Zip Code: _______________________________________________________
Home Telephone Number: ____________________________________________________
Alternate Telephone Number: _________________________________________________
Race/National Origin (please circle): Black/Non-Hispanic; Black/Hispanic; White; Hispanic/Non-Black; Other(including Native American and Asian) __________________
Number of Children in household less than 18 years of age: __________________
Number of total persons in household: _________________
Unit Size Required: _____ bedrooms (optional)
Other Requirements (please specify): ______________________________________________
Date of Application (if applicable): ______________
Was Applicant Placed on a Waiting List? YES / NO
Was Applicant Accepted for Tenancy? YES / NO
If Yes, Date Lease Will Begin: __________ If No, Reason for Rejection:
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Notes:
_________________________________________________________
Attachment B
EMPLOYEE FAIR HOUSING ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM
I hereby acknowledge that I have received from my employer, Fair Plaza Associates, John McMullan,
and/or John McMullan d/b/a John J. McMullan, Realtor, and have read a Uniform and
Non-Discriminatory Procedure Notice and the Consent Order entered in United States v. Fair Plaza
Associates, et al., United States District Court, District of New Mexico, Case No. CIV 02-1181
WJ/ACT. This Notice and Consent Order were explained to me by my employer and all my questions
were answered concerning it.
______________________________
DATE
______________________________
EMPLOYEE/AGENT NAME (PRINT)
______________________________
EMPLOYEE/AGENT SIGNATURE
Attachment C
FULL AND FINAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS
I, _______________________, on behalf of myself and family members, agents, heirs, executors,
administrators, successors and assigns, pursuant to the terms, provisions, and conditions of the Consent
Order approved by the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico
on_____________________, 2004 in the case of United States v. Fair Plaza Associates, et al., Case
No. CIV 02-1181 WJ/ACT ("lawsuit") and in consideration of the payment of _______________ do
fully, finally and forever release, discharge, and hold harmless Fair Plaza Associates, John McMullan,
John McMullan d/b/a John J. McMullan, Realtor, Bessie Gutierrez, Nancy Fowler, and Faye Crow
(hereinafter "Defendants"), along with their insurers, attorneys, related companies, principals,
predecessors, successors, assigns, affiliates, partners, directors, officers, agents, employers,
shareholders, subsidiaries, employees, former employees, heirs, executors, and administrators and any
persons acting under their respective direction or control (hereinafter "Releasees"), from any and all fair
housing claims set forth, or which could have been set forth, in the Complaint in this lawsuit that I may
have against Defendants or any of the Releasees for any of Defendants' actions or statements related to
those claims through the date of this Consent Order, including claims for damages (both compensatory
and punitive), costs, fines and attorneys' fees.
I affirm that the only consideration for signing this Full and Final Release of Claims are the terms stated
in the Consent Order signed by the parties, and the monetary payment referenced above. I have
accepted the terms of this Release and the Consent Order. This Release and the Consent Order
contain and constitute the entire understanding and agreement between the parties.
______________________________
DATE
______________________________
NAME (PRINT)
_______________________________
SIGNATURE
Attachment D
NOTICE TO POTENTIAL VICTIMS OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION AT RENTAL
PROPERTIES IN THE ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO AREA
GRACELAND PLAZA APARTMENTS
EL PUEBLO APARTMENTS (6020 KATHRYN SE)
EL PUEBLO II APARTMENTS (6021 ANDERSON SE)
PLAYA DEL SOL APARTMENTS
WHITE HOUSE APARTMENTS
FAIR PLAZA APARTMENTS
CASA DEL REY SUR APARTMENTS
CASA DEL REY NORTE APARTMENTS
CASA DEL REY OESTE APARTMENTS
LA HACIENDA SUR APARTMENTS
LA HACIENDA NORTE APARTMENTS
LA HACIENDA ESTE APARTMENTS
On _________________, 2004, the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico
entered a Consent Order resolving a housing discrimination lawsuit brought by the United States against
the rental properties listed above. The lawsuit alleges that these rental properties engaged in a pattern
or practice of housing discrimination based on race or color and familial status (having children under
18 years of age in a family or being pregnant) in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act in
Albuquerque, New Mexico. The parties against whom these allegations are made deny such
allegations.
Under the Court Order, a Monetary Fund is being established to identify and compensate people
whose civil rights were violated by one or more of the rental properties listed above. You may be
qualified to recover from this Monetary Fund if you asked about renting, applied to rent, or lived in a
dwelling owned or managed by any of the rental properties listed above, and:
- You were denied an opportunity to rent a house, apartment unit, or mobile home
because of your race or color or familial status (having children under 18 years of age in
your household or being pregnant), or the race or color or familial status of someone
who would be living with you; or
- You were not informed about, or offered, all available houses, apartment units, or
mobile homes because of your race or color or familial status (having children under 18
years of age in your household or being pregnant), or the race or color or familial status
of someone who would be living with you; or
- You were otherwise discriminated against on the basis of race or color or familial status
(having children under 18 years of age in your household or being pregnant) in
connection with your tenancy at any of the rental properties listed above, or your
attempt to rent a unit at any of the rental properties listed above.
If you believe you have been discriminated against by any of the rental properties listed above
because of your race or color or familial status (having children under 18 years of age in a
family or being pregnant), and if you believe you are consequently entitled to a share of the
Monetary Fund, please contact the United States Department of Justice at:
1-800-896-7743
leave message in mailbox 996
You may also write to:
United States Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
Housing and Civil Enforcement Section
950 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. -G St
Washington, DC 20530
You must call or write on or before [no more than 90 days after ______________, 2004,] and
your message or letter must include your name, address, and at least TWO telephone numbers where you may be reached.
1.
Notice shall be sent to the following address: Steven H. Rosenbaum, Chief, Housing and Civil Enforcement Section,
Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW - G Street, Washington, D.C.
20530.
Document Entered: February 5, 2004.