Housing Section Documents
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF WYOMING
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff,
v.
CA No. 00CV 218B
LARRY BARONE; and
LUCY BARONE,
Defendants.
_______________________________
CONSENT ORDER
On November 17, 2000, the United States commenced this
action on behalf of Wendy A. Sheridan and her minor child Dalton
James Spence ("Complainants"). At all times relevant to this
case, Defendants Larry Barone and Lucy Barone ("Defendants") were
owners of the residential rental property located at 1018 East
24th Street, Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Defendants own several
residential rental properties in Wyoming.
The United States brought its Complaint pursuant to section
812(o) of the Fair Housing Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 3612(o).
The Complaint alleges that the Defendants discriminated against
the Complainants by refusing to rent or negotiate for, or
otherwise making unavailable or denying, a dwelling on the basis
of the Complainants' familial status, in violation of 42 U.S.C. §
3604(a), and by representing, because of the Complainants'
familial status,that a dwelling was not available when such
dwelling was in fact available, in violation of 42 U.S.C. §
3604(d).
Defendants have denied the allegations set forth in the
Complaint. Specifically, they deny that they refused to rent or
negotiate for, or that they otherwise made unavailable or denied,
a dwelling on the basis of the Complainants' familial status.
Defendants further deny that, because of the Complainants'
familial status, they represented that a dwelling was not
available when such dwelling was in fact available.Defendants
deny that they have violated any provision of the Fair Housing
Act.
The parties agree that, in order to conserve time and
expense, the controversy should be resolved without further
litigation. Therefore, without a trial or adjudication on the
merits, and without admission of liability by the Defendants, the
parties have consented to the entry of this Order, as indicated
by the signatures appearing below.
After reviewing the terms of this Order, the Court concludes
that the entry of this Order comports with the Fair Housing Act
and federal law.
Accordingly, it is ORDERED, ADJUDGED, and DECREED that:
Defendants, their employees and agents, and all those acting
in concert or participation with them are hereby enjoined from:
- Refusing to rent a dwelling unit, refusing or failing
to provide or offer information about a dwelling unit, or
otherwise making unavailable or denying a dwelling unit to any
person because of familial status;
- Discriminating against any person in the terms,
conditions, or privileges of renting a dwelling unit, or in the
provision of services or facilities in connection with the rental
of a dwelling unit, because of familial status;
- Making, printing, publishing, or causing to be made,
printed, or published any notice, statement, or advertisement
with respect to the rental of a dwelling unit that states any
preference, limitation, or discrimination on the basis of
familial status;
- Representing to any person because of familial status
that any dwelling unit is not available for inspection or rental
when such dwelling is in fact so available; and
- Engaging in any other discriminatory housing practices
prohibited by 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601-3619.
- TRAINING
- Within sixty (60) days after the entry of this Order,
Defendant Larry Barone, as well as any and all agents or
employees of the Defendants with responsibility for, or who
participated in, showing, renting, or managing dwelling units at
any of the residential properties owned by the Defendants, shall
complete an educational program, to be conducted by an
organization approved by the United States, at Defendants'
expense, that shall include the following:
- Informing each individual of his or her
obligations under this Order as well as under the
federal Fair Housing Act and applicable state
laws;
- Furnishing to each agent or employee whose duties
include showing, renting or managing dwelling
units, and each agent or employee who supervises
such activities, a written non-discrimination
policy under the terms of this Order and the Fair
Housing Act. Said policy is attached to this
Order as Attachment A;
- Instructing each individual on procedures to
ensure that familial status does not enter into
the process of making decisions on rental
applications or that of providing rental
information to persons who make inquiries; and
- Securing the signed statement appearing at
Attachment B from each such agent or employee
indicating that he or she has received, has read,
and understands this Order and the Defendants'
policy of non-discrimination and further
understands that violation of this Order may
result in sanctions against him or her by the
Defendants and/or the Court.
- Effective immediately upon entry of this Order,
Defendant Lucy Barone shall cease performing any management
duties with respect to any residential rental property, whether
owned by her and/or by others. If Defendant Lucy Barone receives
any inquiries about any such residential rental property, she
shall refer those inquiries to her son, Defendant Larry Barone.
- During the period in which this Order is in effect, each
new employee or agentof the Defendants shall review a videotape
and educational materials concerning the requirements of the Fair
Housing Act, approved by the United States, within thirty (30)
days after the date he or she commences employment or an agency
relationship with the Defendants, (1) or within thirty (30) days
after the United States has provided the Defendants with such
written materials and with information about where to obtain such
videotape, whichever is later. During the period in which this
Order is in effect, each new employee or agent of the Defendants
shall sign the statement appearing at Attachment B within thirty
(30) days of commencing such a relationship with the Defendants.
- TENANT FAIR HOUSING AWARENESS
Within thirty (30) days after the entry of this Order, the
Defendants shall provide all current tenants of rental properties
owned by the Defendants with a written notice, conforming with
that set out at Attachment A, indicating that the Defendants
follow a policy of nondiscrimination in housing and that their
occupancy policy contains no restrictions on the rental of units
and the provision of rental services and facilities to families
with children. The Defendants shall retain a copy of this notice
and provide a copy of this notice to the United States.
- REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
- Within thirty (30) days after the entry of this Order,
the Defendants shall deliver to counsel for the United States an
initial report listing the names and ages of all current tenants,
their dates of tenancy, and the respective addresses of the
units;
- Every twelve (12) months after the entry of this Order,
for a period of two (2) years,the Defendants shall deliver to
counsel for the United States a report containing the following
information:
- Copies of all signed statements secured pursuant to Section II.A.3 above;
- An Occupancy Report for all residential rental
units owned by the Defendants. That Report shall
include the dates of tenancy and the names and
ages of all tenants who moved into such units
during the reported period, and the respective
addresses of such units;
- For all prospective tenants who inquire about such
units, whether in person or by telephone: a list
of the name, address and telephone number of each
person inquiring, and the date of each inquiry.
In the event that a particular prospective tenant
refuses to provide his or her name, address, and
telephone number, Defendants shall note the date
of the inquiry, record any information that was
received, and note that the prospective tenant
refused to provide the remainder of the requested
information; and
- For prospective tenants who inquire about such
units in person: a list of the familial status of
each prospective tenant (i.e., whether that
prospective tenant has children), the address of
the unit(s) applied for, whether the prospective
tenant requested to rent the unit, and, if so,
whether the prospective tenant was accepted or
rejected, and, if rejected, the reason for the
rejection. To find out the familial status of a
prospective tenant who has inquired in person, the
Defendants, their agents and employees are to ask
the prospective tenant to fill out the form
included below as Attachment C. The Defendants
are not required to provide such familial status
data for any prospective tenant who refuses to
provide the information requested.
- Defendants shall also advise counsel for the United
States in writing within thirty (30) days of receipt of any
written complaint against the Defendants, or against any of the
Defendants' employees, rental agents, or residential rental
properties, regarding fair housing. This notification shall
include full details of the complaint and any action taken by the
Defendants in response to the complaint, and shall be accompanied
by all pertinent documents. (2)
- With reasonable notice and at a mutually convenient
time, the Defendants shall allow the United States to have access
to any records of the Defendants' properties in order to monitor
the Defendants' compliance with this Consent Order. The United
States shall send any such notice requesting access to Defendant
Larry Barone at his address (3722 Carey Avenue, Cheyenne, WY
82001), as well as to Defendants' current attorney of record
(Harriet M. Hageman, 1822 Warren Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82001).
The United States shall endeavor in good faith to minimize any
inconvenience to the Defendants resulting from inspection of such
records.
- The Defendants shall maintain all records related to
the operation of their rental units throughout the time period
covered by this Consent Order. Such documents shall include, but
not be limited to, advertisements, applications, leases, tenant
files, policies and procedures, a log of the names, addresses and
telephone numbers of all persons making inquiries and the
familial status of all persons making inquiries in person, as
well as all other documents or records that refer or relate in
any way to the rental dwelling units owned by the Defendants.
- Within thirty (30) days following the entry of this
Order, Defendants shall pay a total of five thousand dollars
($5,000.00) to Wendy A. Sheridan and her minor child Dalton James
Spence in consideration for the full and final settlement of this
claim as payment of damages pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 3612(o)(3).
Defendants shall make the following monetary disbursements, by
certified check:
- Two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00)
payable to "Wendy A. Sheridan"; and
- Two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00)
payable to "Dalton James Spence."
All disbursements shall be sent by certified mail to the United
States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Housing and
Civil Enforcement Section, Chief, DJ 175-87-16, Post Office Box
65998, Washington, DC 20035-5998.
- Wendy A. Sheridan, on behalf of herself and her minor
child Dalton James Spence, shall execute a release, attached to
this Order as Attachment D, prior to receiving compensation under
this Order. A copy of that release containing the required
signatures shall be sent by facsimile to Harriet M. Hageman at
fax number (307) 632-5111. A copy of the original release will
be sent to Defendants upon the United States' receipt of the
monies as described in Section IV.C below.
- Upon receipt of both the monies described in Section
IV.A above and the release described in Section IV.B above, the
United States shall forward the monies to Wendy A. Sheridan and
Dalton James Spence, and shall forward the release to Defendants.
- DISMISSAL AND ENFORCEMENT
- This Order shall remain in effect for twenty-seven (27)
months from the date of its entry or three (3) months after the
final Occupancy Report required in Section II.C.2 is received by
the United States, whichever is later. This Court shall retain
jurisdiction of this action for purposes of enforcing this Order.
- The provisions of this Order shall apply to the
Defendants, their employees and agents, anyone acting under their
direction, and all those acting in concert or participation with
any of them.
- The provisions of this Order, except Section IV, which
provides for monetary relief, shall apply to all rental
properties that are owned and/or managed in whole or in part by
the Defendants.
- 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 the
Defendants have likely violated one or more terms of the Order or
if the interests of justice otherwise require an extension of the
terms of the 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. However, in the event that the
Defendants either fail to perform in a timely manner any act
required by this Order or act in violation of any provision of
this Order, the United States may move the Court to impose any
remedy authorized by law or equity, including, but not limited
to, an order requiring performance or non-performance of certain
acts and an award of any damages, costs, and attorney's fees that
may have been occasioned by the Defendants' non-action or
actions.
- The above-captioned Complaint is dismissed with prejudice.
ORDERED this ____ day of __________________, 2001.
____________________________
CLARENCE A. BRIMMER
United States District Judge
For the United States:
WILLIAM R. YEOMANS
Acting Assistant Attorney General
ISABELLE M. THABAULT
Deputy Chief
DEBORAH A. GITIN
Trial Attorney
Housing and Civil Enforcement Section
Civil Rights Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 65998
Washington, DC 20035-5998
Tel: (202) 305-2020
Fax: (202) 514-1116
JOHN R. GREEN
Interim United States Attorney
CAROL A. STATKUS
Assistant United States Attorney
2120 Capitol Ave., Rm. 4002
Cheyenne, WY 82001
Tel: (307) 772-2124
Fax: (307) 772-2907
For the Defendants:
LARRY BARONE, Defendant
3722 Carey Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82001
LUCY BARONE, Defendant
3722 Carey Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82001
HARRIET M. HAGEMAN
Attorney for Defendants
Hageman & Brighton
1822 Warren Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82001
Tel: (307) 635-4888
Fax: (307) 632-5111
ATTACHMENT A
- NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
It is the policy of Larry Barone and Lucy Barone ("the
Barones") not to discriminate against anyone in any aspect of the
rental of dwellings because of race, color, national origin, sex,
handicap, familial status or religion. This policy means, among
other things, that all agents or employees of the Barones with
the responsibility for showing, renting, or managing any dwelling
unit(s) owned by the Barones must:
- treat all qualified applicants equally regardless of
race, color, sex, national origin, religion, handicap
or familial status; and
- allow qualified families with children to apply for and
to reside in any residential rental property owned by
the Barones.
Any employee or agent of the Barones with the responsibility
for showing, renting, or managing any dwelling unit(s) owned by
the Barones who does not comply with the policy set forth in this
document may be subject to disciplinary action, termination of
employment, and/or federal court sanctions.
The term "familial status" means one or more individuals
(who have not attained the age of 18 years) being domiciled with:
- a parent or another person having legal custody of such
individual or individuals; or
- the designee of such parent or the person having such
custody, with the written permission of such parent or
another person.
The protections afforded against discrimination on the basis of
familial status shall apply to any person who is pregnant or is
in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who
has not attained the age of 18 years.
ATTACHMENT B
On ____________________, 200__, I reviewed the videotape and
materials concerning the requirements of the Fair Housing Act
that were given to me by Larry Barone. In addition, I was
instructed by Larry Barone with respect to my responsibilities
under the Order entered by the federal district court in United
States v. Larry Barone and Lucy Barone, Civil Action No. 00CV
218B (D. Wyo.), the federal Fair Housing Act and applicable state
laws. I also was instructed as to the non-discriminatory rental
policies and procedures. I have received copies of and have read
the Order and the Non-Discrimination Policy. I understand my
legal responsibilities and will comply with those
responsibilities. I understand that the Court may impose
sanctions on me if I violate a provision of the Order and that
Larry Barone may also discipline me if I violate a provision of
the Order. I have been informed by Larry Barone that I will not
be reprimanded by him or his agentsfor providing information to
any law enforcement agency (including the U.S. Department of
Justice, Civil Rights Division, Housing and Civil Enforcement
Section, P.O. Box 65998, Washington, DC 20035-5998, telephone
(202)
514-4713) or official regarding Larry Barone's or his agents'
compliance with the Fair Housing Act and/or the Order.
_______________________
(Date)
_______________________
(Signature)
_______________________
(Print Name)
ATTACHMENT C
INFORMATION REQUEST FOR PROSPECTIVE TENANTS
The following information is requested from prospective
tenants for the purpose of compliance and monitoring under the
federal Fair Housing Act. We are required by the federal
government to request this information; however, your
participation is voluntary.
- Address of rental unit inquired about: ___________________
- Names and ages of all persons who would be living in that
rental unit:
WENDY A. SHERIDAN and her minor child DALTON JAMES SPENCE
for the sole consideration of FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($5,000.00),
the payment of which shall be made in compliance with the terms
of the Order entered on ____________, 2001, in the case of United
States v. Larry Barone and Lucy Barone, Civil Action No. 00CV
218B (D. Wyo.), do, for themselves, their heirs, executors,
administrators and assigns, release and forever discharge Larry
Barone and Lucy Barone, their representatives, employees and
agents, and all other persons, firms, insurers, corporations or
entities from any and all claims, demands, damages, actions or
causes of action on account of or in any way arising out of or
relating to the allegations set forth in United States v. Larry
Barone and Lucy Barone, Civil Action No. 00CV 218B (D. Wyo.),
concerning alleged discrimination on the basis of familial
status.
By signing this Release of Claims, WENDY A. SHERIDAN, for
herself and her minor child DALTON JAMES SPENCE, expressly
settles, waives, and in every other way releases all rights to
any related claims which were or could have been brought in
United States v. Larry Barone and Lucy Barone, Civil Action No.
00CV 218B (D. Wyo.), including any and all claims WENDY A.
SHERIDAN or her minor child DALTON JAMES SPENCE could have
brought had they intervened in that action. By signing this
Release of Claims, WENDY A. SHERIDAN, for herself and for her
minor child DALTON JAMES SPENCE, specifically acknowledges that
she will not again file suit against Defendants with regard to
the incidents alleged in the above-referenced lawsuit.
It is understood and agreed that this settlement is the
compromise of a disputed claim, and that the payment made is not
to be construed as an admission of liability on the part of the
Defendants hereby released; and the Defendants released do not
admit and specifically deny any liability therefor.
It is further understood and agreed that this release
constitutes the entire agreement between the parties; that the
terms of this release are contractual and not a mere recital; and
that the release is binding upon and adheres to the benefit of
the parties jointly and severally, and the executors,
administrators, personal representatives, heirs, and assigns of
each.
The undersigned further declares and represents that no
promise, inducement or agreement not herein expressed has been
made to her.
Pursuant to Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 3-3-108(a), "[a]ny person
under a duty to pay or deliver money or personal property to a
minor for whom no conservator has been appointed may pay not more
than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) per annum or may deliver
property of a value not more than five thousand dollars
($5,000.00) to: . . . (ii) [a]ny person having the care and
custody of the minor with whom the minor resides." WENDY A.
SHERIDAN is the custodial parent of minor child DALTON JAMES
SPENCE, and DALTON JAMES SPENCE resides with WENDY A. SHERIDAN.
As is required by Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 3-3-108 (c) and (d),
WENDY A. SHERIDAN will apply the two thousand five hundred
dollars ($2,500.00) that she is receiving on behalf of DALTON
JAMES SPENCE "to the support, care and education" of DALTON JAMES
SPENCE, and understands that this money "shall not be used as
compensation to [WENDY A. SHERIDAN] except for reimbursement of
out-of-pocket expenses for goods and services necessary for the
minor's support." Id. § 3-3-108(c). WENDY A. SHERIDAN
acknowledges that she must "discharge fully [her] parental duties
of support before reimbursing [her]self for out-of-pocket
expenses as provided under [§ 3-3-108(c)]." Id. § 3-3-108(d).