United States v. Premiere Holdings, Inc. (D. Nev.)

On February 7, 2023, the court entered a consent order in this Fair Housing Act “election” case.  The complaint, which was filed on February 2, 2023, alleged that the owners and managers of an apartment building in Las Vegas, Nevada violated the Act by refusing to grant a reasonable accommodation to a resident with an assistance animal (a pit bull), and by threatening to “enforce the terms of the lease” if the dog was present on the property.  The complaint named Premiere Holdings, Inc.; Premiere Holdings Residential Division, LLC; Premiere Holdings Residential Division, LLC, Series LV; Lauri Villafane; and Felicia Abdo as defendants.  The consent order requires the defendants to undergo fair housing training, adopt non-discrimination and reasonable accommodation policies, submit periodic reports to the United States, pay $35,000 to compensate the complainants, and vacate a small claims judgment against one complainant.  The case was referred to the Division after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) received a complaint, conducted an investigation, and issued a charge of discrimination.