Housing and Civil Enforcement Cases

On April 6, 2006, the United Stated entered a Consent Order resolving United States & Rios v. Rapp (E.D. Ark.), a Fair Housing Act election case. The complaint, filed on November 1, 2004, alleged the Defendants violated the Fair Housing Act when they refused to rent a house to an Hispanic family on the basis of national origin. On November 22, 2005, the Court issued an Order denying the Defendants' motion for summary judgment.

Under the consent order, the defendants will pay $15,500 to the three HUD complainants, including Raquel Rios, her adult son and her minor daughter. In addition, the defendants will attend fair housing training, post fair housing notices and submit to standard injunctive relief. The order also states that the United States may conduct fair housing testing at any dwelling in which any defendant, now or in the future, has a direct or indirect ownership, management, or financial interest. This case was handled primarily by the United States Attorney's Office. The consent order will remain in effect for two years.

The case was referred to the Division after the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) received a complaint, conducted an investigation, and issued a charge of discrimination.