Aug 14, 2008 8:47 pm US/Eastern
Feds Claims Discrimination At Davie Apartments
DAVIE (CBS4) ―
The management company of a South Florida apartment complex has been slapped with a federal lawsuit after allegedly refusing to rent units to African Americans.
C.F. Enterprises, LLC and Don Murroni, who manages the College Square Apartments at 6600 SW 39th Street in Davie, are named in the suit for violations of the Fair Housing Act.
Murroni is accused of not only discouraging African-Americans who wanted to rent units, but also lying to them by saying no apartments were available when there were units available. At the same time he reportedly offered to waive the application fees or other costs for white applicants. The suit claims Murroni also used the absence of African Americans at the College Square Apartments as a selling point to white potential renters.
The Justice Department says their lawsuit is based on evidence generated by Operation Home Sweet Home; a program which is designed to identify and root-out housing discrimination through the Department's Fair Housing Testing Program. Under the program, individuals of varying nationalities and races pose as potential renters to gather information on possible discriminatory practices.
"Federal law prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of ones race and color," said R. Alexander Acosta, U.S. Attorney for the District of Florida. "Today's case sheds light on still-existing illegal rental practices in our community, and confirms our resolve to make housing equally available to all."
The lawsuit seeks an injunction against further discrimination by the management company along with monetary damages for victims and civil penalties to be paid to the United States.
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