Justice Department Settles Allegations Of Sex Discrimination against Knoxville Landlords

The Justice Department today reached an agreement with the owners and managers of several rental properties in Knoxville, Tenn., to resolve allegations of systemic discrimination against female tenants. The settlement, pending approval by the U.S. District Court in Knoxville, will require the defendants to pay a total of $110,000 to nine alleged victims and pay a civil penalty to the government of $15,000.

“Today’s settlement represents another step toward making the American dream a reality for women and families,” said Wan J. Kim, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “I am proud of the Justice Department’s unprecedented efforts in ensuring that those who engage in discrimination based on sex are prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

“My office is committed to strenuously enforcing the Fair Housing Act to protect Americans from housing discrimination,” said James R. Dedrick, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee. “We were pleased to work with the Civil Rights Division in obtaining compensation for victims and protecting vulnerable members of our society from suchdiscrimination in the future.” Read more atusdoj.gov.