United States of America v. Adams et al Doc.

3
Case 2:07-cv-02108-RTD Document 3 Filed 10/01/2007 Page 1 of 20

IN TIIE UNITHD STATHSDIS'I'RIC'I'COL]RT

FORTHE WESTERNDISTRTCT OF ARKANSAS
T'ORTSMITH DIVISION

UNITED STATESOF AMERICA.

Plaintifl Honorablc

No.01 .a tt E
Casc

DON ADAMS,
DRENNONG. ADAMS,
LULA MAE COOK,akaLULA MA-E
DILLARD,andA & A INVESTMEN,I.S
d,'trla/PHOENIX VILLAC E
A-PARTMENTS

I)efendants.

CONSENTORDER

I. l'actualand ProcedurfllBtckground

Thel-IniterlStatesinitiatedthis actionon Septenrher

28, 2007,againstDon Adarns,

DrennonG. Aililns, Lula Mac flook (akaLula Mae Dillard) andA & A Invcstfiefltsd/b/a

PhoeuixVillageApartmcnts("Defendants").In its complaint,theUnitetl Statesallegesthat

rlefendants Act, Title vIII of thc (livil RightsAcr of 1988,42 u.s.c.

violatedthc FairHtrusing

$$ 3601g! gg. ("theAct"),on thcbasisof lanrilialstatuswith respcctto rcsidenlial

rentalunits

or dwcllingsat the PhoenixVillageApartmcntsin Fort Snrith,Arkansas.

Thc UnitedStatesallegesthatwcrc this caseto prcoeedto tlial, thc tJnitctiStaleswould

ptesentevidence
includingthe lbllowing:

I. At all relevanttirnespriorto the Iilingof thislawsuit,Dcl'endants

owneilarxloperated

PhoenixVillageApartmenls,a I 0o-unitapartrnctrt
complex.

Dockets.Justia.com
 Case 2:07-cv-02108-RTD Document 3 Filed 10/01/2007 Page 2 of 20

2. Betweef,JsnunryandApril, 2007,theUnitedStalesperformedfair housingtestsin which

pairedindividualswith similar oharacteristics

exosptfor raceor ooloror familial status

visited.thePhoenixvillage rentaloiTice,924 s, euincy saeet,Fort smith, A"rkansas,

and

inquiredaboutthe availabilityoftwo-bedroomapartments,Audio recordingsofthese

testsandothorevidenceobtainedby theJusticeDepartmetrt
indioatedthat the Defendants

discriminatedon the basisof familial status.Itr particular:

A. Dudngthosetests,rentalagentsaskedthe testersif theyhadohildretior

how manypeoplewouldbe stayingin the apartnent.During severalof the

tests,therentalagentsinformedtheprospectivetenantthatthe complex

did nothaveor allowchildren.

B. Testerswho told thercntalagentsthattheyhaveohildrenweredenied

additionalinformationon r.rnitavailability,not offeredan opportunityto

view anyapaf,hneflts,
andnot givenapplioations.

Theunited statesallegesthat the conductof defendants

asdescribedin theprecediug
paragraphs
constitutesa refusalto ren! a refusalto negotiatofor therentalof, or otherwise

nrakingunavailablcor denyingdwcllingsto personsbecause

of farrdlielstatus,ifl violation of42

u's'c' $ 3604(a);arrdstatemcnts
+'rthrespeot
to therentalof a dwellingthatindicatea

preference,
limitation,or discrimination
basedon familialstatus,ifl violationof 42 u.s.c.

$ 3604(c).

TheUnitedStatesfiuthet allegesthatDefendants'
conductasdescribeds.boveconstitutes
i
a pattemor practiceof resistance
to the fuIl enjoyrnentofrights gtantedby the Aot; anda denial

to a groupofpersonsof righrsgrantediy thenct, whichdenialraisesanissueof generalpublic

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 Case 2:07-cv-02108-RTD Document 3 Filed 10/01/2007 Page 3 of 20

in violationof 42 U.S.C.g 36la(a).

importance,

Thepartiesdesireto avoidcostlyandprotractedlitigationandagrcethat thc claims

againstDefendarrts
shouldbesottledandresolvedwithoutthenecessityof a trial. The panies

haveagroedto the entryof this ConsontOrder,a$indicatedby the signaturesbelow.

Thorefore,
it is ORDER.ED,
ADJUDGEDrnil DECREEDasfollows:

IL Injuncflon

I. Defendants,
theiragedts,
employees,
sucoessorg
andall persons
in activeooncertor

panicipationwith themareherebyerrrjoined,
with respectto therentalof rJwellings,from:

a, Refusingto rentafterthemakingof a bonafrdeoffer, or refusingto negotiatefor

therentalof, or otherwisemakingunavailableor denying,a dwelling to any

personbecause
of familial status;

b. Discriminatingagainst.any
personin thEtorms,conditions,or privilegesof the

rentalofa dwelling,or in theprovisionof servicesor faoilitiesin connection

thetcwith,booause
of familial status;

Making,printing,or publishing,or causingto bemade,printed,or publishedany

notice,statemeflt,or adrertisement,with respeotto therentalof a dwellingthat

indicatesanypreference,
limitation, or disoriminalionbasedon fanilial status,or

afl intentionto makeanyzuchpreference,limitation,or discrimination;or

Coercing,intimidating,threatening,or interferinglvrth anypersonin the exercise

or enjoymentof, or ofl aicolmt ofhis or herlnving exercisedor enjoyed,or on

accountofhis or herhavingaidedor encouraged

anyotherpersonin the excrcise

or enjoymentof, anyright grantedor protectedby theFair HousingAct.

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 Case 2:07-cv-02108-RTD Document 3 Filed 10/01/2007 Page 4 of 20

. IlL Nondiscrimination
Pollclersnd Piocedures

Defendants'respousibilitiesunderthis ConsentOrdershallappiyto eachandevery

dwelling unit in whiohanyDofendanthasan ownership,management,

or otherfinancial

interest. Dwelling unitssubjeotto this Orderarehereina$errefenedto as "covered

dwelling units," a cunentlist of whiohis attaohedasExhibit A. Defendants'signatuesto

this Orderserveasa csrlificationofthe completeness

arrdaccuraoyofthis list.

3. Defbndantsshallprepareandimplemgntuniform,nou-discriminatory
Policiesand

Procedurcsregardingtherefltalof ooveteddwellingr.rnitsthatshallbe appliedequallyto

all applioaats,actualandprospective,
rogardlessoftheir farnilial stanrsftaving children

underl8).

IV. Noticeto Publlcof NondiscriminalionPolicies

A
Within thirty (30) daysafterthedateof enty of this CorrsentOrder,Defendantsshal}take

the following step6to nofirythepublio oftheir nondiscriminatory

polioies;

a. Prominentlypostin therentaloflice at all rontaloffrcestheDefendafltsmay

currentlyor subsequentiy
usefor thercntal of dwellings,a fair housingsignno

smallerthanten(10)inchesby fourteen(14) inohesthatindicatesthat all

aparhnents
areavailablefor rent on a nondisc,riminatory
basis.A posterthat

oomports
with 24C.F,R.Part110will satisfuthisrequirement.

b. W}reneveranycovereddwellingr.rnitis available,Defendantsshallpromincntty

postan easilyreadable"For Rent"or "Vacancy"sip or noticeat the apartment

building in whichthedwellingr.rnitis vacant. Tho signor notioeshall includethe

slogan"EqualHousingOpportrmity"
and/orthofair housinglogo. Suchslogan

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 Case 2:07-cv-02108-RTD Document 3 Filed 10/01/2007 Page 5 of 20

andlogo shallbeprominentlydisplayedandeasilyreadablo.

c. Ilclude the words"EqualHo'rsingOppornnity" and,/orthe fair housinglogo in all

rentaladvertisingconttuctedby Defendants,
their agentsor employees,in

newspapers,
flyen, handouts,telephonedirectoriesandotherwritten materials;on

rudio,televisiqnor othermediabroadcasts;
andon all billboards,signs,pamphlets,

brochuresandotherprbmotionall-iterature,
providedthat this requircmentdoesnot

compelDefendants
to advertisein anyofthesemedi4 but doesrequire

complianoewith this provisionwheneverDefendentssoadjertise. The words

and/orlogo shallbepromjnentlypla4edandeasilyreadable.

d. kroludethc following phrasein the standardrenhl applicationandthe standard

rentalagreement
usedfor coveredrentaldwellingunits,usinglettersofequal or

greatersizeto thoseof thetext if, the bodyofthe dooumetrt:

We areanequalhousingopporhnityprovider, We do not discriminateon

the.basisof race,color,se:<,nationalorigin, religion,disabilityor limilial

status(havingohildrenunderagel8).

V, MandatoryTraining
1 , , - :
5. Within thirty (30) daysofthe entryofthis ConsentOrder,Defendantsshallprovidea

copyof this OrderandtheNondiscriminationPoliciesandProcedr.rcs

to thcir agentsand

employeesinvolvedin showing,renting,or managinga.ryandall covereddwelling units

andsecurothesigfled$tatement
from oachagentor ernployeeaclcrowledgrng
that he or

shchasreceivedandreadthe order andtheNondisorimination

Policiesafld Procedures,

hashadthe oppornrnityro bavequestionsansweredaboutthe Orderand

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 Case 2:07-cv-02108-RTD Document 3 Filed 10/01/2007 Page 6 of 20

NondisciiminationPoliciesandProoedr.ues,
andageesto abideby the relevafltprovisions

of the Orderaadsaidpoliciesandprooodwes.This sratement

shallbe in the form of

ExhibitC.

6, Duringthetermof this Orde,r,within Iive (5) daysaftereachnew agentor employee

beoomesinvolvedin showing,renting,or managinganyoovereddwclling units,

Defendantsshallprovidea copyof this order andtheNondiscriminationpoliciesand

Procedures
to saidagentor employeeinvolvedin showing,renting,or managinganyand

all covereddwellingunitsandsecr.tethe sigrredstatementfrom eaohagentor employee

acknowledging
thathe or shehasreoeivedandreadthe Order,hadthe oppornrnityto have

questiousaboutthe Orderaruwered,andthathe or shehasalsoreceivedqndreadthe

NondiscriminationPolicicsProcedures,
andagreesto abideby saidpoliciesand

procedwesandtherelevantprovisionsof the Order. This statementshallbe in the forn

of ExhibitC.

7. Within onehundredeighty(180)daysfrom thedateof efltryof this Order,Defendants

andeachowneror offioerof thePhoenixVillage Apartmenlsinvolvedin maragement

andadministration,andall agentsandemployeesof Phoenixvillage Apartmentsinvolved

in showing,renting or managinganycovereddwellingunitsshallundergoinTerson

trainingon thoFair HousingAct, with specificemphasison discriminationon the ba.sisof

f?rmilia]status,Theftainingshallbeconductedby anindependent,
qualifiedthird party,

approvediu advanceby theunited states,anddfly expenses

associated
wirh this training

shallbebomeby Defendantd..Defendants
shallobtainftom thetrainercertificationsof

attendarce,executedby eachindividualwhoreccivedthehaining,confirmingttreir

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attendance,
in a form acceptable
to theunited $tatos.This confirmationshall includethe

narneof thecourse,thedatethe coursewastaken,andthe lengthof the courseand/ortime

within lvhich the coursewuscompleted.

YL Processiug
RentelApplications,RecordKeeping end ComplianceTe+ting

8. ProcessingRenta.lApplications

within ninetv(90) daysfrom the dateof entryof this tuer, Defendantsshall developand

implement,with respectto all covereddu;Ellingunits,objectiveruniforin,

non-discriminatory andprocedures
standards for theprocessingof applications,the

establistmentandmaintenance
of ar Availability Li$t, the establishment
andmaintenance

of a waiting List anda prooedurefor notifoingpeoplewho areon the waiting List about

an availablermit, anda procedurefor deoidingin a nou-disonminatory

mannerwhich

applicantsshallbepermittedto rcnt availabledwellings. suchstrndardsandprocedures

shall be submittedto theUnitedStatesfor approvalin advanoeof their impiementation

andshallbe consistentwith theprovisionsofthis section. Thestandardsandprocedures

shall be,postedandprominentlydisplayedin the Phoenixvillage Apartrnentsrentaloffice

- :
andin anyoffico wherethereis rentalactivity and/orpersonalcontactwith applicants,and

a oopyofthesestafldards
andprocedures
shall beriradeavailableuponrequestto any

applicantfor therentalof a dwelling. For thbdurationof this Ordbr,theserenta.l

stimdardsandprocedures
maybernodifiedouly if writtennoticeis given to counselfor

the United Shtesthirty (30)daysbeforemodificationsareto takeefFe+t.

o RecordKeeping

With respectto therentalof covereddwellingunits,within thirty (30) daysfrom tle date

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Case 2:07-cv-02108-RTD Document 3 Filed 10/01/2007 Page 8 of 20

ofthis Order,Defendants
shallensurethatFaohofthe following aremaintainedand

updatedasnew informationbecomesavailable:

a. An Availability Lisi on a daily basisthatincludestheaddressandapartment

numberofeachunit knownto be availableor reasonably

expeotedto be available

for rentalurithinthirty (30)days;monthlyrent for eaohsuchunit; securitydeposit

for eachsuohunit; thedateDefendantsoi their agentsor employeoswerefirst

informedit woujdbeavailablefor rcntal.andthefirst dateit wou]d be available

for rentalor ocoupancy

by a newtenant.Defendsntsandtheir agent#employees

shallshareinformationontho Availability List with eaohpersonwho visits or

oalls the rental office to inquife about tlie availability of rental dwellings;

b. GuestCatds: A requestshallbe madeofall personswho visit or inquire about

rental rmits at the PhoenixVillage Aparrhents to fill out a Guest Card providing

the date ofthe visit, the visitor's name, addless,daytime and evening telephone

numbets, childreu under 18 cxpectodto occupy the dwelling, and the date by

yfilh thof wrsh to move Dcfendantsshall note on the Guest Card the dwelling

uniE the pe,rsonwas shown and whether fhe personwas given an applioation. The

top portion of the GuestCard shall contain the following disclaimel ,,The

following information is requestedto assistPhoenix Village Aparfinents in

complying with the federal Fair Housing Act and will be kept confidcntial. This

inJbrmatiou is not roquired in order to rent an apartment;";

A Waiting List for all personswho tnquire by telcphoneor in person about renting

a dwelling ftom Defendantsahd who are infomted that there ars no vacanciesor

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 Case 2:07-cv-02108-RTD Document 3 Filed 10/01/2007 Page 9 of 20

availableapartments
to rent. This waiting List shallindicatethe dateof the visit

or telephonecall, the visitor's or ca.ller'sname,address,

daytimeandevenine

telephonenumbers,the dateon whiohthc personwishesto movc andany other

' relevantinformation(suohasa preferenoe

regardingthe numtJ€rof bedrooms).

with regardto thosewho inquirein-persoqDefenduntsshalrindioatewhethe+the

individualshaveany children, TheDefendantsshalla.lsonoteon the waiting list

the date,time, andemployeeor otherpersoawho contaotedanyindividual to

inform him or her of anyvacanciesor ava ableapartment$!

andthe maflnerof

cachattemptto contaotpersonsofi thc list; and

d. A RentalA,pplicationLog mainreinedon a daity basisthat setsforth thonameof

the applioant,thenumberofchildren underlg, if any,residingwith the applican!

whetherthe applicationfor tenanoywasapprovedor rejected,the building und

irnit numberoocupiedfor all approvedapplioants,anda detailedexplanationfor

I
all rejectedap'plications.

10. ComplianoeTesting

Theunited statesmaytakestepsto monitorDefendants'oompliancewith this order

including,but not limited to, conductingfair housingiestsat anydwelling in which any

Defendant,now or in the future,hasa director indirectorvnership,managernent,

or
financialinterest.

VlL ReportingRequirementr

ll. Within uinety(90) daysofthe dateof enty of this ConsentOrder,andeverysix (6)

rnonthsthereafterfor thedurationofthis order, Deferdantsshalldeliverto counselfor

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 Case 2:07-cv-02108-RTD Document 3 Filed 10/01/2007 Page 10 of 20

b.

d.

12.

' All documents or othoroommunioations requircdby thisOrderto be sentto counselfor the

UnitedStrtesshallbeaddressed asfollows: Chief,HousingandCivil Enforcometrt Scction,Civil Rignm
Division,DJ 175-70-147, UnitedStates Dcpartment of Justice,950Pennsylvania AvenuoN.W.- G St.,
Washington, D.C.20530,or asothorwise directedby theUnitedStates.Ifthe ConsentOrderroqiriros
transmission by facsimile,lhecommrrnicationshallalsobe sentvia facsimileto (202)514-t116.

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 Case 2:07-cv-02108-RTD Document 3 Filed 10/01/2007 Page 11 of 20

the transferof intetestin dwellingunitsassetout in SectionXI below. Uponreasonable

noticeto counselfot Defendants,

representatives
of the UnitedStatesshallbepemitted to

iflspectafld copyall suchrecordsat anyandall reasonable

timesor, uponrequestby the

United States,Defendantsshallprovideoopiesof suchdocumento.

13. During the periodin whiohthis Orderis in effect,Defenda s shallnotifu counselfor the

United Statesin writing within fifteen (15) daysofreceipt of anywritten or oral

, complaintagainstDefendants;
or Defondants'
agentsor employees,
regardingfamilial

statusdiscriminatioirin housing.Ifthe oomplaintis rvritterl Defendantsshallprovidea

oopyof it with thenotification, Thenotificationshallincludethe full detailsof the

complain! inoludingthe oomplainant's

name,address,andtelephonenumbet, Defendants

shall alsopromptlyprovidetheUnitedStf,tesall informationit mayiequestconccmiflg

any suchcomplaintandshallinform theUnited Stateswithin fiffeen (15) daysof any

resolutionof suchcomplaint.

VIll, Compensation
of AggrievedPersotrA

14. Within ten (10) businossdaysaftorentryofthis ConsentOrder,the defendantsshall

depositrhesumof ONEHUNDREDAND SIXTy-FM THOUSANDDOLLARS

($165,000)
into aninterest-bearing for rhcpurposeof compensating
accouna persons

whom the Courtdetermines

may
- havebeenharmedbv Defendaflts'
discriminatorvrental

practicesftereinafter"aggrievedpersons").In addition,within ten (I0) businessdaysof

the cntry of this Order, Dcfendantsshallsubmitproof to the UnitedStatssrlat this

acoount has beenestablishedand the firnds deposited.

I5. Within sixty (60)daysafterenry of this Order,Defendantsshallanangefor the

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Case 2:07-cv-02108-RTD Document 3 Filed 10/01/2007 Page 12 of 20

publioationof andpublisha Notioeto PotentialVictimsof HousingDisprimination

('Notice') in the'l'imesRecordof Fort Smith,Arkansas.TheNoticeshall appearas

tollows:

TheNoticeshallbepublished in the 'A' Sectionor

on at leasteight(8) occasions

a newssection(notthelegalnotioosseotion)ofthe TimesRecordofFort Smith,

Arkansas,includingat lcastfour (4) publicationson Sunday.Eachpublished

Notice shallappearin a spacemeasuringat leastone-eighth(1i8) ofa page;

b, EachNotioeshallsetforth a sr.rmmary
of thelegalandevidentiarycontenrionsof

the Unircd Statesanda gencmlBtatemeilt

of the relief providedunderthis Consent

Order. EachNoticeshallalsocontaina statementthattheUnited Statesseoks

informationfrom anypersonswho claimto havebeensubjectedto familial status

discriminationby Defendan*in connectionwith inquiringabout,app$ing for or

obtafuitrgrentalhousing,or with restrn+tto the termsor oonditionsor privilegesof

rentalhousing.EaohNoticeshallinvite suchporsonsto contactcounselfor the

. l

UniJedStatesconcerningtheir complaintswithin onehundredtwenty(120) days

from the ertry of this Order.The text of this Noticeis sctforth in Exhibit D;

Defendantsshallprovidca copyof the newspaper

containingeachsuchNoticeto

counselfor theUnitedStateswithin ten (I0) daysafferpublicationof the Notice;

d. Defendantsshallproduceanyrentavtenanoy
records,or anyolherreoordsin the

possession,
custody,or oontrolofDefendants,ther agentsor employees,upon

noticeto Defendants'counsel,which theUnited Statesbelievesto b€ usefulin

identifring personswho maybe entitledto relief underthis Ordcr. Upon

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 Case 2:07-cv-02108-RTD Document 3 Filed 10/01/2007 Page 13 of 20

roasonable
notice,DefendantsshallprovidesuchrentaVtenanoy
recordsor shall

permitrcpresentatives
ofthe Unitcd Stabsnoreceivecopiesof suchrental/tenancy

reoordsthroughDefendants'counsol;

Nothingin this ordershallpreventtheUnitedStatesfrom makingany additional

effortsthat it degmsappropriateto locateandprovidenoticeto potentialaggrieved

persons.

16, Aggrievedpersons,asdescribedabovsin paragraphVIII, 15,shallhaveonehunrlred

twenty(120)daysliom thedateof fhe entryof this Orderto contaotthe United Statesin

responseto this Notice.

fl, TheUnitedStatesshallinvestigatothe olaimsof theaggrievedpersonsand,within one

hurdredeiehty(180)dayl from thgehtryof this Ordor,shallmakea preliminary

detorminationof whichpersonsareaggrievedandanappropriateamountof damagesthat

shouldbepaid to eaohiuch person TheU$ted Stateswill rnformDefendantsin writing

of its preliminarydeterminations,
togetherwith a copyof a swomdeclarationfrom each

aggrievedpersonsettingforth thefactualbasisofthe claim. TheDefendantsshallhave

thifiy (30) daysto reviewthe declarationandprovideanydocumentsor infornation that

theybelievemayrefutetheclaimto the UnitedStates.

1 8 . After receivingDefendants'comments,theUnited Statesshallzubmitits final

recommendations
to thoCourtfor approval,identi$ing the agglievedpersonsandarr

appropriateamountof damages
ttratshouldbapaidto eachsuchperson,togetherwith a

copyof the sworndeclarations

andanydocumentsor informationsubmittadby

Defendants.Within ten (10)daysof a Cout orderprovidingfor the distributionof firnds

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 Case 2:07-cv-02108-RTD Document 3 Filed 10/01/2007 Page 14 of 20

_i

to aggriovedpersons,Defendantsshall deliver to counselfor the United Statescheoks

i payableto the aggricvcdpersonsin tho aurountsapprovedby the Court.

19. In no event shall the aggregateof all checksto the aggrievodpersonsexceedtho sum of

$ 165,000plus accruedinterest.

20. Whenoounselfor the UnitedStateshasreceiveda chookfrom Defendants

payableto an

aggdevedpersonanda signedreleasein the form of Exhibit E from theaggrievedperson,

counsolfor tho UnitedStetesshalldeliverthecheckto the aggriovedpersonandthe

original,signodrelease
to counsel
for Defendants. personshallbepaid
No aggrioved

until h#shqhassignedanddeliveredto oorlrselfor ths UnitedStatesthereleaseat

ExhibitE.

21. After thesatisfaotion

ofparagraphs
VIII, 14-20,,and
expirationof theconesponditg
time

periods,anymoneyremainirrgin the SettlementFundshallberelea.sed

to Defendants.

DL Civil pendty

?2. Within thirly (30) daysaftertheentryofthis ConsentOrder,theDefendantsshallpaya

total oftwenty tlnusanddollars($20,000)to the Udted $tatesasa civil penalty,pursuant

to 42 U,S.C,3614(d[lXC). Thispaymentshallbede[ve,red for thc United

to oounsel

Statesin theform ofa cashier'siheck payableto the r'UnitedStatesTreasury,"

X. Acquisitionof DwellingUnitr

23. If, at anytime duringthetermofthis ConsentOrder,anyDefendantacqurresa director

indirectownership,management,
or otherJinancialintercstin anyotherdwelliagunit,

saidrrnitshallbecomea "oovoroddwellingunit" subjectto all relevantprovisiors of this

Order. Defendantshallnotify counselfor the UnitedStateswirhinthirty (30)daysof

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 Case 2:07-cv-02108-RTD Document 3 Filed 10/01/2007 Page 15 of 20

24.

b,

' Forpurposes
oftlris consontorder, "armsJength transaction"
is definedasa tan$actioflsuch
a$a oontraotor agreementthat hasbeenafrivedat in the marketplace
betweehindopendeng non-
affiliatedpersons,
unrelatedby hloodor maniage,with opposing economic interests
regarding
that
contrdct.

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 Case 2:07-cv-02108-RTD Document 3 Filed 10/01/2007 Page 16 of 20

narne,adftessendtelephonenumber;
hansferee's

Within tlirty (30)daysfollowing completionof thosaloor othertransfer,the

bansferringDefendantshallprovideto the UnitedStatesby first-cld.ssmail a oopy

of the documonts
memorializingthekansferin interestof the dwelling unit(s);

The lransferring Defendantshall require the transferee,as a condition of the sale

. or other tansfer, to agreein writing to perform all obligations and be liabie for

compliancewith SeotionsII - VII and XI - XItr of this Order for tho duration of

this Order, with respoctto tho subjeot dwelling unit(s);

e. If thetaflsferring Defendantcomplieswith partss, b, c, andd, above,andthereby

transfersall of Defendant's or otherfinancialinterestin

ownership,management,

thc dwellinguni(s) to thepurchaseror othertransferce,saidDefendantwill

obligationsunderSeotionsII - VII andXI -

thereaterberelievedof Defendant's

XII of this Order,but only with respectto thedwellingunits in whiohall interest

wss sotansferred, Defendflntshallothorwiseremainliable for compliancewith

all sactionsofthe Orderandwith respectto all othercovereddwellingunits,

25. If the proposedtransferof interbstis not dn arrns-lengthtransactionn

thetransferring

Defendafltmustcomplywith eachrequircf,entsetout in thc prccedingsubparagraph

a, b,

c, and4 above.In addition,thetransfcrringDefendantshallremainjointly andseverally

or othertransftrec,for anyviolationsof SeotionsII - VII

liable, alongwith thepurcha.ser

andXI - XIII of this Orderwith respeotto the relevantdwellingunit(s) for the durationof

the Order, In addtion, the hansfeniirgDefendantshall otlerrvisoromainliable for

compliancewith thc ConsentOrderandwith respectto all othercovereddwellingunits.

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I Case 2:07-cv-02108-RTD Document 3 Filed 10/01/2007 Page 17 of 20

XIL ScbpeandDuration of ConsentOrder

LO. The provisionsof this ConsentOrdershallapplyto all Defendalts,their employees,

andall personsactingin aotiveconcertor partioipationwith thern.

agents,successors,

27. This ConsentOrderis effectiveirnmediatelyuponita enty by the Courtandshallremain

in effectfor folr (4) years.

28. The Courtshallretainjurisdiotionfor the durationofthis Orderto enforcethe termsof tho

Order,afferwhich time thecaseshallbe dismissedwith prejudioe,

29. All partiesshallbe responsiblefor their own attomey'sfeesandcourtoosts,exoeptas

providedfor in SectionXIII below

Time for Pet{otuance,and Modificetions

I IL Rrmedioufor Non-Complitnce,

30. Thc UnitedStatesmaymovethe Courtto oxtendthe periodin whiohthis Orderis in

effectif Defendantsviolateoneor morctermsofthe Orderor if the interestsofjustice

gtherwiserequirean extensionofthe tormsof theOrdor,

3 1 . Arry time limits for performance

imposedby this Ordermay beextendedby mutual

written agrcementof theparties.

32. Thepartiesto ttris Ordershallendeavorin goodfaith to resolveinformallyany differences

regardiflgiflterpretationof andcompliancewith this Orderprior to bringingsuchmatters

to theCourt for resolution.Howevor,in the eventthe UdJed Statescontondsthat there

hasbeena failure by enyDefendant,whetherwillful or othorwise,to performin a timely

mannoranyact requiredby this Orderor otherwiseto complywith anyprovisionthereof,

the UnitedStatesmaymovcthis Courtto imposeaayremedyauthorizedby law or equity,

iucluding,but not limiled to, an orderrequiringperformanceof suchactor decmingsuch

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 Case 2:07-cv-02108-RTD Document 3 Filed 10/01/2007 Page 18 of 20

act to havebeenperformed,andanawardof anydamages,

oosts,andattomey'sfees

whichmay havebee,noooasioned
by ttreDefendant'sor Defendantsr
violation or failrrreto

perform.

33' Thepartiesagreethat in the eventthat anyDefendantenqages

ifl any futureviolation of

. the Fair HousingAct, suchviolationshallconstitutea ,,subsequent

violation" pursuantto

42U.S.C.$ 3614(d).

IT IS SO ORDERED:

ni*-fla*yor
-Ot{.b!t

IINITED $TATESDISTRICTJUDGE

*r'#*"?iffifr%%rfi'rso*
OCI01297
0HRIS
Il- J0ilistN,cLEffK

oEPtJTY6ttHr(

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 Case 2:07-cv-02108-RTD Document 3 Filed 10/01/2007 Page 19 of 20

By their signaturesbelow, tJrepartiesconsentl() the entry ol'this ConsentOrder.

For the United States:

PETERD. H.ETSL.bR
AotingAttonreyGeneral

ROBERTC. BALFE RENA J. COMISAC

UnitedStates
Attomev ActingAssistant AttorneyGeneral
Civil RighlsDivision

DEBORAH CROOM STEVENH. ROSENBAU

Civil Chicl'
UnitcdStatcsAttorncy'sOfficc REBECCAB. BOND
414ParkerStreet Dcputy(,'hicl'
FortSnrith,AR 72901 AMtsERR. S]'ANDRIDGE
Phonc:(479)783-5| 25 Attomey
Itax:(479)785-2442 HousingandCivil Fuforoement Section
Atkansas Bar No. 80054 Civil RightsDivision
U.S.Deparlrnent of Justicc
950Pennsylvania Avo.,N.W.
NorthwestemBuilding,7th Floor
Washington, D.C.?053i1
Phone:(202)514-3ss6
F a x :( 2 0 2 5
) 14-1116

Pagc-19-
 Case 2:07-cv-02108-RTD Document 3 Filed 10/01/2007 Page 20 of 20

For Defendrnts:

CHARLESD. BAKER
31 W CherryStreet
Alma,AR 72921-3419
tr+ E++Zro
A.l*"? A,'r 1L{r/ , I ron
fts{-,*S- j r-" e5

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