Filed Date: Sept. 27, 2023
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
This is a case challenging a bank’s alleged discriminatory lending practices.
On September 27, 2023, the United States of America filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. The U.S. sued the Washington Trust Company of Westerly, asserting violations of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). The U.S. alleged that the bank engaged in unlawful redlining by refusing to provide home loans and other mortgage services in majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. It further alleged that the bank failed to conduct outreach, marketing, and advertising of mortgage services in majority-Black and Hispanic areas, among other things. The U.S. sought injunctive and declaratory relief, along with monetary damages and a civil penalty against the bank. The case was assigned to District Judge Mary S. McElroy.
On September 27, 2023, the parties filed a joint motion for approval and entry of a proposed consent order. The terms required the bank to conduct a community credit needs assessment of majority-Black and Hispanic census tracts, implement an enhanced fair lending compliance program, and open new branches in majority-Black and Hispanic communities, among other things, and would remain in effect for five years. On October 31, 2023, the court signed the consent order.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Alexis Gil (6/24/2026)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67832202/parties/united-states-v-the-washington-trust-company-of-westerly/
McElroy, Mary Susan (Rhode Island)
Bolan, Kevin (Rhode Island)
Hubbard, Kevin Love (Rhode Island)
Romero, Amy Retsinas (Rhode Island)
Lewis, Christina L. (Rhode Island)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67832202/united-states-v-the-washington-trust-company-of-westerly/
Last updated July 22, 2026, 3:10 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Fair Housing/Lending/Insurance
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Reversing Course on Existing Litigation
Key Dates
Filing Date: Sept. 27, 2023
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The plaintiff is the Department of Justice (DOJ) which is an executive department of the United States federal government that oversees the domestic enforcement of federal laws and the administration of justice.
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Attorney Organizations:
U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Private Entity/Person
The Washington Trust Company of Westerly
Defendant Type(s):
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), 15 U.S.C. § 1691
Fair Housing Act/Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601 et seq.
Other Dockets:
District of Rhode Island 1:23-cv-00399
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Content of Injunction:
Comply with advertising/recruiting requirements
Follow recruitment, hiring, or promotion protocols
Order Duration: 2023 - 2028
Issues
General/Misc.:
Discrimination Area:
Discrimination Basis:
National origin discrimination
Affected Language(s):
Affected National Origin/Ethnicity(s):
Affected Race(s):
Case Summary of United States v. The Washington Trust Company of Westerly, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48249/ (last updated 6/24/2026).