Case: United States v. Summerhill Place

2:10-cv-01150 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Filed Date: July 16, 2010

Closed Date: 2014

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On July 16, 2010, the United States Department of Justice filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, under the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601-3631, against the owners, operators and managers of a 268-unit apartment complex located in Renton Washington. The U.S. claimed that Defendants engaged in a pattern and practice of intentional discrimination against African Americans, Hispanics, people from India, and families with children by instruc…

On July 16, 2010, the United States Department of Justice filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, under the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601-3631, against the owners, operators and managers of a 268-unit apartment complex located in Renton Washington. The U.S. claimed that Defendants engaged in a pattern and practice of intentional discrimination against African Americans, Hispanics, people from India, and families with children by instructing staff not to show newly renovated apartments to them, steering them to less desirable buildings, demanding proof of citizenship, asking them not to speak to one another in their first language, requiring stricter application requirements, and refusing services. These behaviors were confirmed by testing conducted by the Fair Housing Council of Washington.

The case proceeded towards trial, but then settled on March 7, 2011, when the Court (Judge James Robart) approved a jointly submitted Consent Decree. Besides general non-discrimination provisions, the Decree prohibited the defendant owner from employing its manager in any position in connection with housing rentals. It also required adoption, implementation, and notification to tenants of a Uniform Nondiscriminatory Procedure, and employee training on Fair Housing Act requirements. In included provisions on recordkeeping, monitoring, and reporting, to facilitate compliance. Finally, the defendants agreed to pay $85,000 for the establishment of a settlement fund for victims of the Defendants' discrimination and a $25,000 civil penalty to be paid to the United States.

The consent decree terminated in 2014, and the case is now closed.

Summary Authors

Clearinghouse (10/12/2012)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4410661/parties/united-states-v-summerhill-place-llc/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Abernathy, Terri J (Washington)

Allen, Julie (District of Columbia)

Altman, Stephen D (Washington)

Armijo, Rumaldo R (Washington)

AUSA, Jesse M (Washington)

Judge(s)

Robart, James L. (Washington)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Abernathy, Terri J (Washington)

Allen, Julie (District of Columbia)

Altman, Stephen D (Washington)

Armijo, Rumaldo R (Washington)

AUSA, Jesse M (Washington)

Baka, Gregory (Washington)

Beck, Matthew (Washington)

Burke, Matthew (Washington)

Burrell, Meredith (Washington)

Camacho, Renee L (Washington)

Clayton, Lindsay Laurie (Washington)

Durkan, Jenny A (Washington)

Eichenholtz, Seth D. (Washington)

Frank, Beth Susan (New York)

Given, Emily (Washington)

Goldberg, Arthur R (Washington)

Gugin, Patricia D (Washington)

Harrington, Quinn Patrick (Washington)

Hendry, Melanie Dyani (Washington)

Hertz, Michael F (Washington)

Horwitz, Matthew Joseph (Washington)

Houten, Kathryn E (Washington)

Hurtado, Samuel A. (Washington)

Johnson, Kristin Berger (Washington)

Jordan, Aaron O (Washington)

Kaminski, Gerald Francis (Washington)

Keegan, Ruth Fuess (Washington)

Keeley, Brian K (Washington)

Kennebrew, Delora (Washington)

Kinner, Russell B (Washington)

Kotz, Stephen R. (Washington)

Lawrence, Kathleen O'Malley (Washington)

Levingston, Luttrell (Washington)

Lucero, Manuel (Washington)

Mark, Carolyn G (Washington)

McElvain, Joel (Washington)

McEvoy, Lauren Mary (Washington)

Messec, Paige (Washington)

Moran, Timothy (District of Columbia)

Murphy, Michael D (Washington)

Murray, Jeffrey (Washington)

Mysliwiec, Paul (Washington)

Nathanson, John Alexander (Washington)

O'Brien, Thomas Peter (Washington)

Office, United States (Washington)

Ong, Marisa A (Washington)

Perez, Alfred Juarez (Washington)

Powell, Kelly (Washington)

Rosenbaum, Steven H. (District of Columbia)

Salgado, Pamela (Washington)

Schwab, Mikel W. (Washington)

Stanford, Jon K (Washington)

Strong, James C. (Washington)

Tait, Monica E (Washington)

Taylor, Brock (Washington)

Waldorf, James J (Washington)

Wiethe, Donetta Donaldson (Washington)

Wogaman, Paul J (Washington)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

2:10-cv-01150

Docket

United States v. Summerhill Place, LLC

March 8, 2012

March 8, 2012

Docket
1

2:10-cv-01150

Complaint

United States v. Summerhill Place, LLC

July 16, 2010

July 16, 2010

Complaint
19-1

2:10-cv-01150

Consent Order

United States v. Summerhill Place, LLC

March 8, 2011

March 8, 2011

Settlement Agreement
22

2:10-cv-01150

Stipulation and Order Regarding Distribution of Settlement Fund

United States of America v. Summerhill LLC, Gran, Inc., and Rita Lovejoy

March 8, 2013

March 8, 2013

Settlement Agreement

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4410661/united-states-v-summerhill-place-llc/

Last updated Feb. 14, 2024, 3:01 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against defendant(s) All Defendants, filed by United States. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Allen, Julie) (Fee Waived) (Entered: 07/16/2010)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

July 16, 2010

July 16, 2010

RECAP
2

WAIVER OF SERVICE of summons upon defendant Summerhill Place, LLC mailed on 7/16/2010 (Allen, Julie) (Entered: 07/29/2010)

July 29, 2010

July 29, 2010

PACER
3

WAIVER OF SERVICE of summons upon defendant Rita Lovejoy mailed on 7/16/2010 (Allen, Julie) (Entered: 07/29/2010)

July 29, 2010

July 29, 2010

PACER
4

WAIVER OF SERVICE of summons upon defendant GRAN, Inc. mailed on 7/16/2010 (Allen, Julie) (Entered: 07/29/2010)

July 29, 2010

July 29, 2010

PACER
5

ORDER REGARDING INITIAL DISCLOSURES, JOINT STATUS REPORT AND EARLY SETTLEMENT Joint Status Report due by 10/4/2010, FRCP 26f Conference Deadline is 9/20/2010, Initial Disclosure Deadline is 10/4/2010, by Judge James L. Robart. (CC) (Entered: 08/05/2010)

Aug. 5, 2010

Aug. 5, 2010

PACER
6

NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Pamela Salgado on behalf of Defendants GRAN, Inc., Rita Lovejoy, Summerhill Place, LLC. (Salgado, Pamela) (Entered: 08/11/2010)

Aug. 11, 2010

Aug. 11, 2010

PACER
7

NOTICE of Appearance by attorney Brian K Keeley on behalf of Defendants GRAN, Inc., Rita Lovejoy, Summerhill Place, LLC. (Keeley, Brian) (Entered: 08/11/2010)

Aug. 11, 2010

Aug. 11, 2010

PACER
8

STIPULATION AND PROPOSED ORDER Extending Deadlines by parties. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Salgado, Pamela) (Entered: 09/10/2010)

1 Proposed Order

View on PACER

Sept. 10, 2010

Sept. 10, 2010

PACER
9

CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT pursuant to FRCP 7.1. by Summerhill Place, LLC Filed by Defendant Summerhill Place, LLC.(Salgado, Pamela) (Entered: 09/14/2010)

Sept. 14, 2010

Sept. 14, 2010

PACER
10

CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT pursuant to FRCP 7.1. by GRAN, Inc. Filed by Defendant GRAN, Inc..(Salgado, Pamela) (Entered: 09/14/2010)

Sept. 14, 2010

Sept. 14, 2010

PACER
11

ANSWER to Complaint by GRAN, Inc., Rita Lovejoy, Summerhill Place, LLC.(Salgado, Pamela) (Entered: 10/05/2010)

Oct. 5, 2010

Oct. 5, 2010

PACER
12

ORDER GRANTING STIPULATION FOR ORDER EXTENDING DEADLINES by Judge James L. Robart, re 8 Stipulation; Defts' Answers are due 10/5/2010, FRCP 26f Conference Deadline is 10/12/2010, Initial Disclosure Deadline is 10/25/2010, Combined Joint Status Report and Discovery Plan due by 10/25/2010. (TF) (Entered: 10/08/2010)

Oct. 8, 2010

Oct. 8, 2010

PACER
13

JOINT STATUS REPORT signed by all parties estimated Trial Days: 15.. (Allen, Julie) (Entered: 10/25/2010)

Oct. 25, 2010

Oct. 25, 2010

PACER
14

MINUTE ENTRY for proceedings held before Judge James L. Robart- Dep Clerk: Casey Condon; Pla Counsel: Julie Allen, Harold Malkin; Def Counsel: Pamela Salgado, Brian Keeley; CR: Denae Hovland; Status Conference held on 11/10/2010. The court hears from counsel re background of case. The court advises counsel regarding the preservation of electronic documents. Electronic documents regarding Summerhill Place and fair housing policies must be preserved regardless of the physical location of the computer containing the electronic document. The court suggests each side have their technology personnel work together with counsel regarding the production of electronic documents. Further guidance from the court concerning electronic discovery is provided in the transcript of the hearing. The court limits trial to no more than 8 days. A scheduling order shall follow. (CC) (Entered: 11/18/2010)

Nov. 10, 2010

Nov. 10, 2010

PACER
15

STIPULATION AND PROPOSED Protective Order by parties. (Keeley, Brian) Modified text on 11/19/2010 (MD). (Entered: 11/18/2010)

Nov. 18, 2010

Nov. 18, 2010

RECAP
16

MINUTE ORDER SETTING TRIAL DATE AND RELATED DATES, AND DESIGNATING CASE FOR MEDIATION; Length of Trial: *8 days*. Mediation shall be completed no later than thirty (30) days prior to the trial date. Jury Trial is set for 5/15/2012 at 09:00 AM before Judge James L. Robart. Joinder of Parties due by 12/17/2010, Amended Pleadings due by 11/17/2011, Expert Witness Disclosure/Reports under FRCP 26(a)(2) due by 11/17/2011, Motions due by 12/19/2011, Discovery completed by 1/17/2012, Dispositive motions due by 2/15/2012, Settlement conference to be held by 3/16/2012, 39.1 mediation to be completed by 4/16/2012, Motions in Limine due by 4/17/2012, Pretrial Order due by 4/26/2012, Pretrial Conference set for 4/30/2012 at 02:00 PM before Judge James L. Robart. Trial briefs to be submitted by 5/7/2012, Proposed voir dire/jury instructions due by 5/7/2012, by Judge James L. Robart. (CC) (Entered: 11/19/2010)

Nov. 19, 2010

Nov. 19, 2010

PACER
17

STIPULATED PROTECTIVE ORDER by Judge James L. Robart. (MD) (Entered: 11/29/2010)

Nov. 29, 2010

Nov. 29, 2010

PACER
18

NOTICE OF FILING OF OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT of Hearing held on 11/10/2010 before Judge James L. Robart.Parties have ten (10) calendar days to file with the court a Notice of Intent to Request Redaction of this transcript. If no such Notice is filed, the transcript may be made remotely electronically available to the public without redaction after 90 calendar days.Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter/Transcriber before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through PACER. Information regarding the policy can be found on the court's website at www.wawd.uscourts.gov.To purchase a copy of the transcript contact court reporter Denae Hovland by telephone at 206-370-8505. . Release of Transcript Restriction set for 3/9/2011, (LMK) (Entered: 12/10/2010)

Dec. 9, 2010

Dec. 9, 2010

PACER
19

Agreed MOTION Entry of Proposed Consent Order by Plaintiff United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Entry of Proposed Consent Order, # 2 Appendix A to Consent Order, # 3 Appendix B through E) Noting Date 3/7/2011, (Gugin, Patricia) (Entered: 03/07/2011)

March 7, 2011

March 7, 2011

PACER
20

CONSENT ORDER granting 19 Motion for Proposed consent order by Judge James L. Robart.(MD) (Entered: 03/08/2011)

March 8, 2011

March 8, 2011

PACER
21

PROPOSED ORDER (Unsigned) Regarding the Distribution of Settlement Fund. (Allen, Julie) (Entered: 03/08/2012)

March 8, 2012

March 8, 2012

PACER
22

STIPULATION AND ORDER OF DISTRIBUTION of Settlement Funds by Judge James L. Robart. (MD, cc to Fin'l Dept) (Entered: 03/08/2012)

March 8, 2012

March 8, 2012

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory: Washington

Case Type(s):

Fair Housing/Lending/Insurance

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 16, 2010

Closing Date: 2014

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division

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

Summerhill Place, LLC (Renton), Private Entity/Person

GRAN, Inc. (Seattle), Private Entity/Person

Defendant Type(s):

Multi-family housing provider

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Fair Housing Act/Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601 et seq.

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Monetary Relief

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Damages

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Amount Defendant Pays: 110,000

Order Duration: 2011 - 2014

Content of Injunction:

Discrimination Prohibition

Develop anti-discrimination policy

Provide antidiscrimination training

Implement complaint/dispute resolution process

Reporting

Recordkeeping

Monitoring

Issues

General:

Housing

Racial segregation

Discrimination-area:

Disparate Treatment

Housing Sales/Rental

Steering

Discrimination-basis:

Family discrimination

National origin discrimination

Race discrimination

Race:

Black

National Origin/Ethnicity:

Hispanic

Indian