Carson City landlords settle federal discrimination suit with feds

Carson City landlords Betty and Hughston Brinson have settled the lawsuit by federal prosecutors who charged they discriminated against families with children, refusing to rent to them.

The Brinsons agreed to pay $36,000 to resolve the allegations and to stop discriminating against families with children. The fine consists of $14,000 to resolve the Housing and Urban Development complaints, $10,000 to a victim fund to compensate other families and $12,000 as a civil penalty to the government.

They also will have to undergo training on the requirements of the Fair Housing Act and provide the government with periodic reports.

“Families should not face discrimination because of the presence of children when looking for a home,” said Deputy AG Vanita Gupta.

The family attempted to view and possibly rent a property owned by the Brinsons on Caroline Street but, according to the suit, when she told Betty Brinson she had three children, “Ms. Brinson told her that the house is not right for her.”

“Ms. Brinson refused to offer the (family) the opportunity to view or rent the Caroline St. property because they had children,” the complaint states.

The suit said the Brinsons also advertised for tenants in a 36-unit complex they own, again stating the dwelling units were for “1 or 2 adults.”

The suit charged that violates the Fair Housing Act’s prohibition on discriminating based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin and disability.