PENHOOK, Va. — In what is being hailed as a landmark decision, the Virginia Office of Civil Rights, led by Attorney General Jason Miyares, secured a $750,000 jury verdict on Thursday against a local landlord accused of racial discrimination. The case, emerging from Franklin County, sends a strong message against biases in housing practices.
The lawsuit centered around Regina Turner, the owner of Lazy Cove Campground at Smith Mountain Lake, who was found to have engaged in discriminatory practices against two families based on race. Turner had a long-standing practice of renting lots to families until an interracial couple sought to lease a neighboring spot. After discovering that one of the tenant’s spouses was Black, Turner attempted to evict them, a decision that ultimately backfired.
Details revealed during the trial showcased Turner’s explicit refusal to rent following her awareness of the interracial nature of the couple. This revelation led to a swift jury deliberation, lasting less than two hours, culminating in a significant financial penalty designed both to compensate the victims and to deter similar discriminatory practices.
The jury awarded $100,000 to each of the affected couples for the emotional and psychological harm suffered, with an additional $550,000 levied in punitive damages against Turner.
The case was robustly prosecuted by Senior Assistant Attorney General Todd M. Shockley, with aid from Assistant Attorneys General Joel B. Taubman, Brittany Sadler Berky, and Christine Lambrou Johnson, who serves as the Civil Rights Unit Section Chief. Their collective efforts highlighted the state’s commitment to enforcing its civil rights statutes.
In his remarks, Miyares asserted that discrimination of any sort, particularly in housing, will face rigorous opposition in Virginia. He expressed pride in his Civil Rights Unit and satisfaction with the jury’s decisive verdict.
This ruling not only reinforces Virginia’s stance against racial discrimination but also serves as a caution to landlords and property managers about the severe legal repercussions of such behavior.
The implications of this case resonate beyond the immediate financial penalties. It underscores the necessity for continuous vigilance and proactive measures to ensure fair and equal treatment in housing across the state and potentially sets a precedent for other jurisdictions.
As Virginia continues to uphold and strengthen its commitment to civil rights, this verdict serves as a clear reminder of the legal and moral obligations of property owners and landlords in the state.
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