Franklin County, VA — In a historic decision, a Franklin County jury awarded $750,000 in damages to two families who faced eviction based on racial discrimination at a Smith Mountain Lake campground. This case represents the highest fair housing jury award ever achieved under the legal guidance of the Virginia attorney general’s office.
In June 2020, Regina Turner, the proprietor of Lazy Cove Campground, attempted to evict two families renting lakeside lots after she discovered the racial identity of one of the renters, Damien Smith, who is Black. The revelation led Turner to express discriminatory remarks and initiate eviction proceedings against the families, who had otherwise complied with all terms of their rental agreements.
The legal complaint details an interaction where Turner remarked to a tenant that she was unaware of Mr. Smith’s race prior to the agreement, indicating she would not have rented the property had she known. The complaint also highlighted Turner’s assumption and racially prejudiced comments suggesting a mistake had been made because of Mr. Smith’s son’s appearance.
The Virginia Fair Housing Board took up the case after the families filed a grievance, and the matter quickly escalated to the courts, culminating in the recent jury verdict. The ruling not only compensates the wronged families but also sets a precedent for how racial discrimination is adjudicated in the housing sector.
Attorney General Jason Miyares commented on the verdict, describing it as a pivotal moment in the fight against racial discrimination within the housing market. He emphasized the importance of upholding fair housing laws and ensuring individuals and families are not subjected to prejudice based on race.
This case is a critical reminder of the ongoing challenges in eradicating racial discrimination in private and public housing sectors. It also reflects broader societal shifts towards greater acknowledgment and legal accountability for racial prejudice.
The significant jury award serves both as recompense for the affected families and as a deterrent to potential discriminatory practices by landlords and property managers. With this case, Virginia reinforces its commitment to fair housing rights and upholding justice regardless of race.
Experts in housing law see the case as a benchmark for the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws and a critical step forward in the legal fight to ensure fair treatment for all, regardless of race, in housing opportunities across the state and the country.
This landmark case in Virginia shines a light on persistent racial biases and underscores the importance of vigilance and legal readiness to confront discrimination wherever it surfaces.
As discussions about race and housing continue to evolve, cases like this serve as both a reminder of the strides made and the road still ahead in achieving racial equality in every corner of society, from small communities to sprawling metropolises.
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