Landlord

Landmark Verdict: Virginia Landlord Ordered to Pay $750,000 for Racial Discrimination Against Lakefront Tenants

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Penhook, VA — In a profound case underscoring pervasive issues of racial discrimination, a Franklin County landlord faced severe legal repercussions after evicting two families from her lakefront property upon discovering one family member’s racial identity. The families, who endured significant emotional distress from their abrupt eviction, were awarded a substantial sum by a jury in a discrimination lawsuit. The lawsuit originated from an incident at the Lazy Cove Campground at Smith Mountain Lake in April 2020. Angela and Damien Smith, along with their young son, sought a lakeside retreat, renting a camper close to … Read more

Virginia Jury Awards $750,000 in Landmark Racial Discrimination Case Against Landlord

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RICHMOND, Va. — In a groundbreaking legal decision, a Virginia jury awarded $750,000 to two families after finding that their landlord had evicted them based on racial discrimination. This verdict, delivered against Regina Turner, owner of the Lazy Cove Campground in Penhook, is noted as the largest fair housing jury award secured by the Virginia Office of the Attorney General, surpassing the previous record of $200,000 from a 2011 case involving sexual harassment. The lawsuit stemmed from an incident where Turner allegedly terminated the rental agreements after discovering the racial identity of one of the … Read more

Virginia Jury Awards $750,000 in Landmark Racial Discrimination Case Against Local Landlord

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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 … Read more

Best Friends’ Dream Home Turns Into a Nightmare Due to Discriminatory Landlord

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Charlottesville, VA – For two best friends who thought they had found their dream home in the historical heart of Charlottesville, the joy of settling into a charming new apartment swiftly turned sour. According to allegations from the tenants, their living experience deteriorated due to what they describe as racially motivated actions by their landlord. The duo, both of whom are women of color, signed a lease for the apartment attracted by its proximity to local shops and vibrant community life. Within days of moving in, however, issues that seemed minor at first began to … Read more