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 tenants. According to state officials, Turner had routinely leased lots on her scenic lakefront property without issue until a white tenant’s Black spouse became a point of contention.
The incident, which occurred when a white woman and her Black husband, along with another white couple, were renting adjacent lots at the campground, surfaced charges of overt racial bias. The state charged that Turner’s decision to evict the families was solely predicated on her disapproval of the interracial couple, a claim Turner seemed to validate by stating she would not have rented to them had she been aware of the racial makeup.
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares voiced strong condemnation of the discriminatory actions, asserting, “These families experienced blatant discrimination, and Virginia will not stand for it”. He emphasized the Franklin County community’s stance, remarking that Smith Mountain Lake should be accessible to all, regardless of race.
The jury, concluding their deliberations in under two hours, compensated each family $100,000 for emotional and financial distress. Additionally, they imposed $550,000 in punitive damages against Turner. This punitive sum underscores both a reprimand for Turner’s actions and a deterrent to prevent similar discriminatory acts in the future.
Leading the prosecution was Senior Assistant Attorney General Todd M. Shockley, assisted by Assistant Attorneys General Joel B. Taubman and Brittany Sadler Berky, along with Christine Lambrou Johnson, the Civil Rights Unit Section Chief.
Among the evicted, Damien Smith captured the emotional turbulence of the ordeal, saying, “It was like a sigh of relief, but at the same time, I’m still angry because we never should have had to go through this.” He pointed out the absurdity of facing racial prejudice in the year 2020, emphasizing the need to evaluate people by their character rather than their skin color.
This landmark case not only highlights ongoing issues of racial discrimination within housing practices but also serves as a significant precedent for addressing and rectifying civil rights violations through the legal system. It underscores a broader societal call for inclusivity and fairness, reinforcing the principle that discriminatory practices have no place in a progressive society.
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