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AG Coakley Obtains Consent Judgment Against Landlord for Alleged Posting of Discriminatory Housing Advertisement...

NEW BEDFORD, MA - July 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A consent judgment has been obtained against a South Dartmouth landlord resolving allegations that he made discriminatory statements in rental advertisements posted on the popular classified advertising website Craigslist.org (“Craigslist”), Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today

Attorney General Martha Coakley Obtains Judgment Against Hyde Park Landlord for Alleged Posting of...

Judgment part of statewide investigation into reports of discriminatory Internet advertising. BOSTON, MA - April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office obtained a judgment against Linheart Smith, a Hyde Park landlord, resolving allegations that he made discriminatory statements in rental advertisements posted on the popular classified advertising website Craigslist.org (“Craigslist”). The judgment, signed by Suffolk Superior Court Judge John C. Cratsley, on April 2, 2010, provides a broad range of relief and preventive measures to ensure Smith’s future compliance with state and federal fair housing laws. This judgment is the result of a continuing statewide investigation by the Attorney General’s Office into reports of widespread discriminatory Internet advertising.“Our office’s lawsuit alleged that this landlord had discriminated against low-income individuals seeking housing. Landlords and real estate professionals must recognize that the rental market is a regulated industry and compliance with our anti-discrimination laws is an important obligation,” said Attorney General Coakley. “While we hope that this enforcement initiative will have a deterrent effect, our office will continue to monitor Craigslist and take action against landlords and real estate professionals who violate the law.”

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AG Healey Secures $2 Million in Restitution for 20,000 Massachusetts Homeowners...

One of the nation’s largest mortgage servicers will pay $2 million in restitution to resolve allegations that it violated state law and committed unfair and deceptive practices by charging Massachusetts homeowners for unnecessary fees and overpriced force-placed insurance policies, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today