EVERETT — The owners of an Everett apartment building have entered into an agreement with the state Attorney General’s Office to settle racial discrimination claims.
The agreement, called an “assurance of discontinuance,” states Renton-based DSB Investments LLC was accused of engaging in unfair real estate practices and employed discriminatory terms and conditions in connection with its management of the Glacier View Apartments in Everett.
As part of the agreement between the state and the company, the company’s action “shall not be considered as an admission of violation for any purpose,” and that no penalties would be assessed if the company keeps its end of the bargain.
According to the agreement March 11, the managers of Glacier View, located at 5904 Highway Place in Everett, towed cars owned by African American tenants while allowing other cars to remain on the property.
Managers also made statements about cars owned by black tenants as devaluing the property, and refused to perform or delayed necessary maintenance or repairs to units because the tenants had previously exercised their fair housing rights.
Joshua Alhadeff, managing partner and asset manager of DSB Investments, did not return a call for comment, and Jeana Poloni of the Loeffler Law Group, which represents DSB Investments, declined to comment on the case.
Tina Lewis, an African American tenant whose vehicles were towed, would also provide a signed statement releasing DSB from all claims related to the towing of her cars.
According to the agreement, DSB will stop those unfair practices, adopt a nondiscrimination policy covering all of its residential properties, and have all staff and officers of DSB involved in property leasing and management undergo fair housing training by an independent third party approved by the Attorney General’s office.
DSB also is required to maintain all records regarding vehicle towing, maintenance requests and complaints regarding the nondiscrimination policy for inspection by the Attorney General’s office.
DSB also will pay $657.38 in towing expenses incurred by a tenant, plus $1,250 in attorney’s fees.
The agreement was approved by a King County Superior Court judge Tuesday.
Chris Winters: 425-374-4165; cwinters@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @Chris_At_Herald.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
