complaint in united states v brooklyn park (d. minn.) · 6/18/2015 · case 0:15-cv-02489-pjs-hb...
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CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 1of12
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA
Civil No 15shy
United States of America
Plaintiff
v COMPLAINT
Brooklyn Park 73rd Leased Housing Associates LLC Dominium Management Servjces LLC Susan Meyer and Gina Estrem
Defendants
The United States of America for its complaint against Defendants Brooklyn Park
73rd Leased Housing Associates LLC Dominium Management Services LLC Susan
Meyer and Gina Estrem alleges
NATURE OF ACTION
1 This is an action brought by the United States to enforce the provisions of
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 as amended by the Fair Housing Amendments
Act of 1988 42 USC sectsect 3601 through 3619 (the Act)
2 The United States alleges that Defendants engaged in discriminatory refusal
to rent discrimination in the terms conditions or privileges of rental refusal to make
reasonable accommodations in rules policies practices or services when such
accommodations may be necessary to afford a person equal opportunity to enjoy a
dwelling and unlawful retaliation in the form of interference with the enjoyment of a
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 2 of 12
dwelling on account of the exercise of protected rights in violation of the Fair Housing
Act 42 USC sectsect 3604(plusmn)(l)(A) (plusmn)(2)(A) (plusmn)(3)(B) and 3617
3 Complainant Raelynn Gonzalez filed a complaint of discrimination with the
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
4 HUD charged the Defendants with discrimination on the basis of disability
failure to make a reasonable accommodation and retaliation in violation of the Fair
Housing Act
5 Complainant elected to have the claims stated in the HUD charge
determined in a civil action per her rights under the Fair Housing Act 42 USC sect
3612(a)
6 The United States therefore brings this action for injunctive relief and
monetary damages on behalf of Raelynn Gonzalez pursuant to the Fair Housing Act 42
usc sect 3612(0)
STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION AND VENUE
7 This Court has jurisdiction pursuant to 28 USC sectsect 1331 and 1345 and 42
usc sect 3612(0)
8 Venue is proper in this District pursuant to 28 USC sect 1391 and 42 USC
sect 3612(0)
2
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 3 of 12
PARTIES
9 Plaintiff is the United States of America
10 Defendant Brooklyn Park 73rd Leased Housing Associates LLC
(Brooklyn Park) doing business as Huntington Place Apartments is the owner of
Huntington Place Apartments
11 Defendant Dominium Management Services LLC (Dominium) acts as
the authorized management agent for the owner
12 Defendant Susan Meyer is an employee of Dominiun and serves as the
Community Manager for Brooklyn Park In this capacity she oversees a staff of 23
employees and is responsible for giving employees direction doing inspections and
making sure that employees are trained on company policies
13 Defendant Gina Estrem is a Regional Manager of Dominium Ms Estrem
supervises eight community managers including Ms Meyer
14 Complainant Raelynn Gonzalez was a tenant of Brooklyn Park Ms
Gonzalez has been diagnosed with mental health disabilities These disabilities stem at
least in part from traumatic events she has suffered including witnessing her boyfriends
death due to a self-inflicted gunshot in 2007 and from witnessing her mothers murder in
2008
15 Her disabilities substantially impair major life activities including sleeping
interacting with others learning concentrating and caring for herself
16 Ms Gonzalez is therefore a person with disabilities under the Act 42
USC sect 3602(h)
3
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 4 of 12
17 In about January 2012 Ms Gonzalezs brother gave her a young pit
bull Subsequently Ms Gonzalezs treating psychologist recognized that Ms Gonzalezs
relationship with the dog was extremely beneficial in helping to alleviate the symptoms
of her disabilities The psychologist has verified that the dog is a major and required
part of her treatment progran1
18 Her treating psychologist has informed the Defendants of the critical role
that her dog plays in her treatment plan and that [h ]aving the dog living with her has
made it possible for her to live in her apartment work at her job and support herself and
pay her bills including her apartment
19 Ms Gonzalezs dog is therefore a required part of her treatment for her
disabilities and it ameliorates the effects of her disabilities by providing emotional
support and helping her engage in major life activities
FACTS
20 Ms Gonzalez was a tenant at the subject property at 5817 73rd Avenue
North Brooklyn Park Minnesota from December 1 2012 through November 30 2013
21 Defendants allow pets and service animals at the subject property but have
a no dangerous breeds policy which prohibits pit bulls
22 In February 2013 Defendants learned that Ms Gonzalez was keeping a pit
bull in her apartment
4
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 5of12
23 On March 1 2013 Ms Gonzalez asked the Defendants for a reasonable
accommodation to their pet policy so that she could keep the emotional support animal in
her apartment
24 Defendants tlumiddotough counsel denied Ms Gonzalezs request for a
reasonable accommodation and directed her to remove her dog from the apartment within
five days or be subject to a potential sanction for breach of lease
25 Defendants based this determination upon the breed of the animal not
because of any evidence that the dog in question posed a threat of harm or would cause
substantial physical damage to the property of others
26 On April 23 2013 Ms Gonzalez tlu-ough her attorneys at Mid-Minnesota
Legal Aid provided documentation confirming that the requested accommodation would
help alleviate the symptoms of her disabilities thereby permitting her equal opportunity
to enjoy the Defendants prope1iy She again requested a reasonable acconm10dation
27 Defendants again denied the requested accommodation and threatened
eviction
28 On May 3 2013 Ms Gonzalez through her attorney provided a second
letter from her treating psychologist verifying her specific disabilities the need for an
emotional support animal and indicating that retaining this specific animal was important
to her in alleviating the symptoms of her disabilities The psychologist wrote among
other things that being permitted the accommodation of having her current dog living
with her in her apartment is absolutely necessary for her to be able to live in the
apartment and to be able to function in he[r] life including the necessity of her being able
5
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 6 of 12
to sleep at night Having the dog living with her is essential to her program in her
recovery from the severe trauma she suffered
29 On May 6 2013 Ms Gonzalez through counsel provided Defendants with
the HUD-DOJ Joint Statement on Reasonable Accommodations guidance relating to
assistance animals for persons with disabilities
30 Defendants attorney insisted that the May 3 letter was insufficient to
establish the need for Ms Gonzalez to keep her emotional support dog and demanded to
speak directly to Ms Gonzalez treating psychologist upon threat of eviction On May
20 2013 Defendants attorney wrote that he was no longer interested in continuing to
correspond with Ms Gonzalezs attorney and would file an eviction action against Ms
Gonzalez that week
31 On May 22 2013 Ms Gonzalez fi led in Minnesota state district court a
disability discrimination complaint against the Defendants for their refusal to grant her
reasonable accommodation and a motion for a temporary restraining order to prevent the
Defendants from evicting her before the court ruled on the disability discrimination
complaint
32 On May 29 2013 the Minnesota state district court judge denied her
request for a temporary restraining order and ordered expedited informal discovery of
Ms Gonzalezs psychologist to allow Defendants to assess the need for a reasonable
accommodation
6
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 7 of 12
33 Ms Gonzalez dismissed her disability discrimination complaint without
prejudice and aiTanged for an interview of her psychologist before a court reporter on
June 6 2013
34 During the interview the psychologist described the imp01tance of the
relationship Ms Gonzalez had with her dog and its role in her hmiddoteatment and recovery
from trauma and stated that losing her dog would be hugely traumatic for her
35 On June 18 2013 in lieu of granting her requested accommodation
Defendants gave Ms Gonzalez two options to avoid eviction (1) immediately terminate
her lease with the return of her June rent and security deposit or (2) keep the dog through
the end of the lease but with the additional burdens of purchasing an insurance pol icy to
cover the dog with Defendants listed as a co-insured acquiring an emotional suppo1i
animal vest to be worn by her dog at all times outside her apartment keeping the dog
leashed when outside her apartment and executing an indemnification and hold harmless
waiver indemnifying the Defendants from any harn1 caused by the dog
36 On June 21 2013 Ms Gonzalez accepted the second option and agreed to
perform the obligations under the agreement
37 On June 30 2013 Ms Gonzalez executed an indemnification agreement
and provided proof of liability insurance policy to Defendants
38 On September 13 2013 Defendants informed Ms Gonzalez that her lease
would not be renewed and she was required to vacate her apartment by November 30
20 13
7
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 8 of 12
39 On October 1 2013 Ms Gonzalez through her attorney sent Defendant a
letter stating that the notice to terminate her tenancy was in retaliation for her attempt to
enforce her rights under the Act
40 In response Defendants asserted that the accommodation of Ms
Gonzalezs request allowed her to stay in her apartment only until the end of her thenshy
current lease term
41 On October 8 2013 Ms Gonzalez offered a voluntary mediation relating
to this disagreement in hopes of being allowed to remain in her apaiiment
42 On November 19 2013 Defendants requested in exchange for a 15-day
extension of Ms Gonzalezs tenancy while the patiies mediated the issue a full release of
any claims she might have against the Defendants
43 On November 21 2013 Ms Gonzalez informed Defendants that she would
not release her claims and that she planned to vacate her apaiiment by November 30
2013
PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
44 As required by the Fair Housing Act 42 USC sect 3610(a) and (b) the
Secretary of HUD conducted an investigation of the complaint made by Ms Gonzalez
attempted conciliation without success and prepared a final investigative report
45 Based on the information gathered in bis investigation the Secretary
pursuant to 42 USC sect 3610(g) determined that reasonable cause exists to believe that
illegal disc1iminatory housing practices occurred On April 14 2015 the Secretary
8
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 9 of 12
issued a Determination of Reasonable Cause and Charge of Discrimination pursuant to 42
USC sect 3610(g) charging the Defendants with discrimination under the Fair Housing
Act under 42 USC sectsect 3604(f)(l)(A) (f)(2)(A) (f)(3)(B) and 3617
46 On April 17 2015 Complainant Raelynn Gonzalez timely elected to have
the claims asserted in HUDs Charge of Discrimination resolved in a federal civil action
pursuant to 42 USC sect 3612(a)
47 On April 20 2015 a HUD Administrative Law Judge issued a Notice of
Election and terminated the administrative proceedings on the HUD complaint filed by
Ms Gonzalez Following the Notice of Election the Secretary of HUD authorized the
Attorney General to commence a civil action pursuant to 42 USC sect 3612(0)
48 The United States now timely files this Complaint pursuant to the Fair
Housing Act 42 USC sect 3612(0)
FAIR HOUSING ACT VIOLATIONS
49 The United States incorporates by reference the preceding paragraphs of
this Complaint
50 Defendants discriminated against Ms Gonzalez a person with disabilities
in the rental of a dwelling to Ms Gonzalez by denying her the opportunity to renew her
lease because of her assistance animal required because of her disabilities in violation of
42 USC sect 3604(f)(l)(A)
9
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 10 of 12
51 Defendants discriminated against Ms Gonzalez a person with disabilities
in the terms conditions or privileges of rental of a dwelling because of her disabilities in
violation of 42 U SC sect 3604(f)(2)(A)
52 Defendants refused to make a reasonable accommodation in rules policies
practices or services when such an accommodation was necessary to afford a person
with a disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling in violation of 42 USC
sect 3604(f)(3)(B)
53 Defendants terminated Ms Gonzalez tenancy in retaliation for her exercise
of her right to a reasonable accommodation in the fonn of an assistance animal in
violation of 42 USC sect 3617
54 Ms Gonzalez is an aggrieved person as defined in 42 USC sect 3602(i) and
has suffered injuries as a result of Defendants actions
55 Defendants discriminatory actions were intentional willful and taken in
disregard of the rights of Ms Gonzalez
REQUEST FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE the United States requests that this Court
1 Declare that Defendants discriminatory housing practices as set forth
above violate the Fair Housing Act
2 Enjoin and restrain Defendants their officers employees agents
successors and all other persons or corporations in active concert or participation with
Defendants from
10
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 11of12
A Discriminating in the sale or rental or othe1wise making unavailable
or denying a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of disability in
violation of42 USC sect 3604(f)(l )
B Discriminating against any person m the terms conditions or
privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling or in the provision of
services or facilities in connection with such dwelling because of
disability in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(2)
C Refusing to make reasonable accommodations in rules policies
practices or services when such accommodations may be necessary
to afford a person with a disability equal opportunity to use and
enjoy a dwelling in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(3)(B) and
D Coercing intimidating threatening or interfering with any person in
the exercise or enjoyment of or on account of his or her having
exercised or enjoyed or on account of his or her having aided or
encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of any
right granted or protected by the Fair Housing Act in violation of 42
USC sect 3617
3 Order Defendants to take such affirmative steps as may be necessary to
restore as nearly as practicable Ms Gonzalez to the position she would have been in but
for the discriminatory conduct
4 Order Defendants to take such actions as may be necessary to prevent the
recurrence of any disc1iminatory conduct in the future and to eliminate to the extent
11
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 12 of 12
practicable the effects of their unlawful conduct including implementing policies and
procedures to ensure that no applicants or residents are discriminated against because of
disability
5 Award monetary damages to Ms Gonzalez pursuant to 42 USC sectsect
3612(0)(3) and 3613(c)(l) and
6 Order such additional relief as the interests of justice require
DATE May 18 2015 ANDREWM LUGER United States Attorney
s Craig R Baune
BY CRAIG R BAUNE Assistant US Attorney Attorney ID No 33 1727 600 United States Courthouse 300 South Fourth Street Minneapolis MN 55415 Phone 612-664-5600
12
JS 44 (Rev 1212) CASE 015-cv-02489-PCiiJlfL e~YlSBEJfjed 051815 Page 1of1
The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the infonnation contained herein neither replace nor supplement the fil ing and serYice of pleadings or other papers as required by law except as provided by local rules ofcourt This fonn approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974 is required for the use of the Clerk ofCourt for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM)
I (a) PLAJNTIFFS United States of America
(b) County of Res idence ofF irst Listed Plaintiff
(EXCEPT IN US PLAINTIFF CASES)
c) Attorneys (Firm Name Address and Telephone Number)
DEFENDANTS Brooklyn Park 3rd Leased Housing Associates LLC Dominium Management Services LLC Susan Meyer and Gina Estrem
County of Residence of First Listed Defendant Hennepin County (IN US PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)
NOTE IN LA 1D CONDEMNATION CASES USE THE LOCATION OF THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED
Attorneys (If KnoHn)
II BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an XinOneBoxOnlJ~
~I US Govenm1ent 0 3 Federal Question
Plain1iff (US Go1bullemment Not a Party)
0 2 US Govenm1em 04 Diversity Dcfendanl (Indicate Ci1i=enship ofParties in Item Ill)
Ill CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an X in one Boxor Plaintiff (For Dfrersity Cases Only) and One Box or Defendant)
PTF DEF PTF DEF Citizen ofllus Stale 0 1 O I lncorpora1cd or Principal Place O 4 O 4
of Business In This State
Citizen ofAnother Stale 0 2 0 2 Incorporated and Principal Place 0 5 0 5 of Business In Anod1er State
Citizen or Subject of a 0 3 0 3 Foreign Nation 0 6 06 Forei1m Countrv
IV NATURE OF SUTT (Place an XinOneBoxOnl1) I CONTRAC l TORTS FORFEITUREPENALTY BAN KRUPTC Y OTH ER STATUTES I
0 0 0 0 0
110 Insurance 120 Marine 130 Miller ct 140 Negotiable lnstn uncnt 150 Rccolcry oiOvervaymenl
amp Enforccmclll of Judgment
PERSONAL INJURY 0 310 Airplane 0 315 Airplane Product
Liability Cl 3~0 Assauh Libel amp
Slander
PERS O NAL INJ URY 0 365 Personal Injury -
Product Liabili1y 0 367 llealth Care
Pl rnrmaccuticnl Personal l nJ lll)
0 625 Dmg Related Seizure of Prope1ty 2 1 USC 88 J
0 690 Otl1er
0 0
422 Appeal 28 USC 158 423 Withdrawal
28 USC 157
0 375 False Claims Act 0 400 Stale Reappo11ionment 0 410 An1it111st 0 430 Banks and Banking 0 -1 0 Co1111nerce 0 460 Depo11auon
PROPFRTY IHGHTS 0 820 Copynglns
0 15 1 Medicare Act 0 330 Federal Employers Producl Liability 0 830 Pa1en1 0 4 70 Racketeer Influenced and 0
0
0 0 0 0
152 llccovcry of Dc fouhcd Student Loms (Excludes Veterans)
153 Recovery of Ovcrpaymcn1 of Vc1erans Benelils
160 Stockholders Suits 190 Otl1er Conlract 195 Contract Product Liability 196 F ranchisc
Liability 0 340 Marine 0 345 Marine Product
Liability 0 350 Motor Vehicle 0 355 Motor Vehicle
Product Liability 0 360 Od1er Personal
Injury 0 362 Personal lnjwy shy
Medical Maloractice
0 368 Asbestos Pcrsonnl Injury Product Liability
PERSONAL PROPERTY 0 370 Other Fraud 0 37 1 Tni1h in Lending 0 380 01her Personal
Propeny Damage 0 385 Property Damage
Producl Liability
0 840 Trntlemark Comtpt Organizations 0 480 Consumer Credit 0 490 CableSat TV 0 850 SecuritiesCommodities
Exchange 0 890 Other Sl3tutory Actions 0 891 Agricultural Acts 0 893 Environmental Mailers 0 895 Freedom o f lnfomJation
Act 0 896 Arbitration
a 899 Administrative Procedure
ActReview or Appeal of Agency Decision
0 950 Constitutionality of State Statulcs
LABOR SOC AL SEC URITY 0 710 Fair Labor Standards
Act 0 720 Labor1 lanagement
Relations 0 740 Railway Labor Act 0 75 1 Family and Medical
Leave Act 0 790 01her Labor Litigation 0 791 Employee Retirement
Income Security Act
0 0 0 0 0
861 HIA ( 139511) 862 Black Lung (923) 863 DI WCDJ WW (405(g)) 864 SSID Title XVI 865 RSI (405(g))
I REAL PROPERTY CIVIL RIGHTS PRJSON ER PETITIONS FEDE RAL TAX SUITS 0 0 0 0 0 0
210 Land Condemnation
220 Foreclosure 230 Rent Lease amp Ejecunent 240 Torts to Land 245 Tort Produc1 Liability 290 All Otl1er Real Propcny
0 440 Other Civi l Rights 0 441 Voting 0 442 Employment Jll 443 Housing
Accommodations 0 445 Amer wDisabilities shy
Employment 0 446 Am er wDisabilities shy
Other 0 448 Education
Habeas C orpus 0 463 Alien Detainee O 510 Motions to Vacate
Sentence 0 530 General 0 535 Dead1 Penalty
Other 0 540 Mandamus amp Other 0 550 Civil Rights 0 555 Prison Condition 0 560 Civil Detainee -
Conditions of Con_fi nemcnt
0
0
870 Taxes (US Plaintiff or Defendan1)
871 IRS-Third Pany 26 use 7609
IMMIG RATION -0 462 Naturalization Application 0 465 0 1her Immigrat ion
Actions
V ORIGIN (Placean Xin011eBoxOnly)
~ I Original 0 2 Removed from 0 3 Remanded from 0 4 Reinstated or 0 5 Transferred from 0 6 Multidistrict Proceeding State Court Appellate Court Reopened Another District Litigation
(speciM
Cite the US Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not citej11risdicrio11al statutes 1111 less dfrcrsity)
VI CAUSE OF ACTION t-T_it_le__lll_C _ i - -1 -e- bF osin---Amn entA 42U-S _60 9V i_viI _R_ hts_Ac-tof -9-6-8--amen-d d- airH u e dm s cto--f19c88 C 31to361_Briefdescription ofcause Discrimination under the Fair Housing Act on the basis of disability
VII REQUESTED IN 0 CHECK IF THIS IS A C LASS ACTION DEMAND $ CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint
COMPLAINT UNDER RULE 23 FRCvP JURY DEMAND 0 Yes l( No
VIII RELATED CASE(S) (See ns tructions) IF ANY JUDGE DOCKET NUMBER
DATE SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD
05182015 s Craig R Baune FOR O FFICE USE O NLY
RECEIPT AMOUNT APPL YING IFP JUDGE MAG JUDGE
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 2 of 12
dwelling on account of the exercise of protected rights in violation of the Fair Housing
Act 42 USC sectsect 3604(plusmn)(l)(A) (plusmn)(2)(A) (plusmn)(3)(B) and 3617
3 Complainant Raelynn Gonzalez filed a complaint of discrimination with the
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
4 HUD charged the Defendants with discrimination on the basis of disability
failure to make a reasonable accommodation and retaliation in violation of the Fair
Housing Act
5 Complainant elected to have the claims stated in the HUD charge
determined in a civil action per her rights under the Fair Housing Act 42 USC sect
3612(a)
6 The United States therefore brings this action for injunctive relief and
monetary damages on behalf of Raelynn Gonzalez pursuant to the Fair Housing Act 42
usc sect 3612(0)
STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION AND VENUE
7 This Court has jurisdiction pursuant to 28 USC sectsect 1331 and 1345 and 42
usc sect 3612(0)
8 Venue is proper in this District pursuant to 28 USC sect 1391 and 42 USC
sect 3612(0)
2
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 3 of 12
PARTIES
9 Plaintiff is the United States of America
10 Defendant Brooklyn Park 73rd Leased Housing Associates LLC
(Brooklyn Park) doing business as Huntington Place Apartments is the owner of
Huntington Place Apartments
11 Defendant Dominium Management Services LLC (Dominium) acts as
the authorized management agent for the owner
12 Defendant Susan Meyer is an employee of Dominiun and serves as the
Community Manager for Brooklyn Park In this capacity she oversees a staff of 23
employees and is responsible for giving employees direction doing inspections and
making sure that employees are trained on company policies
13 Defendant Gina Estrem is a Regional Manager of Dominium Ms Estrem
supervises eight community managers including Ms Meyer
14 Complainant Raelynn Gonzalez was a tenant of Brooklyn Park Ms
Gonzalez has been diagnosed with mental health disabilities These disabilities stem at
least in part from traumatic events she has suffered including witnessing her boyfriends
death due to a self-inflicted gunshot in 2007 and from witnessing her mothers murder in
2008
15 Her disabilities substantially impair major life activities including sleeping
interacting with others learning concentrating and caring for herself
16 Ms Gonzalez is therefore a person with disabilities under the Act 42
USC sect 3602(h)
3
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 4 of 12
17 In about January 2012 Ms Gonzalezs brother gave her a young pit
bull Subsequently Ms Gonzalezs treating psychologist recognized that Ms Gonzalezs
relationship with the dog was extremely beneficial in helping to alleviate the symptoms
of her disabilities The psychologist has verified that the dog is a major and required
part of her treatment progran1
18 Her treating psychologist has informed the Defendants of the critical role
that her dog plays in her treatment plan and that [h ]aving the dog living with her has
made it possible for her to live in her apartment work at her job and support herself and
pay her bills including her apartment
19 Ms Gonzalezs dog is therefore a required part of her treatment for her
disabilities and it ameliorates the effects of her disabilities by providing emotional
support and helping her engage in major life activities
FACTS
20 Ms Gonzalez was a tenant at the subject property at 5817 73rd Avenue
North Brooklyn Park Minnesota from December 1 2012 through November 30 2013
21 Defendants allow pets and service animals at the subject property but have
a no dangerous breeds policy which prohibits pit bulls
22 In February 2013 Defendants learned that Ms Gonzalez was keeping a pit
bull in her apartment
4
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 5of12
23 On March 1 2013 Ms Gonzalez asked the Defendants for a reasonable
accommodation to their pet policy so that she could keep the emotional support animal in
her apartment
24 Defendants tlumiddotough counsel denied Ms Gonzalezs request for a
reasonable accommodation and directed her to remove her dog from the apartment within
five days or be subject to a potential sanction for breach of lease
25 Defendants based this determination upon the breed of the animal not
because of any evidence that the dog in question posed a threat of harm or would cause
substantial physical damage to the property of others
26 On April 23 2013 Ms Gonzalez tlu-ough her attorneys at Mid-Minnesota
Legal Aid provided documentation confirming that the requested accommodation would
help alleviate the symptoms of her disabilities thereby permitting her equal opportunity
to enjoy the Defendants prope1iy She again requested a reasonable acconm10dation
27 Defendants again denied the requested accommodation and threatened
eviction
28 On May 3 2013 Ms Gonzalez through her attorney provided a second
letter from her treating psychologist verifying her specific disabilities the need for an
emotional support animal and indicating that retaining this specific animal was important
to her in alleviating the symptoms of her disabilities The psychologist wrote among
other things that being permitted the accommodation of having her current dog living
with her in her apartment is absolutely necessary for her to be able to live in the
apartment and to be able to function in he[r] life including the necessity of her being able
5
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 6 of 12
to sleep at night Having the dog living with her is essential to her program in her
recovery from the severe trauma she suffered
29 On May 6 2013 Ms Gonzalez through counsel provided Defendants with
the HUD-DOJ Joint Statement on Reasonable Accommodations guidance relating to
assistance animals for persons with disabilities
30 Defendants attorney insisted that the May 3 letter was insufficient to
establish the need for Ms Gonzalez to keep her emotional support dog and demanded to
speak directly to Ms Gonzalez treating psychologist upon threat of eviction On May
20 2013 Defendants attorney wrote that he was no longer interested in continuing to
correspond with Ms Gonzalezs attorney and would file an eviction action against Ms
Gonzalez that week
31 On May 22 2013 Ms Gonzalez fi led in Minnesota state district court a
disability discrimination complaint against the Defendants for their refusal to grant her
reasonable accommodation and a motion for a temporary restraining order to prevent the
Defendants from evicting her before the court ruled on the disability discrimination
complaint
32 On May 29 2013 the Minnesota state district court judge denied her
request for a temporary restraining order and ordered expedited informal discovery of
Ms Gonzalezs psychologist to allow Defendants to assess the need for a reasonable
accommodation
6
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 7 of 12
33 Ms Gonzalez dismissed her disability discrimination complaint without
prejudice and aiTanged for an interview of her psychologist before a court reporter on
June 6 2013
34 During the interview the psychologist described the imp01tance of the
relationship Ms Gonzalez had with her dog and its role in her hmiddoteatment and recovery
from trauma and stated that losing her dog would be hugely traumatic for her
35 On June 18 2013 in lieu of granting her requested accommodation
Defendants gave Ms Gonzalez two options to avoid eviction (1) immediately terminate
her lease with the return of her June rent and security deposit or (2) keep the dog through
the end of the lease but with the additional burdens of purchasing an insurance pol icy to
cover the dog with Defendants listed as a co-insured acquiring an emotional suppo1i
animal vest to be worn by her dog at all times outside her apartment keeping the dog
leashed when outside her apartment and executing an indemnification and hold harmless
waiver indemnifying the Defendants from any harn1 caused by the dog
36 On June 21 2013 Ms Gonzalez accepted the second option and agreed to
perform the obligations under the agreement
37 On June 30 2013 Ms Gonzalez executed an indemnification agreement
and provided proof of liability insurance policy to Defendants
38 On September 13 2013 Defendants informed Ms Gonzalez that her lease
would not be renewed and she was required to vacate her apartment by November 30
20 13
7
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 8 of 12
39 On October 1 2013 Ms Gonzalez through her attorney sent Defendant a
letter stating that the notice to terminate her tenancy was in retaliation for her attempt to
enforce her rights under the Act
40 In response Defendants asserted that the accommodation of Ms
Gonzalezs request allowed her to stay in her apartment only until the end of her thenshy
current lease term
41 On October 8 2013 Ms Gonzalez offered a voluntary mediation relating
to this disagreement in hopes of being allowed to remain in her apaiiment
42 On November 19 2013 Defendants requested in exchange for a 15-day
extension of Ms Gonzalezs tenancy while the patiies mediated the issue a full release of
any claims she might have against the Defendants
43 On November 21 2013 Ms Gonzalez informed Defendants that she would
not release her claims and that she planned to vacate her apaiiment by November 30
2013
PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
44 As required by the Fair Housing Act 42 USC sect 3610(a) and (b) the
Secretary of HUD conducted an investigation of the complaint made by Ms Gonzalez
attempted conciliation without success and prepared a final investigative report
45 Based on the information gathered in bis investigation the Secretary
pursuant to 42 USC sect 3610(g) determined that reasonable cause exists to believe that
illegal disc1iminatory housing practices occurred On April 14 2015 the Secretary
8
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 9 of 12
issued a Determination of Reasonable Cause and Charge of Discrimination pursuant to 42
USC sect 3610(g) charging the Defendants with discrimination under the Fair Housing
Act under 42 USC sectsect 3604(f)(l)(A) (f)(2)(A) (f)(3)(B) and 3617
46 On April 17 2015 Complainant Raelynn Gonzalez timely elected to have
the claims asserted in HUDs Charge of Discrimination resolved in a federal civil action
pursuant to 42 USC sect 3612(a)
47 On April 20 2015 a HUD Administrative Law Judge issued a Notice of
Election and terminated the administrative proceedings on the HUD complaint filed by
Ms Gonzalez Following the Notice of Election the Secretary of HUD authorized the
Attorney General to commence a civil action pursuant to 42 USC sect 3612(0)
48 The United States now timely files this Complaint pursuant to the Fair
Housing Act 42 USC sect 3612(0)
FAIR HOUSING ACT VIOLATIONS
49 The United States incorporates by reference the preceding paragraphs of
this Complaint
50 Defendants discriminated against Ms Gonzalez a person with disabilities
in the rental of a dwelling to Ms Gonzalez by denying her the opportunity to renew her
lease because of her assistance animal required because of her disabilities in violation of
42 USC sect 3604(f)(l)(A)
9
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 10 of 12
51 Defendants discriminated against Ms Gonzalez a person with disabilities
in the terms conditions or privileges of rental of a dwelling because of her disabilities in
violation of 42 U SC sect 3604(f)(2)(A)
52 Defendants refused to make a reasonable accommodation in rules policies
practices or services when such an accommodation was necessary to afford a person
with a disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling in violation of 42 USC
sect 3604(f)(3)(B)
53 Defendants terminated Ms Gonzalez tenancy in retaliation for her exercise
of her right to a reasonable accommodation in the fonn of an assistance animal in
violation of 42 USC sect 3617
54 Ms Gonzalez is an aggrieved person as defined in 42 USC sect 3602(i) and
has suffered injuries as a result of Defendants actions
55 Defendants discriminatory actions were intentional willful and taken in
disregard of the rights of Ms Gonzalez
REQUEST FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE the United States requests that this Court
1 Declare that Defendants discriminatory housing practices as set forth
above violate the Fair Housing Act
2 Enjoin and restrain Defendants their officers employees agents
successors and all other persons or corporations in active concert or participation with
Defendants from
10
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 11of12
A Discriminating in the sale or rental or othe1wise making unavailable
or denying a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of disability in
violation of42 USC sect 3604(f)(l )
B Discriminating against any person m the terms conditions or
privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling or in the provision of
services or facilities in connection with such dwelling because of
disability in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(2)
C Refusing to make reasonable accommodations in rules policies
practices or services when such accommodations may be necessary
to afford a person with a disability equal opportunity to use and
enjoy a dwelling in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(3)(B) and
D Coercing intimidating threatening or interfering with any person in
the exercise or enjoyment of or on account of his or her having
exercised or enjoyed or on account of his or her having aided or
encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of any
right granted or protected by the Fair Housing Act in violation of 42
USC sect 3617
3 Order Defendants to take such affirmative steps as may be necessary to
restore as nearly as practicable Ms Gonzalez to the position she would have been in but
for the discriminatory conduct
4 Order Defendants to take such actions as may be necessary to prevent the
recurrence of any disc1iminatory conduct in the future and to eliminate to the extent
11
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 12 of 12
practicable the effects of their unlawful conduct including implementing policies and
procedures to ensure that no applicants or residents are discriminated against because of
disability
5 Award monetary damages to Ms Gonzalez pursuant to 42 USC sectsect
3612(0)(3) and 3613(c)(l) and
6 Order such additional relief as the interests of justice require
DATE May 18 2015 ANDREWM LUGER United States Attorney
s Craig R Baune
BY CRAIG R BAUNE Assistant US Attorney Attorney ID No 33 1727 600 United States Courthouse 300 South Fourth Street Minneapolis MN 55415 Phone 612-664-5600
12
JS 44 (Rev 1212) CASE 015-cv-02489-PCiiJlfL e~YlSBEJfjed 051815 Page 1of1
The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the infonnation contained herein neither replace nor supplement the fil ing and serYice of pleadings or other papers as required by law except as provided by local rules ofcourt This fonn approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974 is required for the use of the Clerk ofCourt for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM)
I (a) PLAJNTIFFS United States of America
(b) County of Res idence ofF irst Listed Plaintiff
(EXCEPT IN US PLAINTIFF CASES)
c) Attorneys (Firm Name Address and Telephone Number)
DEFENDANTS Brooklyn Park 3rd Leased Housing Associates LLC Dominium Management Services LLC Susan Meyer and Gina Estrem
County of Residence of First Listed Defendant Hennepin County (IN US PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)
NOTE IN LA 1D CONDEMNATION CASES USE THE LOCATION OF THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED
Attorneys (If KnoHn)
II BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an XinOneBoxOnlJ~
~I US Govenm1ent 0 3 Federal Question
Plain1iff (US Go1bullemment Not a Party)
0 2 US Govenm1em 04 Diversity Dcfendanl (Indicate Ci1i=enship ofParties in Item Ill)
Ill CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an X in one Boxor Plaintiff (For Dfrersity Cases Only) and One Box or Defendant)
PTF DEF PTF DEF Citizen ofllus Stale 0 1 O I lncorpora1cd or Principal Place O 4 O 4
of Business In This State
Citizen ofAnother Stale 0 2 0 2 Incorporated and Principal Place 0 5 0 5 of Business In Anod1er State
Citizen or Subject of a 0 3 0 3 Foreign Nation 0 6 06 Forei1m Countrv
IV NATURE OF SUTT (Place an XinOneBoxOnl1) I CONTRAC l TORTS FORFEITUREPENALTY BAN KRUPTC Y OTH ER STATUTES I
0 0 0 0 0
110 Insurance 120 Marine 130 Miller ct 140 Negotiable lnstn uncnt 150 Rccolcry oiOvervaymenl
amp Enforccmclll of Judgment
PERSONAL INJURY 0 310 Airplane 0 315 Airplane Product
Liability Cl 3~0 Assauh Libel amp
Slander
PERS O NAL INJ URY 0 365 Personal Injury -
Product Liabili1y 0 367 llealth Care
Pl rnrmaccuticnl Personal l nJ lll)
0 625 Dmg Related Seizure of Prope1ty 2 1 USC 88 J
0 690 Otl1er
0 0
422 Appeal 28 USC 158 423 Withdrawal
28 USC 157
0 375 False Claims Act 0 400 Stale Reappo11ionment 0 410 An1it111st 0 430 Banks and Banking 0 -1 0 Co1111nerce 0 460 Depo11auon
PROPFRTY IHGHTS 0 820 Copynglns
0 15 1 Medicare Act 0 330 Federal Employers Producl Liability 0 830 Pa1en1 0 4 70 Racketeer Influenced and 0
0
0 0 0 0
152 llccovcry of Dc fouhcd Student Loms (Excludes Veterans)
153 Recovery of Ovcrpaymcn1 of Vc1erans Benelils
160 Stockholders Suits 190 Otl1er Conlract 195 Contract Product Liability 196 F ranchisc
Liability 0 340 Marine 0 345 Marine Product
Liability 0 350 Motor Vehicle 0 355 Motor Vehicle
Product Liability 0 360 Od1er Personal
Injury 0 362 Personal lnjwy shy
Medical Maloractice
0 368 Asbestos Pcrsonnl Injury Product Liability
PERSONAL PROPERTY 0 370 Other Fraud 0 37 1 Tni1h in Lending 0 380 01her Personal
Propeny Damage 0 385 Property Damage
Producl Liability
0 840 Trntlemark Comtpt Organizations 0 480 Consumer Credit 0 490 CableSat TV 0 850 SecuritiesCommodities
Exchange 0 890 Other Sl3tutory Actions 0 891 Agricultural Acts 0 893 Environmental Mailers 0 895 Freedom o f lnfomJation
Act 0 896 Arbitration
a 899 Administrative Procedure
ActReview or Appeal of Agency Decision
0 950 Constitutionality of State Statulcs
LABOR SOC AL SEC URITY 0 710 Fair Labor Standards
Act 0 720 Labor1 lanagement
Relations 0 740 Railway Labor Act 0 75 1 Family and Medical
Leave Act 0 790 01her Labor Litigation 0 791 Employee Retirement
Income Security Act
0 0 0 0 0
861 HIA ( 139511) 862 Black Lung (923) 863 DI WCDJ WW (405(g)) 864 SSID Title XVI 865 RSI (405(g))
I REAL PROPERTY CIVIL RIGHTS PRJSON ER PETITIONS FEDE RAL TAX SUITS 0 0 0 0 0 0
210 Land Condemnation
220 Foreclosure 230 Rent Lease amp Ejecunent 240 Torts to Land 245 Tort Produc1 Liability 290 All Otl1er Real Propcny
0 440 Other Civi l Rights 0 441 Voting 0 442 Employment Jll 443 Housing
Accommodations 0 445 Amer wDisabilities shy
Employment 0 446 Am er wDisabilities shy
Other 0 448 Education
Habeas C orpus 0 463 Alien Detainee O 510 Motions to Vacate
Sentence 0 530 General 0 535 Dead1 Penalty
Other 0 540 Mandamus amp Other 0 550 Civil Rights 0 555 Prison Condition 0 560 Civil Detainee -
Conditions of Con_fi nemcnt
0
0
870 Taxes (US Plaintiff or Defendan1)
871 IRS-Third Pany 26 use 7609
IMMIG RATION -0 462 Naturalization Application 0 465 0 1her Immigrat ion
Actions
V ORIGIN (Placean Xin011eBoxOnly)
~ I Original 0 2 Removed from 0 3 Remanded from 0 4 Reinstated or 0 5 Transferred from 0 6 Multidistrict Proceeding State Court Appellate Court Reopened Another District Litigation
(speciM
Cite the US Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not citej11risdicrio11al statutes 1111 less dfrcrsity)
VI CAUSE OF ACTION t-T_it_le__lll_C _ i - -1 -e- bF osin---Amn entA 42U-S _60 9V i_viI _R_ hts_Ac-tof -9-6-8--amen-d d- airH u e dm s cto--f19c88 C 31to361_Briefdescription ofcause Discrimination under the Fair Housing Act on the basis of disability
VII REQUESTED IN 0 CHECK IF THIS IS A C LASS ACTION DEMAND $ CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint
COMPLAINT UNDER RULE 23 FRCvP JURY DEMAND 0 Yes l( No
VIII RELATED CASE(S) (See ns tructions) IF ANY JUDGE DOCKET NUMBER
DATE SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD
05182015 s Craig R Baune FOR O FFICE USE O NLY
RECEIPT AMOUNT APPL YING IFP JUDGE MAG JUDGE
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 3 of 12
PARTIES
9 Plaintiff is the United States of America
10 Defendant Brooklyn Park 73rd Leased Housing Associates LLC
(Brooklyn Park) doing business as Huntington Place Apartments is the owner of
Huntington Place Apartments
11 Defendant Dominium Management Services LLC (Dominium) acts as
the authorized management agent for the owner
12 Defendant Susan Meyer is an employee of Dominiun and serves as the
Community Manager for Brooklyn Park In this capacity she oversees a staff of 23
employees and is responsible for giving employees direction doing inspections and
making sure that employees are trained on company policies
13 Defendant Gina Estrem is a Regional Manager of Dominium Ms Estrem
supervises eight community managers including Ms Meyer
14 Complainant Raelynn Gonzalez was a tenant of Brooklyn Park Ms
Gonzalez has been diagnosed with mental health disabilities These disabilities stem at
least in part from traumatic events she has suffered including witnessing her boyfriends
death due to a self-inflicted gunshot in 2007 and from witnessing her mothers murder in
2008
15 Her disabilities substantially impair major life activities including sleeping
interacting with others learning concentrating and caring for herself
16 Ms Gonzalez is therefore a person with disabilities under the Act 42
USC sect 3602(h)
3
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 4 of 12
17 In about January 2012 Ms Gonzalezs brother gave her a young pit
bull Subsequently Ms Gonzalezs treating psychologist recognized that Ms Gonzalezs
relationship with the dog was extremely beneficial in helping to alleviate the symptoms
of her disabilities The psychologist has verified that the dog is a major and required
part of her treatment progran1
18 Her treating psychologist has informed the Defendants of the critical role
that her dog plays in her treatment plan and that [h ]aving the dog living with her has
made it possible for her to live in her apartment work at her job and support herself and
pay her bills including her apartment
19 Ms Gonzalezs dog is therefore a required part of her treatment for her
disabilities and it ameliorates the effects of her disabilities by providing emotional
support and helping her engage in major life activities
FACTS
20 Ms Gonzalez was a tenant at the subject property at 5817 73rd Avenue
North Brooklyn Park Minnesota from December 1 2012 through November 30 2013
21 Defendants allow pets and service animals at the subject property but have
a no dangerous breeds policy which prohibits pit bulls
22 In February 2013 Defendants learned that Ms Gonzalez was keeping a pit
bull in her apartment
4
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 5of12
23 On March 1 2013 Ms Gonzalez asked the Defendants for a reasonable
accommodation to their pet policy so that she could keep the emotional support animal in
her apartment
24 Defendants tlumiddotough counsel denied Ms Gonzalezs request for a
reasonable accommodation and directed her to remove her dog from the apartment within
five days or be subject to a potential sanction for breach of lease
25 Defendants based this determination upon the breed of the animal not
because of any evidence that the dog in question posed a threat of harm or would cause
substantial physical damage to the property of others
26 On April 23 2013 Ms Gonzalez tlu-ough her attorneys at Mid-Minnesota
Legal Aid provided documentation confirming that the requested accommodation would
help alleviate the symptoms of her disabilities thereby permitting her equal opportunity
to enjoy the Defendants prope1iy She again requested a reasonable acconm10dation
27 Defendants again denied the requested accommodation and threatened
eviction
28 On May 3 2013 Ms Gonzalez through her attorney provided a second
letter from her treating psychologist verifying her specific disabilities the need for an
emotional support animal and indicating that retaining this specific animal was important
to her in alleviating the symptoms of her disabilities The psychologist wrote among
other things that being permitted the accommodation of having her current dog living
with her in her apartment is absolutely necessary for her to be able to live in the
apartment and to be able to function in he[r] life including the necessity of her being able
5
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 6 of 12
to sleep at night Having the dog living with her is essential to her program in her
recovery from the severe trauma she suffered
29 On May 6 2013 Ms Gonzalez through counsel provided Defendants with
the HUD-DOJ Joint Statement on Reasonable Accommodations guidance relating to
assistance animals for persons with disabilities
30 Defendants attorney insisted that the May 3 letter was insufficient to
establish the need for Ms Gonzalez to keep her emotional support dog and demanded to
speak directly to Ms Gonzalez treating psychologist upon threat of eviction On May
20 2013 Defendants attorney wrote that he was no longer interested in continuing to
correspond with Ms Gonzalezs attorney and would file an eviction action against Ms
Gonzalez that week
31 On May 22 2013 Ms Gonzalez fi led in Minnesota state district court a
disability discrimination complaint against the Defendants for their refusal to grant her
reasonable accommodation and a motion for a temporary restraining order to prevent the
Defendants from evicting her before the court ruled on the disability discrimination
complaint
32 On May 29 2013 the Minnesota state district court judge denied her
request for a temporary restraining order and ordered expedited informal discovery of
Ms Gonzalezs psychologist to allow Defendants to assess the need for a reasonable
accommodation
6
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 7 of 12
33 Ms Gonzalez dismissed her disability discrimination complaint without
prejudice and aiTanged for an interview of her psychologist before a court reporter on
June 6 2013
34 During the interview the psychologist described the imp01tance of the
relationship Ms Gonzalez had with her dog and its role in her hmiddoteatment and recovery
from trauma and stated that losing her dog would be hugely traumatic for her
35 On June 18 2013 in lieu of granting her requested accommodation
Defendants gave Ms Gonzalez two options to avoid eviction (1) immediately terminate
her lease with the return of her June rent and security deposit or (2) keep the dog through
the end of the lease but with the additional burdens of purchasing an insurance pol icy to
cover the dog with Defendants listed as a co-insured acquiring an emotional suppo1i
animal vest to be worn by her dog at all times outside her apartment keeping the dog
leashed when outside her apartment and executing an indemnification and hold harmless
waiver indemnifying the Defendants from any harn1 caused by the dog
36 On June 21 2013 Ms Gonzalez accepted the second option and agreed to
perform the obligations under the agreement
37 On June 30 2013 Ms Gonzalez executed an indemnification agreement
and provided proof of liability insurance policy to Defendants
38 On September 13 2013 Defendants informed Ms Gonzalez that her lease
would not be renewed and she was required to vacate her apartment by November 30
20 13
7
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 8 of 12
39 On October 1 2013 Ms Gonzalez through her attorney sent Defendant a
letter stating that the notice to terminate her tenancy was in retaliation for her attempt to
enforce her rights under the Act
40 In response Defendants asserted that the accommodation of Ms
Gonzalezs request allowed her to stay in her apartment only until the end of her thenshy
current lease term
41 On October 8 2013 Ms Gonzalez offered a voluntary mediation relating
to this disagreement in hopes of being allowed to remain in her apaiiment
42 On November 19 2013 Defendants requested in exchange for a 15-day
extension of Ms Gonzalezs tenancy while the patiies mediated the issue a full release of
any claims she might have against the Defendants
43 On November 21 2013 Ms Gonzalez informed Defendants that she would
not release her claims and that she planned to vacate her apaiiment by November 30
2013
PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
44 As required by the Fair Housing Act 42 USC sect 3610(a) and (b) the
Secretary of HUD conducted an investigation of the complaint made by Ms Gonzalez
attempted conciliation without success and prepared a final investigative report
45 Based on the information gathered in bis investigation the Secretary
pursuant to 42 USC sect 3610(g) determined that reasonable cause exists to believe that
illegal disc1iminatory housing practices occurred On April 14 2015 the Secretary
8
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 9 of 12
issued a Determination of Reasonable Cause and Charge of Discrimination pursuant to 42
USC sect 3610(g) charging the Defendants with discrimination under the Fair Housing
Act under 42 USC sectsect 3604(f)(l)(A) (f)(2)(A) (f)(3)(B) and 3617
46 On April 17 2015 Complainant Raelynn Gonzalez timely elected to have
the claims asserted in HUDs Charge of Discrimination resolved in a federal civil action
pursuant to 42 USC sect 3612(a)
47 On April 20 2015 a HUD Administrative Law Judge issued a Notice of
Election and terminated the administrative proceedings on the HUD complaint filed by
Ms Gonzalez Following the Notice of Election the Secretary of HUD authorized the
Attorney General to commence a civil action pursuant to 42 USC sect 3612(0)
48 The United States now timely files this Complaint pursuant to the Fair
Housing Act 42 USC sect 3612(0)
FAIR HOUSING ACT VIOLATIONS
49 The United States incorporates by reference the preceding paragraphs of
this Complaint
50 Defendants discriminated against Ms Gonzalez a person with disabilities
in the rental of a dwelling to Ms Gonzalez by denying her the opportunity to renew her
lease because of her assistance animal required because of her disabilities in violation of
42 USC sect 3604(f)(l)(A)
9
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 10 of 12
51 Defendants discriminated against Ms Gonzalez a person with disabilities
in the terms conditions or privileges of rental of a dwelling because of her disabilities in
violation of 42 U SC sect 3604(f)(2)(A)
52 Defendants refused to make a reasonable accommodation in rules policies
practices or services when such an accommodation was necessary to afford a person
with a disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling in violation of 42 USC
sect 3604(f)(3)(B)
53 Defendants terminated Ms Gonzalez tenancy in retaliation for her exercise
of her right to a reasonable accommodation in the fonn of an assistance animal in
violation of 42 USC sect 3617
54 Ms Gonzalez is an aggrieved person as defined in 42 USC sect 3602(i) and
has suffered injuries as a result of Defendants actions
55 Defendants discriminatory actions were intentional willful and taken in
disregard of the rights of Ms Gonzalez
REQUEST FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE the United States requests that this Court
1 Declare that Defendants discriminatory housing practices as set forth
above violate the Fair Housing Act
2 Enjoin and restrain Defendants their officers employees agents
successors and all other persons or corporations in active concert or participation with
Defendants from
10
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 11of12
A Discriminating in the sale or rental or othe1wise making unavailable
or denying a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of disability in
violation of42 USC sect 3604(f)(l )
B Discriminating against any person m the terms conditions or
privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling or in the provision of
services or facilities in connection with such dwelling because of
disability in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(2)
C Refusing to make reasonable accommodations in rules policies
practices or services when such accommodations may be necessary
to afford a person with a disability equal opportunity to use and
enjoy a dwelling in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(3)(B) and
D Coercing intimidating threatening or interfering with any person in
the exercise or enjoyment of or on account of his or her having
exercised or enjoyed or on account of his or her having aided or
encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of any
right granted or protected by the Fair Housing Act in violation of 42
USC sect 3617
3 Order Defendants to take such affirmative steps as may be necessary to
restore as nearly as practicable Ms Gonzalez to the position she would have been in but
for the discriminatory conduct
4 Order Defendants to take such actions as may be necessary to prevent the
recurrence of any disc1iminatory conduct in the future and to eliminate to the extent
11
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 12 of 12
practicable the effects of their unlawful conduct including implementing policies and
procedures to ensure that no applicants or residents are discriminated against because of
disability
5 Award monetary damages to Ms Gonzalez pursuant to 42 USC sectsect
3612(0)(3) and 3613(c)(l) and
6 Order such additional relief as the interests of justice require
DATE May 18 2015 ANDREWM LUGER United States Attorney
s Craig R Baune
BY CRAIG R BAUNE Assistant US Attorney Attorney ID No 33 1727 600 United States Courthouse 300 South Fourth Street Minneapolis MN 55415 Phone 612-664-5600
12
JS 44 (Rev 1212) CASE 015-cv-02489-PCiiJlfL e~YlSBEJfjed 051815 Page 1of1
The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the infonnation contained herein neither replace nor supplement the fil ing and serYice of pleadings or other papers as required by law except as provided by local rules ofcourt This fonn approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974 is required for the use of the Clerk ofCourt for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM)
I (a) PLAJNTIFFS United States of America
(b) County of Res idence ofF irst Listed Plaintiff
(EXCEPT IN US PLAINTIFF CASES)
c) Attorneys (Firm Name Address and Telephone Number)
DEFENDANTS Brooklyn Park 3rd Leased Housing Associates LLC Dominium Management Services LLC Susan Meyer and Gina Estrem
County of Residence of First Listed Defendant Hennepin County (IN US PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)
NOTE IN LA 1D CONDEMNATION CASES USE THE LOCATION OF THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED
Attorneys (If KnoHn)
II BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an XinOneBoxOnlJ~
~I US Govenm1ent 0 3 Federal Question
Plain1iff (US Go1bullemment Not a Party)
0 2 US Govenm1em 04 Diversity Dcfendanl (Indicate Ci1i=enship ofParties in Item Ill)
Ill CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an X in one Boxor Plaintiff (For Dfrersity Cases Only) and One Box or Defendant)
PTF DEF PTF DEF Citizen ofllus Stale 0 1 O I lncorpora1cd or Principal Place O 4 O 4
of Business In This State
Citizen ofAnother Stale 0 2 0 2 Incorporated and Principal Place 0 5 0 5 of Business In Anod1er State
Citizen or Subject of a 0 3 0 3 Foreign Nation 0 6 06 Forei1m Countrv
IV NATURE OF SUTT (Place an XinOneBoxOnl1) I CONTRAC l TORTS FORFEITUREPENALTY BAN KRUPTC Y OTH ER STATUTES I
0 0 0 0 0
110 Insurance 120 Marine 130 Miller ct 140 Negotiable lnstn uncnt 150 Rccolcry oiOvervaymenl
amp Enforccmclll of Judgment
PERSONAL INJURY 0 310 Airplane 0 315 Airplane Product
Liability Cl 3~0 Assauh Libel amp
Slander
PERS O NAL INJ URY 0 365 Personal Injury -
Product Liabili1y 0 367 llealth Care
Pl rnrmaccuticnl Personal l nJ lll)
0 625 Dmg Related Seizure of Prope1ty 2 1 USC 88 J
0 690 Otl1er
0 0
422 Appeal 28 USC 158 423 Withdrawal
28 USC 157
0 375 False Claims Act 0 400 Stale Reappo11ionment 0 410 An1it111st 0 430 Banks and Banking 0 -1 0 Co1111nerce 0 460 Depo11auon
PROPFRTY IHGHTS 0 820 Copynglns
0 15 1 Medicare Act 0 330 Federal Employers Producl Liability 0 830 Pa1en1 0 4 70 Racketeer Influenced and 0
0
0 0 0 0
152 llccovcry of Dc fouhcd Student Loms (Excludes Veterans)
153 Recovery of Ovcrpaymcn1 of Vc1erans Benelils
160 Stockholders Suits 190 Otl1er Conlract 195 Contract Product Liability 196 F ranchisc
Liability 0 340 Marine 0 345 Marine Product
Liability 0 350 Motor Vehicle 0 355 Motor Vehicle
Product Liability 0 360 Od1er Personal
Injury 0 362 Personal lnjwy shy
Medical Maloractice
0 368 Asbestos Pcrsonnl Injury Product Liability
PERSONAL PROPERTY 0 370 Other Fraud 0 37 1 Tni1h in Lending 0 380 01her Personal
Propeny Damage 0 385 Property Damage
Producl Liability
0 840 Trntlemark Comtpt Organizations 0 480 Consumer Credit 0 490 CableSat TV 0 850 SecuritiesCommodities
Exchange 0 890 Other Sl3tutory Actions 0 891 Agricultural Acts 0 893 Environmental Mailers 0 895 Freedom o f lnfomJation
Act 0 896 Arbitration
a 899 Administrative Procedure
ActReview or Appeal of Agency Decision
0 950 Constitutionality of State Statulcs
LABOR SOC AL SEC URITY 0 710 Fair Labor Standards
Act 0 720 Labor1 lanagement
Relations 0 740 Railway Labor Act 0 75 1 Family and Medical
Leave Act 0 790 01her Labor Litigation 0 791 Employee Retirement
Income Security Act
0 0 0 0 0
861 HIA ( 139511) 862 Black Lung (923) 863 DI WCDJ WW (405(g)) 864 SSID Title XVI 865 RSI (405(g))
I REAL PROPERTY CIVIL RIGHTS PRJSON ER PETITIONS FEDE RAL TAX SUITS 0 0 0 0 0 0
210 Land Condemnation
220 Foreclosure 230 Rent Lease amp Ejecunent 240 Torts to Land 245 Tort Produc1 Liability 290 All Otl1er Real Propcny
0 440 Other Civi l Rights 0 441 Voting 0 442 Employment Jll 443 Housing
Accommodations 0 445 Amer wDisabilities shy
Employment 0 446 Am er wDisabilities shy
Other 0 448 Education
Habeas C orpus 0 463 Alien Detainee O 510 Motions to Vacate
Sentence 0 530 General 0 535 Dead1 Penalty
Other 0 540 Mandamus amp Other 0 550 Civil Rights 0 555 Prison Condition 0 560 Civil Detainee -
Conditions of Con_fi nemcnt
0
0
870 Taxes (US Plaintiff or Defendan1)
871 IRS-Third Pany 26 use 7609
IMMIG RATION -0 462 Naturalization Application 0 465 0 1her Immigrat ion
Actions
V ORIGIN (Placean Xin011eBoxOnly)
~ I Original 0 2 Removed from 0 3 Remanded from 0 4 Reinstated or 0 5 Transferred from 0 6 Multidistrict Proceeding State Court Appellate Court Reopened Another District Litigation
(speciM
Cite the US Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not citej11risdicrio11al statutes 1111 less dfrcrsity)
VI CAUSE OF ACTION t-T_it_le__lll_C _ i - -1 -e- bF osin---Amn entA 42U-S _60 9V i_viI _R_ hts_Ac-tof -9-6-8--amen-d d- airH u e dm s cto--f19c88 C 31to361_Briefdescription ofcause Discrimination under the Fair Housing Act on the basis of disability
VII REQUESTED IN 0 CHECK IF THIS IS A C LASS ACTION DEMAND $ CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint
COMPLAINT UNDER RULE 23 FRCvP JURY DEMAND 0 Yes l( No
VIII RELATED CASE(S) (See ns tructions) IF ANY JUDGE DOCKET NUMBER
DATE SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD
05182015 s Craig R Baune FOR O FFICE USE O NLY
RECEIPT AMOUNT APPL YING IFP JUDGE MAG JUDGE
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 4 of 12
17 In about January 2012 Ms Gonzalezs brother gave her a young pit
bull Subsequently Ms Gonzalezs treating psychologist recognized that Ms Gonzalezs
relationship with the dog was extremely beneficial in helping to alleviate the symptoms
of her disabilities The psychologist has verified that the dog is a major and required
part of her treatment progran1
18 Her treating psychologist has informed the Defendants of the critical role
that her dog plays in her treatment plan and that [h ]aving the dog living with her has
made it possible for her to live in her apartment work at her job and support herself and
pay her bills including her apartment
19 Ms Gonzalezs dog is therefore a required part of her treatment for her
disabilities and it ameliorates the effects of her disabilities by providing emotional
support and helping her engage in major life activities
FACTS
20 Ms Gonzalez was a tenant at the subject property at 5817 73rd Avenue
North Brooklyn Park Minnesota from December 1 2012 through November 30 2013
21 Defendants allow pets and service animals at the subject property but have
a no dangerous breeds policy which prohibits pit bulls
22 In February 2013 Defendants learned that Ms Gonzalez was keeping a pit
bull in her apartment
4
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 5of12
23 On March 1 2013 Ms Gonzalez asked the Defendants for a reasonable
accommodation to their pet policy so that she could keep the emotional support animal in
her apartment
24 Defendants tlumiddotough counsel denied Ms Gonzalezs request for a
reasonable accommodation and directed her to remove her dog from the apartment within
five days or be subject to a potential sanction for breach of lease
25 Defendants based this determination upon the breed of the animal not
because of any evidence that the dog in question posed a threat of harm or would cause
substantial physical damage to the property of others
26 On April 23 2013 Ms Gonzalez tlu-ough her attorneys at Mid-Minnesota
Legal Aid provided documentation confirming that the requested accommodation would
help alleviate the symptoms of her disabilities thereby permitting her equal opportunity
to enjoy the Defendants prope1iy She again requested a reasonable acconm10dation
27 Defendants again denied the requested accommodation and threatened
eviction
28 On May 3 2013 Ms Gonzalez through her attorney provided a second
letter from her treating psychologist verifying her specific disabilities the need for an
emotional support animal and indicating that retaining this specific animal was important
to her in alleviating the symptoms of her disabilities The psychologist wrote among
other things that being permitted the accommodation of having her current dog living
with her in her apartment is absolutely necessary for her to be able to live in the
apartment and to be able to function in he[r] life including the necessity of her being able
5
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 6 of 12
to sleep at night Having the dog living with her is essential to her program in her
recovery from the severe trauma she suffered
29 On May 6 2013 Ms Gonzalez through counsel provided Defendants with
the HUD-DOJ Joint Statement on Reasonable Accommodations guidance relating to
assistance animals for persons with disabilities
30 Defendants attorney insisted that the May 3 letter was insufficient to
establish the need for Ms Gonzalez to keep her emotional support dog and demanded to
speak directly to Ms Gonzalez treating psychologist upon threat of eviction On May
20 2013 Defendants attorney wrote that he was no longer interested in continuing to
correspond with Ms Gonzalezs attorney and would file an eviction action against Ms
Gonzalez that week
31 On May 22 2013 Ms Gonzalez fi led in Minnesota state district court a
disability discrimination complaint against the Defendants for their refusal to grant her
reasonable accommodation and a motion for a temporary restraining order to prevent the
Defendants from evicting her before the court ruled on the disability discrimination
complaint
32 On May 29 2013 the Minnesota state district court judge denied her
request for a temporary restraining order and ordered expedited informal discovery of
Ms Gonzalezs psychologist to allow Defendants to assess the need for a reasonable
accommodation
6
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 7 of 12
33 Ms Gonzalez dismissed her disability discrimination complaint without
prejudice and aiTanged for an interview of her psychologist before a court reporter on
June 6 2013
34 During the interview the psychologist described the imp01tance of the
relationship Ms Gonzalez had with her dog and its role in her hmiddoteatment and recovery
from trauma and stated that losing her dog would be hugely traumatic for her
35 On June 18 2013 in lieu of granting her requested accommodation
Defendants gave Ms Gonzalez two options to avoid eviction (1) immediately terminate
her lease with the return of her June rent and security deposit or (2) keep the dog through
the end of the lease but with the additional burdens of purchasing an insurance pol icy to
cover the dog with Defendants listed as a co-insured acquiring an emotional suppo1i
animal vest to be worn by her dog at all times outside her apartment keeping the dog
leashed when outside her apartment and executing an indemnification and hold harmless
waiver indemnifying the Defendants from any harn1 caused by the dog
36 On June 21 2013 Ms Gonzalez accepted the second option and agreed to
perform the obligations under the agreement
37 On June 30 2013 Ms Gonzalez executed an indemnification agreement
and provided proof of liability insurance policy to Defendants
38 On September 13 2013 Defendants informed Ms Gonzalez that her lease
would not be renewed and she was required to vacate her apartment by November 30
20 13
7
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 8 of 12
39 On October 1 2013 Ms Gonzalez through her attorney sent Defendant a
letter stating that the notice to terminate her tenancy was in retaliation for her attempt to
enforce her rights under the Act
40 In response Defendants asserted that the accommodation of Ms
Gonzalezs request allowed her to stay in her apartment only until the end of her thenshy
current lease term
41 On October 8 2013 Ms Gonzalez offered a voluntary mediation relating
to this disagreement in hopes of being allowed to remain in her apaiiment
42 On November 19 2013 Defendants requested in exchange for a 15-day
extension of Ms Gonzalezs tenancy while the patiies mediated the issue a full release of
any claims she might have against the Defendants
43 On November 21 2013 Ms Gonzalez informed Defendants that she would
not release her claims and that she planned to vacate her apaiiment by November 30
2013
PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
44 As required by the Fair Housing Act 42 USC sect 3610(a) and (b) the
Secretary of HUD conducted an investigation of the complaint made by Ms Gonzalez
attempted conciliation without success and prepared a final investigative report
45 Based on the information gathered in bis investigation the Secretary
pursuant to 42 USC sect 3610(g) determined that reasonable cause exists to believe that
illegal disc1iminatory housing practices occurred On April 14 2015 the Secretary
8
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 9 of 12
issued a Determination of Reasonable Cause and Charge of Discrimination pursuant to 42
USC sect 3610(g) charging the Defendants with discrimination under the Fair Housing
Act under 42 USC sectsect 3604(f)(l)(A) (f)(2)(A) (f)(3)(B) and 3617
46 On April 17 2015 Complainant Raelynn Gonzalez timely elected to have
the claims asserted in HUDs Charge of Discrimination resolved in a federal civil action
pursuant to 42 USC sect 3612(a)
47 On April 20 2015 a HUD Administrative Law Judge issued a Notice of
Election and terminated the administrative proceedings on the HUD complaint filed by
Ms Gonzalez Following the Notice of Election the Secretary of HUD authorized the
Attorney General to commence a civil action pursuant to 42 USC sect 3612(0)
48 The United States now timely files this Complaint pursuant to the Fair
Housing Act 42 USC sect 3612(0)
FAIR HOUSING ACT VIOLATIONS
49 The United States incorporates by reference the preceding paragraphs of
this Complaint
50 Defendants discriminated against Ms Gonzalez a person with disabilities
in the rental of a dwelling to Ms Gonzalez by denying her the opportunity to renew her
lease because of her assistance animal required because of her disabilities in violation of
42 USC sect 3604(f)(l)(A)
9
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 10 of 12
51 Defendants discriminated against Ms Gonzalez a person with disabilities
in the terms conditions or privileges of rental of a dwelling because of her disabilities in
violation of 42 U SC sect 3604(f)(2)(A)
52 Defendants refused to make a reasonable accommodation in rules policies
practices or services when such an accommodation was necessary to afford a person
with a disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling in violation of 42 USC
sect 3604(f)(3)(B)
53 Defendants terminated Ms Gonzalez tenancy in retaliation for her exercise
of her right to a reasonable accommodation in the fonn of an assistance animal in
violation of 42 USC sect 3617
54 Ms Gonzalez is an aggrieved person as defined in 42 USC sect 3602(i) and
has suffered injuries as a result of Defendants actions
55 Defendants discriminatory actions were intentional willful and taken in
disregard of the rights of Ms Gonzalez
REQUEST FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE the United States requests that this Court
1 Declare that Defendants discriminatory housing practices as set forth
above violate the Fair Housing Act
2 Enjoin and restrain Defendants their officers employees agents
successors and all other persons or corporations in active concert or participation with
Defendants from
10
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 11of12
A Discriminating in the sale or rental or othe1wise making unavailable
or denying a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of disability in
violation of42 USC sect 3604(f)(l )
B Discriminating against any person m the terms conditions or
privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling or in the provision of
services or facilities in connection with such dwelling because of
disability in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(2)
C Refusing to make reasonable accommodations in rules policies
practices or services when such accommodations may be necessary
to afford a person with a disability equal opportunity to use and
enjoy a dwelling in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(3)(B) and
D Coercing intimidating threatening or interfering with any person in
the exercise or enjoyment of or on account of his or her having
exercised or enjoyed or on account of his or her having aided or
encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of any
right granted or protected by the Fair Housing Act in violation of 42
USC sect 3617
3 Order Defendants to take such affirmative steps as may be necessary to
restore as nearly as practicable Ms Gonzalez to the position she would have been in but
for the discriminatory conduct
4 Order Defendants to take such actions as may be necessary to prevent the
recurrence of any disc1iminatory conduct in the future and to eliminate to the extent
11
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 12 of 12
practicable the effects of their unlawful conduct including implementing policies and
procedures to ensure that no applicants or residents are discriminated against because of
disability
5 Award monetary damages to Ms Gonzalez pursuant to 42 USC sectsect
3612(0)(3) and 3613(c)(l) and
6 Order such additional relief as the interests of justice require
DATE May 18 2015 ANDREWM LUGER United States Attorney
s Craig R Baune
BY CRAIG R BAUNE Assistant US Attorney Attorney ID No 33 1727 600 United States Courthouse 300 South Fourth Street Minneapolis MN 55415 Phone 612-664-5600
12
JS 44 (Rev 1212) CASE 015-cv-02489-PCiiJlfL e~YlSBEJfjed 051815 Page 1of1
The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the infonnation contained herein neither replace nor supplement the fil ing and serYice of pleadings or other papers as required by law except as provided by local rules ofcourt This fonn approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974 is required for the use of the Clerk ofCourt for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM)
I (a) PLAJNTIFFS United States of America
(b) County of Res idence ofF irst Listed Plaintiff
(EXCEPT IN US PLAINTIFF CASES)
c) Attorneys (Firm Name Address and Telephone Number)
DEFENDANTS Brooklyn Park 3rd Leased Housing Associates LLC Dominium Management Services LLC Susan Meyer and Gina Estrem
County of Residence of First Listed Defendant Hennepin County (IN US PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)
NOTE IN LA 1D CONDEMNATION CASES USE THE LOCATION OF THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED
Attorneys (If KnoHn)
II BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an XinOneBoxOnlJ~
~I US Govenm1ent 0 3 Federal Question
Plain1iff (US Go1bullemment Not a Party)
0 2 US Govenm1em 04 Diversity Dcfendanl (Indicate Ci1i=enship ofParties in Item Ill)
Ill CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an X in one Boxor Plaintiff (For Dfrersity Cases Only) and One Box or Defendant)
PTF DEF PTF DEF Citizen ofllus Stale 0 1 O I lncorpora1cd or Principal Place O 4 O 4
of Business In This State
Citizen ofAnother Stale 0 2 0 2 Incorporated and Principal Place 0 5 0 5 of Business In Anod1er State
Citizen or Subject of a 0 3 0 3 Foreign Nation 0 6 06 Forei1m Countrv
IV NATURE OF SUTT (Place an XinOneBoxOnl1) I CONTRAC l TORTS FORFEITUREPENALTY BAN KRUPTC Y OTH ER STATUTES I
0 0 0 0 0
110 Insurance 120 Marine 130 Miller ct 140 Negotiable lnstn uncnt 150 Rccolcry oiOvervaymenl
amp Enforccmclll of Judgment
PERSONAL INJURY 0 310 Airplane 0 315 Airplane Product
Liability Cl 3~0 Assauh Libel amp
Slander
PERS O NAL INJ URY 0 365 Personal Injury -
Product Liabili1y 0 367 llealth Care
Pl rnrmaccuticnl Personal l nJ lll)
0 625 Dmg Related Seizure of Prope1ty 2 1 USC 88 J
0 690 Otl1er
0 0
422 Appeal 28 USC 158 423 Withdrawal
28 USC 157
0 375 False Claims Act 0 400 Stale Reappo11ionment 0 410 An1it111st 0 430 Banks and Banking 0 -1 0 Co1111nerce 0 460 Depo11auon
PROPFRTY IHGHTS 0 820 Copynglns
0 15 1 Medicare Act 0 330 Federal Employers Producl Liability 0 830 Pa1en1 0 4 70 Racketeer Influenced and 0
0
0 0 0 0
152 llccovcry of Dc fouhcd Student Loms (Excludes Veterans)
153 Recovery of Ovcrpaymcn1 of Vc1erans Benelils
160 Stockholders Suits 190 Otl1er Conlract 195 Contract Product Liability 196 F ranchisc
Liability 0 340 Marine 0 345 Marine Product
Liability 0 350 Motor Vehicle 0 355 Motor Vehicle
Product Liability 0 360 Od1er Personal
Injury 0 362 Personal lnjwy shy
Medical Maloractice
0 368 Asbestos Pcrsonnl Injury Product Liability
PERSONAL PROPERTY 0 370 Other Fraud 0 37 1 Tni1h in Lending 0 380 01her Personal
Propeny Damage 0 385 Property Damage
Producl Liability
0 840 Trntlemark Comtpt Organizations 0 480 Consumer Credit 0 490 CableSat TV 0 850 SecuritiesCommodities
Exchange 0 890 Other Sl3tutory Actions 0 891 Agricultural Acts 0 893 Environmental Mailers 0 895 Freedom o f lnfomJation
Act 0 896 Arbitration
a 899 Administrative Procedure
ActReview or Appeal of Agency Decision
0 950 Constitutionality of State Statulcs
LABOR SOC AL SEC URITY 0 710 Fair Labor Standards
Act 0 720 Labor1 lanagement
Relations 0 740 Railway Labor Act 0 75 1 Family and Medical
Leave Act 0 790 01her Labor Litigation 0 791 Employee Retirement
Income Security Act
0 0 0 0 0
861 HIA ( 139511) 862 Black Lung (923) 863 DI WCDJ WW (405(g)) 864 SSID Title XVI 865 RSI (405(g))
I REAL PROPERTY CIVIL RIGHTS PRJSON ER PETITIONS FEDE RAL TAX SUITS 0 0 0 0 0 0
210 Land Condemnation
220 Foreclosure 230 Rent Lease amp Ejecunent 240 Torts to Land 245 Tort Produc1 Liability 290 All Otl1er Real Propcny
0 440 Other Civi l Rights 0 441 Voting 0 442 Employment Jll 443 Housing
Accommodations 0 445 Amer wDisabilities shy
Employment 0 446 Am er wDisabilities shy
Other 0 448 Education
Habeas C orpus 0 463 Alien Detainee O 510 Motions to Vacate
Sentence 0 530 General 0 535 Dead1 Penalty
Other 0 540 Mandamus amp Other 0 550 Civil Rights 0 555 Prison Condition 0 560 Civil Detainee -
Conditions of Con_fi nemcnt
0
0
870 Taxes (US Plaintiff or Defendan1)
871 IRS-Third Pany 26 use 7609
IMMIG RATION -0 462 Naturalization Application 0 465 0 1her Immigrat ion
Actions
V ORIGIN (Placean Xin011eBoxOnly)
~ I Original 0 2 Removed from 0 3 Remanded from 0 4 Reinstated or 0 5 Transferred from 0 6 Multidistrict Proceeding State Court Appellate Court Reopened Another District Litigation
(speciM
Cite the US Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not citej11risdicrio11al statutes 1111 less dfrcrsity)
VI CAUSE OF ACTION t-T_it_le__lll_C _ i - -1 -e- bF osin---Amn entA 42U-S _60 9V i_viI _R_ hts_Ac-tof -9-6-8--amen-d d- airH u e dm s cto--f19c88 C 31to361_Briefdescription ofcause Discrimination under the Fair Housing Act on the basis of disability
VII REQUESTED IN 0 CHECK IF THIS IS A C LASS ACTION DEMAND $ CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint
COMPLAINT UNDER RULE 23 FRCvP JURY DEMAND 0 Yes l( No
VIII RELATED CASE(S) (See ns tructions) IF ANY JUDGE DOCKET NUMBER
DATE SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD
05182015 s Craig R Baune FOR O FFICE USE O NLY
RECEIPT AMOUNT APPL YING IFP JUDGE MAG JUDGE
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 5of12
23 On March 1 2013 Ms Gonzalez asked the Defendants for a reasonable
accommodation to their pet policy so that she could keep the emotional support animal in
her apartment
24 Defendants tlumiddotough counsel denied Ms Gonzalezs request for a
reasonable accommodation and directed her to remove her dog from the apartment within
five days or be subject to a potential sanction for breach of lease
25 Defendants based this determination upon the breed of the animal not
because of any evidence that the dog in question posed a threat of harm or would cause
substantial physical damage to the property of others
26 On April 23 2013 Ms Gonzalez tlu-ough her attorneys at Mid-Minnesota
Legal Aid provided documentation confirming that the requested accommodation would
help alleviate the symptoms of her disabilities thereby permitting her equal opportunity
to enjoy the Defendants prope1iy She again requested a reasonable acconm10dation
27 Defendants again denied the requested accommodation and threatened
eviction
28 On May 3 2013 Ms Gonzalez through her attorney provided a second
letter from her treating psychologist verifying her specific disabilities the need for an
emotional support animal and indicating that retaining this specific animal was important
to her in alleviating the symptoms of her disabilities The psychologist wrote among
other things that being permitted the accommodation of having her current dog living
with her in her apartment is absolutely necessary for her to be able to live in the
apartment and to be able to function in he[r] life including the necessity of her being able
5
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 6 of 12
to sleep at night Having the dog living with her is essential to her program in her
recovery from the severe trauma she suffered
29 On May 6 2013 Ms Gonzalez through counsel provided Defendants with
the HUD-DOJ Joint Statement on Reasonable Accommodations guidance relating to
assistance animals for persons with disabilities
30 Defendants attorney insisted that the May 3 letter was insufficient to
establish the need for Ms Gonzalez to keep her emotional support dog and demanded to
speak directly to Ms Gonzalez treating psychologist upon threat of eviction On May
20 2013 Defendants attorney wrote that he was no longer interested in continuing to
correspond with Ms Gonzalezs attorney and would file an eviction action against Ms
Gonzalez that week
31 On May 22 2013 Ms Gonzalez fi led in Minnesota state district court a
disability discrimination complaint against the Defendants for their refusal to grant her
reasonable accommodation and a motion for a temporary restraining order to prevent the
Defendants from evicting her before the court ruled on the disability discrimination
complaint
32 On May 29 2013 the Minnesota state district court judge denied her
request for a temporary restraining order and ordered expedited informal discovery of
Ms Gonzalezs psychologist to allow Defendants to assess the need for a reasonable
accommodation
6
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 7 of 12
33 Ms Gonzalez dismissed her disability discrimination complaint without
prejudice and aiTanged for an interview of her psychologist before a court reporter on
June 6 2013
34 During the interview the psychologist described the imp01tance of the
relationship Ms Gonzalez had with her dog and its role in her hmiddoteatment and recovery
from trauma and stated that losing her dog would be hugely traumatic for her
35 On June 18 2013 in lieu of granting her requested accommodation
Defendants gave Ms Gonzalez two options to avoid eviction (1) immediately terminate
her lease with the return of her June rent and security deposit or (2) keep the dog through
the end of the lease but with the additional burdens of purchasing an insurance pol icy to
cover the dog with Defendants listed as a co-insured acquiring an emotional suppo1i
animal vest to be worn by her dog at all times outside her apartment keeping the dog
leashed when outside her apartment and executing an indemnification and hold harmless
waiver indemnifying the Defendants from any harn1 caused by the dog
36 On June 21 2013 Ms Gonzalez accepted the second option and agreed to
perform the obligations under the agreement
37 On June 30 2013 Ms Gonzalez executed an indemnification agreement
and provided proof of liability insurance policy to Defendants
38 On September 13 2013 Defendants informed Ms Gonzalez that her lease
would not be renewed and she was required to vacate her apartment by November 30
20 13
7
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 8 of 12
39 On October 1 2013 Ms Gonzalez through her attorney sent Defendant a
letter stating that the notice to terminate her tenancy was in retaliation for her attempt to
enforce her rights under the Act
40 In response Defendants asserted that the accommodation of Ms
Gonzalezs request allowed her to stay in her apartment only until the end of her thenshy
current lease term
41 On October 8 2013 Ms Gonzalez offered a voluntary mediation relating
to this disagreement in hopes of being allowed to remain in her apaiiment
42 On November 19 2013 Defendants requested in exchange for a 15-day
extension of Ms Gonzalezs tenancy while the patiies mediated the issue a full release of
any claims she might have against the Defendants
43 On November 21 2013 Ms Gonzalez informed Defendants that she would
not release her claims and that she planned to vacate her apaiiment by November 30
2013
PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
44 As required by the Fair Housing Act 42 USC sect 3610(a) and (b) the
Secretary of HUD conducted an investigation of the complaint made by Ms Gonzalez
attempted conciliation without success and prepared a final investigative report
45 Based on the information gathered in bis investigation the Secretary
pursuant to 42 USC sect 3610(g) determined that reasonable cause exists to believe that
illegal disc1iminatory housing practices occurred On April 14 2015 the Secretary
8
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 9 of 12
issued a Determination of Reasonable Cause and Charge of Discrimination pursuant to 42
USC sect 3610(g) charging the Defendants with discrimination under the Fair Housing
Act under 42 USC sectsect 3604(f)(l)(A) (f)(2)(A) (f)(3)(B) and 3617
46 On April 17 2015 Complainant Raelynn Gonzalez timely elected to have
the claims asserted in HUDs Charge of Discrimination resolved in a federal civil action
pursuant to 42 USC sect 3612(a)
47 On April 20 2015 a HUD Administrative Law Judge issued a Notice of
Election and terminated the administrative proceedings on the HUD complaint filed by
Ms Gonzalez Following the Notice of Election the Secretary of HUD authorized the
Attorney General to commence a civil action pursuant to 42 USC sect 3612(0)
48 The United States now timely files this Complaint pursuant to the Fair
Housing Act 42 USC sect 3612(0)
FAIR HOUSING ACT VIOLATIONS
49 The United States incorporates by reference the preceding paragraphs of
this Complaint
50 Defendants discriminated against Ms Gonzalez a person with disabilities
in the rental of a dwelling to Ms Gonzalez by denying her the opportunity to renew her
lease because of her assistance animal required because of her disabilities in violation of
42 USC sect 3604(f)(l)(A)
9
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 10 of 12
51 Defendants discriminated against Ms Gonzalez a person with disabilities
in the terms conditions or privileges of rental of a dwelling because of her disabilities in
violation of 42 U SC sect 3604(f)(2)(A)
52 Defendants refused to make a reasonable accommodation in rules policies
practices or services when such an accommodation was necessary to afford a person
with a disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling in violation of 42 USC
sect 3604(f)(3)(B)
53 Defendants terminated Ms Gonzalez tenancy in retaliation for her exercise
of her right to a reasonable accommodation in the fonn of an assistance animal in
violation of 42 USC sect 3617
54 Ms Gonzalez is an aggrieved person as defined in 42 USC sect 3602(i) and
has suffered injuries as a result of Defendants actions
55 Defendants discriminatory actions were intentional willful and taken in
disregard of the rights of Ms Gonzalez
REQUEST FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE the United States requests that this Court
1 Declare that Defendants discriminatory housing practices as set forth
above violate the Fair Housing Act
2 Enjoin and restrain Defendants their officers employees agents
successors and all other persons or corporations in active concert or participation with
Defendants from
10
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 11of12
A Discriminating in the sale or rental or othe1wise making unavailable
or denying a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of disability in
violation of42 USC sect 3604(f)(l )
B Discriminating against any person m the terms conditions or
privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling or in the provision of
services or facilities in connection with such dwelling because of
disability in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(2)
C Refusing to make reasonable accommodations in rules policies
practices or services when such accommodations may be necessary
to afford a person with a disability equal opportunity to use and
enjoy a dwelling in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(3)(B) and
D Coercing intimidating threatening or interfering with any person in
the exercise or enjoyment of or on account of his or her having
exercised or enjoyed or on account of his or her having aided or
encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of any
right granted or protected by the Fair Housing Act in violation of 42
USC sect 3617
3 Order Defendants to take such affirmative steps as may be necessary to
restore as nearly as practicable Ms Gonzalez to the position she would have been in but
for the discriminatory conduct
4 Order Defendants to take such actions as may be necessary to prevent the
recurrence of any disc1iminatory conduct in the future and to eliminate to the extent
11
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 12 of 12
practicable the effects of their unlawful conduct including implementing policies and
procedures to ensure that no applicants or residents are discriminated against because of
disability
5 Award monetary damages to Ms Gonzalez pursuant to 42 USC sectsect
3612(0)(3) and 3613(c)(l) and
6 Order such additional relief as the interests of justice require
DATE May 18 2015 ANDREWM LUGER United States Attorney
s Craig R Baune
BY CRAIG R BAUNE Assistant US Attorney Attorney ID No 33 1727 600 United States Courthouse 300 South Fourth Street Minneapolis MN 55415 Phone 612-664-5600
12
JS 44 (Rev 1212) CASE 015-cv-02489-PCiiJlfL e~YlSBEJfjed 051815 Page 1of1
The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the infonnation contained herein neither replace nor supplement the fil ing and serYice of pleadings or other papers as required by law except as provided by local rules ofcourt This fonn approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974 is required for the use of the Clerk ofCourt for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM)
I (a) PLAJNTIFFS United States of America
(b) County of Res idence ofF irst Listed Plaintiff
(EXCEPT IN US PLAINTIFF CASES)
c) Attorneys (Firm Name Address and Telephone Number)
DEFENDANTS Brooklyn Park 3rd Leased Housing Associates LLC Dominium Management Services LLC Susan Meyer and Gina Estrem
County of Residence of First Listed Defendant Hennepin County (IN US PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)
NOTE IN LA 1D CONDEMNATION CASES USE THE LOCATION OF THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED
Attorneys (If KnoHn)
II BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an XinOneBoxOnlJ~
~I US Govenm1ent 0 3 Federal Question
Plain1iff (US Go1bullemment Not a Party)
0 2 US Govenm1em 04 Diversity Dcfendanl (Indicate Ci1i=enship ofParties in Item Ill)
Ill CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an X in one Boxor Plaintiff (For Dfrersity Cases Only) and One Box or Defendant)
PTF DEF PTF DEF Citizen ofllus Stale 0 1 O I lncorpora1cd or Principal Place O 4 O 4
of Business In This State
Citizen ofAnother Stale 0 2 0 2 Incorporated and Principal Place 0 5 0 5 of Business In Anod1er State
Citizen or Subject of a 0 3 0 3 Foreign Nation 0 6 06 Forei1m Countrv
IV NATURE OF SUTT (Place an XinOneBoxOnl1) I CONTRAC l TORTS FORFEITUREPENALTY BAN KRUPTC Y OTH ER STATUTES I
0 0 0 0 0
110 Insurance 120 Marine 130 Miller ct 140 Negotiable lnstn uncnt 150 Rccolcry oiOvervaymenl
amp Enforccmclll of Judgment
PERSONAL INJURY 0 310 Airplane 0 315 Airplane Product
Liability Cl 3~0 Assauh Libel amp
Slander
PERS O NAL INJ URY 0 365 Personal Injury -
Product Liabili1y 0 367 llealth Care
Pl rnrmaccuticnl Personal l nJ lll)
0 625 Dmg Related Seizure of Prope1ty 2 1 USC 88 J
0 690 Otl1er
0 0
422 Appeal 28 USC 158 423 Withdrawal
28 USC 157
0 375 False Claims Act 0 400 Stale Reappo11ionment 0 410 An1it111st 0 430 Banks and Banking 0 -1 0 Co1111nerce 0 460 Depo11auon
PROPFRTY IHGHTS 0 820 Copynglns
0 15 1 Medicare Act 0 330 Federal Employers Producl Liability 0 830 Pa1en1 0 4 70 Racketeer Influenced and 0
0
0 0 0 0
152 llccovcry of Dc fouhcd Student Loms (Excludes Veterans)
153 Recovery of Ovcrpaymcn1 of Vc1erans Benelils
160 Stockholders Suits 190 Otl1er Conlract 195 Contract Product Liability 196 F ranchisc
Liability 0 340 Marine 0 345 Marine Product
Liability 0 350 Motor Vehicle 0 355 Motor Vehicle
Product Liability 0 360 Od1er Personal
Injury 0 362 Personal lnjwy shy
Medical Maloractice
0 368 Asbestos Pcrsonnl Injury Product Liability
PERSONAL PROPERTY 0 370 Other Fraud 0 37 1 Tni1h in Lending 0 380 01her Personal
Propeny Damage 0 385 Property Damage
Producl Liability
0 840 Trntlemark Comtpt Organizations 0 480 Consumer Credit 0 490 CableSat TV 0 850 SecuritiesCommodities
Exchange 0 890 Other Sl3tutory Actions 0 891 Agricultural Acts 0 893 Environmental Mailers 0 895 Freedom o f lnfomJation
Act 0 896 Arbitration
a 899 Administrative Procedure
ActReview or Appeal of Agency Decision
0 950 Constitutionality of State Statulcs
LABOR SOC AL SEC URITY 0 710 Fair Labor Standards
Act 0 720 Labor1 lanagement
Relations 0 740 Railway Labor Act 0 75 1 Family and Medical
Leave Act 0 790 01her Labor Litigation 0 791 Employee Retirement
Income Security Act
0 0 0 0 0
861 HIA ( 139511) 862 Black Lung (923) 863 DI WCDJ WW (405(g)) 864 SSID Title XVI 865 RSI (405(g))
I REAL PROPERTY CIVIL RIGHTS PRJSON ER PETITIONS FEDE RAL TAX SUITS 0 0 0 0 0 0
210 Land Condemnation
220 Foreclosure 230 Rent Lease amp Ejecunent 240 Torts to Land 245 Tort Produc1 Liability 290 All Otl1er Real Propcny
0 440 Other Civi l Rights 0 441 Voting 0 442 Employment Jll 443 Housing
Accommodations 0 445 Amer wDisabilities shy
Employment 0 446 Am er wDisabilities shy
Other 0 448 Education
Habeas C orpus 0 463 Alien Detainee O 510 Motions to Vacate
Sentence 0 530 General 0 535 Dead1 Penalty
Other 0 540 Mandamus amp Other 0 550 Civil Rights 0 555 Prison Condition 0 560 Civil Detainee -
Conditions of Con_fi nemcnt
0
0
870 Taxes (US Plaintiff or Defendan1)
871 IRS-Third Pany 26 use 7609
IMMIG RATION -0 462 Naturalization Application 0 465 0 1her Immigrat ion
Actions
V ORIGIN (Placean Xin011eBoxOnly)
~ I Original 0 2 Removed from 0 3 Remanded from 0 4 Reinstated or 0 5 Transferred from 0 6 Multidistrict Proceeding State Court Appellate Court Reopened Another District Litigation
(speciM
Cite the US Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not citej11risdicrio11al statutes 1111 less dfrcrsity)
VI CAUSE OF ACTION t-T_it_le__lll_C _ i - -1 -e- bF osin---Amn entA 42U-S _60 9V i_viI _R_ hts_Ac-tof -9-6-8--amen-d d- airH u e dm s cto--f19c88 C 31to361_Briefdescription ofcause Discrimination under the Fair Housing Act on the basis of disability
VII REQUESTED IN 0 CHECK IF THIS IS A C LASS ACTION DEMAND $ CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint
COMPLAINT UNDER RULE 23 FRCvP JURY DEMAND 0 Yes l( No
VIII RELATED CASE(S) (See ns tructions) IF ANY JUDGE DOCKET NUMBER
DATE SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD
05182015 s Craig R Baune FOR O FFICE USE O NLY
RECEIPT AMOUNT APPL YING IFP JUDGE MAG JUDGE
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 6 of 12
to sleep at night Having the dog living with her is essential to her program in her
recovery from the severe trauma she suffered
29 On May 6 2013 Ms Gonzalez through counsel provided Defendants with
the HUD-DOJ Joint Statement on Reasonable Accommodations guidance relating to
assistance animals for persons with disabilities
30 Defendants attorney insisted that the May 3 letter was insufficient to
establish the need for Ms Gonzalez to keep her emotional support dog and demanded to
speak directly to Ms Gonzalez treating psychologist upon threat of eviction On May
20 2013 Defendants attorney wrote that he was no longer interested in continuing to
correspond with Ms Gonzalezs attorney and would file an eviction action against Ms
Gonzalez that week
31 On May 22 2013 Ms Gonzalez fi led in Minnesota state district court a
disability discrimination complaint against the Defendants for their refusal to grant her
reasonable accommodation and a motion for a temporary restraining order to prevent the
Defendants from evicting her before the court ruled on the disability discrimination
complaint
32 On May 29 2013 the Minnesota state district court judge denied her
request for a temporary restraining order and ordered expedited informal discovery of
Ms Gonzalezs psychologist to allow Defendants to assess the need for a reasonable
accommodation
6
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 7 of 12
33 Ms Gonzalez dismissed her disability discrimination complaint without
prejudice and aiTanged for an interview of her psychologist before a court reporter on
June 6 2013
34 During the interview the psychologist described the imp01tance of the
relationship Ms Gonzalez had with her dog and its role in her hmiddoteatment and recovery
from trauma and stated that losing her dog would be hugely traumatic for her
35 On June 18 2013 in lieu of granting her requested accommodation
Defendants gave Ms Gonzalez two options to avoid eviction (1) immediately terminate
her lease with the return of her June rent and security deposit or (2) keep the dog through
the end of the lease but with the additional burdens of purchasing an insurance pol icy to
cover the dog with Defendants listed as a co-insured acquiring an emotional suppo1i
animal vest to be worn by her dog at all times outside her apartment keeping the dog
leashed when outside her apartment and executing an indemnification and hold harmless
waiver indemnifying the Defendants from any harn1 caused by the dog
36 On June 21 2013 Ms Gonzalez accepted the second option and agreed to
perform the obligations under the agreement
37 On June 30 2013 Ms Gonzalez executed an indemnification agreement
and provided proof of liability insurance policy to Defendants
38 On September 13 2013 Defendants informed Ms Gonzalez that her lease
would not be renewed and she was required to vacate her apartment by November 30
20 13
7
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 8 of 12
39 On October 1 2013 Ms Gonzalez through her attorney sent Defendant a
letter stating that the notice to terminate her tenancy was in retaliation for her attempt to
enforce her rights under the Act
40 In response Defendants asserted that the accommodation of Ms
Gonzalezs request allowed her to stay in her apartment only until the end of her thenshy
current lease term
41 On October 8 2013 Ms Gonzalez offered a voluntary mediation relating
to this disagreement in hopes of being allowed to remain in her apaiiment
42 On November 19 2013 Defendants requested in exchange for a 15-day
extension of Ms Gonzalezs tenancy while the patiies mediated the issue a full release of
any claims she might have against the Defendants
43 On November 21 2013 Ms Gonzalez informed Defendants that she would
not release her claims and that she planned to vacate her apaiiment by November 30
2013
PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
44 As required by the Fair Housing Act 42 USC sect 3610(a) and (b) the
Secretary of HUD conducted an investigation of the complaint made by Ms Gonzalez
attempted conciliation without success and prepared a final investigative report
45 Based on the information gathered in bis investigation the Secretary
pursuant to 42 USC sect 3610(g) determined that reasonable cause exists to believe that
illegal disc1iminatory housing practices occurred On April 14 2015 the Secretary
8
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 9 of 12
issued a Determination of Reasonable Cause and Charge of Discrimination pursuant to 42
USC sect 3610(g) charging the Defendants with discrimination under the Fair Housing
Act under 42 USC sectsect 3604(f)(l)(A) (f)(2)(A) (f)(3)(B) and 3617
46 On April 17 2015 Complainant Raelynn Gonzalez timely elected to have
the claims asserted in HUDs Charge of Discrimination resolved in a federal civil action
pursuant to 42 USC sect 3612(a)
47 On April 20 2015 a HUD Administrative Law Judge issued a Notice of
Election and terminated the administrative proceedings on the HUD complaint filed by
Ms Gonzalez Following the Notice of Election the Secretary of HUD authorized the
Attorney General to commence a civil action pursuant to 42 USC sect 3612(0)
48 The United States now timely files this Complaint pursuant to the Fair
Housing Act 42 USC sect 3612(0)
FAIR HOUSING ACT VIOLATIONS
49 The United States incorporates by reference the preceding paragraphs of
this Complaint
50 Defendants discriminated against Ms Gonzalez a person with disabilities
in the rental of a dwelling to Ms Gonzalez by denying her the opportunity to renew her
lease because of her assistance animal required because of her disabilities in violation of
42 USC sect 3604(f)(l)(A)
9
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 10 of 12
51 Defendants discriminated against Ms Gonzalez a person with disabilities
in the terms conditions or privileges of rental of a dwelling because of her disabilities in
violation of 42 U SC sect 3604(f)(2)(A)
52 Defendants refused to make a reasonable accommodation in rules policies
practices or services when such an accommodation was necessary to afford a person
with a disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling in violation of 42 USC
sect 3604(f)(3)(B)
53 Defendants terminated Ms Gonzalez tenancy in retaliation for her exercise
of her right to a reasonable accommodation in the fonn of an assistance animal in
violation of 42 USC sect 3617
54 Ms Gonzalez is an aggrieved person as defined in 42 USC sect 3602(i) and
has suffered injuries as a result of Defendants actions
55 Defendants discriminatory actions were intentional willful and taken in
disregard of the rights of Ms Gonzalez
REQUEST FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE the United States requests that this Court
1 Declare that Defendants discriminatory housing practices as set forth
above violate the Fair Housing Act
2 Enjoin and restrain Defendants their officers employees agents
successors and all other persons or corporations in active concert or participation with
Defendants from
10
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 11of12
A Discriminating in the sale or rental or othe1wise making unavailable
or denying a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of disability in
violation of42 USC sect 3604(f)(l )
B Discriminating against any person m the terms conditions or
privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling or in the provision of
services or facilities in connection with such dwelling because of
disability in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(2)
C Refusing to make reasonable accommodations in rules policies
practices or services when such accommodations may be necessary
to afford a person with a disability equal opportunity to use and
enjoy a dwelling in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(3)(B) and
D Coercing intimidating threatening or interfering with any person in
the exercise or enjoyment of or on account of his or her having
exercised or enjoyed or on account of his or her having aided or
encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of any
right granted or protected by the Fair Housing Act in violation of 42
USC sect 3617
3 Order Defendants to take such affirmative steps as may be necessary to
restore as nearly as practicable Ms Gonzalez to the position she would have been in but
for the discriminatory conduct
4 Order Defendants to take such actions as may be necessary to prevent the
recurrence of any disc1iminatory conduct in the future and to eliminate to the extent
11
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 12 of 12
practicable the effects of their unlawful conduct including implementing policies and
procedures to ensure that no applicants or residents are discriminated against because of
disability
5 Award monetary damages to Ms Gonzalez pursuant to 42 USC sectsect
3612(0)(3) and 3613(c)(l) and
6 Order such additional relief as the interests of justice require
DATE May 18 2015 ANDREWM LUGER United States Attorney
s Craig R Baune
BY CRAIG R BAUNE Assistant US Attorney Attorney ID No 33 1727 600 United States Courthouse 300 South Fourth Street Minneapolis MN 55415 Phone 612-664-5600
12
JS 44 (Rev 1212) CASE 015-cv-02489-PCiiJlfL e~YlSBEJfjed 051815 Page 1of1
The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the infonnation contained herein neither replace nor supplement the fil ing and serYice of pleadings or other papers as required by law except as provided by local rules ofcourt This fonn approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974 is required for the use of the Clerk ofCourt for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM)
I (a) PLAJNTIFFS United States of America
(b) County of Res idence ofF irst Listed Plaintiff
(EXCEPT IN US PLAINTIFF CASES)
c) Attorneys (Firm Name Address and Telephone Number)
DEFENDANTS Brooklyn Park 3rd Leased Housing Associates LLC Dominium Management Services LLC Susan Meyer and Gina Estrem
County of Residence of First Listed Defendant Hennepin County (IN US PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)
NOTE IN LA 1D CONDEMNATION CASES USE THE LOCATION OF THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED
Attorneys (If KnoHn)
II BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an XinOneBoxOnlJ~
~I US Govenm1ent 0 3 Federal Question
Plain1iff (US Go1bullemment Not a Party)
0 2 US Govenm1em 04 Diversity Dcfendanl (Indicate Ci1i=enship ofParties in Item Ill)
Ill CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an X in one Boxor Plaintiff (For Dfrersity Cases Only) and One Box or Defendant)
PTF DEF PTF DEF Citizen ofllus Stale 0 1 O I lncorpora1cd or Principal Place O 4 O 4
of Business In This State
Citizen ofAnother Stale 0 2 0 2 Incorporated and Principal Place 0 5 0 5 of Business In Anod1er State
Citizen or Subject of a 0 3 0 3 Foreign Nation 0 6 06 Forei1m Countrv
IV NATURE OF SUTT (Place an XinOneBoxOnl1) I CONTRAC l TORTS FORFEITUREPENALTY BAN KRUPTC Y OTH ER STATUTES I
0 0 0 0 0
110 Insurance 120 Marine 130 Miller ct 140 Negotiable lnstn uncnt 150 Rccolcry oiOvervaymenl
amp Enforccmclll of Judgment
PERSONAL INJURY 0 310 Airplane 0 315 Airplane Product
Liability Cl 3~0 Assauh Libel amp
Slander
PERS O NAL INJ URY 0 365 Personal Injury -
Product Liabili1y 0 367 llealth Care
Pl rnrmaccuticnl Personal l nJ lll)
0 625 Dmg Related Seizure of Prope1ty 2 1 USC 88 J
0 690 Otl1er
0 0
422 Appeal 28 USC 158 423 Withdrawal
28 USC 157
0 375 False Claims Act 0 400 Stale Reappo11ionment 0 410 An1it111st 0 430 Banks and Banking 0 -1 0 Co1111nerce 0 460 Depo11auon
PROPFRTY IHGHTS 0 820 Copynglns
0 15 1 Medicare Act 0 330 Federal Employers Producl Liability 0 830 Pa1en1 0 4 70 Racketeer Influenced and 0
0
0 0 0 0
152 llccovcry of Dc fouhcd Student Loms (Excludes Veterans)
153 Recovery of Ovcrpaymcn1 of Vc1erans Benelils
160 Stockholders Suits 190 Otl1er Conlract 195 Contract Product Liability 196 F ranchisc
Liability 0 340 Marine 0 345 Marine Product
Liability 0 350 Motor Vehicle 0 355 Motor Vehicle
Product Liability 0 360 Od1er Personal
Injury 0 362 Personal lnjwy shy
Medical Maloractice
0 368 Asbestos Pcrsonnl Injury Product Liability
PERSONAL PROPERTY 0 370 Other Fraud 0 37 1 Tni1h in Lending 0 380 01her Personal
Propeny Damage 0 385 Property Damage
Producl Liability
0 840 Trntlemark Comtpt Organizations 0 480 Consumer Credit 0 490 CableSat TV 0 850 SecuritiesCommodities
Exchange 0 890 Other Sl3tutory Actions 0 891 Agricultural Acts 0 893 Environmental Mailers 0 895 Freedom o f lnfomJation
Act 0 896 Arbitration
a 899 Administrative Procedure
ActReview or Appeal of Agency Decision
0 950 Constitutionality of State Statulcs
LABOR SOC AL SEC URITY 0 710 Fair Labor Standards
Act 0 720 Labor1 lanagement
Relations 0 740 Railway Labor Act 0 75 1 Family and Medical
Leave Act 0 790 01her Labor Litigation 0 791 Employee Retirement
Income Security Act
0 0 0 0 0
861 HIA ( 139511) 862 Black Lung (923) 863 DI WCDJ WW (405(g)) 864 SSID Title XVI 865 RSI (405(g))
I REAL PROPERTY CIVIL RIGHTS PRJSON ER PETITIONS FEDE RAL TAX SUITS 0 0 0 0 0 0
210 Land Condemnation
220 Foreclosure 230 Rent Lease amp Ejecunent 240 Torts to Land 245 Tort Produc1 Liability 290 All Otl1er Real Propcny
0 440 Other Civi l Rights 0 441 Voting 0 442 Employment Jll 443 Housing
Accommodations 0 445 Amer wDisabilities shy
Employment 0 446 Am er wDisabilities shy
Other 0 448 Education
Habeas C orpus 0 463 Alien Detainee O 510 Motions to Vacate
Sentence 0 530 General 0 535 Dead1 Penalty
Other 0 540 Mandamus amp Other 0 550 Civil Rights 0 555 Prison Condition 0 560 Civil Detainee -
Conditions of Con_fi nemcnt
0
0
870 Taxes (US Plaintiff or Defendan1)
871 IRS-Third Pany 26 use 7609
IMMIG RATION -0 462 Naturalization Application 0 465 0 1her Immigrat ion
Actions
V ORIGIN (Placean Xin011eBoxOnly)
~ I Original 0 2 Removed from 0 3 Remanded from 0 4 Reinstated or 0 5 Transferred from 0 6 Multidistrict Proceeding State Court Appellate Court Reopened Another District Litigation
(speciM
Cite the US Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not citej11risdicrio11al statutes 1111 less dfrcrsity)
VI CAUSE OF ACTION t-T_it_le__lll_C _ i - -1 -e- bF osin---Amn entA 42U-S _60 9V i_viI _R_ hts_Ac-tof -9-6-8--amen-d d- airH u e dm s cto--f19c88 C 31to361_Briefdescription ofcause Discrimination under the Fair Housing Act on the basis of disability
VII REQUESTED IN 0 CHECK IF THIS IS A C LASS ACTION DEMAND $ CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint
COMPLAINT UNDER RULE 23 FRCvP JURY DEMAND 0 Yes l( No
VIII RELATED CASE(S) (See ns tructions) IF ANY JUDGE DOCKET NUMBER
DATE SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD
05182015 s Craig R Baune FOR O FFICE USE O NLY
RECEIPT AMOUNT APPL YING IFP JUDGE MAG JUDGE
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 7 of 12
33 Ms Gonzalez dismissed her disability discrimination complaint without
prejudice and aiTanged for an interview of her psychologist before a court reporter on
June 6 2013
34 During the interview the psychologist described the imp01tance of the
relationship Ms Gonzalez had with her dog and its role in her hmiddoteatment and recovery
from trauma and stated that losing her dog would be hugely traumatic for her
35 On June 18 2013 in lieu of granting her requested accommodation
Defendants gave Ms Gonzalez two options to avoid eviction (1) immediately terminate
her lease with the return of her June rent and security deposit or (2) keep the dog through
the end of the lease but with the additional burdens of purchasing an insurance pol icy to
cover the dog with Defendants listed as a co-insured acquiring an emotional suppo1i
animal vest to be worn by her dog at all times outside her apartment keeping the dog
leashed when outside her apartment and executing an indemnification and hold harmless
waiver indemnifying the Defendants from any harn1 caused by the dog
36 On June 21 2013 Ms Gonzalez accepted the second option and agreed to
perform the obligations under the agreement
37 On June 30 2013 Ms Gonzalez executed an indemnification agreement
and provided proof of liability insurance policy to Defendants
38 On September 13 2013 Defendants informed Ms Gonzalez that her lease
would not be renewed and she was required to vacate her apartment by November 30
20 13
7
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 8 of 12
39 On October 1 2013 Ms Gonzalez through her attorney sent Defendant a
letter stating that the notice to terminate her tenancy was in retaliation for her attempt to
enforce her rights under the Act
40 In response Defendants asserted that the accommodation of Ms
Gonzalezs request allowed her to stay in her apartment only until the end of her thenshy
current lease term
41 On October 8 2013 Ms Gonzalez offered a voluntary mediation relating
to this disagreement in hopes of being allowed to remain in her apaiiment
42 On November 19 2013 Defendants requested in exchange for a 15-day
extension of Ms Gonzalezs tenancy while the patiies mediated the issue a full release of
any claims she might have against the Defendants
43 On November 21 2013 Ms Gonzalez informed Defendants that she would
not release her claims and that she planned to vacate her apaiiment by November 30
2013
PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
44 As required by the Fair Housing Act 42 USC sect 3610(a) and (b) the
Secretary of HUD conducted an investigation of the complaint made by Ms Gonzalez
attempted conciliation without success and prepared a final investigative report
45 Based on the information gathered in bis investigation the Secretary
pursuant to 42 USC sect 3610(g) determined that reasonable cause exists to believe that
illegal disc1iminatory housing practices occurred On April 14 2015 the Secretary
8
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 9 of 12
issued a Determination of Reasonable Cause and Charge of Discrimination pursuant to 42
USC sect 3610(g) charging the Defendants with discrimination under the Fair Housing
Act under 42 USC sectsect 3604(f)(l)(A) (f)(2)(A) (f)(3)(B) and 3617
46 On April 17 2015 Complainant Raelynn Gonzalez timely elected to have
the claims asserted in HUDs Charge of Discrimination resolved in a federal civil action
pursuant to 42 USC sect 3612(a)
47 On April 20 2015 a HUD Administrative Law Judge issued a Notice of
Election and terminated the administrative proceedings on the HUD complaint filed by
Ms Gonzalez Following the Notice of Election the Secretary of HUD authorized the
Attorney General to commence a civil action pursuant to 42 USC sect 3612(0)
48 The United States now timely files this Complaint pursuant to the Fair
Housing Act 42 USC sect 3612(0)
FAIR HOUSING ACT VIOLATIONS
49 The United States incorporates by reference the preceding paragraphs of
this Complaint
50 Defendants discriminated against Ms Gonzalez a person with disabilities
in the rental of a dwelling to Ms Gonzalez by denying her the opportunity to renew her
lease because of her assistance animal required because of her disabilities in violation of
42 USC sect 3604(f)(l)(A)
9
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 10 of 12
51 Defendants discriminated against Ms Gonzalez a person with disabilities
in the terms conditions or privileges of rental of a dwelling because of her disabilities in
violation of 42 U SC sect 3604(f)(2)(A)
52 Defendants refused to make a reasonable accommodation in rules policies
practices or services when such an accommodation was necessary to afford a person
with a disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling in violation of 42 USC
sect 3604(f)(3)(B)
53 Defendants terminated Ms Gonzalez tenancy in retaliation for her exercise
of her right to a reasonable accommodation in the fonn of an assistance animal in
violation of 42 USC sect 3617
54 Ms Gonzalez is an aggrieved person as defined in 42 USC sect 3602(i) and
has suffered injuries as a result of Defendants actions
55 Defendants discriminatory actions were intentional willful and taken in
disregard of the rights of Ms Gonzalez
REQUEST FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE the United States requests that this Court
1 Declare that Defendants discriminatory housing practices as set forth
above violate the Fair Housing Act
2 Enjoin and restrain Defendants their officers employees agents
successors and all other persons or corporations in active concert or participation with
Defendants from
10
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 11of12
A Discriminating in the sale or rental or othe1wise making unavailable
or denying a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of disability in
violation of42 USC sect 3604(f)(l )
B Discriminating against any person m the terms conditions or
privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling or in the provision of
services or facilities in connection with such dwelling because of
disability in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(2)
C Refusing to make reasonable accommodations in rules policies
practices or services when such accommodations may be necessary
to afford a person with a disability equal opportunity to use and
enjoy a dwelling in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(3)(B) and
D Coercing intimidating threatening or interfering with any person in
the exercise or enjoyment of or on account of his or her having
exercised or enjoyed or on account of his or her having aided or
encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of any
right granted or protected by the Fair Housing Act in violation of 42
USC sect 3617
3 Order Defendants to take such affirmative steps as may be necessary to
restore as nearly as practicable Ms Gonzalez to the position she would have been in but
for the discriminatory conduct
4 Order Defendants to take such actions as may be necessary to prevent the
recurrence of any disc1iminatory conduct in the future and to eliminate to the extent
11
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 12 of 12
practicable the effects of their unlawful conduct including implementing policies and
procedures to ensure that no applicants or residents are discriminated against because of
disability
5 Award monetary damages to Ms Gonzalez pursuant to 42 USC sectsect
3612(0)(3) and 3613(c)(l) and
6 Order such additional relief as the interests of justice require
DATE May 18 2015 ANDREWM LUGER United States Attorney
s Craig R Baune
BY CRAIG R BAUNE Assistant US Attorney Attorney ID No 33 1727 600 United States Courthouse 300 South Fourth Street Minneapolis MN 55415 Phone 612-664-5600
12
JS 44 (Rev 1212) CASE 015-cv-02489-PCiiJlfL e~YlSBEJfjed 051815 Page 1of1
The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the infonnation contained herein neither replace nor supplement the fil ing and serYice of pleadings or other papers as required by law except as provided by local rules ofcourt This fonn approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974 is required for the use of the Clerk ofCourt for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM)
I (a) PLAJNTIFFS United States of America
(b) County of Res idence ofF irst Listed Plaintiff
(EXCEPT IN US PLAINTIFF CASES)
c) Attorneys (Firm Name Address and Telephone Number)
DEFENDANTS Brooklyn Park 3rd Leased Housing Associates LLC Dominium Management Services LLC Susan Meyer and Gina Estrem
County of Residence of First Listed Defendant Hennepin County (IN US PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)
NOTE IN LA 1D CONDEMNATION CASES USE THE LOCATION OF THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED
Attorneys (If KnoHn)
II BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an XinOneBoxOnlJ~
~I US Govenm1ent 0 3 Federal Question
Plain1iff (US Go1bullemment Not a Party)
0 2 US Govenm1em 04 Diversity Dcfendanl (Indicate Ci1i=enship ofParties in Item Ill)
Ill CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an X in one Boxor Plaintiff (For Dfrersity Cases Only) and One Box or Defendant)
PTF DEF PTF DEF Citizen ofllus Stale 0 1 O I lncorpora1cd or Principal Place O 4 O 4
of Business In This State
Citizen ofAnother Stale 0 2 0 2 Incorporated and Principal Place 0 5 0 5 of Business In Anod1er State
Citizen or Subject of a 0 3 0 3 Foreign Nation 0 6 06 Forei1m Countrv
IV NATURE OF SUTT (Place an XinOneBoxOnl1) I CONTRAC l TORTS FORFEITUREPENALTY BAN KRUPTC Y OTH ER STATUTES I
0 0 0 0 0
110 Insurance 120 Marine 130 Miller ct 140 Negotiable lnstn uncnt 150 Rccolcry oiOvervaymenl
amp Enforccmclll of Judgment
PERSONAL INJURY 0 310 Airplane 0 315 Airplane Product
Liability Cl 3~0 Assauh Libel amp
Slander
PERS O NAL INJ URY 0 365 Personal Injury -
Product Liabili1y 0 367 llealth Care
Pl rnrmaccuticnl Personal l nJ lll)
0 625 Dmg Related Seizure of Prope1ty 2 1 USC 88 J
0 690 Otl1er
0 0
422 Appeal 28 USC 158 423 Withdrawal
28 USC 157
0 375 False Claims Act 0 400 Stale Reappo11ionment 0 410 An1it111st 0 430 Banks and Banking 0 -1 0 Co1111nerce 0 460 Depo11auon
PROPFRTY IHGHTS 0 820 Copynglns
0 15 1 Medicare Act 0 330 Federal Employers Producl Liability 0 830 Pa1en1 0 4 70 Racketeer Influenced and 0
0
0 0 0 0
152 llccovcry of Dc fouhcd Student Loms (Excludes Veterans)
153 Recovery of Ovcrpaymcn1 of Vc1erans Benelils
160 Stockholders Suits 190 Otl1er Conlract 195 Contract Product Liability 196 F ranchisc
Liability 0 340 Marine 0 345 Marine Product
Liability 0 350 Motor Vehicle 0 355 Motor Vehicle
Product Liability 0 360 Od1er Personal
Injury 0 362 Personal lnjwy shy
Medical Maloractice
0 368 Asbestos Pcrsonnl Injury Product Liability
PERSONAL PROPERTY 0 370 Other Fraud 0 37 1 Tni1h in Lending 0 380 01her Personal
Propeny Damage 0 385 Property Damage
Producl Liability
0 840 Trntlemark Comtpt Organizations 0 480 Consumer Credit 0 490 CableSat TV 0 850 SecuritiesCommodities
Exchange 0 890 Other Sl3tutory Actions 0 891 Agricultural Acts 0 893 Environmental Mailers 0 895 Freedom o f lnfomJation
Act 0 896 Arbitration
a 899 Administrative Procedure
ActReview or Appeal of Agency Decision
0 950 Constitutionality of State Statulcs
LABOR SOC AL SEC URITY 0 710 Fair Labor Standards
Act 0 720 Labor1 lanagement
Relations 0 740 Railway Labor Act 0 75 1 Family and Medical
Leave Act 0 790 01her Labor Litigation 0 791 Employee Retirement
Income Security Act
0 0 0 0 0
861 HIA ( 139511) 862 Black Lung (923) 863 DI WCDJ WW (405(g)) 864 SSID Title XVI 865 RSI (405(g))
I REAL PROPERTY CIVIL RIGHTS PRJSON ER PETITIONS FEDE RAL TAX SUITS 0 0 0 0 0 0
210 Land Condemnation
220 Foreclosure 230 Rent Lease amp Ejecunent 240 Torts to Land 245 Tort Produc1 Liability 290 All Otl1er Real Propcny
0 440 Other Civi l Rights 0 441 Voting 0 442 Employment Jll 443 Housing
Accommodations 0 445 Amer wDisabilities shy
Employment 0 446 Am er wDisabilities shy
Other 0 448 Education
Habeas C orpus 0 463 Alien Detainee O 510 Motions to Vacate
Sentence 0 530 General 0 535 Dead1 Penalty
Other 0 540 Mandamus amp Other 0 550 Civil Rights 0 555 Prison Condition 0 560 Civil Detainee -
Conditions of Con_fi nemcnt
0
0
870 Taxes (US Plaintiff or Defendan1)
871 IRS-Third Pany 26 use 7609
IMMIG RATION -0 462 Naturalization Application 0 465 0 1her Immigrat ion
Actions
V ORIGIN (Placean Xin011eBoxOnly)
~ I Original 0 2 Removed from 0 3 Remanded from 0 4 Reinstated or 0 5 Transferred from 0 6 Multidistrict Proceeding State Court Appellate Court Reopened Another District Litigation
(speciM
Cite the US Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not citej11risdicrio11al statutes 1111 less dfrcrsity)
VI CAUSE OF ACTION t-T_it_le__lll_C _ i - -1 -e- bF osin---Amn entA 42U-S _60 9V i_viI _R_ hts_Ac-tof -9-6-8--amen-d d- airH u e dm s cto--f19c88 C 31to361_Briefdescription ofcause Discrimination under the Fair Housing Act on the basis of disability
VII REQUESTED IN 0 CHECK IF THIS IS A C LASS ACTION DEMAND $ CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint
COMPLAINT UNDER RULE 23 FRCvP JURY DEMAND 0 Yes l( No
VIII RELATED CASE(S) (See ns tructions) IF ANY JUDGE DOCKET NUMBER
DATE SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD
05182015 s Craig R Baune FOR O FFICE USE O NLY
RECEIPT AMOUNT APPL YING IFP JUDGE MAG JUDGE
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 8 of 12
39 On October 1 2013 Ms Gonzalez through her attorney sent Defendant a
letter stating that the notice to terminate her tenancy was in retaliation for her attempt to
enforce her rights under the Act
40 In response Defendants asserted that the accommodation of Ms
Gonzalezs request allowed her to stay in her apartment only until the end of her thenshy
current lease term
41 On October 8 2013 Ms Gonzalez offered a voluntary mediation relating
to this disagreement in hopes of being allowed to remain in her apaiiment
42 On November 19 2013 Defendants requested in exchange for a 15-day
extension of Ms Gonzalezs tenancy while the patiies mediated the issue a full release of
any claims she might have against the Defendants
43 On November 21 2013 Ms Gonzalez informed Defendants that she would
not release her claims and that she planned to vacate her apaiiment by November 30
2013
PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
44 As required by the Fair Housing Act 42 USC sect 3610(a) and (b) the
Secretary of HUD conducted an investigation of the complaint made by Ms Gonzalez
attempted conciliation without success and prepared a final investigative report
45 Based on the information gathered in bis investigation the Secretary
pursuant to 42 USC sect 3610(g) determined that reasonable cause exists to believe that
illegal disc1iminatory housing practices occurred On April 14 2015 the Secretary
8
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 9 of 12
issued a Determination of Reasonable Cause and Charge of Discrimination pursuant to 42
USC sect 3610(g) charging the Defendants with discrimination under the Fair Housing
Act under 42 USC sectsect 3604(f)(l)(A) (f)(2)(A) (f)(3)(B) and 3617
46 On April 17 2015 Complainant Raelynn Gonzalez timely elected to have
the claims asserted in HUDs Charge of Discrimination resolved in a federal civil action
pursuant to 42 USC sect 3612(a)
47 On April 20 2015 a HUD Administrative Law Judge issued a Notice of
Election and terminated the administrative proceedings on the HUD complaint filed by
Ms Gonzalez Following the Notice of Election the Secretary of HUD authorized the
Attorney General to commence a civil action pursuant to 42 USC sect 3612(0)
48 The United States now timely files this Complaint pursuant to the Fair
Housing Act 42 USC sect 3612(0)
FAIR HOUSING ACT VIOLATIONS
49 The United States incorporates by reference the preceding paragraphs of
this Complaint
50 Defendants discriminated against Ms Gonzalez a person with disabilities
in the rental of a dwelling to Ms Gonzalez by denying her the opportunity to renew her
lease because of her assistance animal required because of her disabilities in violation of
42 USC sect 3604(f)(l)(A)
9
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 10 of 12
51 Defendants discriminated against Ms Gonzalez a person with disabilities
in the terms conditions or privileges of rental of a dwelling because of her disabilities in
violation of 42 U SC sect 3604(f)(2)(A)
52 Defendants refused to make a reasonable accommodation in rules policies
practices or services when such an accommodation was necessary to afford a person
with a disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling in violation of 42 USC
sect 3604(f)(3)(B)
53 Defendants terminated Ms Gonzalez tenancy in retaliation for her exercise
of her right to a reasonable accommodation in the fonn of an assistance animal in
violation of 42 USC sect 3617
54 Ms Gonzalez is an aggrieved person as defined in 42 USC sect 3602(i) and
has suffered injuries as a result of Defendants actions
55 Defendants discriminatory actions were intentional willful and taken in
disregard of the rights of Ms Gonzalez
REQUEST FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE the United States requests that this Court
1 Declare that Defendants discriminatory housing practices as set forth
above violate the Fair Housing Act
2 Enjoin and restrain Defendants their officers employees agents
successors and all other persons or corporations in active concert or participation with
Defendants from
10
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 11of12
A Discriminating in the sale or rental or othe1wise making unavailable
or denying a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of disability in
violation of42 USC sect 3604(f)(l )
B Discriminating against any person m the terms conditions or
privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling or in the provision of
services or facilities in connection with such dwelling because of
disability in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(2)
C Refusing to make reasonable accommodations in rules policies
practices or services when such accommodations may be necessary
to afford a person with a disability equal opportunity to use and
enjoy a dwelling in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(3)(B) and
D Coercing intimidating threatening or interfering with any person in
the exercise or enjoyment of or on account of his or her having
exercised or enjoyed or on account of his or her having aided or
encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of any
right granted or protected by the Fair Housing Act in violation of 42
USC sect 3617
3 Order Defendants to take such affirmative steps as may be necessary to
restore as nearly as practicable Ms Gonzalez to the position she would have been in but
for the discriminatory conduct
4 Order Defendants to take such actions as may be necessary to prevent the
recurrence of any disc1iminatory conduct in the future and to eliminate to the extent
11
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 12 of 12
practicable the effects of their unlawful conduct including implementing policies and
procedures to ensure that no applicants or residents are discriminated against because of
disability
5 Award monetary damages to Ms Gonzalez pursuant to 42 USC sectsect
3612(0)(3) and 3613(c)(l) and
6 Order such additional relief as the interests of justice require
DATE May 18 2015 ANDREWM LUGER United States Attorney
s Craig R Baune
BY CRAIG R BAUNE Assistant US Attorney Attorney ID No 33 1727 600 United States Courthouse 300 South Fourth Street Minneapolis MN 55415 Phone 612-664-5600
12
JS 44 (Rev 1212) CASE 015-cv-02489-PCiiJlfL e~YlSBEJfjed 051815 Page 1of1
The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the infonnation contained herein neither replace nor supplement the fil ing and serYice of pleadings or other papers as required by law except as provided by local rules ofcourt This fonn approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974 is required for the use of the Clerk ofCourt for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM)
I (a) PLAJNTIFFS United States of America
(b) County of Res idence ofF irst Listed Plaintiff
(EXCEPT IN US PLAINTIFF CASES)
c) Attorneys (Firm Name Address and Telephone Number)
DEFENDANTS Brooklyn Park 3rd Leased Housing Associates LLC Dominium Management Services LLC Susan Meyer and Gina Estrem
County of Residence of First Listed Defendant Hennepin County (IN US PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)
NOTE IN LA 1D CONDEMNATION CASES USE THE LOCATION OF THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED
Attorneys (If KnoHn)
II BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an XinOneBoxOnlJ~
~I US Govenm1ent 0 3 Federal Question
Plain1iff (US Go1bullemment Not a Party)
0 2 US Govenm1em 04 Diversity Dcfendanl (Indicate Ci1i=enship ofParties in Item Ill)
Ill CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an X in one Boxor Plaintiff (For Dfrersity Cases Only) and One Box or Defendant)
PTF DEF PTF DEF Citizen ofllus Stale 0 1 O I lncorpora1cd or Principal Place O 4 O 4
of Business In This State
Citizen ofAnother Stale 0 2 0 2 Incorporated and Principal Place 0 5 0 5 of Business In Anod1er State
Citizen or Subject of a 0 3 0 3 Foreign Nation 0 6 06 Forei1m Countrv
IV NATURE OF SUTT (Place an XinOneBoxOnl1) I CONTRAC l TORTS FORFEITUREPENALTY BAN KRUPTC Y OTH ER STATUTES I
0 0 0 0 0
110 Insurance 120 Marine 130 Miller ct 140 Negotiable lnstn uncnt 150 Rccolcry oiOvervaymenl
amp Enforccmclll of Judgment
PERSONAL INJURY 0 310 Airplane 0 315 Airplane Product
Liability Cl 3~0 Assauh Libel amp
Slander
PERS O NAL INJ URY 0 365 Personal Injury -
Product Liabili1y 0 367 llealth Care
Pl rnrmaccuticnl Personal l nJ lll)
0 625 Dmg Related Seizure of Prope1ty 2 1 USC 88 J
0 690 Otl1er
0 0
422 Appeal 28 USC 158 423 Withdrawal
28 USC 157
0 375 False Claims Act 0 400 Stale Reappo11ionment 0 410 An1it111st 0 430 Banks and Banking 0 -1 0 Co1111nerce 0 460 Depo11auon
PROPFRTY IHGHTS 0 820 Copynglns
0 15 1 Medicare Act 0 330 Federal Employers Producl Liability 0 830 Pa1en1 0 4 70 Racketeer Influenced and 0
0
0 0 0 0
152 llccovcry of Dc fouhcd Student Loms (Excludes Veterans)
153 Recovery of Ovcrpaymcn1 of Vc1erans Benelils
160 Stockholders Suits 190 Otl1er Conlract 195 Contract Product Liability 196 F ranchisc
Liability 0 340 Marine 0 345 Marine Product
Liability 0 350 Motor Vehicle 0 355 Motor Vehicle
Product Liability 0 360 Od1er Personal
Injury 0 362 Personal lnjwy shy
Medical Maloractice
0 368 Asbestos Pcrsonnl Injury Product Liability
PERSONAL PROPERTY 0 370 Other Fraud 0 37 1 Tni1h in Lending 0 380 01her Personal
Propeny Damage 0 385 Property Damage
Producl Liability
0 840 Trntlemark Comtpt Organizations 0 480 Consumer Credit 0 490 CableSat TV 0 850 SecuritiesCommodities
Exchange 0 890 Other Sl3tutory Actions 0 891 Agricultural Acts 0 893 Environmental Mailers 0 895 Freedom o f lnfomJation
Act 0 896 Arbitration
a 899 Administrative Procedure
ActReview or Appeal of Agency Decision
0 950 Constitutionality of State Statulcs
LABOR SOC AL SEC URITY 0 710 Fair Labor Standards
Act 0 720 Labor1 lanagement
Relations 0 740 Railway Labor Act 0 75 1 Family and Medical
Leave Act 0 790 01her Labor Litigation 0 791 Employee Retirement
Income Security Act
0 0 0 0 0
861 HIA ( 139511) 862 Black Lung (923) 863 DI WCDJ WW (405(g)) 864 SSID Title XVI 865 RSI (405(g))
I REAL PROPERTY CIVIL RIGHTS PRJSON ER PETITIONS FEDE RAL TAX SUITS 0 0 0 0 0 0
210 Land Condemnation
220 Foreclosure 230 Rent Lease amp Ejecunent 240 Torts to Land 245 Tort Produc1 Liability 290 All Otl1er Real Propcny
0 440 Other Civi l Rights 0 441 Voting 0 442 Employment Jll 443 Housing
Accommodations 0 445 Amer wDisabilities shy
Employment 0 446 Am er wDisabilities shy
Other 0 448 Education
Habeas C orpus 0 463 Alien Detainee O 510 Motions to Vacate
Sentence 0 530 General 0 535 Dead1 Penalty
Other 0 540 Mandamus amp Other 0 550 Civil Rights 0 555 Prison Condition 0 560 Civil Detainee -
Conditions of Con_fi nemcnt
0
0
870 Taxes (US Plaintiff or Defendan1)
871 IRS-Third Pany 26 use 7609
IMMIG RATION -0 462 Naturalization Application 0 465 0 1her Immigrat ion
Actions
V ORIGIN (Placean Xin011eBoxOnly)
~ I Original 0 2 Removed from 0 3 Remanded from 0 4 Reinstated or 0 5 Transferred from 0 6 Multidistrict Proceeding State Court Appellate Court Reopened Another District Litigation
(speciM
Cite the US Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not citej11risdicrio11al statutes 1111 less dfrcrsity)
VI CAUSE OF ACTION t-T_it_le__lll_C _ i - -1 -e- bF osin---Amn entA 42U-S _60 9V i_viI _R_ hts_Ac-tof -9-6-8--amen-d d- airH u e dm s cto--f19c88 C 31to361_Briefdescription ofcause Discrimination under the Fair Housing Act on the basis of disability
VII REQUESTED IN 0 CHECK IF THIS IS A C LASS ACTION DEMAND $ CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint
COMPLAINT UNDER RULE 23 FRCvP JURY DEMAND 0 Yes l( No
VIII RELATED CASE(S) (See ns tructions) IF ANY JUDGE DOCKET NUMBER
DATE SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD
05182015 s Craig R Baune FOR O FFICE USE O NLY
RECEIPT AMOUNT APPL YING IFP JUDGE MAG JUDGE
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 9 of 12
issued a Determination of Reasonable Cause and Charge of Discrimination pursuant to 42
USC sect 3610(g) charging the Defendants with discrimination under the Fair Housing
Act under 42 USC sectsect 3604(f)(l)(A) (f)(2)(A) (f)(3)(B) and 3617
46 On April 17 2015 Complainant Raelynn Gonzalez timely elected to have
the claims asserted in HUDs Charge of Discrimination resolved in a federal civil action
pursuant to 42 USC sect 3612(a)
47 On April 20 2015 a HUD Administrative Law Judge issued a Notice of
Election and terminated the administrative proceedings on the HUD complaint filed by
Ms Gonzalez Following the Notice of Election the Secretary of HUD authorized the
Attorney General to commence a civil action pursuant to 42 USC sect 3612(0)
48 The United States now timely files this Complaint pursuant to the Fair
Housing Act 42 USC sect 3612(0)
FAIR HOUSING ACT VIOLATIONS
49 The United States incorporates by reference the preceding paragraphs of
this Complaint
50 Defendants discriminated against Ms Gonzalez a person with disabilities
in the rental of a dwelling to Ms Gonzalez by denying her the opportunity to renew her
lease because of her assistance animal required because of her disabilities in violation of
42 USC sect 3604(f)(l)(A)
9
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 10 of 12
51 Defendants discriminated against Ms Gonzalez a person with disabilities
in the terms conditions or privileges of rental of a dwelling because of her disabilities in
violation of 42 U SC sect 3604(f)(2)(A)
52 Defendants refused to make a reasonable accommodation in rules policies
practices or services when such an accommodation was necessary to afford a person
with a disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling in violation of 42 USC
sect 3604(f)(3)(B)
53 Defendants terminated Ms Gonzalez tenancy in retaliation for her exercise
of her right to a reasonable accommodation in the fonn of an assistance animal in
violation of 42 USC sect 3617
54 Ms Gonzalez is an aggrieved person as defined in 42 USC sect 3602(i) and
has suffered injuries as a result of Defendants actions
55 Defendants discriminatory actions were intentional willful and taken in
disregard of the rights of Ms Gonzalez
REQUEST FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE the United States requests that this Court
1 Declare that Defendants discriminatory housing practices as set forth
above violate the Fair Housing Act
2 Enjoin and restrain Defendants their officers employees agents
successors and all other persons or corporations in active concert or participation with
Defendants from
10
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 11of12
A Discriminating in the sale or rental or othe1wise making unavailable
or denying a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of disability in
violation of42 USC sect 3604(f)(l )
B Discriminating against any person m the terms conditions or
privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling or in the provision of
services or facilities in connection with such dwelling because of
disability in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(2)
C Refusing to make reasonable accommodations in rules policies
practices or services when such accommodations may be necessary
to afford a person with a disability equal opportunity to use and
enjoy a dwelling in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(3)(B) and
D Coercing intimidating threatening or interfering with any person in
the exercise or enjoyment of or on account of his or her having
exercised or enjoyed or on account of his or her having aided or
encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of any
right granted or protected by the Fair Housing Act in violation of 42
USC sect 3617
3 Order Defendants to take such affirmative steps as may be necessary to
restore as nearly as practicable Ms Gonzalez to the position she would have been in but
for the discriminatory conduct
4 Order Defendants to take such actions as may be necessary to prevent the
recurrence of any disc1iminatory conduct in the future and to eliminate to the extent
11
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 12 of 12
practicable the effects of their unlawful conduct including implementing policies and
procedures to ensure that no applicants or residents are discriminated against because of
disability
5 Award monetary damages to Ms Gonzalez pursuant to 42 USC sectsect
3612(0)(3) and 3613(c)(l) and
6 Order such additional relief as the interests of justice require
DATE May 18 2015 ANDREWM LUGER United States Attorney
s Craig R Baune
BY CRAIG R BAUNE Assistant US Attorney Attorney ID No 33 1727 600 United States Courthouse 300 South Fourth Street Minneapolis MN 55415 Phone 612-664-5600
12
JS 44 (Rev 1212) CASE 015-cv-02489-PCiiJlfL e~YlSBEJfjed 051815 Page 1of1
The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the infonnation contained herein neither replace nor supplement the fil ing and serYice of pleadings or other papers as required by law except as provided by local rules ofcourt This fonn approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974 is required for the use of the Clerk ofCourt for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM)
I (a) PLAJNTIFFS United States of America
(b) County of Res idence ofF irst Listed Plaintiff
(EXCEPT IN US PLAINTIFF CASES)
c) Attorneys (Firm Name Address and Telephone Number)
DEFENDANTS Brooklyn Park 3rd Leased Housing Associates LLC Dominium Management Services LLC Susan Meyer and Gina Estrem
County of Residence of First Listed Defendant Hennepin County (IN US PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)
NOTE IN LA 1D CONDEMNATION CASES USE THE LOCATION OF THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED
Attorneys (If KnoHn)
II BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an XinOneBoxOnlJ~
~I US Govenm1ent 0 3 Federal Question
Plain1iff (US Go1bullemment Not a Party)
0 2 US Govenm1em 04 Diversity Dcfendanl (Indicate Ci1i=enship ofParties in Item Ill)
Ill CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an X in one Boxor Plaintiff (For Dfrersity Cases Only) and One Box or Defendant)
PTF DEF PTF DEF Citizen ofllus Stale 0 1 O I lncorpora1cd or Principal Place O 4 O 4
of Business In This State
Citizen ofAnother Stale 0 2 0 2 Incorporated and Principal Place 0 5 0 5 of Business In Anod1er State
Citizen or Subject of a 0 3 0 3 Foreign Nation 0 6 06 Forei1m Countrv
IV NATURE OF SUTT (Place an XinOneBoxOnl1) I CONTRAC l TORTS FORFEITUREPENALTY BAN KRUPTC Y OTH ER STATUTES I
0 0 0 0 0
110 Insurance 120 Marine 130 Miller ct 140 Negotiable lnstn uncnt 150 Rccolcry oiOvervaymenl
amp Enforccmclll of Judgment
PERSONAL INJURY 0 310 Airplane 0 315 Airplane Product
Liability Cl 3~0 Assauh Libel amp
Slander
PERS O NAL INJ URY 0 365 Personal Injury -
Product Liabili1y 0 367 llealth Care
Pl rnrmaccuticnl Personal l nJ lll)
0 625 Dmg Related Seizure of Prope1ty 2 1 USC 88 J
0 690 Otl1er
0 0
422 Appeal 28 USC 158 423 Withdrawal
28 USC 157
0 375 False Claims Act 0 400 Stale Reappo11ionment 0 410 An1it111st 0 430 Banks and Banking 0 -1 0 Co1111nerce 0 460 Depo11auon
PROPFRTY IHGHTS 0 820 Copynglns
0 15 1 Medicare Act 0 330 Federal Employers Producl Liability 0 830 Pa1en1 0 4 70 Racketeer Influenced and 0
0
0 0 0 0
152 llccovcry of Dc fouhcd Student Loms (Excludes Veterans)
153 Recovery of Ovcrpaymcn1 of Vc1erans Benelils
160 Stockholders Suits 190 Otl1er Conlract 195 Contract Product Liability 196 F ranchisc
Liability 0 340 Marine 0 345 Marine Product
Liability 0 350 Motor Vehicle 0 355 Motor Vehicle
Product Liability 0 360 Od1er Personal
Injury 0 362 Personal lnjwy shy
Medical Maloractice
0 368 Asbestos Pcrsonnl Injury Product Liability
PERSONAL PROPERTY 0 370 Other Fraud 0 37 1 Tni1h in Lending 0 380 01her Personal
Propeny Damage 0 385 Property Damage
Producl Liability
0 840 Trntlemark Comtpt Organizations 0 480 Consumer Credit 0 490 CableSat TV 0 850 SecuritiesCommodities
Exchange 0 890 Other Sl3tutory Actions 0 891 Agricultural Acts 0 893 Environmental Mailers 0 895 Freedom o f lnfomJation
Act 0 896 Arbitration
a 899 Administrative Procedure
ActReview or Appeal of Agency Decision
0 950 Constitutionality of State Statulcs
LABOR SOC AL SEC URITY 0 710 Fair Labor Standards
Act 0 720 Labor1 lanagement
Relations 0 740 Railway Labor Act 0 75 1 Family and Medical
Leave Act 0 790 01her Labor Litigation 0 791 Employee Retirement
Income Security Act
0 0 0 0 0
861 HIA ( 139511) 862 Black Lung (923) 863 DI WCDJ WW (405(g)) 864 SSID Title XVI 865 RSI (405(g))
I REAL PROPERTY CIVIL RIGHTS PRJSON ER PETITIONS FEDE RAL TAX SUITS 0 0 0 0 0 0
210 Land Condemnation
220 Foreclosure 230 Rent Lease amp Ejecunent 240 Torts to Land 245 Tort Produc1 Liability 290 All Otl1er Real Propcny
0 440 Other Civi l Rights 0 441 Voting 0 442 Employment Jll 443 Housing
Accommodations 0 445 Amer wDisabilities shy
Employment 0 446 Am er wDisabilities shy
Other 0 448 Education
Habeas C orpus 0 463 Alien Detainee O 510 Motions to Vacate
Sentence 0 530 General 0 535 Dead1 Penalty
Other 0 540 Mandamus amp Other 0 550 Civil Rights 0 555 Prison Condition 0 560 Civil Detainee -
Conditions of Con_fi nemcnt
0
0
870 Taxes (US Plaintiff or Defendan1)
871 IRS-Third Pany 26 use 7609
IMMIG RATION -0 462 Naturalization Application 0 465 0 1her Immigrat ion
Actions
V ORIGIN (Placean Xin011eBoxOnly)
~ I Original 0 2 Removed from 0 3 Remanded from 0 4 Reinstated or 0 5 Transferred from 0 6 Multidistrict Proceeding State Court Appellate Court Reopened Another District Litigation
(speciM
Cite the US Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not citej11risdicrio11al statutes 1111 less dfrcrsity)
VI CAUSE OF ACTION t-T_it_le__lll_C _ i - -1 -e- bF osin---Amn entA 42U-S _60 9V i_viI _R_ hts_Ac-tof -9-6-8--amen-d d- airH u e dm s cto--f19c88 C 31to361_Briefdescription ofcause Discrimination under the Fair Housing Act on the basis of disability
VII REQUESTED IN 0 CHECK IF THIS IS A C LASS ACTION DEMAND $ CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint
COMPLAINT UNDER RULE 23 FRCvP JURY DEMAND 0 Yes l( No
VIII RELATED CASE(S) (See ns tructions) IF ANY JUDGE DOCKET NUMBER
DATE SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD
05182015 s Craig R Baune FOR O FFICE USE O NLY
RECEIPT AMOUNT APPL YING IFP JUDGE MAG JUDGE
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 10 of 12
51 Defendants discriminated against Ms Gonzalez a person with disabilities
in the terms conditions or privileges of rental of a dwelling because of her disabilities in
violation of 42 U SC sect 3604(f)(2)(A)
52 Defendants refused to make a reasonable accommodation in rules policies
practices or services when such an accommodation was necessary to afford a person
with a disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling in violation of 42 USC
sect 3604(f)(3)(B)
53 Defendants terminated Ms Gonzalez tenancy in retaliation for her exercise
of her right to a reasonable accommodation in the fonn of an assistance animal in
violation of 42 USC sect 3617
54 Ms Gonzalez is an aggrieved person as defined in 42 USC sect 3602(i) and
has suffered injuries as a result of Defendants actions
55 Defendants discriminatory actions were intentional willful and taken in
disregard of the rights of Ms Gonzalez
REQUEST FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE the United States requests that this Court
1 Declare that Defendants discriminatory housing practices as set forth
above violate the Fair Housing Act
2 Enjoin and restrain Defendants their officers employees agents
successors and all other persons or corporations in active concert or participation with
Defendants from
10
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 11of12
A Discriminating in the sale or rental or othe1wise making unavailable
or denying a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of disability in
violation of42 USC sect 3604(f)(l )
B Discriminating against any person m the terms conditions or
privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling or in the provision of
services or facilities in connection with such dwelling because of
disability in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(2)
C Refusing to make reasonable accommodations in rules policies
practices or services when such accommodations may be necessary
to afford a person with a disability equal opportunity to use and
enjoy a dwelling in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(3)(B) and
D Coercing intimidating threatening or interfering with any person in
the exercise or enjoyment of or on account of his or her having
exercised or enjoyed or on account of his or her having aided or
encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of any
right granted or protected by the Fair Housing Act in violation of 42
USC sect 3617
3 Order Defendants to take such affirmative steps as may be necessary to
restore as nearly as practicable Ms Gonzalez to the position she would have been in but
for the discriminatory conduct
4 Order Defendants to take such actions as may be necessary to prevent the
recurrence of any disc1iminatory conduct in the future and to eliminate to the extent
11
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 12 of 12
practicable the effects of their unlawful conduct including implementing policies and
procedures to ensure that no applicants or residents are discriminated against because of
disability
5 Award monetary damages to Ms Gonzalez pursuant to 42 USC sectsect
3612(0)(3) and 3613(c)(l) and
6 Order such additional relief as the interests of justice require
DATE May 18 2015 ANDREWM LUGER United States Attorney
s Craig R Baune
BY CRAIG R BAUNE Assistant US Attorney Attorney ID No 33 1727 600 United States Courthouse 300 South Fourth Street Minneapolis MN 55415 Phone 612-664-5600
12
JS 44 (Rev 1212) CASE 015-cv-02489-PCiiJlfL e~YlSBEJfjed 051815 Page 1of1
The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the infonnation contained herein neither replace nor supplement the fil ing and serYice of pleadings or other papers as required by law except as provided by local rules ofcourt This fonn approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974 is required for the use of the Clerk ofCourt for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM)
I (a) PLAJNTIFFS United States of America
(b) County of Res idence ofF irst Listed Plaintiff
(EXCEPT IN US PLAINTIFF CASES)
c) Attorneys (Firm Name Address and Telephone Number)
DEFENDANTS Brooklyn Park 3rd Leased Housing Associates LLC Dominium Management Services LLC Susan Meyer and Gina Estrem
County of Residence of First Listed Defendant Hennepin County (IN US PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)
NOTE IN LA 1D CONDEMNATION CASES USE THE LOCATION OF THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED
Attorneys (If KnoHn)
II BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an XinOneBoxOnlJ~
~I US Govenm1ent 0 3 Federal Question
Plain1iff (US Go1bullemment Not a Party)
0 2 US Govenm1em 04 Diversity Dcfendanl (Indicate Ci1i=enship ofParties in Item Ill)
Ill CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an X in one Boxor Plaintiff (For Dfrersity Cases Only) and One Box or Defendant)
PTF DEF PTF DEF Citizen ofllus Stale 0 1 O I lncorpora1cd or Principal Place O 4 O 4
of Business In This State
Citizen ofAnother Stale 0 2 0 2 Incorporated and Principal Place 0 5 0 5 of Business In Anod1er State
Citizen or Subject of a 0 3 0 3 Foreign Nation 0 6 06 Forei1m Countrv
IV NATURE OF SUTT (Place an XinOneBoxOnl1) I CONTRAC l TORTS FORFEITUREPENALTY BAN KRUPTC Y OTH ER STATUTES I
0 0 0 0 0
110 Insurance 120 Marine 130 Miller ct 140 Negotiable lnstn uncnt 150 Rccolcry oiOvervaymenl
amp Enforccmclll of Judgment
PERSONAL INJURY 0 310 Airplane 0 315 Airplane Product
Liability Cl 3~0 Assauh Libel amp
Slander
PERS O NAL INJ URY 0 365 Personal Injury -
Product Liabili1y 0 367 llealth Care
Pl rnrmaccuticnl Personal l nJ lll)
0 625 Dmg Related Seizure of Prope1ty 2 1 USC 88 J
0 690 Otl1er
0 0
422 Appeal 28 USC 158 423 Withdrawal
28 USC 157
0 375 False Claims Act 0 400 Stale Reappo11ionment 0 410 An1it111st 0 430 Banks and Banking 0 -1 0 Co1111nerce 0 460 Depo11auon
PROPFRTY IHGHTS 0 820 Copynglns
0 15 1 Medicare Act 0 330 Federal Employers Producl Liability 0 830 Pa1en1 0 4 70 Racketeer Influenced and 0
0
0 0 0 0
152 llccovcry of Dc fouhcd Student Loms (Excludes Veterans)
153 Recovery of Ovcrpaymcn1 of Vc1erans Benelils
160 Stockholders Suits 190 Otl1er Conlract 195 Contract Product Liability 196 F ranchisc
Liability 0 340 Marine 0 345 Marine Product
Liability 0 350 Motor Vehicle 0 355 Motor Vehicle
Product Liability 0 360 Od1er Personal
Injury 0 362 Personal lnjwy shy
Medical Maloractice
0 368 Asbestos Pcrsonnl Injury Product Liability
PERSONAL PROPERTY 0 370 Other Fraud 0 37 1 Tni1h in Lending 0 380 01her Personal
Propeny Damage 0 385 Property Damage
Producl Liability
0 840 Trntlemark Comtpt Organizations 0 480 Consumer Credit 0 490 CableSat TV 0 850 SecuritiesCommodities
Exchange 0 890 Other Sl3tutory Actions 0 891 Agricultural Acts 0 893 Environmental Mailers 0 895 Freedom o f lnfomJation
Act 0 896 Arbitration
a 899 Administrative Procedure
ActReview or Appeal of Agency Decision
0 950 Constitutionality of State Statulcs
LABOR SOC AL SEC URITY 0 710 Fair Labor Standards
Act 0 720 Labor1 lanagement
Relations 0 740 Railway Labor Act 0 75 1 Family and Medical
Leave Act 0 790 01her Labor Litigation 0 791 Employee Retirement
Income Security Act
0 0 0 0 0
861 HIA ( 139511) 862 Black Lung (923) 863 DI WCDJ WW (405(g)) 864 SSID Title XVI 865 RSI (405(g))
I REAL PROPERTY CIVIL RIGHTS PRJSON ER PETITIONS FEDE RAL TAX SUITS 0 0 0 0 0 0
210 Land Condemnation
220 Foreclosure 230 Rent Lease amp Ejecunent 240 Torts to Land 245 Tort Produc1 Liability 290 All Otl1er Real Propcny
0 440 Other Civi l Rights 0 441 Voting 0 442 Employment Jll 443 Housing
Accommodations 0 445 Amer wDisabilities shy
Employment 0 446 Am er wDisabilities shy
Other 0 448 Education
Habeas C orpus 0 463 Alien Detainee O 510 Motions to Vacate
Sentence 0 530 General 0 535 Dead1 Penalty
Other 0 540 Mandamus amp Other 0 550 Civil Rights 0 555 Prison Condition 0 560 Civil Detainee -
Conditions of Con_fi nemcnt
0
0
870 Taxes (US Plaintiff or Defendan1)
871 IRS-Third Pany 26 use 7609
IMMIG RATION -0 462 Naturalization Application 0 465 0 1her Immigrat ion
Actions
V ORIGIN (Placean Xin011eBoxOnly)
~ I Original 0 2 Removed from 0 3 Remanded from 0 4 Reinstated or 0 5 Transferred from 0 6 Multidistrict Proceeding State Court Appellate Court Reopened Another District Litigation
(speciM
Cite the US Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not citej11risdicrio11al statutes 1111 less dfrcrsity)
VI CAUSE OF ACTION t-T_it_le__lll_C _ i - -1 -e- bF osin---Amn entA 42U-S _60 9V i_viI _R_ hts_Ac-tof -9-6-8--amen-d d- airH u e dm s cto--f19c88 C 31to361_Briefdescription ofcause Discrimination under the Fair Housing Act on the basis of disability
VII REQUESTED IN 0 CHECK IF THIS IS A C LASS ACTION DEMAND $ CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint
COMPLAINT UNDER RULE 23 FRCvP JURY DEMAND 0 Yes l( No
VIII RELATED CASE(S) (See ns tructions) IF ANY JUDGE DOCKET NUMBER
DATE SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD
05182015 s Craig R Baune FOR O FFICE USE O NLY
RECEIPT AMOUNT APPL YING IFP JUDGE MAG JUDGE
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 11of12
A Discriminating in the sale or rental or othe1wise making unavailable
or denying a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of disability in
violation of42 USC sect 3604(f)(l )
B Discriminating against any person m the terms conditions or
privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling or in the provision of
services or facilities in connection with such dwelling because of
disability in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(2)
C Refusing to make reasonable accommodations in rules policies
practices or services when such accommodations may be necessary
to afford a person with a disability equal opportunity to use and
enjoy a dwelling in violation of 42 USC sect 3604(f)(3)(B) and
D Coercing intimidating threatening or interfering with any person in
the exercise or enjoyment of or on account of his or her having
exercised or enjoyed or on account of his or her having aided or
encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of any
right granted or protected by the Fair Housing Act in violation of 42
USC sect 3617
3 Order Defendants to take such affirmative steps as may be necessary to
restore as nearly as practicable Ms Gonzalez to the position she would have been in but
for the discriminatory conduct
4 Order Defendants to take such actions as may be necessary to prevent the
recurrence of any disc1iminatory conduct in the future and to eliminate to the extent
11
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 12 of 12
practicable the effects of their unlawful conduct including implementing policies and
procedures to ensure that no applicants or residents are discriminated against because of
disability
5 Award monetary damages to Ms Gonzalez pursuant to 42 USC sectsect
3612(0)(3) and 3613(c)(l) and
6 Order such additional relief as the interests of justice require
DATE May 18 2015 ANDREWM LUGER United States Attorney
s Craig R Baune
BY CRAIG R BAUNE Assistant US Attorney Attorney ID No 33 1727 600 United States Courthouse 300 South Fourth Street Minneapolis MN 55415 Phone 612-664-5600
12
JS 44 (Rev 1212) CASE 015-cv-02489-PCiiJlfL e~YlSBEJfjed 051815 Page 1of1
The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the infonnation contained herein neither replace nor supplement the fil ing and serYice of pleadings or other papers as required by law except as provided by local rules ofcourt This fonn approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974 is required for the use of the Clerk ofCourt for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM)
I (a) PLAJNTIFFS United States of America
(b) County of Res idence ofF irst Listed Plaintiff
(EXCEPT IN US PLAINTIFF CASES)
c) Attorneys (Firm Name Address and Telephone Number)
DEFENDANTS Brooklyn Park 3rd Leased Housing Associates LLC Dominium Management Services LLC Susan Meyer and Gina Estrem
County of Residence of First Listed Defendant Hennepin County (IN US PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)
NOTE IN LA 1D CONDEMNATION CASES USE THE LOCATION OF THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED
Attorneys (If KnoHn)
II BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an XinOneBoxOnlJ~
~I US Govenm1ent 0 3 Federal Question
Plain1iff (US Go1bullemment Not a Party)
0 2 US Govenm1em 04 Diversity Dcfendanl (Indicate Ci1i=enship ofParties in Item Ill)
Ill CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an X in one Boxor Plaintiff (For Dfrersity Cases Only) and One Box or Defendant)
PTF DEF PTF DEF Citizen ofllus Stale 0 1 O I lncorpora1cd or Principal Place O 4 O 4
of Business In This State
Citizen ofAnother Stale 0 2 0 2 Incorporated and Principal Place 0 5 0 5 of Business In Anod1er State
Citizen or Subject of a 0 3 0 3 Foreign Nation 0 6 06 Forei1m Countrv
IV NATURE OF SUTT (Place an XinOneBoxOnl1) I CONTRAC l TORTS FORFEITUREPENALTY BAN KRUPTC Y OTH ER STATUTES I
0 0 0 0 0
110 Insurance 120 Marine 130 Miller ct 140 Negotiable lnstn uncnt 150 Rccolcry oiOvervaymenl
amp Enforccmclll of Judgment
PERSONAL INJURY 0 310 Airplane 0 315 Airplane Product
Liability Cl 3~0 Assauh Libel amp
Slander
PERS O NAL INJ URY 0 365 Personal Injury -
Product Liabili1y 0 367 llealth Care
Pl rnrmaccuticnl Personal l nJ lll)
0 625 Dmg Related Seizure of Prope1ty 2 1 USC 88 J
0 690 Otl1er
0 0
422 Appeal 28 USC 158 423 Withdrawal
28 USC 157
0 375 False Claims Act 0 400 Stale Reappo11ionment 0 410 An1it111st 0 430 Banks and Banking 0 -1 0 Co1111nerce 0 460 Depo11auon
PROPFRTY IHGHTS 0 820 Copynglns
0 15 1 Medicare Act 0 330 Federal Employers Producl Liability 0 830 Pa1en1 0 4 70 Racketeer Influenced and 0
0
0 0 0 0
152 llccovcry of Dc fouhcd Student Loms (Excludes Veterans)
153 Recovery of Ovcrpaymcn1 of Vc1erans Benelils
160 Stockholders Suits 190 Otl1er Conlract 195 Contract Product Liability 196 F ranchisc
Liability 0 340 Marine 0 345 Marine Product
Liability 0 350 Motor Vehicle 0 355 Motor Vehicle
Product Liability 0 360 Od1er Personal
Injury 0 362 Personal lnjwy shy
Medical Maloractice
0 368 Asbestos Pcrsonnl Injury Product Liability
PERSONAL PROPERTY 0 370 Other Fraud 0 37 1 Tni1h in Lending 0 380 01her Personal
Propeny Damage 0 385 Property Damage
Producl Liability
0 840 Trntlemark Comtpt Organizations 0 480 Consumer Credit 0 490 CableSat TV 0 850 SecuritiesCommodities
Exchange 0 890 Other Sl3tutory Actions 0 891 Agricultural Acts 0 893 Environmental Mailers 0 895 Freedom o f lnfomJation
Act 0 896 Arbitration
a 899 Administrative Procedure
ActReview or Appeal of Agency Decision
0 950 Constitutionality of State Statulcs
LABOR SOC AL SEC URITY 0 710 Fair Labor Standards
Act 0 720 Labor1 lanagement
Relations 0 740 Railway Labor Act 0 75 1 Family and Medical
Leave Act 0 790 01her Labor Litigation 0 791 Employee Retirement
Income Security Act
0 0 0 0 0
861 HIA ( 139511) 862 Black Lung (923) 863 DI WCDJ WW (405(g)) 864 SSID Title XVI 865 RSI (405(g))
I REAL PROPERTY CIVIL RIGHTS PRJSON ER PETITIONS FEDE RAL TAX SUITS 0 0 0 0 0 0
210 Land Condemnation
220 Foreclosure 230 Rent Lease amp Ejecunent 240 Torts to Land 245 Tort Produc1 Liability 290 All Otl1er Real Propcny
0 440 Other Civi l Rights 0 441 Voting 0 442 Employment Jll 443 Housing
Accommodations 0 445 Amer wDisabilities shy
Employment 0 446 Am er wDisabilities shy
Other 0 448 Education
Habeas C orpus 0 463 Alien Detainee O 510 Motions to Vacate
Sentence 0 530 General 0 535 Dead1 Penalty
Other 0 540 Mandamus amp Other 0 550 Civil Rights 0 555 Prison Condition 0 560 Civil Detainee -
Conditions of Con_fi nemcnt
0
0
870 Taxes (US Plaintiff or Defendan1)
871 IRS-Third Pany 26 use 7609
IMMIG RATION -0 462 Naturalization Application 0 465 0 1her Immigrat ion
Actions
V ORIGIN (Placean Xin011eBoxOnly)
~ I Original 0 2 Removed from 0 3 Remanded from 0 4 Reinstated or 0 5 Transferred from 0 6 Multidistrict Proceeding State Court Appellate Court Reopened Another District Litigation
(speciM
Cite the US Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not citej11risdicrio11al statutes 1111 less dfrcrsity)
VI CAUSE OF ACTION t-T_it_le__lll_C _ i - -1 -e- bF osin---Amn entA 42U-S _60 9V i_viI _R_ hts_Ac-tof -9-6-8--amen-d d- airH u e dm s cto--f19c88 C 31to361_Briefdescription ofcause Discrimination under the Fair Housing Act on the basis of disability
VII REQUESTED IN 0 CHECK IF THIS IS A C LASS ACTION DEMAND $ CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint
COMPLAINT UNDER RULE 23 FRCvP JURY DEMAND 0 Yes l( No
VIII RELATED CASE(S) (See ns tructions) IF ANY JUDGE DOCKET NUMBER
DATE SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD
05182015 s Craig R Baune FOR O FFICE USE O NLY
RECEIPT AMOUNT APPL YING IFP JUDGE MAG JUDGE
CASE 015-cv-02489-PJS-HB Document 1 Filed 051815 Page 12 of 12
practicable the effects of their unlawful conduct including implementing policies and
procedures to ensure that no applicants or residents are discriminated against because of
disability
5 Award monetary damages to Ms Gonzalez pursuant to 42 USC sectsect
3612(0)(3) and 3613(c)(l) and
6 Order such additional relief as the interests of justice require
DATE May 18 2015 ANDREWM LUGER United States Attorney
s Craig R Baune
BY CRAIG R BAUNE Assistant US Attorney Attorney ID No 33 1727 600 United States Courthouse 300 South Fourth Street Minneapolis MN 55415 Phone 612-664-5600
12
JS 44 (Rev 1212) CASE 015-cv-02489-PCiiJlfL e~YlSBEJfjed 051815 Page 1of1
The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the infonnation contained herein neither replace nor supplement the fil ing and serYice of pleadings or other papers as required by law except as provided by local rules ofcourt This fonn approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974 is required for the use of the Clerk ofCourt for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM)
I (a) PLAJNTIFFS United States of America
(b) County of Res idence ofF irst Listed Plaintiff
(EXCEPT IN US PLAINTIFF CASES)
c) Attorneys (Firm Name Address and Telephone Number)
DEFENDANTS Brooklyn Park 3rd Leased Housing Associates LLC Dominium Management Services LLC Susan Meyer and Gina Estrem
County of Residence of First Listed Defendant Hennepin County (IN US PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)
NOTE IN LA 1D CONDEMNATION CASES USE THE LOCATION OF THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED
Attorneys (If KnoHn)
II BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an XinOneBoxOnlJ~
~I US Govenm1ent 0 3 Federal Question
Plain1iff (US Go1bullemment Not a Party)
0 2 US Govenm1em 04 Diversity Dcfendanl (Indicate Ci1i=enship ofParties in Item Ill)
Ill CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an X in one Boxor Plaintiff (For Dfrersity Cases Only) and One Box or Defendant)
PTF DEF PTF DEF Citizen ofllus Stale 0 1 O I lncorpora1cd or Principal Place O 4 O 4
of Business In This State
Citizen ofAnother Stale 0 2 0 2 Incorporated and Principal Place 0 5 0 5 of Business In Anod1er State
Citizen or Subject of a 0 3 0 3 Foreign Nation 0 6 06 Forei1m Countrv
IV NATURE OF SUTT (Place an XinOneBoxOnl1) I CONTRAC l TORTS FORFEITUREPENALTY BAN KRUPTC Y OTH ER STATUTES I
0 0 0 0 0
110 Insurance 120 Marine 130 Miller ct 140 Negotiable lnstn uncnt 150 Rccolcry oiOvervaymenl
amp Enforccmclll of Judgment
PERSONAL INJURY 0 310 Airplane 0 315 Airplane Product
Liability Cl 3~0 Assauh Libel amp
Slander
PERS O NAL INJ URY 0 365 Personal Injury -
Product Liabili1y 0 367 llealth Care
Pl rnrmaccuticnl Personal l nJ lll)
0 625 Dmg Related Seizure of Prope1ty 2 1 USC 88 J
0 690 Otl1er
0 0
422 Appeal 28 USC 158 423 Withdrawal
28 USC 157
0 375 False Claims Act 0 400 Stale Reappo11ionment 0 410 An1it111st 0 430 Banks and Banking 0 -1 0 Co1111nerce 0 460 Depo11auon
PROPFRTY IHGHTS 0 820 Copynglns
0 15 1 Medicare Act 0 330 Federal Employers Producl Liability 0 830 Pa1en1 0 4 70 Racketeer Influenced and 0
0
0 0 0 0
152 llccovcry of Dc fouhcd Student Loms (Excludes Veterans)
153 Recovery of Ovcrpaymcn1 of Vc1erans Benelils
160 Stockholders Suits 190 Otl1er Conlract 195 Contract Product Liability 196 F ranchisc
Liability 0 340 Marine 0 345 Marine Product
Liability 0 350 Motor Vehicle 0 355 Motor Vehicle
Product Liability 0 360 Od1er Personal
Injury 0 362 Personal lnjwy shy
Medical Maloractice
0 368 Asbestos Pcrsonnl Injury Product Liability
PERSONAL PROPERTY 0 370 Other Fraud 0 37 1 Tni1h in Lending 0 380 01her Personal
Propeny Damage 0 385 Property Damage
Producl Liability
0 840 Trntlemark Comtpt Organizations 0 480 Consumer Credit 0 490 CableSat TV 0 850 SecuritiesCommodities
Exchange 0 890 Other Sl3tutory Actions 0 891 Agricultural Acts 0 893 Environmental Mailers 0 895 Freedom o f lnfomJation
Act 0 896 Arbitration
a 899 Administrative Procedure
ActReview or Appeal of Agency Decision
0 950 Constitutionality of State Statulcs
LABOR SOC AL SEC URITY 0 710 Fair Labor Standards
Act 0 720 Labor1 lanagement
Relations 0 740 Railway Labor Act 0 75 1 Family and Medical
Leave Act 0 790 01her Labor Litigation 0 791 Employee Retirement
Income Security Act
0 0 0 0 0
861 HIA ( 139511) 862 Black Lung (923) 863 DI WCDJ WW (405(g)) 864 SSID Title XVI 865 RSI (405(g))
I REAL PROPERTY CIVIL RIGHTS PRJSON ER PETITIONS FEDE RAL TAX SUITS 0 0 0 0 0 0
210 Land Condemnation
220 Foreclosure 230 Rent Lease amp Ejecunent 240 Torts to Land 245 Tort Produc1 Liability 290 All Otl1er Real Propcny
0 440 Other Civi l Rights 0 441 Voting 0 442 Employment Jll 443 Housing
Accommodations 0 445 Amer wDisabilities shy
Employment 0 446 Am er wDisabilities shy
Other 0 448 Education
Habeas C orpus 0 463 Alien Detainee O 510 Motions to Vacate
Sentence 0 530 General 0 535 Dead1 Penalty
Other 0 540 Mandamus amp Other 0 550 Civil Rights 0 555 Prison Condition 0 560 Civil Detainee -
Conditions of Con_fi nemcnt
0
0
870 Taxes (US Plaintiff or Defendan1)
871 IRS-Third Pany 26 use 7609
IMMIG RATION -0 462 Naturalization Application 0 465 0 1her Immigrat ion
Actions
V ORIGIN (Placean Xin011eBoxOnly)
~ I Original 0 2 Removed from 0 3 Remanded from 0 4 Reinstated or 0 5 Transferred from 0 6 Multidistrict Proceeding State Court Appellate Court Reopened Another District Litigation
(speciM
Cite the US Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not citej11risdicrio11al statutes 1111 less dfrcrsity)
VI CAUSE OF ACTION t-T_it_le__lll_C _ i - -1 -e- bF osin---Amn entA 42U-S _60 9V i_viI _R_ hts_Ac-tof -9-6-8--amen-d d- airH u e dm s cto--f19c88 C 31to361_Briefdescription ofcause Discrimination under the Fair Housing Act on the basis of disability
VII REQUESTED IN 0 CHECK IF THIS IS A C LASS ACTION DEMAND $ CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint
COMPLAINT UNDER RULE 23 FRCvP JURY DEMAND 0 Yes l( No
VIII RELATED CASE(S) (See ns tructions) IF ANY JUDGE DOCKET NUMBER
DATE SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD
05182015 s Craig R Baune FOR O FFICE USE O NLY
RECEIPT AMOUNT APPL YING IFP JUDGE MAG JUDGE
JS 44 (Rev 1212) CASE 015-cv-02489-PCiiJlfL e~YlSBEJfjed 051815 Page 1of1
The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the infonnation contained herein neither replace nor supplement the fil ing and serYice of pleadings or other papers as required by law except as provided by local rules ofcourt This fonn approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974 is required for the use of the Clerk ofCourt for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM)
I (a) PLAJNTIFFS United States of America
(b) County of Res idence ofF irst Listed Plaintiff
(EXCEPT IN US PLAINTIFF CASES)
c) Attorneys (Firm Name Address and Telephone Number)
DEFENDANTS Brooklyn Park 3rd Leased Housing Associates LLC Dominium Management Services LLC Susan Meyer and Gina Estrem
County of Residence of First Listed Defendant Hennepin County (IN US PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)
NOTE IN LA 1D CONDEMNATION CASES USE THE LOCATION OF THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED
Attorneys (If KnoHn)
II BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an XinOneBoxOnlJ~
~I US Govenm1ent 0 3 Federal Question
Plain1iff (US Go1bullemment Not a Party)
0 2 US Govenm1em 04 Diversity Dcfendanl (Indicate Ci1i=enship ofParties in Item Ill)
Ill CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an X in one Boxor Plaintiff (For Dfrersity Cases Only) and One Box or Defendant)
PTF DEF PTF DEF Citizen ofllus Stale 0 1 O I lncorpora1cd or Principal Place O 4 O 4
of Business In This State
Citizen ofAnother Stale 0 2 0 2 Incorporated and Principal Place 0 5 0 5 of Business In Anod1er State
Citizen or Subject of a 0 3 0 3 Foreign Nation 0 6 06 Forei1m Countrv
IV NATURE OF SUTT (Place an XinOneBoxOnl1) I CONTRAC l TORTS FORFEITUREPENALTY BAN KRUPTC Y OTH ER STATUTES I
0 0 0 0 0
110 Insurance 120 Marine 130 Miller ct 140 Negotiable lnstn uncnt 150 Rccolcry oiOvervaymenl
amp Enforccmclll of Judgment
PERSONAL INJURY 0 310 Airplane 0 315 Airplane Product
Liability Cl 3~0 Assauh Libel amp
Slander
PERS O NAL INJ URY 0 365 Personal Injury -
Product Liabili1y 0 367 llealth Care
Pl rnrmaccuticnl Personal l nJ lll)
0 625 Dmg Related Seizure of Prope1ty 2 1 USC 88 J
0 690 Otl1er
0 0
422 Appeal 28 USC 158 423 Withdrawal
28 USC 157
0 375 False Claims Act 0 400 Stale Reappo11ionment 0 410 An1it111st 0 430 Banks and Banking 0 -1 0 Co1111nerce 0 460 Depo11auon
PROPFRTY IHGHTS 0 820 Copynglns
0 15 1 Medicare Act 0 330 Federal Employers Producl Liability 0 830 Pa1en1 0 4 70 Racketeer Influenced and 0
0
0 0 0 0
152 llccovcry of Dc fouhcd Student Loms (Excludes Veterans)
153 Recovery of Ovcrpaymcn1 of Vc1erans Benelils
160 Stockholders Suits 190 Otl1er Conlract 195 Contract Product Liability 196 F ranchisc
Liability 0 340 Marine 0 345 Marine Product
Liability 0 350 Motor Vehicle 0 355 Motor Vehicle
Product Liability 0 360 Od1er Personal
Injury 0 362 Personal lnjwy shy
Medical Maloractice
0 368 Asbestos Pcrsonnl Injury Product Liability
PERSONAL PROPERTY 0 370 Other Fraud 0 37 1 Tni1h in Lending 0 380 01her Personal
Propeny Damage 0 385 Property Damage
Producl Liability
0 840 Trntlemark Comtpt Organizations 0 480 Consumer Credit 0 490 CableSat TV 0 850 SecuritiesCommodities
Exchange 0 890 Other Sl3tutory Actions 0 891 Agricultural Acts 0 893 Environmental Mailers 0 895 Freedom o f lnfomJation
Act 0 896 Arbitration
a 899 Administrative Procedure
ActReview or Appeal of Agency Decision
0 950 Constitutionality of State Statulcs
LABOR SOC AL SEC URITY 0 710 Fair Labor Standards
Act 0 720 Labor1 lanagement
Relations 0 740 Railway Labor Act 0 75 1 Family and Medical
Leave Act 0 790 01her Labor Litigation 0 791 Employee Retirement
Income Security Act
0 0 0 0 0
861 HIA ( 139511) 862 Black Lung (923) 863 DI WCDJ WW (405(g)) 864 SSID Title XVI 865 RSI (405(g))
I REAL PROPERTY CIVIL RIGHTS PRJSON ER PETITIONS FEDE RAL TAX SUITS 0 0 0 0 0 0
210 Land Condemnation
220 Foreclosure 230 Rent Lease amp Ejecunent 240 Torts to Land 245 Tort Produc1 Liability 290 All Otl1er Real Propcny
0 440 Other Civi l Rights 0 441 Voting 0 442 Employment Jll 443 Housing
Accommodations 0 445 Amer wDisabilities shy
Employment 0 446 Am er wDisabilities shy
Other 0 448 Education
Habeas C orpus 0 463 Alien Detainee O 510 Motions to Vacate
Sentence 0 530 General 0 535 Dead1 Penalty
Other 0 540 Mandamus amp Other 0 550 Civil Rights 0 555 Prison Condition 0 560 Civil Detainee -
Conditions of Con_fi nemcnt
0
0
870 Taxes (US Plaintiff or Defendan1)
871 IRS-Third Pany 26 use 7609
IMMIG RATION -0 462 Naturalization Application 0 465 0 1her Immigrat ion
Actions
V ORIGIN (Placean Xin011eBoxOnly)
~ I Original 0 2 Removed from 0 3 Remanded from 0 4 Reinstated or 0 5 Transferred from 0 6 Multidistrict Proceeding State Court Appellate Court Reopened Another District Litigation
(speciM
Cite the US Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not citej11risdicrio11al statutes 1111 less dfrcrsity)
VI CAUSE OF ACTION t-T_it_le__lll_C _ i - -1 -e- bF osin---Amn entA 42U-S _60 9V i_viI _R_ hts_Ac-tof -9-6-8--amen-d d- airH u e dm s cto--f19c88 C 31to361_Briefdescription ofcause Discrimination under the Fair Housing Act on the basis of disability
VII REQUESTED IN 0 CHECK IF THIS IS A C LASS ACTION DEMAND $ CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint
COMPLAINT UNDER RULE 23 FRCvP JURY DEMAND 0 Yes l( No
VIII RELATED CASE(S) (See ns tructions) IF ANY JUDGE DOCKET NUMBER
DATE SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD
05182015 s Craig R Baune FOR O FFICE USE O NLY
RECEIPT AMOUNT APPL YING IFP JUDGE MAG JUDGE