Lakeland mobile home park sued for discrimination

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the owner and managers of the May Grove Village Mobile Home Park in Lakeland, alleging that they discriminated against black buyers in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

The lawsuit against James C. Goss, May Grove's owner, and managers Joey Gwozdz and Cathy Plante marks the third such case the department has filed against mobile home owners or operators in the federal Middle District of Florida this year.

The action in U.S. District Court contends that potential black mobile home buyers in the 81-lot park were told either no homes or very few homes were available for purchase, at a time when white buyers were told an ample number of homes were available.

Managers also quoted black buyers higher prices than white counterparts. Investigators used results from Fair Housing Testing to determine that the alleged discrimination had taken place at May Grove. Under the testing program, individuals pose as potential buyers to gather information surreptitiously.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin or disability.

“Housing providers cannot pick and choose homebuyers based on race,” says Vanita Gupta, principal deputy assistant attorney general, head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “We will continue to vigorously enforce the Fair Housing Act to ensure that all people in this country are able to secure housing without facing unlawful barriers.”

The suit against the owner and managers of May Grove, at 1725 Gibsonia Galloway Road, seeks monetary damages to compensate victims civil penalties against the defendants and a court order barring future discrimination.

Indivisuals who may have information about discrimination at May Grove, or believe they have been discriminated against there, should contact the Justice Department at 800-896-7743, option 94, or at [email protected].