Nicolai Quinn, Housing Discrimination, Wisconsin 2011

Grimy Times Exclusive: Landlord Nicolai Quinn Guilty of Housing Discrimination in La Crosse, Wisconsin

Nicolai Quinn, the manager and owner of the Geneva Terrace Apartments Inc. in La Crosse, Wisconsin, has agreed to pay $57,500 to settle a lawsuit alleging he violated the Fair Housing Act by discriminating against African-Americans who were seeking to rent apartments at the complex. This crime occurred in 2009 and 2010.

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin on October 26, 2011, alleged that Nicolai Quinn told prospective African-American renters that apartments were not available when they were, while telling prospective white renters that there were apartments available.

“Nobody should be denied housing in this country because of their race,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights. “The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, and we will continue to vigorously enforce the law to ensure access to housing regardless of the race of an applicant.”

The complaint also stated that an African-American couple who were interested in renting an apartment in Geneva Terrace were told by Nicolai Quinn that there were no apartments available, even though the complex had posted a sign advertising vacancies. The couple found it suspicious and asked a white friend to contact the complex. Quinn told the white friend that he had available apartments. The couple then reported their experience to the Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council (MMFHC), a nonprofit fair housing organization. MMFHC conducted fair housing tests, which confirmed that Quinn was telling African Americans that apartments were not available while showing available apartments to white persons.

Under the terms of the settlement, which is subject to approval by the U.S. District Court, the defendants will pay the complainants $47,500 in damages. Defendants will also pay a civil penalty of $10,000 to the United States. Defendant Geneva Terrace Apartments LLC will also develop and maintain non-discrimination housing policies and attend fair housing training.

Fighting housing discrimination is a top priority of the Justice Department. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin and disability.

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