Commission on Human Rights
Kentucky Human Rights Commission rules on discrimination complaints

RICHMOND, KY. JULY 21, 2011 – The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Board of Commissioners today ruled on 24 discrimination complaints for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The meeting was held in Richmond at the Arlington Club on Lexington Road.

The board approved one conciliation agreement (similar to a settlement), dismissed 20 cases with findings of no probable cause to evidence that discrimination occurred, and accepted three settlements with private compensation dollar amounts and private terms.

The commission this month successfully mediated one employment case resulting in the complainant’s reemployment. Mediation is a process used by the commission that provides face-to-face negotiations between complainants and respondents with commission attorneys acting as neutral mediators.

Conciliation Agreement:

Complaint Number 1577-H, Fontella Dorsey v. Mid America Apartment Communities in Florence, Ky.: Fontella Dorsey alleged she was discriminated against based on the protected class of race in the area of housing. This would be a violation of the U.S. and Kentucky Civil Rights acts. She alleged her landlord evicted her because she allegedly had a fire in her home, and that when a white neighbor also had a fire in a property owned by the respondent, that tenant was not evicted or the lease terminated. Therefore, Dorsey alleged she believed she was the victim of different treatment based on her race, African American. Mid America Apartment Communities denied any allegations of unlawful discrimination and asserted it evicted Dorsey because she violated the terms and conditions of her lease agreement. Prior to completion of the commission's investigation, the parties agreed to resolve the matter with an agreement. Mid America agreed to waive any rent owed by the complainant. The company agreed to satisfy the judgment against Dorsey entered in the underlying eviction. The company agreed to remove any negative credit it placed on the complainant’s credit report within 30 days of the conciliation agreement and to provide confirmation of this to the complainant.

The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights is the state government agency that enforces the Kentucky Civil Rights Act and the U.S. Civil Rights Act. These laws protect people from illegal discrimination.

People may contact the commission for help with discrimination by calling 1.800.292.5566. To learn more about civil rights, visit the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights website at www.kchr.ky.gov. From the homepage, find the links to the commission Face Book and Twitter pages to follow civil and human rights-related news stories.

                                                                       -30-