TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Treasure Island Wins Fair Housing Lawsuit

ADVERTISEMENT

By CHRIS ECHEGARAY

Published: October 3, 2007

TREASURE ISLAND -- A federal judge ruled in favor of Treasure Island today in a fair housing lawsuit stemming from the operation of substance abuse treatment programs in residential areas.

Matthew Schwarz, owner of Gulf Coast Recovery Inc., filed a lawsuit two years ago after the city's code enforcement fined him for operating treatment programs in neighborhood homes.

Schwarz sought $2 million in the lawsuit, but U.S. District Judge James Moody ruled in favor of the city. Schwarz will have to pay $182,000 in code enforcement fines, Maura Kiefer, the city attorney, said.

"It was a nasty lawsuit," Kiefer said. "I'm happy the citizens have been vindicated when the judge made the right decision. I'm elated."

In his ruling, Moody stated, "Mr. Schwarz failed to establish the city discriminated against Gulf Coast clients as a result of their handicapped status."

In the 29-page opinion, Moody stated, "Schwarz repeatedly evaded the City's inquiries regarding the use of the properties and made every effort to frustrate and delay the enforcement."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT