Press Release
February 6, 2001
PARTIES
AGREE TO SETTLEMENT IN
FAIR HOUSING LAWSUIT
PRESS RELEASE -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Further Information: Amy Schauer Nelson
701/221-2530
BISMARCK, ND, February 6, 2001 – A lawsuit alleging sexual harassment discrimination in housing was settled today on its first day of trial.
In October, 1999, the North Dakota Fair Housing Council (NDFHC) and two Bismarck women filed a lawsuit against Virgil Woeste, a Bismarck landlord, alleging discrimination based upon gender and sexual harassment in housing. At the time the lawsuit was filed, Mr. Woeste managed the 40-unit Century Apartments. Mr. Woeste later sold Century Apartments.
The parties agreed to a settlement of an undisclosed amount. In the consent decree, Mr. Woeste acknowledged that he no longer had any ownership in Century Apartments or any other residential rental property and also agreed that he would not manage or own residential rental property in the future. Mr. Woeste admits no liability in the consent decree.
The federal law that governs housing discrimination is the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which was passed by Congress in 1968. The FHA forbids discrimination in the sale, rental or financing of housing on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, familial status (presence of children), or disability. The North Dakota Century Code on Human Rights forbids similar kinds of discrimination and also gives further protection to individuals on the basis of age, and status with respect to marriage and public assistance.
The North Dakota Fair Housing Council is a North Dakota non-profit organization located in Bismarck. The NDFHC’s mission is to provide support, encouragement, and assistance to those seeking equal access to housing in the state of North Dakota. The NDFHC also investigates complaints of housing discrimination.
The NDFHC and the individual plaintiffs are represented in the lawsuit by Marilyn Foss, a Bismarck lawyer, and by Christopher Brancart, a lawyer from Pescadero, California who specializes in fair housing litigation. Mr. Woeste was represented by Ralph Vinje, a Bismarck lawyer and Steven Marquart, a lawyer from Moorhead, Minnesota.