Filed Date: Aug. 22, 1994
Closed Date: Aug. 22, 1999
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The Department of Justice filed suit on August 22, 1994, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, alleging violations of the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. 3601-3619, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, 15 U.S.C. 1691-1691f. The DOJ alleged that the Defendant, the largest private lending institution in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, had expanded its business operations in recent years to accommodate growth in predominantly white areas while intentionally avoid[ing] the servicing of identifiably African American residential areas. The DOJ alleged that the Defendants' practices had the effect of redlining and represented race-based denials of credit for home purchases in violation of the FHA.
The same day the Complaint was filed U.S. District Court Judge June L. Green approved a consent decree between the parties. Under the consent decree, Chevy Chase denied any violation of federal anti-discrimination laws but agreed to invest $11 million in predominantly black neighborhoods, including $7 million specifically for home equity loans. The bank also agreed to market its products directly to predominantly black areas in the Washington metro region, to implement a training program for its staff, and to recruit minority employees to help it better serve Washington's black population. The District Court retained jurisdiction over the case for five years after the consent decree was entered. The case is now closed.
Summary Authors
Andrew Nash (6/2/2008)
Green, June Lazenby (District of Columbia)
Bates, John D. (District of Columbia)
Hancock, Paul F. (District of Columbia)
Holder, Eric H. Jr. (District of Columbia)
Bennett, Robert Stephen (District of Columbia)
Green, June Lazenby (District of Columbia)
Last updated March 23, 2024, 3:02 a.m.
State / Territory: District of Columbia
Case Type(s):
Fair Housing/Lending/Insurance
Special Collection(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Aug. 22, 1994
Closing Date: Aug. 22, 1999
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The U.S.A on behalf of those who were discriminated based on race regarding real estate related transactions with Chevy Chase, as in being denied dwellings to persons because of race, the sale of dwellings, and denying credit transactions.
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Chevy Chase Federal Savings Bank (Washington, DC, District of Columbia), Federal
B.F. Saul Mortgage Company, Private Entity/Person
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Fair Housing Act/Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601 et seq.
Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), 15 U.S.C. § 1691
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Order Duration: 1994 - 1999