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MARTHA COAKLEY

ATTORNEY GENERAL

October 28, 2009 - For immediate release:

Attorney General Martha Coakley Obtains Consent Judgment Against Quincy Landlords for Discriminating Against Section 8 Recipients

DEDHAM – Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office obtained a consent judgment against Inna Bogina, the owner of a three-bedroom rental property in Quincy, and her daughter Tatiana Bogina, the rental agent for the property, resolving allegations that they violated state anti-discrimination laws by refusing to rent to recipients of housing subsidies and a family with children.  The consent judgment, entered yesterday by Judge Barbara A. Dortch-Okara in Norfolk Superior Court, orders Inna and Tatiana Bogina to pay $5,000 to the victims, bars the Boginas from discriminating in the future, and requires Tatiana Bogina to attend a training on fair housing laws. 

“We are facing critical housing needs in the Commonwealth and the strain on families with children is particularly great,” said Attorney General Coakley.  “Massachusetts landlords, real estate companies, and others involved in the rental of property must abide by Massachusetts law prohibiting discrimination against persons who want to use a state or federal housing subsidy to pay for a portion of their rent.  These subsidies are important because they are designed to ensure equal housing opportunities.”

According to the amended complaint, filed on October 15, 2008, Inna and Tatiana Bogina allegedly violated state anti-discrimination laws by refusing to rent to two prospective tenants who were recipients of Section 8 federal housing subsidies on two separate instances, one of whom intended to reside in the unit with her children. 

The complaint further alleges that Tatiana Bogina stated she did not want to deal with “those kinds of people” in reference to recipients of Section 8 subsidies.  During a subsequent conversation, Tatiana Bogina also indicated that her family did not want to rent to a tenant with children because they were afraid the children would “wreck the place.”

The Massachusetts Anti-Discrimination Act prohibits landlords and others involved in property rentals from discriminating against people who intend to reside with their children as well as people who are the recipients of federal or state housing subsidies.

This matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Miller of Attorney General Coakley’s Civil Rights Division. 

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