Windsor Locks Couple Convicted of Discriminating Against Tennant Applicants

The United States Department of Justice announced Monday the owners of a Townline Road property have been found guilty of discriminating against prospective tennants on the basis of race. According to a statement released by the department of justice, Merline and Clyfton Hylton of Hylton Real Estate Management discriminated against tennant applicants and made "discriminatory statements based on race regarding their rental property," located at 5 Townline Road. A judge ordered the couple pay punitive damages to to the victims totaling more than $76,000. Additionally, the couple was ordered to pay legal fees of more than $37,000. "Racial discrimination in housing is not only violates the law and our commonly-held moral precepts as Americans, it also causes great economic and social harm to the family denied the opportunity to live in the neighborhood of their choice," said Acting Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Bryan Greene. The Hyltons will also be required to complete three hours of fair housing training every year and post signs on their properties saying they are available on a non-discriminatory basis, according to the department of justice.