Man Accused of Housing Bias, Threats

The federal government accused a white Mississippi man of threatening to set his dogs on a black couple and to incite a white neighbor who owns a gun shop because the couple wanted to move into the neighborhood. “Racism is alive and well in America today,” Andrew Cuomo, secretary of Housing and Urban Development, said as he announced the action. Chris Hope of Brandon, Miss., was charged with violating the Fair Housing Act by threatening Michael and Pamela Keys in April 1999, after they signed a contract to buy the home next door. His threats caused them to back out of the purchase and lose their deposit, they said. Housing discrimination cases typically are brought before an administrative law judge, who can levy a maximum civil penalty of $11,000, plus actual damages, attorneys’ fees and other relief.