NEW YORK – The US Attorney’s Office in New York has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Pearl River Gardens, LLC for allegedly discriminating against African-Americans seeking to rent apartments at the Rockland County apartment complex in Pearl River.

According to the complaint, the apartment complex on North Middletown Road in Pearl River discriminated on the basis of race and color under the Fair Housing Act.

The company allegedly failed to inform African-Americans about available apartments, while telling non-African-Americans that those apartments were in fact available.  The suit also alleges African-Americans were quoted higher rental prices than others and failed to show African-American prospective tenants available apartments while showing them to others.

The complaint seeks an injunction against the company’s discriminatory practices as well as monetary damages for victims of discrimination, and a civil penalty against Pearl River Gardens.