A Jefferson Parish couple is suing a Metairie homeowners association and its officers alleging Federal Housing Administration violation and creation of a hostile housing environment in regard to a series of encounters that purportedly forced them to leave their home.
Anthony Harris and LaQunior Harris sued Ponchartrain Homeowner’s Association LLC, Donna Signorelli, Rebecca Smith, and Amanda Roublau in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Louisiana on July 13 alleging multiple violations in regard to the residential matter.
According to the complaint, all parties resided in an apartment complex at 1516 Aztec Avenue in Metairie. The suit states that the Harrises rented an apartment in July 2014 with their infant son, and that LaQunior was six months pregnant at the time.
The Harrises assert that several individuals overtly harassed and intimidated LaQunior in the presence of family members in the property’s common area, allegedly making racially tinged comments laced with hostility.
The plaintiffs allege that the defendants made false statements to Child Protection Services, violated their rights, breached their contract, created tortious interference, and intentionally inflicted emotional distress.
The lawsuit states that the couple was repeatedly harassed and discriminated against by the defendants in the form of racist verbal assaults, dog attacks, threats and retaliatory action for calling animal control after alleged attacks by a defendant’s dogs. Charges include false imprisonment and assault based on canine behavior when LaQunior was too intimidated to leave her vehicle, as well as generalized snarling and aggression.
According to the suit, the plaintiffs were forced to abandon the premises for their own safety and that of their children due to a hostile and dangerous living environment.
Alleging anguish, distress, humiliation, fear and frustration, the Harrises request injunctive action, compensatory, general, special and punitive damages, interest, attorney’s and expert fees, expenses, and court costs. They are represented by Dayal Reddy in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Louisiana Case 2:15-cv-02554-NJB-JCW.